Top 4 Essentials of a Vintage and Traditional Kitchen Design

In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of modern and contemporary kitchen design choices. More people want their kitchens to look modern and minimalist. This is not a bad thing, but it is a departure from the tried and tested traditional kitchen design that so many of us know and are comfortable with.

A distinct design language is followed in vintage and traditional kitchen designs, which has been a success because of how well it works together. One of the most important aspects of traditional kitchen design is the way that there is attention to detail with everything. There are multiple layers to it, and there are many intricacies that tie it all together.

Essentials of Vintage and Traditional Kitchen Design

This article will talk about the different essentials that make up the traditional kitchen design language. If you want to redo your kitchen with a traditional theme, you have come to the right place.

Color Palette

Modern kitchens use certain monochromatic tones and warmer shades of paint. Where the modern kitchen will have pops of color and style, the traditional kitchen. There is a general understanding that traditional kitchen design employs a color palette more along the lines of whites, browns, beige, deep reds, and other such colors. You want your kitchen to have color but you don’t want it to be right in your face. There needs to be some sort of identity for your kitchen but it is more calm and neutral – a distinct feature of traditional kitchen design.

One of the key distinguishing factors between modern and traditional kitchens is the color choice of the kitchen. Picking the right colors is important for your kitchen to look better. If your kitchen looks nice, you will want to be in it more often. If the colors aren’t attractive or aren’t going along well with the rest of the kitchen, it is going to constantly bother you. Make the right choice and choose a color palette that stays true to the traditional kitchen design language.

Countertops

Kitchen countertops are one of the most obvious features in your kitchen. They are also one of the most used parts of it. Traditional kitchen design involves granite or quartz countertops that are not only resilient and reliable, but they are also extremely attractive. Granite countertops will last years if not decades before they need to be replaced. Unless you purposely break or damage them, there is nothing that can affect them.

Quartz countertops are a cheaper alternative to granite ones. People opt for quartz countertops because they can be made in different colors and finishes. You can have quartz countertops that look like marble or granite, giving you the best of both worlds.

Cabinetry

The cabinets in traditional kitchens were often raised high. This was to make more space in the kitchen while also keeping your goods near you. The design language for these cabinets was often embellished and had different forms of the woodwork on them. Unlike modern cabinets that prefer minimalism over masonry, cabinets in traditional kitchens are either milled into the designs they had or were adorned with panels on them to give them their distinct design.

Similar to the choice of paint on the walls, the cabinets were also in a more neutral and simple color palette. These cabinets came with antique finishes or glazes for added effect. This was done so that the cabinets looked more natural as opposed to synthetic and they did a pretty good job of pulling it off. Among the most common finishes, there was a cordovan stain, sable glaze, or walnut glaze on the cabinets. This protected the cabinet and also gave it an attractive look.

Lighting

If you want to pull the whole kitchen look together, good lighting is the way to go. You want to make sure you can see everything but also have attractive decorative fixtures in your kitchen. In traditional kitchens, chandeliers were all the craze and for good reason. A chandelier has the ability to illuminate the entire kitchen while also contributing to the overall aesthetic of the kitchen. Light bulbs come in different temperatures and you can choose one that fits your fancy. Traditional kitchens used either fluorescent, incandescent, or even both if need be.

When designing a traditional kitchen, you want to make sure you choose your lighting right at the end. This is because you go through several design choices when building a traditional kitchen and you want to make sure that when you make your kitchen, your lighting choice is something that ties it all together. Having subpar lighting or lighting decorations is going to completely offset the entire look of your kitchen.

Final Thoughts

Traditional kitchen design has been the most recognizable part of homes for many decades. The design language that is used, the colors and finishes that are a part of it, and the way that is tied together is something that many of us are familiar with.

If you want to design your kitchen with a traditional design language, there are a few core elements that you need to keep in mind. Everything else revolves around these key elements and there are many different versions of it that can be used.