Kitchen design has evolved a lot over the years, in keeping with dwellers’ changing needs and desires and the many roles that these versatile spaces have come to play in our lives. So, homeowners today have the possibility to choose from a vast range of trends and styles when designing their kitchens, from classic to contemporary to coastal, industrial, farmhouse, and so on.
However, despite this sometimes overwhelming amount of options, a lot of people choose to remain loyal to the traditional kitchen aesthetic. Reminiscing of the classic designs of the 18th and 19th centuries, traditional style kitchens combine neutral colour palettes, natural materials, elegant furnishings, antique finishes, and carefully crafted details, exuding an old world feel and a timeless charm that makes them truly unique.
One can say they’re almost perfect, except for a minor inconvenience, or better said, a dilemma, that might give some homeowners a bit of a headache: incorporating modern-day elements to enhance their kitchen’s functionality and comfort without affecting their character and allure.
Contrary to what some may believe, traditional kitchens and modern features are not mutually exclusive, although they evoke different epochs. You don’t have to choose one or the other, as it’s very much possible to create a space that is warm, welcoming, and steeped in heritage while also taking advantage of the latest amenities to ensure its efficiency and practicality.
So, if you’re in love with the look and feel of your traditional kitchen but would also like to enjoy modern conveniences, here’s how you can seamlessly blend the old with the new to create a harmonious design that will bring you joy for many years to come.
Choose the right fittings
You don’t have to deck your kitchen from top to bottom with the latest appliances and gadgets and make it look like an alien spaceship to bring it up to date with the latest features. In fact, that’s the last thing you should be doing if you have a traditional-style kitchen.
There are plenty of appliances that can simplify everyday tasks and make the time you spend in the kitchen a lot more enjoyable, but you won’t need all of them. So, instead of rushing to the nearest household goods store and purchasing high-tech items randomly, you should think about what kind of equipment and tools you actually need, depending on how you’re using the space – cooking, working, socialising, entertaining, etc.
For example, if you’re not a cooking enthusiast, there’s no point in buying a top-of-the-line food processor, a cooktop with multiple burners, or a smart oven since they’ll probably end up gathering dust and occupying space that you could make better use of. But it would make perfect sense to invest in a spacious refrigerator, a high-end coffee maker, or a dishwasher if your kitchen doubles as an entertainment venue. The whole point is to choose items that can facilitate the daily activities that take place in your kitchen.
As for looks, you might want to select fixtures and accessories that have a classic design and are therefore easier to integrate in a traditional style kitchen. Freestanding appliances are usually better suited in these situations since they come in a wide variety of colours and designs. Also, make sure to check for materials and quality to ensure the appliances you choose will be just as long lasting as your kitchen’s design.
Conceal appliances
Despite the many perks they provide, not all appliances are easy on the eye and worth putting on display. Particularly larger units like fridges and cooktops might stick out like a sore thumb if their appearance clashes with the traditional style of your kitchen, and thus ruin the room’s entire aesthetic.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to fix this common issue that doesn’t imply swapping your current appliances with new ones or ditching them altogether just because they don’t fit with the ambiance of the place. The simplest and cheapest solution is to hide them behind kitchen cabinets and drawers so they don’t interrupt the classic style of the space. If your cabinets are not in great shape, you can look for replacement kitchen cabinet doors to fix this issue quickly and affordably. That way, you can bring the latest technology into your kitchen and not make it look like you’re in a Sci-Fi movie.
You can also take advantage of smart home solutions such as integrations with virtual assistants that allow you to control various features and functions in your kitchen like lighting, or cooking timers for a more streamlined experience.
Rethink storage
Modern kitchens are all about clever storage ideas that can help one keep every area perfectly tidy and organised and maintain a clean appearance. The purpose is to keep clutter at bay, maximise space, ensure multifunctionality, and ensure all kitchen zones and components are used to their full potential.
Traditional kitchens are built differently and often lack these functional features, but you can apply the same principles and methods and make use of modern storage solutions to upgrade the space. From drawer organisers and pull-out trays to sliding racks, hidden pantries, and different types of containers in all sorts of shapes and sizes, there’s a multitude of innovative solutions that can help you store goods and devices and make your kitchen more organised.
From past to present
Old-school traditional kitchens don’t have to be stuck in the past. They can be brought to the present day through the clever integration of modern touches that can respond to your current needs and lifestyle. The fusion of traditional and modern elements in the kitchen gives you the opportunity to create an inviting space that exudes warmth and timeless elegance while also staying up to date with the latest tech developments and benefiting from all the advantages they offer. So, feel free to use these tips to give your traditional kitchen a contemporary twist while also preserving its essence and personality.
