If you love the countryside cottage aesthetic, you’ll be pleased to know that this decor can be recreated in any kind of home! Even city dwellers living in top-floor flats can get the rural look: all it takes is a little know-how.
Our 7 cottage kitchen ideas are here to inspire! Live in possible with Rehome, and get the cosy kitchen you always wanted.
1. Porcelain
Porcelain is a hallmark of the cottage kitchen aesthetic. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, a theme central to rural living. To get the cottage look, a classic choice is the apron-front or farmhouse sink (which is both deep and wide).
Not only does the smooth, glossy finish of a porcelain sink reflect light, but it’s highly durable, resistant to stains and easy to clean. To push cottage charm even further, why not put your favourite porcelain dishware and accessories (like vases and decorative plates) on display?
2. Shaker cabinetry
Shaker kitchens are characterised by their clean lines, recessed panel doors, and utilitarian design. They’re a perfect match for cottage decor, which celebrates a return to a simpler way of life. These cabinets are often painted in soft, serene hues like sage green, muted blue, or creamy white, like the John Lewis White City, Aldham Ex Display Shaker Kitchen. By reflecting the natural palette of the countryside, you can craft a design that evokes the calming atmosphere cottage kitchens are famed for.
The straightforward design allows other elements of the kitchen, such as vintage crockery, wooden worktops, and floral linens, to shine! If it’s not quite time to replace your cabinets, Shaker style also compliments low ceilings, uneven walls, quaint alcoves and round wooden knobs.
3. Pastel colours
Speaking of delicate shades, pastel colours, with their muted tones, are a staple in the cottage aesthetic. Gentle pastel colours include blush pink (like this gorgeous John Lewis Newcastle, Modena Ex Display Kitchen), soft lavender, pale mint, sky blue (the John Lewis Glasgow, Leckford Ex Display Kitchen comes to mind!), and buttery yellow.
For a balanced look, consider the winning combination of pastels, natural materials, and neutral tones. A pastel green kitchen island, for instance, can be beautifully complemented by white marble worktops and wooden shelving: take the John Lewis Welwyn Highgrove Shaker Ex Display Kitchen, Island & Drinks Cabinet as a great visual example!
4. L-shaped layout
Cottages, by their very nature, are quaint spaces. The L-shaped layout is ideal for any size kitchen, but has particular benefits for homes where space is a commodity. This design involves positioning cabinetry and appliances along two adjoining walls to form an 'L' shape. It maximises the use of corner spaces and creates a natural work triangle.
As cottage kitchen ideas go, this one is only achievable if your space has the correct architectural components. You can get started by planning the placement of key elements such as the sink, stove, and refrigerator to form a practical work triangle.
Then, you can dedicate one wall to other charming, rustic features, like wooden cabinets, vintage appliances, and open shelving!
5. Rustic wood elements
Quintessential to our cottage kitchen ideas is the rustic charm of natural wood! Wood is a key part of almost all vintage-inspired designs. It offers a certain timelessness that can sometimes be lacking in modern kitchens. The use of reclaimed wood, with its natural imperfections and patina, helps to convey a sense of history.
For example, a charming piece like the Used Neptune Chawton Open Dresser exemplifies the appeal of wooden furniture. This dresser, with its open shelves and sturdy construction, is the perfect place to display vintage crockery, mason jars filled with homemade preserves, or a collection of antique teapots!
6. Open shelving
To achieve the lived-in look, open shelving allows homeowners to showcase their favourite items in a simplistic, easy-to-access way. Displaying things like vintage teapots, ceramic bowls, and glass jars filled with spices or grain can make your kitchen feel all the more homely. Plus, having immediate access to commonly used kitchen spices is always a bonus!
You can even mix and match different types of open shelves. For instance, floating shelves made of natural wood can be installed above worktops, or bracketed shelves can support heavier items like large mixing bowls or a collection of mason jars filled with homemade preserves.
7. Vintage appliances
The old-world charm of vintage appliances couldn’t be more important to cottage decor. The exquisite La Cornue Château 165 Used Range Oven is a perfect example of vintage luxury. A masterpiece of French craftsmanship, it features a modern dual-fuel system with two large ovens, one gas and one electric.
Homeowners can get all the benefits of modern cooking technology encased in a classic, vintage design! Or, you can put a retro, 1950s spin on your cottage decor with a Used Smeg 60/40 Fridge Freezer. Features include adjustable glass shelves, a fruit and vegetable drawer, and convenient door storage for bottles and jars. Its energy-efficient design and iconic curved edges make it essential for lovers of cottage styles.
Shop for ex-display cottage kitchens with Rehome!
If your long-held goal of owning the perfect countryside kitchen has been re-ignited, you’re welcome! We want to give our customers the space to be creative, both when it comes to their decor and budgets.
That’s why we’re the UK’s number one Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom outlet! Our ex-display kitchens can help save you thousands of pounds compared to high-street prices. Shop the latest brands, like John Lewis, deVOL, and Hacker, to find an affordable cottage kitchen.