Timeless kitchen: design and layout tips

The following article explores all the ways we can create a timeless kitchen. Step by step, we will walk you through the design process, providing you with everything you’ll need to know. From kitchen layout to decorating, finishes, furniture, accessories and lighting.

✏ Table of Contents

– Definition

– Design tips

– FAQs

Timeless kitchen design

It would be a mistake to think of kitchens as merely a collection of cabinets and appliances in which we prepare meals. The kitchen is the sum of its parts, so we should consider the total package when redecorating or building one.

Tips for designing a timeless kitchen

Generally speaking, spending more money on better quality finishes and fixtures helps achieve a timeless kitchen. Natural and organic finishes – like stone, porcelain, wood and metal – are more likely to stand the test of time.

We recommend taking your time with the design, not being in too much of a rush. Gather some images and references to help inspire the look you want to achieve. Don’t be afraid to personalise with some elements but, on the whole, it’s advisable to keep the basic stuff neutral, in design and colour.

1. Colour palette of the timeless kitchen

It’s best to avoid trending colour schemes when creating a kitchen décor. That also goes for fixtures and appliances. You don’t have to abandon colour altogether, on the contrary. It just means confining them to easily replaceable elements. Accessories, wallpaper, utensils, decorative objects and soft furnishings can reflect more personal tastes. On the whole, the following tips will help keep the décor looking fresh:

• For a classic kitchen look, white, off-white, greys, and soft pastel shades are excellent choices.
• Black is timeless and, if handled correctly, will stand the test of time. Important to lighten with other elements and have lots of natural light available in the kitchen for black to work.
• Be more adventurous with wallpaper and painted walls, anything that can be changed easily.
• Reflective colours and surfaces are recommended to maximise the quality of light.

Create your own mood board

2. Timeless kitchen layout

There are numerous tried and tested kitchen designs to choose from. Galley kitchens, L-shaped kitchens, and U-shaped kitchens are just a few examples. However, what makes a kitchen timeless in terms of its layout is the container into which it is placed. The following list provides an overview of the qualities that make a timeless kitchen:

• Natural light. Maximise as much as possible and connect with the exterior if your home layout allows.
• Open plan. Whatever the preferred kitchen layout, the sense of spaciousness contributes to the timeless quality. Remove any partitions that could help open up the space to a dining room, a separate pantry, or a living area.
• The work triangle. The relationship between storing, cooking and cleaning food must be optimal.
• Location. For the UK kitchen, the ideal orientation is east facing, which allows in the morning sun. If possible, add a skylight to capture the evening sun, especially if there is a dining area.

3. Timeless kitchen tiles, flooring and walls 

More so than any other room in the home, the kitchen floor must withstand plenty of abuse. Timeless kitchen floor and wall finishes must be resistant to wear and tear, stains and humidity.

Because of its resistance to spills, porcelain is ideal for kitchen floor tiles. Furthermore, since it is a denser and less porous material, it always looks brand new after cleaning. Similarly, porcelain, ceramic, metal, and glass are practical kitchen wall tile options that withstand repeated cleaning.

CLASSIC, TIMELESS KITCHEN BACKSPLASH

Tiles generally will help guarantee a backsplash that looks good through the years.

Remember that a timeless kitchen must be long-lasting, so a quality tile in a simple geometric pattern will always be a feature. Similarly, classic kitchen tiles like the metro tile or subway tile never look old. However, it’s best to avoid glass or highly coloured metro tile options.

DECO DURANGO

59.6X150

This wall tile is exclusively available in our stores. Visit your local PORCELANOSA store to see this tile in person.

4. Timeless kitchen cabinet design

The trick with kitchen cabinets and doors is to get the colour and the design right. The following recommendations will help achieve the timeless look:

• Doors with simple panelling or flat cabinet doors tend to look less dated over time. The added bonus is that grease, dust and grime have fewer places to collect.
• For wall cabinets, a glass insert will not only add volume and dimension to the kitchen but works with all styles and always looks good.
• Wood is generally a safe bet for timeless cabinet doors.
• Handles that have a vintage or retro feel are guaranteed to look just as good in 10 years as they do now.
• Having sufficient storage is essential to the timeless kitchen, avoiding clutter never goes out of style.

5. Fixtures, fittings and appliances for the timeless kitchen

The latest appliances can sometimes age a kitchen décor over time, so it’s best to avoid anything too obviously new. Integrated appliances and classic fixtures will always be on-trend. Accessories, such as taps, also play a role in creating the timeless kitchen. The following tips are a sure-fire way to get the timeless look:

• An apron or Belfast sink has a classic look and is remarkably functional.
• Because they are fully or partially concealed, integrated fridges will not age the kitchen, unlike freestanding ones. 
• An old-fashioned range like the AGA style will always look smart and on-trend, no matter what style décor you choose.
• Door ironmongery, cabinet handles and kitchen taps all contribute to a timeless feel. Classic designs work best and provide a dramatic accent to a more sober layout.

6. Timeless kitchen worktops

Natural and organic finishes represent the best options for kitchen worktops over time. Here are a few of the more well-known examples.