5 of the Most Inviting English Country Kitchens on Houzz
Indulge your love of rustic style with this roundup of country-style kitchens across England
With their wood countertops, traditional ovens and welcoming feel, country kitchens have a clear appeal. If you find yourself drawn to this timeless style, you’re not alone, as country cottage interiors have been increasingly popular on Houzz. Here are five of the best country-style kitchens from UK Houzz home tours.
The herringbone wood flooring brings a traditional feel, while plenty of white keeps the room feeling contemporary. A farmhouse table takes center stage in the room, creating an informal gathering place.
The kitchen cabinets wrap around the corner at the back of the room, where they incorporate a large range with a double oven and warming drawer.
A traditional, country-style pantry cupboard with bifold doors and an oak-veneered interior is positioned in an alcove out of shot to the left in this photo).
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The kitchen cabinets wrap around the corner at the back of the room, where they incorporate a large range with a double oven and warming drawer.
A traditional, country-style pantry cupboard with bifold doors and an oak-veneered interior is positioned in an alcove out of shot to the left in this photo).
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2. Rustic Farmhouse Style in Leicestershire
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Leicestershire, England
Size: About 140 square feet (13 square meters); about 16 by 9 feet
Designer: Matt Fern of deVOL
Simple, honest materials, open cabinets and rich copper details combine to make this farmhouse kitchen feel warm and welcoming.
“It’s a classic Victorian staff kitchen in many ways — the open shelving, butler’s sink and scaffold-board [countertops] are all simple, functional features of an honest, hard-working space,” designer Matt Fern of deVOL says.
Materials were key in this project and copper and brass both feature heavily. “It was important that it wasn’t fussy or too polished,” he says. “It was important that it wasn’t fussy or too polished. They wanted a rustic farmhouse look with the emphasis on functionality,” Fern says.
Open cabinets were a careful design choice to create a warm, practical feel to the kitchen. “It’s an unashamed reflection of a working farmhouse kitchen, with all the pans on display where they’re close at hand,” Fern says.
“People are often reluctant to go for open cabinets, saying they’re just not tidy enough, but this couple embraced the idea, which was really refreshing,” Fern says. “They’re a good way to show your personality, whether you display decorative pieces or more functional items, such as colanders and crockery.”
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Leicestershire, England
Size: About 140 square feet (13 square meters); about 16 by 9 feet
Designer: Matt Fern of deVOL
Simple, honest materials, open cabinets and rich copper details combine to make this farmhouse kitchen feel warm and welcoming.
“It’s a classic Victorian staff kitchen in many ways — the open shelving, butler’s sink and scaffold-board [countertops] are all simple, functional features of an honest, hard-working space,” designer Matt Fern of deVOL says.
Materials were key in this project and copper and brass both feature heavily. “It was important that it wasn’t fussy or too polished,” he says. “It was important that it wasn’t fussy or too polished. They wanted a rustic farmhouse look with the emphasis on functionality,” Fern says.
Open cabinets were a careful design choice to create a warm, practical feel to the kitchen. “It’s an unashamed reflection of a working farmhouse kitchen, with all the pans on display where they’re close at hand,” Fern says.
“People are often reluctant to go for open cabinets, saying they’re just not tidy enough, but this couple embraced the idea, which was really refreshing,” Fern says. “They’re a good way to show your personality, whether you display decorative pieces or more functional items, such as colanders and crockery.”
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The couple opted for simple scaffolding planks as a countertop material, both to keep the cost down and to bring a raw, tactile feel to the rustic scheme.
“In a few years, the oiled wood will age nicely and have a similar patina to the dining table,” Fern says. The textured floor is grey limestone, which is very hard-wearing and low maintenance once it’s been sealed.
The kitchen design clearly echoes the style and history of the stone house it’s in, but despite its traditional appeal, it isn’t stuck in the past. “The owners chose modern, functional appliances that suit their way of cooking,” Fern says. The appliances include a stainless steel range with an induction cooktop.
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“In a few years, the oiled wood will age nicely and have a similar patina to the dining table,” Fern says. The textured floor is grey limestone, which is very hard-wearing and low maintenance once it’s been sealed.
The kitchen design clearly echoes the style and history of the stone house it’s in, but despite its traditional appeal, it isn’t stuck in the past. “The owners chose modern, functional appliances that suit their way of cooking,” Fern says. The appliances include a stainless steel range with an induction cooktop.
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3. Practical Country Style in Buckinghamshire
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with their three daughters
Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Size: Kitchen is 185 square feet (17 square meters); pantry is 131 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer: Gemma Dudgeon of Gemma Dudgeon Interiors
This generously sized country kitchen has an open-plan layout that’s been cleverly zoned into three distinct areas, making it a practical as well as beautiful family space. The central area, shown here, houses the oven, the sink, a run of Shaker-style cabinets and a family-friendly kitchen island.
Patterned floor tiles were used to visually zone this area and bring in a country feel. “In my client’s family home in Belgium there were decorative floor tiles, and she was keen for something that reminded her of that,” designer Gemma Dudgeon says. “She sourced these tiles from France.”
To the right of this run of cabinets, Dudgeon designed a mudroom area, as this is the entrance the children often use to come into the home. The cupboards are set into a recess perpendicular to the glass back doors and each of the children has their own designated cupboard. “Inside there are hooks for their coats and book bags,” Dudgeon says.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with their three daughters
Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Size: Kitchen is 185 square feet (17 square meters); pantry is 131 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer: Gemma Dudgeon of Gemma Dudgeon Interiors
This generously sized country kitchen has an open-plan layout that’s been cleverly zoned into three distinct areas, making it a practical as well as beautiful family space. The central area, shown here, houses the oven, the sink, a run of Shaker-style cabinets and a family-friendly kitchen island.
Patterned floor tiles were used to visually zone this area and bring in a country feel. “In my client’s family home in Belgium there were decorative floor tiles, and she was keen for something that reminded her of that,” designer Gemma Dudgeon says. “She sourced these tiles from France.”
To the right of this run of cabinets, Dudgeon designed a mudroom area, as this is the entrance the children often use to come into the home. The cupboards are set into a recess perpendicular to the glass back doors and each of the children has their own designated cupboard. “Inside there are hooks for their coats and book bags,” Dudgeon says.
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To the left of the central kitchen area, a steel-framed door with reeded glass panels opens into a practical pantry. This room is used for storing infrequently used items, such as small appliances. There’s also a wine fridge in here, an extra freezer and a large pantry cupboard. A second ceramic sink is useful for stacking dirty dishes out of sight when guests are over.
Dudgeon chose a checkerboard floor tile pattern for this area, which continues the country feel, but is different enough from the antique patterned tiles in the central area to mark it out as a different zone. Tongue-and-groove wall cladding simply painted in green and white forms a practical backsplash.
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Dudgeon chose a checkerboard floor tile pattern for this area, which continues the country feel, but is different enough from the antique patterned tiles in the central area to mark it out as a different zone. Tongue-and-groove wall cladding simply painted in green and white forms a practical backsplash.
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4. Modern-Rustic Style in Surrey
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Surrey, England
Designer: Natalie McHugh of N&K Interiors
This kitchen also has all the elements of country style, but cleverly updated for modern life. There’s a ceramic farmhouse sink, a traditional range complete with a pot filler, wood paneling and a traditional pantry cupboard.
However, this design wears its country credentials lightly. The wood paneling is on the ceiling, the pantry cupboard contains an integrated fridge, and the island countertop is clad in glossy copper rather than traditional wood. In addition, the white zellige backsplash tiles and Alaska Bianca quartz countertops are a contemporary choice that help lighten the scheme and keep it feeling modern.
The copper countertop on the island brings warmth into the room, as do the wood floorboards and oak bar stools. “I was slightly concerned about [the countertop], because it’s obviously a natural material and it tarnishes and scratches really easily and I knew they were a busy family,” Natalie McHugh of N&K Interiors says, “but in fact, they’re not precious and it’s a beautiful piece of furniture.”
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Surrey, England
Designer: Natalie McHugh of N&K Interiors
This kitchen also has all the elements of country style, but cleverly updated for modern life. There’s a ceramic farmhouse sink, a traditional range complete with a pot filler, wood paneling and a traditional pantry cupboard.
However, this design wears its country credentials lightly. The wood paneling is on the ceiling, the pantry cupboard contains an integrated fridge, and the island countertop is clad in glossy copper rather than traditional wood. In addition, the white zellige backsplash tiles and Alaska Bianca quartz countertops are a contemporary choice that help lighten the scheme and keep it feeling modern.
The copper countertop on the island brings warmth into the room, as do the wood floorboards and oak bar stools. “I was slightly concerned about [the countertop], because it’s obviously a natural material and it tarnishes and scratches really easily and I knew they were a busy family,” Natalie McHugh of N&K Interiors says, “but in fact, they’re not precious and it’s a beautiful piece of furniture.”
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The owners also like wood and wanted it throughout their home, which is why the kitchen ceiling is covered in pale wood boards. “I love doing something on the ceiling — it’s the fifth wall and it often gets overlooked,” McHugh says. “I often paint the ceiling in a color or do a timber finish.
“The [owner] had seen another project of mine with this and thought it really finished off that room,” she continues. “Much of the timber, including the ceiling here, is lime-waxed, which prevents too ‘woody’ a look while still showing the grain.”
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“The [owner] had seen another project of mine with this and thought it really finished off that room,” she continues. “Much of the timber, including the ceiling here, is lime-waxed, which prevents too ‘woody’ a look while still showing the grain.”
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5. Classic Country Style in the South Downs
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five and their dog
Location Clayton, West Sussex
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters) 12 by 15 feet
Designer: Helen Robson of deVOL
This beautifully light kitchen mixes classic country styling with modern elements to gorgeous effect. It has all the hallmarks of country style, such as wooden floorboards, painted cabinets and a ceramic butler’s sink, but the pale color palette and simple style keep it feeling contemporary.
“The previous kitchen was quite dark and dated, and had a hodgepodge layout that didn’t suit the features of the room,” designer Helen Robson of deVOL recalls. “It was important to create the feeling of light and space, especially as the ceiling is a bit lower than usual. So as well as an open layout, I used light but warm natural colors and materials.”
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five and their dog
Location Clayton, West Sussex
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters) 12 by 15 feet
Designer: Helen Robson of deVOL
This beautifully light kitchen mixes classic country styling with modern elements to gorgeous effect. It has all the hallmarks of country style, such as wooden floorboards, painted cabinets and a ceramic butler’s sink, but the pale color palette and simple style keep it feeling contemporary.
“The previous kitchen was quite dark and dated, and had a hodgepodge layout that didn’t suit the features of the room,” designer Helen Robson of deVOL recalls. “It was important to create the feeling of light and space, especially as the ceiling is a bit lower than usual. So as well as an open layout, I used light but warm natural colors and materials.”
They chose a new white Aga stove and added off-white, textured subway tiles as a backsplash. The more modern-looking appliances are integrated behind cabinet doors. “It helps to create a simple, traditional and elegant feel,” she says.
Instead of a traditional island, Robson and her clients decided on a movable butcher’s block instead. “There was a lot of discussion about this,” she says. “The owners were really keen to have an area where they could sit and socialize with friends and family while cooking, hence the butcher’s block.
“We decided this was the best idea, as it’s flexible and can be moved around,” she says. “It also creates an open, relaxed and traditional feel, which I love.”
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Instead of a traditional island, Robson and her clients decided on a movable butcher’s block instead. “There was a lot of discussion about this,” she says. “The owners were really keen to have an area where they could sit and socialize with friends and family while cooking, hence the butcher’s block.
“We decided this was the best idea, as it’s flexible and can be moved around,” she says. “It also creates an open, relaxed and traditional feel, which I love.”
Read more about this kitchen
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with their young daughter
Location: Southwest London
Size: 245 square feet (23 square meters)
Designer: Chantel Elshout of Chantel Elshout Studio
The soft green cabinets and warm wood flooring in this kitchen connect beautifully with the leafy view from the patio doors. In fact, this view was the starting point for the entire kitchen design.
The homeowners knew they wanted a mossy green color for the cabinets to complement the brass and the countertop, but also to reflect the outside. From the kitchen, the windows and doors are framed by the wisteria and garden plants.
By maximizing the amount of natural light pouring into the space and echoing the outside color palette, designer Chantel Elshout has created a fresh take on a traditional country kitchen.
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