Why Copper Shines in the Kitchen
Learn about the practical and aesthetic beauty of copper and why it works so well in food prep and cooking areas
Anne Ellard
May 3, 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
Copper has been the metal of the moment for some time now. While it can fit in anywhere in your home, the kitchen is where this warm metal can really take center stage and show off its natural beauty, whether it’s perfectly polished or weathered and worn.
From pots and pans to countertops and backsplashes, there are a host of ways you can incorporate copper into your kitchen. Discover why it works and how to use it.
From pots and pans to countertops and backsplashes, there are a host of ways you can incorporate copper into your kitchen. Discover why it works and how to use it.
It Works With Any Style
The beauty of copper lies in its ability to present itself in many forms, colors and finishes. Therefore, it can be used to add warmth and interest to any kitchen style, from modern to traditional and everything in between.
The smooth reflective qualities of a perfectly polished copper finish look stunning in a sleek and streamlined contemporary kitchen. Use a polished copper backsplash to bounce light around your room and add warmth to an all white, simplistic space.
Copper, like any metal, can also be worked into an industrial-style kitchen while adding more warmth than cooler metals such as stainless steel. Team a polished copper with textured exposed bricks, or an oxidized copper with concrete countertops and black cabinetry.
What style kitchen should you have?
The beauty of copper lies in its ability to present itself in many forms, colors and finishes. Therefore, it can be used to add warmth and interest to any kitchen style, from modern to traditional and everything in between.
The smooth reflective qualities of a perfectly polished copper finish look stunning in a sleek and streamlined contemporary kitchen. Use a polished copper backsplash to bounce light around your room and add warmth to an all white, simplistic space.
Copper, like any metal, can also be worked into an industrial-style kitchen while adding more warmth than cooler metals such as stainless steel. Team a polished copper with textured exposed bricks, or an oxidized copper with concrete countertops and black cabinetry.
What style kitchen should you have?
A dull, hammered or burnished finish is the prefect aged and rustic look for a more traditional or country-style kitchen.
These hammered copper pendant lights work beautifully with the natural look of the rattan bar stools, the organic form of the beveled-edge subway tiles and the traditional feel of the Shaker-style cabinet doors.
These hammered copper pendant lights work beautifully with the natural look of the rattan bar stools, the organic form of the beveled-edge subway tiles and the traditional feel of the Shaker-style cabinet doors.
Enhance the simplistic, natural and minimalist look of your Scandinavian-style kitchen with subtle touches of warm copper accessories in the form of pendant lights, faucets or minimal countertop canisters.
Opt for a smooth polish as opposed to hammered or oxidized, as it is more in keeping with the clean look of Nordic spaces.
Opt for a smooth polish as opposed to hammered or oxidized, as it is more in keeping with the clean look of Nordic spaces.
It Moves With the Trends
Some will say that copper is on the way out; however, I believe that any material, when used in a way that takes full advantage of its natural beauty and characteristics, always has its place in design.
Steer clear of mass-produced imitation copper accessories, and instead opt for statement pieces manufactured with love from the real deal; this will guarantee longevity both physically and aesthetically.
Some will say that copper is on the way out; however, I believe that any material, when used in a way that takes full advantage of its natural beauty and characteristics, always has its place in design.
Steer clear of mass-produced imitation copper accessories, and instead opt for statement pieces manufactured with love from the real deal; this will guarantee longevity both physically and aesthetically.
The warm tones and subtle glow of copper work really well with dark colors, from heavy wood tones to matte black finishes. It adds a natural, warming element that is often necessary to help alleviate the harshness of dark or monochrome color schemes.
Its Natural Beauty is Never Out of Style
Designers are continuing to embrace copper, but they are focusing more on the natural beauty of this warm and malleable material.
At no time is a material more beautiful than in its pure, raw and organic form. In place of the recently trendy polished copper finish, we will see a shift toward a more natural and industrial aesthetic in the use of metals such as copper in the home.
British designer Tom Dixon launched a new range of housewares at Milan Design Week in 2016 called Materiality. It tells the story of the materials that he uses in his products, including copper, and focuses on their natural characteristics and beauty.
Designers are continuing to embrace copper, but they are focusing more on the natural beauty of this warm and malleable material.
At no time is a material more beautiful than in its pure, raw and organic form. In place of the recently trendy polished copper finish, we will see a shift toward a more natural and industrial aesthetic in the use of metals such as copper in the home.
British designer Tom Dixon launched a new range of housewares at Milan Design Week in 2016 called Materiality. It tells the story of the materials that he uses in his products, including copper, and focuses on their natural characteristics and beauty.
It Gets More Beautiful With Age
Copper adds a beautiful, welcoming warmth to even the coldest kitchen. Real copper pieces will age with use and time and will develop a deeper, solid color on the surface as the metal reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air.
This reaction is called oxidization and is responsible for unfinished copper changing to beautiful colors such as green, purple and bronze, protecting the copper from corrosion and decay. This applies more to copper used outdoors, but you can see an example in this backsplash.
Copper adds a beautiful, welcoming warmth to even the coldest kitchen. Real copper pieces will age with use and time and will develop a deeper, solid color on the surface as the metal reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air.
This reaction is called oxidization and is responsible for unfinished copper changing to beautiful colors such as green, purple and bronze, protecting the copper from corrosion and decay. This applies more to copper used outdoors, but you can see an example in this backsplash.
These beautiful copper pans have been tarnished from exposure to open gas flame. Instead of hiding them away in a drawer, here they act almost like a work of art, creating additional visual interest against an equally attractive tiled backsplash.
It’s Not Just a Pretty Face
Copper doesn’t just have a beautiful face. It is a surprisingly practical choice for many surfaces and accessories in a kitchen. Copper has natural antimicrobial properties — it is said to resist bacteria better than stainless steel, which makes it a practical choice for a kitchen sink or countertop. It is also easy to clean and develops a beautiful patina over time.
Kitchen countertops, sinks, faucets and backsplashes are some areas in your kitchen that you might consider incorporating this warm metal into. Let’s take a look at these features in detail.
Copper doesn’t just have a beautiful face. It is a surprisingly practical choice for many surfaces and accessories in a kitchen. Copper has natural antimicrobial properties — it is said to resist bacteria better than stainless steel, which makes it a practical choice for a kitchen sink or countertop. It is also easy to clean and develops a beautiful patina over time.
Kitchen countertops, sinks, faucets and backsplashes are some areas in your kitchen that you might consider incorporating this warm metal into. Let’s take a look at these features in detail.
Sinks
Copper sinks are available in many variations including undermount, overmount and also farmhouse-style sinks, as seen here. Slaves to cleaning will rejoice at the fact that copper is really easy to clean without the need for harsh chemicals. Hot water and dishwashing soap or mild hand soap are all that is required to clean any copper surface.
Copper sinks are available in polished, burnished and hammered finishes, depending on the style of your kitchen. Many modern, polished copper-look kitchen sinks are in fact made from stainless steel colored to look like copper. The advantage of this is that the color won’t change over time like real copper, perfect for those who want to hold on to the perfectly polished look.
More:
The great sink debate — overmount or undermount?
Find copper kitchen sinks in the Shop section
Copper sinks are available in many variations including undermount, overmount and also farmhouse-style sinks, as seen here. Slaves to cleaning will rejoice at the fact that copper is really easy to clean without the need for harsh chemicals. Hot water and dishwashing soap or mild hand soap are all that is required to clean any copper surface.
Copper sinks are available in polished, burnished and hammered finishes, depending on the style of your kitchen. Many modern, polished copper-look kitchen sinks are in fact made from stainless steel colored to look like copper. The advantage of this is that the color won’t change over time like real copper, perfect for those who want to hold on to the perfectly polished look.
More:
The great sink debate — overmount or undermount?
Find copper kitchen sinks in the Shop section
Countertops
Copper is not generally the first material that comes to mind when we think of kitchen counters. While it is naturally antimicrobial and easy to clean, copper is a soft metal, so it is prone to dents and scratches. However, for those who prefer a more natural and distressed look, these scuffs and imperfections can be part of copper’s appeal.
A wax coating can be applied to copper countertops periodically to maintain their patina and create a barrier against water and other liquids. If you are particular about maintaining a pristine kitchen and prefer more low-maintenance materials, copper countertops are probably not the best option for you.
Copper is not generally the first material that comes to mind when we think of kitchen counters. While it is naturally antimicrobial and easy to clean, copper is a soft metal, so it is prone to dents and scratches. However, for those who prefer a more natural and distressed look, these scuffs and imperfections can be part of copper’s appeal.
A wax coating can be applied to copper countertops periodically to maintain their patina and create a barrier against water and other liquids. If you are particular about maintaining a pristine kitchen and prefer more low-maintenance materials, copper countertops are probably not the best option for you.
Faucets
Most modern copper-look faucets are actually made from brass and have a copper plating applied to them. Ensure that you opt for a reputable brand that carries a good warranty to protect yourself against lower-quality products where the plating will wear over time.
Most modern copper-look faucets are actually made from brass and have a copper plating applied to them. Ensure that you opt for a reputable brand that carries a good warranty to protect yourself against lower-quality products where the plating will wear over time.
Consider taking the look to a new level by including some exposed copper piping in your kitchen design. This is the perfect look for a more industrial-style space or a minimalist space that needs some visual interest.
Copper is used to make water pipes because it does not corrode and is easy to bend into shape.
Fall in love with copper piping
Copper is used to make water pipes because it does not corrode and is easy to bend into shape.
Fall in love with copper piping
Backsplashes
Like copper countertops, copper backsplashes are easy to clean, which makes them an excellent choice in busy kitchens. Using large sheets of copper to cover this area also reduces the number of joins in your backsplash, again making cleaning easier. Opt for a brushed copper finish in a more sleek and contemporary space, or consider a burnished copper for a bold and attractive feature.
If you are not keen on the fact that the color of your copper backsplash will change over time, but you have your heart set on incorporating its warm tones into your new kitchen, try a glass backsplash in a copper color for a much more low-maintenance option.
Tell us: Have you incorporated copper into your kitchen? Tell us how, or upload photos in the Comments below.
More
Metallic Details Bring a Warm Glow to Your Kitchen
Shine On: How to Clean and Care for Copper
Like copper countertops, copper backsplashes are easy to clean, which makes them an excellent choice in busy kitchens. Using large sheets of copper to cover this area also reduces the number of joins in your backsplash, again making cleaning easier. Opt for a brushed copper finish in a more sleek and contemporary space, or consider a burnished copper for a bold and attractive feature.
If you are not keen on the fact that the color of your copper backsplash will change over time, but you have your heart set on incorporating its warm tones into your new kitchen, try a glass backsplash in a copper color for a much more low-maintenance option.
Tell us: Have you incorporated copper into your kitchen? Tell us how, or upload photos in the Comments below.
More
Metallic Details Bring a Warm Glow to Your Kitchen
Shine On: How to Clean and Care for Copper
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Thank you for the tip about stainless sinks made to look like copper. We're considering a copper sink for our kitchen reno, but I'm afraid of it turning brown and looking, frankly, gross. We love the warmth and coziness of copper, especially in areas where people gather, like dining rooms and kitchens. We recently created a penny backsplash for our new butler pantry in our dining room. See the before and after photos at abbyandelle.com.
Copper is a soft material. It is easily scratched and dented. My builder told me about a multi million dollar home in which he was called in to fix a leak. It turned out to be major because the original builder put up a copper ridge vent. Rains and perhaps some hail dented the copper ridge and since there was no protection underneath, it created a small hole and water leaked inside the walls of a two story house. The entire atrium wall would needed to be replaced plus part of the wood structure on top of the house, the ridge vent, insulation and had to redo the upper part before replacing the ridge vent. The problem was shoring up the two story atrium while the atrium wall was removed along with the rotten and molded timber underneath. My builder refused the job because he could not guarantee the structure to stay sound.
If you use copper in an area that is prone to heavy use such as a counter top, do expect denting. Copper is best used as trim, backsplash, range hood or other areas that are not used. If you use copper as a backsplash, make sure there is a sturdy backing so when someone cleans it, they don't scrub so hard as to push it into a hollow area between studs. Pots have a thick heavy copper base, but you can dent in the pots if you don't take care. If you search for vintage copper pots, you'll see many of them dented and scratched. The best copper pots are generally made with tine, stainless steel and/or nickel singly or in combination in order to "harden" the copper base on the outside. That makes it a bit more durable. However, nickel can be reactive and tin can be unstable at certain temperatures.
As for unique countertop, try one of the hardest/dense woods such as mesquite or Brazilian Olivewood or Brazilian Ebony or Brazilian Walnut. These are some of the highest dense, heavy woods according to the Janka scale.