One of the biggest decisions you will have to make when designing your new kitchen is which style to choose. The style of your cabinetry will not only impact the look and feel of your space but can also affect its price, longevity and practicality. So, if your new kitchen is going to stand the test of time, it’s vital you make the right call. Broadly speaking, there are two types of kitchen style — modern and traditional. However, these two groups cover such a diverse range of themes that it can be hard to know where to start. To unpick the different kitchen styles and showcase their impressive versatility, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide complete with plenty of pictures for inspiration.
Modern Kitchens
Modern kitchens tend to feature less intricate detailing. This gives them a clean, pared-back look. Their minimal finish can help bring a spacious feel to smaller rooms. If you’re looking to maximise storage, a streamlined modern kitchen makes a great choice.
Handleless Kitchens
Handleless kitchens are one of the most popular modern kitchen styles. They are unique in that they are designed to operate without handles. Instead, you can open them using a rail system, J-pull or push-to-open mechanism. Handleless kitchens look wonderfully sleek and stylish. Their smooth surface makes them easy to wipe clean and promotes safer working. However, they can be problematic for those with restricted dexterity. True handleless kitchens (ones that use a rail system) tend to be the most hard-wearing but are also the most expensive.
The Sleek All-White Kitchen
The first image that springs to mind when we mention modern handleless kitchens is the all-white kitchen. Going all-white and streamlining your tall units is a great way to make your room feel spacious without compromising storage. Open shelving, houseplants and warm wood textures will prevent your scheme from looking too stark.
Minimalist Modern Kitchen
Create a bold architectural interior with minimalist cabinetry and dramatic industrial finishes. White walls and organic red brick slips balance out the dark island. You can also temper this look with natural wood or luxurious soft furnishings such as velvet bar stools.
Opulent Contemporary Kitchen
With their earthy, natural undertones, dusky pinks, warm greiges and sage greens are perfect for bringing a calm and cosy atmosphere to your space. A contrasting white wall colour will really make your cabinetry pop, creating a radiant modern setting. However, for something altogether warmer and more harmonious, consider toning your door finish in with your wall colour. This muted colour palette with beautiful wood accents sets a welcoming and elegant mood to our client’s home.
Flat-Panel/Slab Kitchens
Flat-panel or slab kitchens are so named because the face of the cabinet is completely flat apart from the handle. Their minimal looks are not dissimilar to that of a handleless kitchen. However, the door hardware forms a key design feature. This simple and affordable kitchen style offers great versatility.
On-Trend Sage Green Kitchen
An elegant sage green softens this flat-panel kitchen without detracting from the clean, modern aesthetic. Though natural colours and materials are on-trend, a monochrome palette will always give a more crisp, contemporary edge to your space.
Elegant & Inviting Modern Kitchen
You might almost mistake this clever, two-tone interior for a traditional kitchen. The vintage-inspired yellow island, elegant off-white backdrop and mid-century Danish furniture bring a charming classic quality to the design.
Traditional Kitchens
Traditional kitchens take inspiration from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras. Their beaded and framed detailing reflect these influences and give traditional kitchens their characterful looks. Though just as durable as modern kitchens, the intricate panelled doors can be trickier to clean.
Shaker Kitchens
A shaker style kitchen essentially refers to any kitchen that features a picture frame around the edge of the door. The frame was originally added to strengthen the door without wasting timber. The 300-year-old shaker kitchen has become a symbol of elegant simplicity and timeless style.
Stylish Traditional Shaker Kitchen
A radiant neutral colour scheme gives this shaker kitchen an elegant and sophisticated feel. While the unfussy framed design could complement a modern theme, an elaborate bespoke mantle, stunning range cooker and decorative tap establish a luxurious classic ambience. Conversely, the oak floating shelf gives a nod to the more modern extension. The colour scheme and traditional finishing touches both play an important role in setting the tone of the room.
Dramatic Contemporary Shaker Kitchen
Though this kitchen includes several gorgeous traditional features, such as a range cooker, a Belfast sink and glass-fronted cabinets, the dramatic charcoal grey finish brings the design right up to date. A darker colour scheme can introduce real depth and character to a shaker kitchen. The American-style fridge freezer also adds a more informal modern vibe.
Handleless Shaker
Handleless shaker kitchens combine the functionality of a handleless system with the character and charm of a shaker design. They make a lovely choice for those looking to bring a modern edge to a period property.
Bright Modern Handleless Shaker
Our clients had their hearts set on a classic shaker kitchen, until they saw our beautiful handleless shaker design. The bright and airy colour scheme and minimal traditional touches create a perfect backdrop to modern open-plan living in a country farmhouse.
In-Frame Kitchens
Most in-frame kitchens feature a classic shaker style door, making it a little tricky to differentiate between the two. The term in-frame actually refers to the construction of the kitchen. Instead of mounting the door on the face of the cabinet, the door sits within a frame that forms part of the carcass. Before the advent of modern manufacturing techniques, most furniture was built in this way. This gives in-frame kitchens a more authentic, traditional feel. The craftsmanship involved in producing this type of kitchen and the resulting quality and durability have earned the in-frame kitchen a reputation for luxury. Their handmade nature puts them at the higher end of the price bracket.
Luxury In-Frame Shaker Kitchen
No other kitchen style communicates luxury quite like an in-frame kitchen. Features such as regal glass-fronted cabinets, metallic accents and lavish worktops can elevate your design even further. While neutral tones establish a graceful sense of splendour, rich navy blue, deep green or plum hues offer moody opulence and warmth.
Charming In-Frame Country Kitchen
Boasting more character and detail than a standard shaker design, in-frame kitchens look spectacular in a traditional setting. Wood worktops, vintage plate racks and butcher’s block type islands are ideal for accentuating a homely country kitchen style.
With each kitchen style offering such impressive versatility, settling on one theme can seem like an impossible task. Browsing lots of different imagery and creating a mood board can help you narrow down your ideas. We would also recommend experiencing some designs in person, as you may find you feel differently about them in real life. Don’t worry if you’re not sure which style to choose. Finding your perfect kitchen is a journey. Your local kitchen specialists should work closely with you to create a truly beautiful bespoke design that suits your needs. If you’d like to discuss your ideas with our expert team, you can call us on 01502 711210 or get in touch by clicking here.
