Achieving English Country Cottage Charm in Modern Kitchens

Traditional English country cottage kitchens are overflowing with charm and personality, so it's no surprise that it's a look many of us want to recreate in our own homes. The notion of having a warming AGA range cooker, flagstone floors and a beautiful dresser filled with mismatched crockery is an enormously appealing vision, however these features can't always necessarily be transferred and transplanted into every property with the same level of success.

Whether you live in an ultra-modern, just-built property or you're looking for a few tips on how to get a country cottage feel without compromising on your must-have modern home comforts, we've put together some advice that we hope will offer you all the inspiration you need to transform your kitchen.

Choose Beautifully Crafted, Bespoke Kitchen Cabinetry

While we're on the topic of cabinetry, choosing made to measure kitchen doors which celebrate traditional features is an excellent way to give a nod to the traditional style elements you love but in a way that feels fresh and modern.

Shaker style doors are both characterful and contemporary, making them an excellent option to consider for your kitchen. The 5-piece frame on our Waterford Slimline Shaker doors has a beautifully streamlined look, and the range is available in a selection of chic finishes which are perfectly suited to the country cottage style, including supermatt cashmere, sage green, and white.

Incorporate Characterful Tongue and Groove Elements

If you want to lean a little more heavily into this classic style, choosing tongue and groove made to measure kitchen doors is an excellent way to achieve a more overt country cottage look and feel.

Our Bella Austin doors are elegant, full of charm, and available in a selection of country cottage appropriate finishes, such as ivory, antique white, oakgrain mussel, and Halifax natural oak.

Pro Tip: If you're looking for a happy medium between Shaker style and full tongue and groove doors, our Bella Westbury or Bella Newport doors may be perfect for your space.

Create a Colour Palette Filled with Warm, Neutral Colours

English country cottage kitchens typically feature colours that support the creation of an atmosphere that feels very warm, cosy and inviting. A few different shades of cream can provide a solid base for your colour palette, enabling you to introduce flashes of bolder tones for added depth and interest.

In many cases, keeping your walls neutral and adding colour through your choice of kitchen cabinets and accessories is an approach that offers excellent results. So, if a fully neutral colour palette doesn't inspire you, opt for a two-toned look by keeping your wall cabinets neutral and selecting a richer colour for your base cabinets or a statement kitchen island.

Pro Tip: As country cottage kitchens tend to celebrate eccentricity, don't be afraid to incorporate splashes of an unexpected colour into your design. While earthy neutrals, such as terracotta and sage green are certain to sit well, flashes of a refreshing light blue, blush pink or sunshine yellow can lift your space and add an extra touch of contemporary chic.

Tuck Appliances Away Behind Seamless Cupboard Doors

From dishwashers to washing machines, modern kitchens often need to house an array of appliances, which can detract from a country cottage look and feel when they're out on display all the time. While you could opt to conceal appliances behind charming curtains, this can sometimes feel overly quaint and may be at odds with your appreciation for modernity.

Instead, tucking appliances away neatly behind cupboard doors that match the rest of your cabinetry will offer a seamless look that strikes the ideal balance between country cottage charm and contemporary chic.

Play with Eye-Catching Prints and Patterns

When imagining an English country cottage kitchen, your mind may initially fill the space with floral patterns and traditional tiled floors. However, if you're keen to put a modern twist on your kitchen, choosing contemporary prints and patterns for your blinds, light shades and rugs can be an excellent way to merge old and new.

Striped blinds can echo the patterns made by beautiful wooden beams in traditional properties, in a more contemporary way. Similarly, selecting a checkered pink rug in a contemporary colour palette, such as blush pink and navy blue, can give a nod to the ceramic or terracotta tiles which often adorned the floors in older properties.

Pro Tip: Clashing patterns in a single space is a quirky design technique that feels very modern, yet suits the eclectic and mismatched ethos of traditional English country cottage design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I upgrade my existing cabinets with new made to measure cupboard doors?

If your existing kitchen cabinets are in good condition and can be arranged in a configuration that suits your space, replacing the doors is an excellent, simple and affordable way to upgrade without needing to rip out your entire kitchen. There are many different styles and finishes to choose from, with everything from traditional tongue and groove doors with a matt painted finish to seamless slab styles with a super contemporary ultragloss finish available.

If you're not sure which style or finish to choose, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us here at Happy Doors, as we can help you narrow down your options and make your kitchen design dreams come true.

How do I measure properly for new replacement kitchen cupboard doors?

The great news is that taking accurate measurements for your new kitchen doors is a straightforward process, which won't take much time to complete. Just make sure you've got a tape measure and something to make a note of the measurements to hand.

We recommend measuring existing doors on the backside, as some door fronts have bevelled edges which may result in inaccurate measurements. Measure from top to bottom, and side to side to obtain the height and width of each door. Or refer to our handy how-to guide here.