While following trends may mean your design looks good on social media, it will eventually date. We reveal the key elements to help ensure your kitchen remains timeless…

So, how do you achieve a truly timeless kitchen? KBB journo Charlotte Luxford has found that the key is to go classic and strive for longevity. From an intricately planned layout that works for now while also being fluid enough to accommodate change, to choosing handcrafted cabinets that look just as good on the inside as out, it’s luxury and necessity rolled into one.

But perhaps most importantly, a timeless kitchen is one you really love and won’t want to change. That means working closely with skilled and expert designers who can translate your precise needs and wishes into a beautiful, high-quality design that is exactly right for you.

Focus on storage

It pays to carve out storage that’s precisely tailored to your needs for now and the future. Pantries have been around for centuries for good reason: they’re an invaluable way of ensuring all your produce is to hand. Larders have become a staple in most homes, offering storage and convenience without needing the space for a separate room.

Here, this huge double pantry cabinet creates a home for everything, with engraved crates, built-in baskets and tiered shelving. Positioned opposite the hob and right next to the ovens, it makes cooking that little bit easier, while additional wine storage accessed via a library ladder adds real wow factor.

The American walnut cabinetry is taken right to the ceiling, with cornice detailing eliminating any dust traps, while also adding warmth and contrast to the design.

Mix it up

One way to create a lasting, well-balanced scheme is to incorporate contrasting design elements. In this scheme, a blend of colours, styles and textures creates an effortless modern take on the classic Shaker kitchen, which remains sympathetic to the grandeur and style of the property.

The combination of two cabinetry styles, Roundhouse’s Classic and Classic Contemporary, adds a touch of the unexpected while clean lines, symmetry, and an elegant colour palette prevent the design from feeling too busy.

The dark metal light fixture is echoed in the black door frames, all offset by the natural stone, wood and calming white walls. An Aga is nestled between symmetrical cabinetry with contemporary mantel above, concealing the cooker hood to create a beautiful focal point.

Don’t forget the personal details

Don’t underestimate the value of accessorising. A kitchen that has a more lived-in, informal look will have character and charm in abundance – helping create a unique and highly personal space you will cherish for a very long time. Pearl Lowe’s coastal kitchen speaks of years of accumulation, with knick-knacks, treasured heirlooms and vintage finds all on display to create a warm and inviting family space.

“It can be anything, from straight rows of white plates or a jumbled mix of bits and bobs, a ceiling full of hanging herbs and utensils, or a perfectly arranged display of Italian coffee makers,” says Helen Parker, Devol’s creative director.

“Sometimes gadgets and treasures can get a little dusty or greasy if displayed in open areas of the kitchen; this is not such an issue if you use your things every day, but if you don’t it is a problem. Glazed cupboards are a good solution; old museum cabinets and vintage glazed pieces, although hard to find, are a great way to display and store in style. I also love the idea of poles with old butcher’s hooks, styled with a mixture of pots, ladles, herbs and even a little bit of charcuterie just to add to the authenticity.”

Keep it neutral

The brief for this large-scale new build in Kent was to create a timeless kitchen for the owners and their two children – both practically and aesthetically. In terms of design, Louisa Eggleston, creative director at Humphrey Munson, advises avoiding trends when it comes to choosing a colour scheme and instead opting for a well-considered and layered tonal design for an elegant look and feel.

Here, a duo of light and dark grey painted finishes are mixed with Berkeley oak as an accent to bring warmth and character to the space. The weathered bronze hardware and antique-effect mirror splashback also add depth to the neutral scheme, while the heavily veined Verona quartz worktops emulate the luxury of marble without the upkeep.

Lastly, choosing natural limestone flooring was a key part of the design, providing a low maintenance and hard-wearing foundation to the room.

Choose standalone pieces

To get that authentic timeless appeal, depart from conventional fitted furniture and look to include large-scale freestanding pieces that would have been true to a kitchen in the Victorian era, when it was a utilitarian workspace. A good example is this cook’s table, inspired by the under-the-stairs kitchens at Lanhydrock House in Cornwall.

This property has been in the same family’s ownership for hundreds of years, but a new generation required a space suited to a more modern way of living that still looked comfortable in its classical surroundings.

The bespoke cook’s table is the centrepiece. “The floor area was quite constrained, so this design felt more sensible as it would allow space underneath for pets and for light to penetrate to the back of the room,” says Andrew Petherick, director at Guild Anderson. Although it looks traditional with its hand-turned legs, brass hardware and timber top, it houses modern warming drawers and electrical points.

Embrace symmetry and good flow in your kitchen

“This family kitchen was heavily influenced by classic Georgian design principles, which are all about balance, order and symmetry,” explains Jasper Middleton, design director at Middleton Bespoke. “There is a regularity to the arrangement so everything looks just right, and integrated appliances allow the cabinetry to shine.”

Inspired by the below-stairs scullery of the Georgian era, the main sink, bin and dishwasher are discreetly tucked away within the run of cabinets behind the wall. The cooker run was designed to ensure the chef has everything to hand, with pan storage, a preparation sink with boiling-water tap and ample worktop space. The peninsula acts almost like an old-fashioned rectory table.

Focus on materials

The owners of this Georgian manor house wanted a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would fit in their period home. They called upon Jay Powell, design project manager at Inglis Hall, drawn by the kitchen makers’ craftsmanship, focus on materials and ability to blend old and new. “We don’t do pastiche,” says Powell. “We would rather stick out than conform.”

The materials were chosen to resonate with the architecture and surrounding woodland, so Jay hand-selected oak from a local merchant, choosing boards with tight knots and a gnarly grain to add texture. It was paired with super matt Cacao Orinoco Fenix cabinets, made from paper and next-generation acrylic resins for a practical, understated look.

As the materials should improve with age, handle strips were crafted from raw, unlacquered brass that will become burnished through use.

Invest in quality kitchen appliances

Your appliances are the workhorses of the kitchen, so it’s important to opt for well-built designs that match up to the craftsmanship of your cabinetry. “We chose the Wolf ovens as they hold their own in this vast kitchen,” says Anthony Earle, senior concept designer at Artichoke.

“We like their chunky, unapologetic style, creating a statement that sits comfortably amongst the other big design elements, including the oversized hood, which is reminiscent of the Victorian Arts and Crafts era with its rivets and metal work of brass and steel. The chamfered detail on the Wolf ovens also matches the chamfered detail on the base drawers, which contributed to our choice.”

While stainless-steel appliances wouldn’t have been available during the Victorian era, they emulate the same utilitarian style, offering a practical and robust cooking solution that won’t date and will last a lifetime.

Look to the past

It doesn’t hurt to hark back to a by-gone era for inspiration when designing a brand-new kitchen; look at tried-and-tested styles that speak the language of your property and suit your personal tastes. While seemingly slick and contemporary, this scheme takes its cue from the Art Deco era, which in turn was influenced by Neoclassicism.

Its three-step beaded inset cabinetry and square-step quartz worktop are influenced by the bold geometry of the movement, which are softened by the curved banquette seating and fluted timber dining table with Deco-style black trim detailing. Faux leather upholstery references the luxurious booth seating of the era, as does the ribbed glass cabinetry, truffle-stained oak and brass hardware.

This timeless kitchen features a full suite of Miele appliances, including the Obsidian Black oven range – a perfect match for the sleek, linear design.

Tailor it for the perfect fit

Martin Moore had creative freedom to design this bright kitchen from scratch. The long galley layout makes use of every inch of space, incorporating both base and ceiling cabinets, as well as integrated storage in the island. The central island was a must-have, but initially posed a challenge because the space is narrow.

The kitchen was extended slightly to accommodate the island and a slim lozenge shape was chosen to soften the look and create better access and sense of flow. To maximise space, Martin Moore took full advantage of the property’s high ceilings by incorporating ceiling cabinets. Bespoke French decorative plasterwork, handmade in Paris, completes the look.

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