COUNTRY KITCHEN DESIGN LAYOUTS
Country style kitchens continue to be a timeless design choice, standing the test of time for their warmth and character with the kitchen at the heart of the home. With this design style being all about homeliness and a place for the family to gather, today we’re taking a look at some of the most popular country kitchen design layouts – the U-shape and the L-shape.
U-shape design
A U-shape works particularly well in a country style kitchen, because it’s great for large families or for situations where multiple people are cooking simultaneously in the area. The U-shape design is handy in that it works well in both a long and narrow space, as well as in a larger, more square-shape with a centrally orientated island bench. An island bench works fantastically in a country style kitchen, especially if you bring timber elements into it – either with a timber benchtop, or wood-grain cabinetry, helping to create that homestyle feeling, and taking inspiration from a natural landscape. A popular design choice is to have a large timber dining table at the heart of the room, instead of an island bench, drawing family together in a combined kitchen and dining hub. One element to consider with a U-shape design is that the mass of cabinetry can sometimes feel bulky, so it is important to enlist the help of a kitchen designer to ensure the balance is right for your space.
L-shape design
An L-shaped kitchen works flawlessly in a country kitchen design because it’s typically suited to an open-plan design, with the kitchen opening out into a dining or living area – again a hallmark of this design style. L-shapes will work best with a medium to larger space, and lends itself nicely to incorporating a dining table into the design. An L-shape kitchen will often feature taller cabinetry on one side, with the fridge and pantry units on the same side, often adjacent to a tall glass-fronted feature cabinet, to allow for crockery and other items to be on display. The other half of the kitchen will contain the cooktops and sinks, and a common feature of a country style kitchen is the inclusion of a butler’s (or farmhouse) sink. Traditionally designed in the past to hold a large amount of water for washing, these days the butler’s sink is not only stylish, but handy and efficient for cleaning larger items such as baking trays. A country style kitchen will generally showcase a freestanding oven and cooktop, with many antique styles from the likes of AGA, Falcon and Smeg available to purchase to suit this unique design style.
When it comes to country kitchen design, these two layouts are generally the most effective. However, you can create a country style kitchen with any layout, if you bring the traditional elements into it – timber features (whether in flooring, cabinetry, the benchtop, or perhaps exposed timber ceiling beams), detailed and ornate cabinetry, and a soft colour palette are just some of the design aspects you could bring to life.
The Maker has a stunning traditional country style kitchen on display to help you bring your idea to reality. With our showroom staffed by professional, experienced and friendly kitchen designers, you can be sure that you’re in capable hands with our design team. To discuss your project further, give us a call today on 1300 270 000.
