Cottage kitchen and how to get it right

A cottage kitchen that is well designed and practically furnished often has an unmistakable atmosphere. Such a room can feel rustic, modern and cosy all at once. So whether you admire the good old Victorian, French or Provence style, don’t be afraid to go for it. On the other hand, also look to folk craftsmanship, which can work wonders in a Czech country cottage.

Embrace folklore

Openness. That is a synonym for folk craftsmanship. People used to be closer to one another, and that is exactly how your cottage kitchen should feel too. Try installing various kitchen cabinets without doors. Or buy shelves on which to display the onion-pattern china you inherited from your grandmother. This also brings us to the idea of getting decorative crockery, old-new kitchen utensils and various rustic hooks for hanging things. Rather than throwing out an old dresser that looks as though it has had its day, try repairing and repainting it. You will be amazed at how much this lifts your kitchen and makes it cosier.

Be sure to get glass display cabinets in various shapes, which are very traditional. At first glance, a farmhouse kitchen like this looks full of tradition, but it can also have smart fittings or modern technology. In addition, look out for retro appliances with modern features.

Three zones in a cottage kitchen

Most designers agree that such a kitchen should be divided into three zones:

• Food storage zone: fridge, freezer, pantry
• Cooking zone: cooker, tiled stove, oven, worktop
• Washing zone: sink, dishwasher

Ideally, these zones should form an equilateral triangle with sides of 90 cm. In such a kitchen you have enough room to move comfortably and reach everything easily. So remember that the first zone, food storage, should be near the entrance door, as nobody wants to carry heavy shopping to the opposite side of the room. You will also appreciate a well-placed second zone, so you won’t have to go to another part of the house for flour, for example. The third zone should be between the work area and the pantry.

Textiles in the kitchen

Fabric mats for hot dishes are useful and practical. Place them ideally next to the cooker. Get various tea towels, linen, cotton or bamboo fibre ones, which absorb water well. You can also use them to cover sweet buns. If you are handy and like to adjust things yourself, dive into checkerboard-patterned material and make your own curtains and tablecloth. Your kitchen will gain a completely different atmosphere. Besides that, try cotton ticking with a jacquard woven pattern, which can be used on both sides.

What to make a cottage kitchen from?

A cottage kitchen should be made of materials typical of such a place. You can’t go wrong with wood. But also try stone or ceramics. Ceramic wall tiles look very nice too. After all, you can also use ceramics for the worktop. And what about the floor? Let’s be honest, a country kitchen suits wood or ceramic floor tiles. But don’t forget clay plasters.

Colours for a cottage kitchen

A country kitchen is usually painted white or cream. But try brown or vanilla too. Nowadays a grey or even green kitchen is nothing unusual, and it is true that it makes the space much cosier and calmer. Natural materials with decorative motifs also look very nice with these colours, and they belong in this kind of kitchen too.

Take inspiration from nature, combine wood and stone, display, hang and decorate. Your kitchen will gain real flair. What’s more, you will enjoy coming back to it and cooking your favourite dishes without stress.