How to Design a Gothic Kitchen

Design a Gothic-style kitchen with elements of stone, stained glass and arches reminiscent of cathedrals during the Middle Ages. Deep shades of red, blue and gold provide a backdrop for the rich wood on the cabinets, the stone floors and the colorful glass windows. Add wrought-iron lighting, ornate metal fixtures and scrolled metal hardware to enhance the stone and glass components in your Gothic kitchen.

Instructions

1. Add wooden beams to the ceiling to help create a Gothic design in your kitchen. Deep, rich wood or faux beams will demand attention against a white ceiling. Consider a stained glass skylight or stained glass in some of the windows. You can find antique stained glass panels to hang inside the windows at your local antique store and from online dealers. If you're designing a Gothic kitchen for a new home, include arched windows and doorways and high ceilings to fit large beams.

2. Paint the walls red, deep blue or cream and accent with black and shades of gold. Cover a wall with stones, faux or real, to simulate stone walls from the Middle Ages. Select slate floors to complement your walls and your cabinets.

3. Design your Gothic kitchen cabinets with pointed arches on the doors. Add stained glass to some or all of the cabinet doors to mimic a cathedral window. Design a mosaic glass backsplash the same color as the walls or in a myriad of colors as your stained glass element in the room. You could also install a faux stone backsplash in shades of gray or blue to offset a rich cherry or mahogany finish on your cabinets. Granite or slate countertops in shades of black, gray or blue tie the Gothic elements together in your kitchen.

4. Hang copper pots on a black, wrought-iron pot rack above your island. Light your Gothic kitchen with a wrought-iron chandelier over the table and wrought iron sconces along the walls. Select ornamental faucets and fixtures made from pewter or copper.

5. Select ornate furniture for an eat-in kitchen made from rustic or polished wood with wrought iron or decorative wood accents. Add soft textures with colorful rugs, curtains and chair cushions.

Tips & Warnings

• Have stained glass windows made to fit by local stained glass artists.

• Keep the wood tones in the same family throughout your Gothic kitchen design.

References

• University of Glasgow: Gothic Revival and Design

Resources

• Real Designs/American Architecture: Gothic Revival Homes