How to Design a Traditional Kitchen

Updated traditionally styled kitchen.

A traditional kitchen is a style that evokes comfort and familiarity with an emphasis on formality. Traditional kitchens are elegant and highly structured. Features might include: cherry or mahogany stained finishes, white painted paneled finishes, fluting, blocks, rosettes, trims, beading, arched and detailed paneled cabinet doors, formal draperies, classic wallpaper patterns in rich dark stripes and florals, marble or granite counter tops and bright brass hardware and fixtures. This is a classic kitchen style, and it should feel timeless. Furniture should also be traditional, such as Windsor and Queen Anne style. Light fixtures are often crystal chandeliers, and accessories in fine china or silver are appropriate.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Note or sketch pad, pencil and eraser ¼-inch graph paper Two to five photocopies Engineers ruler with ¼-inch scale *opt. Plastic architectural template at ¼-inch scale for kitchens and baths A binder with clippings of kitchens you've admired in magazines Notes on the features you want in your kitchen A list of what doesn't work in your kitchen

Instructions

Designing A Traditional Kitchen

1. Measure the exact dimensions of your kitchen from wall to wall. Ignore the existing cabinets and appliances in anticipation that your new kitchen will have new cabinets and appliances. Measure your doors, doorways, windows and anything structural in your kitchen. Draw your room on the graph paper at one foot equaling ¼-inch on the paper (this should match the pre-drawn graph and be easy). If you intend to remove a non-load bearing wall to expand your kitchen then draw the wall that is being removed using dashes to show it will be gone. Extend your measurements into the room that you are taking over so that your new kitchen space is completely represented on the graph paper. Label anything that is confusing. Make two to five photocopies of your new room.

2. Traditional style is about symmetry and balance. Note any windows and doors that are positioned wrong, are the wrong size or shape or need to be removed. The door or doorway most frequently used to enter the kitchen should offer (in your finished kitchen design) a view to a focal point. This can be, for instance, an expansive set of windows over a sink or a grand range with detailed hood. The focal object should be centered in the cabinets on the focal wall. This is where your design begins. The objective is to create visual impact while making your kitchen function well.

3. Flank your established focal object with symmetrical cabinets. On your graph paper draw the intended dimensions of the range (if that is your focal point) and then position matching cabinets on either side. Keep in mind that this symmetry is more important with your upper cabinets as they are more visually active in your line of sight. Function may force the design of your lower cabinets. Refer to your lists and binder frequently to include or address problems and wishes.

4. Position your refrigerator next. This should be within your work triangle but it should be positioned such that it does not intrude into the design. Most traditional-style kitchens will hide the refrigerator in cabinet panels and they will have cabinet-depth refrigerators. The dishwasher is also similarly hidden behind panel work. Position your sink last. Usually the sink will overlook the garden, and the windows chosen will be wider than normal. Design might include a deep marble- or granite-topped window ledge created by pulling lower cabinets forward so there is a dead space behind them. This can make your counter extra deep. This type of detail is typical of traditional design.

5. Position your dishwasher adjacent to your sink or, if you have an island, it can be located in the island so that the door opens to the side of the person at the sink. Sketch in each detail, drafting the perimeter of your room first so that the outer cabinet runs inform the size of any island or peninsula. Most traditional design will favor an island over a peninsula because of the lack of symmetry of a peninsula. Range hoods should be strongly designed in paneled wood with fluting, rosettes, trim and crown moldings. Islands are either one cabinet or two cabinets deep. The back side of a one-cabinet island should be fully paneled in matching panels and any overhanging counter should have fancy corbels supporting the counter top.

6. Draw your new kitchen on a photocopy at least two to three times, altering the position of your main elements (refrigerator, stove, sink) so that you can see other options. This type of redesign is intended to break designers out of singular thinking; sometimes moving designs around creates new inspiration. Your finished kitchen should feel symmetrical in design. It should be highly detailed when you speak with your cabinetry maker. Plan on expensive everything, including light fixtures.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have chosen a cabinet you like, stay within the cabinetmakers standard dimensions (they are on most brochures) as you design your kitchen. This will reduce your custom costs. Common, high-impact upgrades are finish moldings and trim kits for appliances as well as chandeliers and expensive countertops. A good book on this style is "Traditional Style Kitchens: Modern Designs by the Past" by Melissa Cardona.

• Traditional is very style specific in today's market. If you intend to sell your home within 10 years then consider style choices in your planning and design so that you can update your kitchen to a more neutral style without great expense.

References

• Lowes Kitchen Design Tool
• Distinctions Cabinetry