There are loads of ways to decorate a kitchen: you can make the room bold and eclectic, rustic and cozy, breezy and coastal, or surprisingly glam. And while all these options are worth considering, there’s something irresistible about designing—and spending time in—a classic kitchen.
Classic kitchens take cues from the kitchens that came before them. They’re filled with traditional cabinetry and quality materials. They’re lined with ornate trim and other historic details. And they’re dressed up with enduring accents, like striking window treatments, printed rugs, and full-blown works of art.
These designer-made classic kitchens range from sleek and simple to dramatic and opulent. But in every iteration, they’re elegant, traditional, and timelessly stylish—exactly the kinds of places you want to cook, host, and spend time in.
01 Finish Things Off With Antique Hardware
Want to put the finishing touches on your classic kitchen? Install some antique hardware. Replace all your knobs, handles, and pulls with vintage options. And consider leaving them unpolished. The aged details will make your kitchen look like it's decades old—even if you just redecorated it this year.
02 Tuck a Dining Nook Inside Your Kitchen
Pressed for eat-in space in your kitchen? Tuck a dining nook inside it. By stocking up on classic bistro furniture, you can transport yourself to the streets of Paris every time you step foot in your kitchen.
03 Create a Cookbook Nook
Consulting a cookbook is a time-honored way of figuring out what to make for dinner, so dress up your kitchen by making space for your favorite recipe-filled reads. If you’re not sure what to do with a bare corner, fill it with cookbooks—and finish things off with an elegant bookend.
04 Hang a Classic Chandelier
Chandeliers aren’t appropriate for every kitchen—but in a classic kitchen, they feel right at home. Keep an eye out for something that looks genuinely vintage, and don’t be afraid to go understated. Since chandeliers are so showstopping, you can stick with something subtle and still make a statement.
05 Line Your Backsplash With Marble
Marble is one of the most elegant materials around, so it’s a no-fail addition to your classic kitchen. Line your countertops with the sturdy yet stunning material—and consider lining your backsplash with marble, too.
06 Snag a Stunning Range Hood Cover
Range hoods are rarely very pretty. But range hood covers? They can be absolutely stunning. Look for a range hood cover that suits your kitchen’s classic look. Snag a sleek option that matches your cabinets, or invest in a statement-maker that looks utterly traditional.
07 Color-Coordinate Your Finishes
Streamlining your finishes isn’t a must, but it’s a surefire way to make your space feel sleeker. Match your faucet to your shelves and your cabinet pulls to your backsplash. The pared-down palette will make your kitchen look more elegant, while the attention to detail makes it feel more luxurious.
08 Mix and Match What’s on Your Shelves
When lining your kitchen shelves, don’t limit yourself to dishes, glassware, and cooking supplies. By mixing in some traditional décor—like paintings, books, and vases of flowers—you can dress up your shelves, lending some classic style to your entire kitchen.
09 Make Space for a Sprawling Island
Open-concept kitchens may be on-trend, but that doesn’t mean they can’t look classic. By building a sprawling island, you can capture some of the intimacy you’d get from a classic kitchen—while enjoying the flexible feel of a more contemporary space.
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