Photo: salon-pride.ru Although minimalist trends confidently occupy the first positions in interior design, the classics do not give up. Classic kitchens are always about coziness, warmth, home, stability and comfort. Despite all their monumentality, they remain graceful and elegant, for true connoisseurs. Do you recognize yourself and your dream? We'll tell you how to bring this idea to life!
Features of the classic style
For all its traditionalism and rigor, classics in the interior are much more diverse than it might seem at first glance. There are dozens of interpretations of the canons and origins of this style in the world, related to regional characteristics, era, and fashion trends.
Initially, classical interiors are a heritage of Greek and Roman ancient traditions. Luxurious decoration, stucco molding, marble columns, massiveness and simplicity - this is what inspired European classicism of the 18th century.
But not just antiquity, because numerous historical styles of the 17th-19th centuries are also called classics. This is the luxury of Baroque, and lush Rococo, and the laconic English style, and the elaborate Empire style. There are also narrower national and local trends: for example, Russian Baroque.
All these different and sometimes contradictory styles are united by small nuances and details. Classic interiors are large and open spaces, clear symmetry, consistent geometry and composition, and the presence of distinct centers. The interior is always built around the main element - a sofa, bed, fireplace or dining table.
The simplicity of lines and laconic forms are fully compensated by luxurious materials and lush decor. For decoration, natural stone, valuable types of wood, gilding and stucco molding, bronze, copper, luxurious fabrics, precious metals, and inlay are used.
Color solutions
A kitchen in a classic style always has deep, natural colors. Light pastel colors come to the fore, which are combined with dark brown and woody shades. And deep complex colors are good for accents: burgundy, emerald, azure, grape.
White kitchen in classic style
If you don’t know where to start and what to grab onto, white in a classic interior is a win-win option. When decorating a kitchen, you will have to take into account that it is also the most easily soiled, so choose only easily washable textures. But it visually increases the kitchen area and makes the room lighter and brighter.
Brown kitchen in classic style
The ideal classic combination is white and brown, including all shades of sand, chocolate and coffee. These are wooden parquet, panels, solid wooden furniture, ceiling borders. To make the coating more practical and durable, you can use artificial imitations. Now they are almost impossible to distinguish from the original, but they are less capricious.
Beige kitchen in a classic style
If white is too boring and bland for you, pay attention to all the richness of the palette of beige, cream and milk. Such shades are warmer and cozier, so they are extremely appropriate when decorating an elegant kitchen. Beige harmonizes with stone countertops, artistic parquet, and plaster stucco.
Green kitchen in classic style
Green is the color of peace, tranquility, relaxation, and at the same time, luxury and wealth. Choose dark emerald or malachite tones, velvet textures, stone. They harmonize perfectly with wooden kitchen units, glass inserts and gold-plated fittings.
Red kitchen in classic style
Red color in the kitchen is one of the most win-win options, because it stimulates the appetite. It’s not for nothing that the halls of many popular establishments and fast foods are painted in all shades of red or orange. For a classic interior, choose darker, richer and muted tones - and such a kitchen will be truly elegant.
Wood species for making kitchens
To make kitchens from solid wood, cherry, linden, chestnut, beech, oak, pine, ash, birch and some other species are used. It is worth noting that each of them has its own structure. For the manufacture of some elements, rare wood species such as Anergy, Tulipie (tulip wood) and Tiglio can be used.
- Kitchens made of solid ash.
This type of wood has a special structure and energy. If you properly care for furniture made from ash, it will last a very long time. As for the distinctive features of such kitchens, they are usually simplicity of execution, high quality, smooth lines of facades with the absence of decorative elements. They fit almost any interior style. - Oak kitchens.
Kitchens made from solid oak are distinguished by reliability, comfort and stability. Furniture made from this wood is especially durable and comes in a variety of colors. Another undoubted advantage is that oak kitchens are not subject to deformation, so they are not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity. In addition, they look great in absolutely any interior. - Kitchens made of beech.
Beech is one of the most popular types of wood used for the production of kitchen sets. Such furniture is particularly durable and reliable. In addition, at the customer’s request, solid beech kitchens can be tinted in any color. The sophistication of the shade of this wood, as well as its fine structure, make the interior more cozy. - Kitchens made of solid alder.
For connoisseurs of classics and comfort, kitchens made from this type of wood are ideal. Such furniture is distinguished by restraint in terms of fittings, as well as the absence of decorative elements and pretentious details. Its main advantages are resistance to moisture and mechanical influences, durability, ease of processing and the ability to create facades of different sizes and shapes. - Pine kitchens.
Kitchens made from solid pine are especially popular due to the positive qualities of the material and its price. In addition, pine secretes substances that kill bacteria - phytoncides and help a person cope with certain diseases, increasing immunity. Furniture made from such wood is very durable, since only trunks that are at least 100 years old are used for its production, and it is also aesthetic and hypoallergenic. - Birch kitchens.
For Russians, furniture made from birch is native. In addition, it is strong, durable and at the same time unpretentious in terms of maintenance. Kitchens made from solid birch go well with built-in appliances, and glazed facades and high-quality fittings make it more sophisticated. The only disadvantage of birch furniture is its susceptibility to rotting, although this can be easily eliminated by treating the wood with special means. - Solid cherry furniture.
The attractive brownish-pink color of a set made from this type of wood can decorate any interior. In this case, you don’t even need additional decorative elements. The main thing you should pay attention to in the case of cherry wood is the processing of the boards, which must be of high quality.
Furniture for kitchen
The choice of kitchen furnishings depends entirely on your preferences and lifestyle. The minimal classic set consists of the furniture set itself and a dining table.
Refuse chrome, glass, transformers and glossy acrylic facades. Classic collections never completely go out of fashion, so they can be found in the catalogs of most manufacturers.
Massive round, oval or square tables on large carved legs and with the same carved decor look good. They are complemented by dining chairs upholstered in leather, velvet or jacquard. More modern interpretations make it possible to replace the dining area with a high and wide bar counter adjacent to the suite.
Decor
Decor is the very thing that distinguishes classic interiors from any modern reworkings. Luxurious carved kitchen facades, bronze or gilded handles and hinges, semi-columns, bas-reliefs, pilasters - all this is at your complete disposal.
Mirrors and paintings in massive expensive frames, panels, mosaics, and artistic paintings look interesting. To decorate, use massive candlesticks, luxurious vases, beautiful watches - all these are also functional accessories.
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Curtains and textiles
Textiles occupy a very important part in the design of classic interiors, and especially kitchens. It is better not to overuse it with lush, heavy and massive curtains. They accumulate dust, absorb odors, and are not very safe near the stove.
But in the kitchen, luxurious tablecloths, decorative napkins, and beautiful sets of potholders and coasters will be more appropriate than ever. Choose towels and other accessories from simple textured fabrics and decorate them with embroidery, fringe or tassels.
If there is a sofa in the bedroom, pay attention to classic jacquard or tapestry upholstery. The main thing is to choose fabrics that are easy to care for and clean, and you can add elegance with the help of decorative sofa pillows.
Grey colour
in neoclassical kitchen design
This is what happened with the gray color. Just a few years ago, gray was undeservedly called dull and depressing. Now this color, as they say, is “on horseback,” which I am very happy about. This color adds rigor and seriousness to the interior. And if you mix gray with bright colors, they become more noble. For example, kindergarten yellow turns into a noble olive color.
There are gray kitchens here!
Materials and design
The basis for finishing any classic interior is natural materials or a completely reliable imitation of their texture. Now this goes well with eco-trends that call for the abandonment of synthetic coatings. In such a kitchen it will be equally pleasant and comfortable to prepare lunch, enjoy morning coffee or discuss news with friends over a glass of wine.
Floor finishing
Natural artistic parquet is a bright and stylish attribute of classic interiors. But in the kitchen it may not be entirely appropriate and practical, because there is always humidity, grease, stains and temperature.
If you still prefer functionality, replace the wood with laminate flooring. Each manufacturer has different collections for different breeds, patterns and ornaments.
A stone covering is more appropriate than ever in the kitchen, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s real or artificial. It is easy to clean, does not absorb odors, and stains do not penetrate into the structure of the material. This floor goes harmoniously with a window sill or countertop made of the same stone.
You shouldn’t give up on tiles either: large porcelain tiles, contrasting chessboards, small mosaics. Complete your choice with an apron over the work area, made in the same style as the floor.
Ceiling design
The ideal ceiling for a classic kitchen is a simple plain whitewash or a light stretch fabric with a matte or satin texture. Be sure to use stucco decor: thresholds, cornices, borders, chandelier sockets.
Wall decoration
Fabric or paper wallpaper looks harmonious in classic interiors, but this solution is not entirely functional for the kitchen if you plan to cook often. In this case, pay attention to washable non-woven collections with classic ornate or floral patterns.
Combine plain wallpaper with wood paneling, stone trim or tiles. The main thing is brevity when choosing colors and textures, because they are fully compensated by the decor.
What you need to know about solid wood
Solid wood is a natural material that is used to make luxury furniture.
The array comes in the following types:
- Solid wood, which is a board obtained by sawing a log lengthwise. The disadvantage of this material is its limited width, which is usually 40–50 cm.
- Furniture panel, that is, an assembly of lamellas. This option is the most common and consists of gluing wooden boards into a shield so that the seams are as invisible and durable as possible.
If we talk about solid wood, which is produced at domestic enterprises, then it is usually made from spruce or pine. Not so often, but alder, birch, ash, beech and oak are also used for gluing panels. Their cost is slightly higher than products made from coniferous trees, but such furniture is more durable and durable.
Furniture made from solid wood is often confused with the veneered version, that is, when the product is covered with thin wooden plates, and inside there is a budget material, like chipboard. This allows you to create the look of natural wood. If we talk about solid wood, then these are thick beams that are connected to form a facade, countertop or other similar elements.
Today there are the following material options:
- Combination of solid wood and veneer.
- Wood production.
- Manufacturing from type-setting solids.
As an example, we can take a frame, the main part of which is made of natural wood, and the inner part is made of veneer. Due to the similarity of their texture and color, it may seem that the product is made from the same material. In some cases, if it is necessary to hide differences, it is necessary to resort to painting.
In some cases, the façade is made entirely of wood.
It is worth noting that finding such an option is quite difficult. The facade in this case is made of wooden planks glued together. Typically, this method is used in the production of countertops.
Lighting and backlighting
Lighting in a classic kitchen traditionally consists of several sources. In the center of the composition is a luxurious chandelier, which is placed either clearly in the center of the room or above a large dining table. Choose multi-stage and multi-tiered designs with crystal pendants or chandeliers in the form of massive candlesticks.
For local lighting, sconces and floor lamps designed in the style of a chandelier are suitable: candlesticks, pendants, decorative textile lampshades. Modern neon or LED lighting is almost never used, but you can illuminate your work area with neat built-in spotlights.
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Kitchen apron in classic style
An apron is a very useful acquisition for any kitchen, and especially for a classic one with its valuable finishing materials. A mosaic made of small tiles, glass or mirrors looks good. Moreover, these can be ready-made compositions that just need to be carefully transferred to the wall, or original artistic solutions.
If you prefer simplicity and monumentality, cover the wall above the work area with stone. Natural marble or granite are heavy and expensive, but artificial imitations will cope with this task.
Ideas for a kitchen apron
Tile splashback
The most popular and practical option for finishing an apron. Centuries will pass, and the tiles will have the same presentation and in the same place. In addition, there is now a very large assortment of tiles that will allow you to create a nice kitchen design: boar-type tiles, mosaics, chevrons, hexagons, and triangles, in general, there is something to choose from!
Tempered glass apron
This type of finishing opens up wide possibilities in kitchen design. You can create minimalism when you can see the monochromatic painting of the walls behind the transparent glass. Or, as an option, you can paste classic wallpaper under the tempered glass - an excellent option for a neoclassical kitchen. Skinali (glass with photo printing) is a technique that can be found quite rarely.
Wood effect apron
Those who want to slightly dilute the asceticism of a modern kitchen decorate the apron with a wood look.
Previously, the apron was finished with laminate. This material is quite practical and washes well. The only weak point of laminate is the seams. If water gets into them, the seams will swell a little. Nowadays, wood-effect tiles are increasingly used for backsplashes instead of laminate. Lots of ideas for an apron!
Design of a kitchen-living room in a classic style
The kitchen-living room opens up more space for self-expression while embodying the classic style. Here you can experiment with composition and zoning, because the classics still gravitate towards pronounced centers. Leave a few of them: a relaxation area and a work area, a dining table and a bar counter, a fireplace or a massive sofa with a coffee table.
Corner kitchen in classic style
Classic furniture is quite massive and monumental, so it will not fit into every kitchen. But there is a way out: corner sets allow you to use every centimeter of space, including previously useless corner areas. And at the same time, it is convenient to integrate household appliances, a sink and even a refrigerator into such a kitchen.
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Types of solid wood kitchens
As you know, solid wood kitchens can be purchased ready-made or ordered according to an individual project. The first option is, of course, simpler. However, headsets developed to special order are made taking into account all the features of a particular room, that is, the buyer receives a completely ready-made set. In this case, designers take into account everything, from where the household appliances will be located to switches and sockets.
- Corner kitchens made of solid wood.
- U-shaped kitchens.
- Island kitchen shape.
- Direct placement.
Most often, this type of furniture is used in rooms with a small area, which allows for the most efficient use of space. However, a compact arrangement will require correct calculation of areas for storing food, preparing it, etc.
A corner kitchen made of solid wood will allow you to divide a small room into a dining area and a work area, which will ensure practicality and versatility.
For owners of apartments with large and medium-sized areas, the option of placing the headset along three walls is ideal.
In this case, the work area is located in the center of the room. However, this option is not suitable for small kitchens, since there should be free space on all sides.
The classic option for placing a kitchen unit is when it is located along one wall. This is the best option for narrow spaces.
Small kitchen in classic style
The classic style is difficult to fit into a small and cramped kitchen, but you can safely use its modern adaptations and interpretations. For example, neoclassicism is based on the basic principles of classicism, but at the same time it is much lighter and more concise. Use only light colors, discard all unnecessary details, choose functional decor.
Recommendations for caring for a solid wood kitchen
As we have already found out, kitchens made of natural wood require regular and proper care. To avoid problems during operation, you should use the following recommendations:
- Under no circumstances should you use products containing abrasives and solvents to care for furniture. A soft sponge and soap solution are enough.
- In order to give the kitchen surface a shine, you can use a special mastic.
- The air humidity in the room should be 50–75%, only in this case the wood will retain its properties longer.
- Heating elements should be located at least 50 cm from the kitchen unit.
- In order to remove dust from the kitchen surface, it is best to use a dry soft cloth, such as plush or flannel.
- Do not place hot objects on solid wood furniture as this may cause deformation. In this case, it is necessary to use linings with thermal insulation properties.
- To eliminate small cracks or scratches, you must first rub them with sandpaper and then treat them with polish.
- It is necessary to periodically inspect the fastening elements, and if necessary, tighten the bolts and screws more tightly. By following the tips listed above, you can avoid many mistakes that are often made during the operation of a solid wood kitchen.
Kitchen in a classic style - photos of real interiors
The multifaceted and varied classic style opens up many more options for kitchen design than might seem at first glance. That's why we've put together a whole gallery so you can get some inspiration!
Sockets
in modern classic kitchen design
The kitchen must have sockets for each built-in household appliance: refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and microwave, hood. Don't forget about the shredder, it will need an outlet under the sink. It is also necessary to place 2 groups of 2-3 sockets on the apron to connect small household appliances such as a kettle, coffee machine, blender and meat grinder. If you have a lot of small household appliances, then there should be at least 6 sockets on the apron.