modern kitchen in a period home with timber beams

How to design a kitchen for a period home

Balance original features with contemporary design for a kitchen scheme in harmony with its unique setting

By Hayley Gilbert |

Modern living demands a kitchen that works on a practical level and is beautiful to look at. So how does this work in terms of introducing new cabinets, state-of-the-art appliances and innovative worksurfaces into a space that’s bursting with heritage and history?

new kitchen in old property with beams and double-height vaulted ceilings

A bespoke design weaves around original features of this barn project by Communion Architects

Restore or replace?

Replacing original architectural details in your room with modern equivalents is an option, but it is preferable to preserve or enhance them, as this will add value to your property.

However, this is likely to cost more. So with any period home renovation or alteration it makes good sense to add a contingency of at least 20 per cent of your budget, to cover any unforeseen issues.

pantry kitchen - how to design a kitchen for a period home - home improvements - granddesignsmagazine.com

With its Victorian scullery feel, this kitchen by The Main Company is in tune with its surroundings

Know your limitations

Making significant design changes may be limited by whether your property is a listed building or in a conservation area, as this status will involve restrictions on the alterations you can make. When necessary, always obtain listed building consent before undertaking any work.

Modern living demands a kitchen that works on a practical level and is beautiful to look at. So how does this work in terms of introducing new cabinets, state-of-the-art appliances and innovative worksurfaces into a space that’s bursting with heritage and history?

new kitchen in old property with beams and double-height vaulted ceilings

A bespoke design weaves around original features of this barn project by Communion Architects

Restore or replace?

Replacing original architectural details in your room with modern equivalents is an option, but it is preferable to preserve or enhance them, as this will add value to your property.

However, this is likely to cost more. So with any period home renovation or alteration it makes good sense to add a contingency of at least 20 per cent of your budget, to cover any unforeseen issues.

pantry kitchen - how to design a kitchen for a period home - home improvements - granddesignsmagazine.com

With its Victorian scullery feel, this kitchen by The Main Company is in tune with its surroundings

Know your limitations

Making significant design changes may be limited by whether your property is a listed building or in a conservation area, as this status will involve restrictions on the alterations you can make. When necessary, always obtain listed building consent before undertaking any work.

Image: This scheme for a Kent townhouse combines British Standard cupboards with glossy wall tiles and a patterned floor

Classic or contemporary?

There are two main concerns when selecting a style of kitchen for a period property. A like-for-like design will include traditional features, such as handmade, painted or natural wood cabinets with in-frame doors and a range cooker.

A contemporary approach can also work thanks to its eye-catching contrast. The idea is to make a distinct break and incorporate clutter-free clean lines, quartz worksurfaces, handleless units and integrated appliances.

period house kitchen extension with bifold door onto patio

This Bovingdon kitchen by Cue & Co of London is in solid oak veneer and tulipwood, painted in Little Greene’s dark lead

Whichever style you opt for, bespoke furniture has an advantage over off-the-shelf versions, in that it will be precision-made to fit architectural features, such as sloping ceilings and wonky walls.

Freestanding cabinets can also be a good solution, as you can change the layout with ease and even take them with you if you move. Island units, work tables, benches, trolleys and larder cupboards are all compatible with a classic setting.

Practical details

Decisions about style and design aside, there is a crucial, practical matter to consider early on. ‘The ceiling height of your home is an important consideration,’ advises Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore. Some properties have ceilings that are too low for standard wall cupboards or tall appliance housings. A furniture maker will be able to supply shorter-height wall cupboards.’

modern kitchen in a barn conversion with exposed timber beams

Old meets new in this barn, with a kitchen by Roundhouse Urbo

Weigh up the benefits

Tom-Jones Marquez, director at Bath Bespoke, provides his advice on designing for an older house

• Bringing sufficient light into a period property can pose a challenge as older houses tend to have small windows, while smaller rooms mean that a dream of open-plan living is sometimes not possible. On top of which, planning permission can become a battle to try and ease an old building into a form that suits modern living.
• So it’s crucial to balance all of the options and assess whether it’s worth putting in a planning application for opening up the space and adding windows or doors? If not, there are design solutions such as using semi-reflective materials to bounce light around and keeping the space fairly minimal. Contemporary kitchens often achieve this more effectively than classic styles, which tend to look heavier. Can other rooms be used to help out? Maybe, turning a cupboard into a pantry.
• To make a smaller space feel bigger, hide everything away and avoid open shelves. Tiny rooms need everything hidden behind doors or drawers.
• The larder can be a key feature including lots of internal drawers and spice racks for storage. Plan carefully which food types will be going where, so that you have an efficient arrangement of shelves. ‘Cook centres’ are also very useful. Imagine a 1200mm wide, full height four-door larder with a worktop inside for food processors and toasters. The doors are bi-fold or slide back into pockets, reducing clutter.
• Maintain the character of an old building by paying attention to the architecture. Line up the sink with stone mullions or glazing bars, for instance.

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