Adding a French Country or English Country Kitchen Design

Country kitchen designs have been popular for many years, as they can add warmth and charm to the center of the home. If you are debating between a French Country kitchen design and an English Country theme, consider the characteristics of both.

French Country Kitchen Design Heavy on Details

The French Country style features heavy ornamentation and rounded details. The kitchen cabinets will be rounded with scalloped and arched details. The cabinets may have a distressed finish. The kitchen cabinets will have recessed or raised door panels. The floor might be a tumbled marble that appears aged.

English Country Kitchen Design Has Less Fuss

English Country is a simple, clean kitchen design characterized by dentil molding within the crown molding, simple turn pilasters, detailed bracket legs, and sometimes a bun foot. The kitchen cabinet doors often are bead board and the floor might be terracotta.

Mix and Match Kitchen Cabinets

As with many aspects of kitchen design, mixing and matching is allowed. The best way to do that is to select a light colored kitchen cabinet for the perimeter of the room and use a dark kitchen cabinet for the island.

The key to creating a unified look is to find elements that evoke the country style and carry the look through to all major elements of the kitchen. During a kitchen remodeling, add the country style through:

• Cabinets
• Countertop
• Appliances
• Faucets
• Floor

Add Wood to Your Kitchen Design

The main types of hardwood floors used in a country kitchen are:

• Scrubbed oak
• Alder wood or
• Pine

The finish would be limed or washed, which add an aged look. A "scrubbed" finish is created by taking a wood and scrubbing it with a wire brush. This adds texture and makes the hardwood floor look aged.

What About the Backsplash?

The kitchen backsplash is an important area that can tie together the kitchen cabinets, hardwood floor, and countertop. Honed ceramic tiles, with their muted, aged look, are one option. Another is to create a true French farmhouse look with a splash of color on the backsplash. Combine the color with raised images of flowers, fruit, and vegetables to add texture to the kitchen design.

The Faucet?

Look for an old fashioned style that mounts on the wall or has a high arc. A pull-out spray is a no-no, as it is too modern.

In either kitchen design, the country space should be warm, inviting, large, and open with plenty of windows. It should be almost like a little old farmhouse.