European interior design and architecture have always been on the flamboyant side. They really play on the aesthetics while maintaining functionality at the same time. In short, European-inspired rooms are very beautiful to look at, but being pretty is not the only thing they can boast. These rooms last for a long, long time, as evidenced by the countless old homes all over the continent that have stood for over hundreds of years. Kitchens are most especially resilient through the years.
If you take a look at European rooms, it appears that many similarities remain between kitchens in the regency era and present-day ones. Things may have since toned down, but the underlying elements still remain.
Stone floors and large cupboards are traditional in a European kitchen.
Photo by ChalonHandmade at Flickr.com
For example, a standard kitchen will usually have a stone floor. Kitchens preserved for hundreds of years would have stone walls as well, with hewn rocks mortared to look like large bricks. This is why if the kitchen is built from the ground up, designers will often incorporate a stone wall or archway into the room. These features contribute to the European feel of the kitchen. Some would even include a stone hearth.
Most European kitchens also have one or more kitchen tables at the center of the room. Benches or stools are tucked underneath, although most of the tables also double as storage units. Shelves and drawers are built beneath them.
Speaking of storage, kitchen cabinets are usually elevated from the floor. Some are even as high as a foot off the ground. There are plenty of cabinets above the counters too. All shelving units are subtle and designed in such a way that guests will not easily find the doors to open them. Hinges are concealed behind overlay details, drawer handles are unobtrusive and majority of the cupboards have doors.
Smaller appliances are tucked into cabinets.
Photo by ChalonHandmade at Flickr.com
Counters with granite tops line the walls, and appliances that no longer fit into the shelves and overhead cabinets are placed neatly on top. You can expect that a large portion of the counter will remain vacant though since Europeans love using the space for preparing food. Italians, for instance, are known to knead dough and cut pasta slices atop their kitchen counters.
A kitchen island, which is big enough to serve as a kitchen table, with built-in shelving and stool
Photo by ChalonHandmade at Flickr.com
There is also a kitchen island in a European kitchen. Sometimes the sink is found here, but with enough space left for food preparation or a basket of fruit.
The stove is the prime attraction of a European kitchen. Old-fashioned stoves are big and made of stone. They are built with stone vents that taper upward and through the roof. This is where smoke from cooking escapes out of the kitchen.
European kitchens tend to be bright and airy too, except for those that are built in the basement level. The windows are high up the wall, so there are fewer overhead cabinets and more floor-length cupboards.
Interior designers will strive to preserve the traditional and trademark features of a European kitchen, and at the same time give it a modern look.
For people who are not fans of stone walls and floors, they can still have a European-designed kitchen even if the floors are paneled with wood. They just need to compensate by choosing wisely the furniture and accents in the kitchen. A kitchen island with counter and stools, for example, can lend a European touch to any kitchen.
Grow your own basil and other herbs in your kitchen.
Photo by Brian Warren at Flickr.com
You can also take to hanging bunches of herbs above the island, like cloves of garlic and onion springs. Keep a pot of basil plant on the counter too, so you can just cut fresh leaves to garnish your dishes anytime. Many rustic, European households do this.
Of course, it is also possible for European houses to have themes different from the traditional style. Instead of a large stove, an ultra-modern kitchen will probably have one of those slim, state-of-the-art flat stoves with glass covers. The color palettes will also depart from the traditional warm tones in favor or all white, all black, or a combination of bright and quirky colors.
In the end, the appearance of the kitchen matters less than the cooking activity going on in the kitchen. That is ultimately what makes the room feel European.
For example, if the homeowner is an avid fan of Italian cooking methods, he will arrange and design his kitchen in such a way that there won’t be anything that would disrupt the flow of his cooking. There will be a granite-topped kitchen counter, lots of spices in easy reach (meaning they are displayed in open cupboards, if not permanently placed on the kitchen table), and a large stove and oven.
General Description
If you take a look at European rooms, it appears that many similarities remain between kitchens in the regency era and present-day ones. Things may have since toned down, but the underlying elements still remain.
Stone floors and large cupboards are traditional in a European kitchen.
Photo by ChalonHandmade at Flickr.com
For example, a standard kitchen will usually have a stone floor. Kitchens preserved for hundreds of years would have stone walls as well, with hewn rocks mortared to look like large bricks. This is why if the kitchen is built from the ground up, designers will often incorporate a stone wall or archway into the room. These features contribute to the European feel of the kitchen. Some would even include a stone hearth.
Most European kitchens also have one or more kitchen tables at the center of the room. Benches or stools are tucked underneath, although most of the tables also double as storage units. Shelves and drawers are built beneath them.
Speaking of storage, kitchen cabinets are usually elevated from the floor. Some are even as high as a foot off the ground. There are plenty of cabinets above the counters too. All shelving units are subtle and designed in such a way that guests will not easily find the doors to open them. Hinges are concealed behind overlay details, drawer handles are unobtrusive and majority of the cupboards have doors.
Smaller appliances are tucked into cabinets.
Photo by ChalonHandmade at Flickr.com
Counters with granite tops line the walls, and appliances that no longer fit into the shelves and overhead cabinets are placed neatly on top. You can expect that a large portion of the counter will remain vacant though since Europeans love using the space for preparing food. Italians, for instance, are known to knead dough and cut pasta slices atop their kitchen counters.
A kitchen island, which is big enough to serve as a kitchen table, with built-in shelving and stool
Photo by ChalonHandmade at Flickr.com
There is also a kitchen island in a European kitchen. Sometimes the sink is found here, but with enough space left for food preparation or a basket of fruit.
The stove is the prime attraction of a European kitchen. Old-fashioned stoves are big and made of stone. They are built with stone vents that taper upward and through the roof. This is where smoke from cooking escapes out of the kitchen.
European kitchens tend to be bright and airy too, except for those that are built in the basement level. The windows are high up the wall, so there are fewer overhead cabinets and more floor-length cupboards.
Modern European Design Concepts
Interior designers will strive to preserve the traditional and trademark features of a European kitchen, and at the same time give it a modern look.
For people who are not fans of stone walls and floors, they can still have a European-designed kitchen even if the floors are paneled with wood. They just need to compensate by choosing wisely the furniture and accents in the kitchen. A kitchen island with counter and stools, for example, can lend a European touch to any kitchen.
Grow your own basil and other herbs in your kitchen.
Photo by Brian Warren at Flickr.com
You can also take to hanging bunches of herbs above the island, like cloves of garlic and onion springs. Keep a pot of basil plant on the counter too, so you can just cut fresh leaves to garnish your dishes anytime. Many rustic, European households do this.
Of course, it is also possible for European houses to have themes different from the traditional style. Instead of a large stove, an ultra-modern kitchen will probably have one of those slim, state-of-the-art flat stoves with glass covers. The color palettes will also depart from the traditional warm tones in favor or all white, all black, or a combination of bright and quirky colors.
What Makes a Kitchen European?
In the end, the appearance of the kitchen matters less than the cooking activity going on in the kitchen. That is ultimately what makes the room feel European.
For example, if the homeowner is an avid fan of Italian cooking methods, he will arrange and design his kitchen in such a way that there won’t be anything that would disrupt the flow of his cooking. There will be a granite-topped kitchen counter, lots of spices in easy reach (meaning they are displayed in open cupboards, if not permanently placed on the kitchen table), and a large stove and oven.
Tina Madsen is a design enthusiast who brings her passion for modern décor and writing to her role as the NowModern.com blogger. She also specializes in turning small living areas into spacious social hubs with bar stools and counter stools