America has had a notable influence on modern design trends – as you’d expect from one of the most powerful nations on Earth! But there are some which have remained static, retaining a style all their own. We’re talking, of course, about early American kitchens. They’re a little tricky to get right, but with a bit of time and effort, they can give your kitchen a look and feel like no other.
One of the reasons that early American kitchens are so fascinating is because of what they represent in terms of history. The American frontier was a wild and deadly place, and resources were limited – there wasn’t much spare for fancy ornamental design! Instead, early kitchens embody a strong and functional structure, with quality materials and a vital sense of practicality throughout. The decorative features are modest at best, using clean, uncomplicated lines, and simple carvings on posts and furniture feet.
As one of the most readily available materials at the time, natural wood is a big feature in this type of kitchen; whether oak, pine, walnut or cherry. Early American kitchens glow with a sense of rustic warmth and character, and there’s nothing that does this job better than good old-fashioned wood. Similarly, timber floors are a fantastic way to project that sense of historic warmth and pride that was so prominent in the homes of these hardworking frontiersmen.
Natural wood is also brilliant as a material because it speaks volumes on its own – especially when coupled with other natural woods. This sense of warmth and history is also enhanced with other rustic design elements, such as an antique fireplace, exposed wooden rafters or an old grandfather clock – as well as any other early American furniture you can get your hands on! As for your worktops, natural stone like granite or marble neatly complement the wood without detracting from the overall style. Whatever the materials you choose, you’ll want to keep that natural, historic feel throughout. Even if you use more modern materials, if you keep your colour scheme intact with simple, reminiscent earthy tones, you’ll probably find that you have quite a lot of room to experiment.
We’ve always said that your cabinetry is one of the defining features of your kitchen, so it’s always a good idea to pay close attention to it. We’ve already mentioned the varying wood species you can choose for your cabinetry – you might discover that if the rest of your kitchen makes good use of darker wood species, a lighter pastel colour might be fantastic for your cabinetry to really make it stand out. Meanwhile, you can make good use of glass to enhance your kitchen’s sense of space, while giving you ample room to display your prized crockery or other ceramics. After all, if you’ve got some contemporary plates, glass cabinets are the perfect vehicle to show them off!
Don’t neglect your appliances – powerful gas ranges were the most common sight in early American kitchens, and for a lot of situations that’s all the early settlers had to rely on. There’s no reason that all your appliances have to be era-appropriate, though – just cast a careful eye over them first to make sure they don’t break up the carefully cultivated style of your kitchen!
If you need any help or advice, don’t forget that our designers are always on hand to help! You can find your nearest showroom, or book a free home design visit. If you need any advice in the meantime, too, we’re just a phone call away. Our Blackburn kitchen showroom number is 01254 246 046 – or you can find the number of your local showroom on its relevant page!
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Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
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