English Cottage Kitchens: 18 Country, Cozy Ideas You’ll Love

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This post is all about 18 English cottage kitchens I just can’t stop obsessing over and what we can learn from these designs.

I never get tired of researching and writing about cottage interiors. They are so cozy and charming – everything my home decor dreams (and hopefully yours 😉) are made of!

English cottage kitchens in particular look effortlessly chic, lived-in, and are always full of character. Their ability to evolve over time is a great example of sustainable design that can follow you as your taste changes over time. The perfect English countryside kitchen truly is the “heart of the home“.

In recent years, cottage core decorating has become an increasingly popular choice. This has led to this traditional style being adapted to all sorts of spaces. Luckily, you don’t need a natural stone cottage in the English Cotswolds or an expensive AGA range to nail this aesthetic. I promise that some attention to details, creativity, a few vintage pieces, and a good dose of inspiration will be enough!

English Cottage Kitchens: How Are They Different From Farmhouse Interiors?

Before looking at these gorgeous English kitchens and understand what you can recreate in your own space, let’s make a few clarifications on what the overall vision should be.

I often see a but of a mix up when it comes to defining what the English country kitchen style is. While cottage English kitchens are also referred to as European farmhouse spaces, there is a definitive difference between these two designs. Understanding that difference will allow you to do more targeted shopping and make sure you achieve exactly what you’re looking for by the time you’re done decorating.

Firstly, English cottage decor is more delicate and detail-oriented than traditional farmhouse. Forget about purely utilitarian pieces and a mostly neutral palette. European cottage interiors will often embrace thoughtful cluttering and vintage but sophisticated patterns and shades. They do not shy away from varied color palettes and high-end finishes and upholstery. The key is striking the right balance between antique sophistication and a simple approach to decor.

As far as architectural features are concerned, farmhouse kitchens are a bit more minimalist and rustic. While both styles embrace natural wood, in English cottage kitchens you would rather see custom built-in cabinetry compared to plainer shelving. Similarly, simple wooden flooring is often replaced by vintage terra cotta or ceramic tiles.

Keep these few but important things in mind and you’ll find yourself in your very own Downton Abbey kitchen before you know it!

If a farmhouse kitchen sounds more like what you’re looking for, check out this post. We go over all the must-haves of the perfect rustic kitchen!

18 English Cottage Kitchens That Will Leave You Inspired

1. Tiled Flooring To Spice Up Your Design

As all interior designers will tell you, the right flooring can completely transform a space.

If you’re looking for a single but impactful change for your English cottage kitchen, the photo above makes a great case for why you should focus on your flooring!

Think of a traditional ceramic tile with an attention-grabbing pattern – so chic! Not only you’ll get a timeless look but you can also introduce an element of visual interest in a mainly neutral or flat kitchen.

Bonus tip: if you want to create some continuity, you can even extend this flooring to your dining area. The more cohesive design can help separate these spaces from a nearby living space where warmer parquet floors may be a better choice.

2. A Beautiful Mug Display

A mug display is a staple of English cottage kitchens, and for a good reason. It’s the perfect example of curated clutter, saves a ton of cabinet space, and makes for a fun display of sentimental pieces you have accumulated over the years.

I especially like seeing mug hooks underneath cabinets but you could also hang a copper rail (something like this for instance) directly on the wall if you want it to double as wall decor.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match mugs and designs that are very different from each other. The variety of colors and prints will only make your decor more fun and interesting!

3. The Importance of Earthy Tones & Accessories

Using organic materials and textures, as well as earthy, warm colors is the best way to guarantee your kitchen will feel welcoming and cozy.

Even if you have more modern appliances or finishes, the right earthy accessories can help you achieve that cottage core feel. Think of wooden utensils, burgundy or brown kitchen towels, ceramic plant pots, etc.

For example, I love how the oversized wooden chopping board creates a visual counterbalance to the cooler and more contemporary vibe of the stove ranged shiny backsplash in the space above.

YOUR NEXT READ: Learn how to design the perfect earthy kitchen! 

4. Repurposing Vintage Furniture

If there is one design style that embraces vintage furniture, that is English cottage design.

Sometimes all you need for the perfect cottage island is an antique dresser and a new paint color or wooden stain. In classic kitchens, you’ll often see older pieces be given a second life and a fresh look!

This idea is also perfect if you’re working with small spaces. using a dresser or an antique console table instead of a standard size island will save you plenty of extra space. You could even thrift a small bistro dining table and use it as the centerpiece for your kitchen design.

5. The Vintage Charm of Copper Cookware

If you’re looking for a single accessory to invest in to get that English countryside feel, look no further than copper pots, cookware, and accessories.

These pieces, whether they are authentically vintage or not (no judgement here), are common sight in all the best English cottage kitchens.

They are simply an icon of that historical time and an amazing way to reference the lifestyle that is at the roots of this decor style.

6. Wooden Cabinet Knobs for A Rustic Feel 

Sometimes small details can make a bigger difference than huge changes in the architectural design of your rustic kitchen. Cabinet knobs and pulls are a fantastic example of this principle.

They are small and often forgotten features that actually play a huge role in defining the overall tone of the room. Think, for instance, of how incomplete your cabinets would feel if all your knobs were suddenly removed.

Especially if you’re dealing with a very plain English cabinet style or need to counterbalance a bright color choice you currently can’t afford to change, the right knobs can help you transform your space with a limited time and budget investment.

I love these wooden knobs as they really add a rustic, organic touch to the kitchen. Alternatively, you can opt for a more vintage, high-end look with brass knobs or for a farmhouse-inspired feature with bin-style drawer pulls.

7. Embracing Neutrals & Natural Textures

While a beautiful English cottage style kitchen can embrace a muted but varied color palette, it can be difficult to identify the right color scheme if this is your first big decorating project.

In this case, sticking to neutral colors can let natural materials like wood shine through, making it easy to pair your kitchen with new decor pieces. You can always rely on a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers to brighten up your white kitchen.

If you love colorful kitchens, draw inspiration from the soft pastels you can often find in historic homes. Moodier and more intense shades can also yield a fantastic result, but it might be challenging for you to imagine the final product before committing to such a significant change.

You can always play it safe and upgrade the kitchen later down the line, when you feel ready to leave neutrals behind!

8. Combining Functionality & Decor with Custom Solutions

New additions to your English cottage kitchen do not need to be more elements.

Something like built-in seating, for example, can be an impactful new feature to add if you want to create a more inviting atmosphere. You can even combine this with some cozy textiles and classic patterns for an extra cozy touch.

Have a window seat double as hidden storage space to combine beauty with practicality. I don’t know about you, but I love a win-win solution!

9. Kitchen Skirts To Replace Closed Cabinets

When it comes to cottage kitchen inspiration, you’ll often see farmhouse sink skirts an curtains replacing traditional cabinetry.

Personally, I love this idea! it’s affordable, easy to replicate, and give you some space to be creative in the selection of your fabrics of choice. Of course, before implementing this idea, consider which items you need to be more readily available and what tools should instead be kept stored away for safety reasons, especially if you have pets or children running around!

I also like how this design choice can be applied to your laundry room, kitchen & bathroom. It can help you create an element of continuity across your entire cottage home.

10. The Cozy Aesthetic of Intentional Clutter

The classic look of English cottage kitchens ALWAYS includes a bit of what I like to call “intentional clutter“.

Think of a mismatched collection of ceramic dinner plates displayed as wall decor, a small pile of cookbooks resting on the counter, or even a few terracotta jars filled to the brim with wooden utensils spread across the counters.

These details are as casual as they are important. They give a strong signal that the kitchen is being used, it’s lived-in, and not only looks beautiful but it is entirely functional and loved by the home owners.

Take some time to think of what your kitchen counter and wall decor needs to look like. It may seem counterintuitive but I promise that adding a little bit of thoughtful mess will actually take your space from basic to amazing!

11. Choosing The Right Backsplash

While English country homes often feature stone walls behind a range, there are also some easier to implement options as far as your kitchen backsplash is concerned.

For instance, I think a tile backsplash with a wooden frame/hood looks so traditional and chic. It’s easy enough to install even in a more contemporary home and looks just as beautiful as a stone wall while being much more practical.

The key is to choose gorgeous tiles with a vintage pattern. If you’re feeling a bit eclectic, you could even opt for a set of mismatched tiles. You can find them for a fraction of the price and the result will be entirely unique to your kitchen!

YOUR NEXT READ: Discover the best ideas for the perfect kitchen backsplash!

12. The Perfect Kitchen Island Styling

It’s not enough to slap a wooden island in the middle of your kitchen. The fun part is the styling that comes afterwards!

You can see, for example, how this relatively plain kitchen island is elevated through the beautiful, brass pendant lights and oversized rustic vase. Investing in beautiful lighting and a seasonal centerpiece can truly make all the difference.

Accessorizing and getting the proportions right are key factors when it comes to turning a functional island into an actual piece of design.

YOUR NEXT READ: Check out this post about all the different types of kitchen lighting to find the best option for your space!

13. Rustic Open Shelving To Optimize A Small Space

Open shelves are a good alternative to shaker-style cabinets for your upper cabinets if you want a more airy design or if you don’t need a lot of storage space.

This solution requires you to be more organized but it also keeps items readily available and can help you create that messy-chic feel.

I really like how this kitchen uses contrast shelves to expand the color scheme of the space, as well as creating a strong delineation of where the upper side of the room begins. In doing so, the layout of the room appears more curated and the shelves themselves become an integral part of the design.

14. Vintage Wall Decor: A Staple of English Cottage Interiors

If you love flea markets, this is your time to shine!

Nothing screams English cottage kitchen more than a collection of carefully-sources vintage plates on your walls.

If you’re not a fan of this idea or the more difficult set up, you can always opt for some antique watercolors or countryside oil paintings. Make sure to add a few extravagant golden frames for a bit of a dramatic effect.

15. The Importance of Beautiful Appliances

We can all appreciate modern conveniences. However, making huge stainless steel appliances the focal point of your rustic kitchen is not going to work out too well.

I’m not saying you need to invest in an AGA stove or an antique, impractical traditional range cooker. Simply, when the time comes to select your appliances of choice, pay extra attention to the finishes and styles.

A more vintage-inspired design like this one and a neutral color like white and cream will always be a better fit compared to the latest and shiniest technology. Finding the right balance that works for your aesthetics and lifestyle needs is something that is entirely up to you!

16. Natural Wood As The Star of The Show

Natural materials will always be a preferred choice in cottage core design. Elements like original wooden beams, wooden counters, and wooden doors will look infinitely more rustic and appropriate than glamorous marble countertops.

If your budget does not allow for a full kitchen renovation, look into wooden contact paper. It will take some time to set up but I promise the result will be worth it!

17. Keeping Things Practical with Low Ceilings

If your small cottage kitchen doesn’t know what high ceilings are, a design like the one above could be a good solution.

Notice how the lack of upper cabinets is counterbalances by plenty of drawers and cabinet space across the island and kitchen perimeter. This is a great way to work with the native architectural features of your kitchen rather than against it.

Foregoing upper cabinets and shelving will also allow more outdoor lighting to flow through the space, giving the impression of a bigger kitchen and a more airy feel.

18. Darker Tones for A Moody Design

If your ultimate goal is that of creating a cozy, moody kitchen that feels extra intimate, a moody color palette may be what you need.

Think of shades like burgundy, gray blue, forest green – these are all amazing options to transform your space with a fresh layer or paint.

Of course, you will need to keep the rest of the decor a bit more simple. You’ll also want to be mindful of your kitchen’s dimensions. You will risk visually shrinking an already small space.

YOUR NEXT READ: Read more about designing a moody, vintage-inspired bedroom! 

To Conclude

This post was all about the best English cottage kitchens!

We have seen how the perfect English cottage-style kitchen is a cozy but functional space where effortlessly chic details and practical design come together.

As you start shopping for your cottage kitchen accessories and renovate your space, remember to strike a good balance between modern finishes and vintage-sourced pieces. Draw inspiration from the English countryside and simplicity of late 19th century country homes without compromising on your taste and sophisticated details.

Embrace intentional clutter and, above aim, aim to create a space that feels lived-in and full of character. Have fun decorating and share your best cottage kitchen finds in the comments – I can’t wait to read all about them! 😊