17 Colonial Kitchen Ideas That Put a Modern Spin on Tradition

Colonial-style kitchens emanate a rustic feel that often toes the line between a rustic, farmhouse kitchen and a traditional, clean space. Of course, the point is to achieve a Colonial-inspired look, as no one wants to miss out on the modernities of today's kitchens (we'll keep our air fryers and espresso machines, thank you very much).

If you're ready to harken it back, take a look at these ideas for approaching a Colonial kitchen in a modern way.

Why Designers Are Into It

Samantha Tosti, principal designer and founder of Tosti Design, says spinning Colonial style in a modern way is a surefire approach to creating a timeless design. And you have plenty of options when it comes to executing this. She suggests incorporating warm, earthy tones with accents of pleasant shades of blues and greens.

"You might take a typical Shaker-style cabinet and add a simple detail, such as a bead, to give the woodwork a renewed look," she says.

Pamela O'Brien of Pamela Hope Designs says that channeling colonial design in your kitchen is a great option. "This style is warm, welcoming, and feels genuinely American in the very best way," she says, adding that there are a few essential components that'll create Colonial charm in a modern kitchen."

Blend Black and Brown

While some people might be skeptical about blending black and brown, they're a color combination that really works well together, especially in a Colonial-style kitchen. These dark shades fit in an environment featuring wood and other natural materials—which Colonial homes often feature.

Add Modern Touches Alongside Antiques

A Colonial-style kitchen doesn't necessarily mean you have to fully embrace every aspect of the style. Mixing modern and antique elements is a great way to update it.

The backsplash can be a great place to incorporate a renewed style of brick, another classic material of the 17th and 18th centuries, Tosti says. She also suggests that dwellers pepper in some of your favorite antiques, as this lends authenticity to your design.

Mix Metal Finishes

You'll likely see many copper elements in Colonial kitchens, and these often look nice when paired with gold hardware and decor. When these metallic finishes are blended in small doses, they can create glints of light that offset the main aesthetic, which is typically very rustic and earthy.

Throw in Unexpected Shapes

You can quickly modernize the dark wooden elements of Colonial style with the help of funky shapes and silhouettes. The squiggles and waves that have been so popular in the last year are an eye-catching element that boldly stands out from this old-world style—but somehow magically fits right in, too.

Incorporate Copper Accents

Copper accents instantly invoke the energy of centuries past, making them the perfect addition to a Colonial kitchen.

"Hang utilitarian items such as copper cookware and antique bellows or match holders on the walls," O'Brien says. She also suggests scattering crockery and pottery pieces on shelves and in open or glass-fronted cabinets to embody the style.

Add a Glossy Surface

You're not beholden to matte Shaker cabinets and rough-hewn wooden surfaces on every square inch—we are living in modern times after all.

To bring a little style to a Colonial kitchen, glossy tiles and accents can make a major difference. A lighter color choice will blend in nicely if you have cream-colored cabinets, but a dark swatch is a great contrast piece and a continuation of dark countertops.

Keep Any Colors Subtle

Your kitchen doesn't need to be void of color, but if you do choose to go down this route, think mindfully about your options.

"Colonial kitchens sport stained or painted wood cabinets in simple designs," O'Brien says, adding that medium stains and even colors like dusty blue and earthy red were used. "If those hues seem too intense, try a muted green," she says.

Focus on a Large Cooking Space

Colonial cooking spaces had large hearths and tables, perfect for prepping and dishing up meals. If you have the space to do so, embrace a larger cooking area.

Have your kitchen focus on a big oven or stovetop and frame this section with lights, a Shaker-inspired range hood, and open shelving. A generously sized island or dining table will fit right in.

Play to the Natural Elements

There are many directions in which to take exposed wooden beams and other structural features (coastal, cottage-inspired, traditional, you name it).

If you already have these types of elements in your kitchen, they're a great foundation for developing a kitchen into more of a Colonial look. Bring in copper, deep shades, and more wood for a great result.

Include Antique-Inspired Appliances

You don't have to kick out the drip machine or electric kettle, but having an antique appliance or utensil sitting around can really bring this whole theme together, or at the very least hint at it. Ideas could be golden tea kettles, cast iron pans, or ladles.

Bring in Modern Lighting

With the darker colors and woods found in Colonial style, you may want to include modern light fixtures that keep the space feeling bright and fit for purpose. Exposed wooden beam ceilings may be earthy but they truly shine when seen with white and gold pendants or wall-mounted bulbs nearby.

Keep the Structure Simple

Ornate pieces have their place, but much of Colonial style was rough hewn, raw, and simple. The structure of your kitchen can follow this same principle. With the right tones—like brown, white, and black—your cooking space will take on some old-world flair.

Add Natural Fabrics

During Colonial times, there was a focus on natural fabrics—you wouldn't have found neon nylons or acrylics. To reflect that, stick with materials made of linen, flax, or cotton.

One lovely way of doing this is bringing them in through light fixtures or smaller details like napkins, pot holders, and placemats. Other options are baskets, wooden bowls, and wooden utensils.

Majorly Embrace Wood

Timber was an essential building material for homes in the 17th and 18th centuries. Therefore for really conveying the look of a Colonial kitchen, wooden features are key.

Whether it's cabinets, an island, a hutch, utensil holders, lazy Susans, or a mixture of several of these, find a way to bring some form of the material in. This really goes back to the roots of this earlier era.

Give a Subtle Nod to Colonial Style

Not fully bought in on revamping your kitchen to match those of the Mayflower passengers? A small nod is perfectly fine, too. This can be done through tiny touches like wooden shelves, cast iron pans, and light fixtures that give off a lantern look.

Add Ambient Lighting

While the bright, fluorescent lights of a kitchen are often useful for seeing what food you're chopping and the spices you're grabbing, they aren't very Colonial. In tandem with these functional features, include a few pendant lamps or wall-mounted lights with mood lighting that has more of a glow.

Balance Deep Shades with Light Hues

White Shaker cabinets look fantastic pared with exposed dark brown beams, wooden islands, and brown chairs. It also feels very Colonial. Contrast these dark and light shades for a kitchen that's timeless and antique-inspired.

Read Next: What Are Colonial-Revival Style Homes?

Read the original article on The Spruce.