10 English Kitchen Design Ideas to Consider For Your Custom Home

December 2, 2025

Thanks to popular television dramas like Bridgerton, English kitchens have risen in popularity. People are drawn to a classic design, a muted color palette, and rustic charm. If this sounds like a design you would like, here are a few English kitchen design ideas to consider for your custom home:

What Is An English Kitchen?

English kitchens are often very classic in design, focusing on practicality while not sacrificing style. When done right, an English kitchen offers a timeless design. While Regency or Bridgerton decor is rich and opulent, classic English kitchens tend to be much simpler.

English kitchens often feature wooden cabinets and walls painted in a neutral or organic color palette. Lighter colors are also common, like:

  • Muted rose
  • Lavender
  • Soft greens
  • Soft blues
  • Light beige

Pantries or larders are also fairly common in traditional English kitchens. These spaces were places to keep food cool, as they were originally located in a well-ventilated stone room full of shelving. These places were useful storage areas before refrigerators were readily available.

Now, most English kitchens either have walk-in pantries or large pantry cupboards. Another feature of English kitchens is using natural materials, like stone and wood. You’ll find these materials used in the flooring, countertops, and cabinetry.

10 English Kitchen Design Ideas

If this design style appeals to you, here are a few English kitchen design ideas to consider for your custom home:

  1. Opt for low-luster counters.
  2. Pick the right sink.
  3. Choose cabinetry with simple lines.
  4. Design a larder.
  5. Choose classic cooktops.
  6. Get the lighting right.
  7. Consider stone flooring.
  8. Add wood touches.
  9. Include freestanding furniture.
  10. Incorporate copper accents.

1. Opt for Low-Luster Counters

English kitchens opt for matte and muted finishes. Avoid glossy countertops, like quartz or shiny marble. Luckily, there are plenty of popular kitchen countertop materials to choose from. Granite, soapstone, or butcher block are all great options for a natural-looking English kitchen design.

farmhouse sink in counter with dark lower cabinets, tile backsplash, and light upper cabinets next to a window2. Pick the Right Sink

Since English kitchens revolve around practicality, keep that in mind when choosing your kitchen sink. There are lots of different types of sinks to choose from, but the farmhouse sink style in the U.S. is closest to the butler’s-style sink popular in English kitchens.

There are also lots of sink materials to choose from, but ceramic is one of the most common in the butler-style sinks. White is the most popular color, but stick to anything that is neutral or natural in color.

3. Choose Cabinetry With Simple Lines

A classic and simple design is another hallmark of English kitchens. To keep your kitchen design in a classic English style, be sure to ask for cabinetry that is simple and made with natural woods. Not only does this stay true to the classic English kitchen design, but it’s a great way to incorporate natural wood into your home.

If you’re looking for design inspiration, look no further than Shaker kitchens. The Shaker-style cabinets are a perfect fit, considering Shakers have their roots in England. These cabinets have simple frames and panel design and are practical, perfect for an English kitchen.

walk-in pantry in kitchen4. Design a Larder

If you’ve ever wished for a place to store items like root vegetables that should stay cool and dry but don’t need proper refrigeration, you may want to consider a larder. A larder is similar to a pantry, but it’s designed to stay cool. This can be a special cupboard, or it can be bigger, like a walk-in pantry.

If you wish to have a larder as part of your kitchen design, make sure to create a space that has plenty of ventilation so the area stays cool. If your larder is going to be on the smaller size, like a large cabinet, make sure to plan for plenty of shelving options so things can stay organized.

If you want a bigger larder that’s more like a walk-in pantry, you can designate a part of the pantry to be cooler than the rest of the area. Ask for built-in storage to make organizing easier. This and maximizing vertical storage are useful kitchen pantry organization ideas to consider when designing a pantry and larder.

5. Choose Classic Cooktops

Another popular English kitchen design idea is installing a cast-iron range. Traditionally, these ranges were popular because not only did they help heat your home, but they also offered cooking capabilities. For modern homes that have other heating capabilities, different types of cooktops can match the aesthetic of an English kitchen.

kitchen with island, recessed lighting, and cabinet lighting6. Get the Lighting Right

Traditionally, English kitchens didn’t have a lot of overhead lighting. When designing your kitchen, focus more on implementing pendant lighting or sconces. You can also utilize features like under-cabinet lighting or even table lamps. Making sure to layer your lighting is a popular home lighting trend because it allows you to achieve just the right level of light for any occasion.

7. Consider Stone Flooring

Stone floors have been a popular material for hundreds of years because of their availability and durability. Traditional English kitchens often utilized slate, terracotta, and brick. For your English kitchen, you have a few flooring options to choose from.

You can go the traditional route and pick a traditional stone, such as slate. However, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is also a popular flooring trend. These tiles have been designed to look just like the original materials. The benefit is that LVT typically doesn’t require any maintenance beyond basic cleaning or require sealants to protect the material.

curio cabinet and island with seating in a kitchen8. Add Wood Touches

Another classic English kitchen feature is wooden tables or islands. Large tables have been kitchen staples for centuries. If you have a separate dining area, incorporate a wooden kitchen island. Not only does this offer some seating in your kitchen, but it can also give you plenty of extra workspace.

9. Include Freestanding Furniture

Some English kitchens have no cabinetry, so they rely on using freestanding furniture for storage. However, this isn’t practical for most kitchens, so consider finding a hutch or dry sink at a flea market. This will give your kitchen a little bit of the English kitchen charm while still having plenty of cabinet storage to rely on. Including furniture with a vintage or antique look and feel is an English cottage interior design idea that works well in kitchens, too.

copper stockpot on stove with stone backsplash in kitchen10. Incorporate Copper Accents

English kitchens are often full of antiques and copper decor and accents, like in cookware. However, don’t feel the need to go out and buy all brand-new copper cookware. A few pieces here and there will do the trick. Of course, to really make your English kitchen feel authentic, don’t forget a proper copper tea kettle!

These are just a few English kitchen design ideas to consider for your custom home. Hopefully, some of these ideas inspire you to design your dream kitchen and home. If you’re ready to get started on building your dream home, call Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!