How to create the perfect contemporary country kitchen

A kitchen style that has stood the test of time, Shaker is a term that you’ll often hear associated with the typical country home. Made distinctive by freestanding furniture, open shelving and wood, wood and more wood, the Shaker kitchen combines elements of rustic handicraft with panelled cabinetry to create a homely and characterful space. Updated for the modern country home, this look works just as well in more contemporary interiors. Subtle touches of polished brass picked up in the traditional cup handles and sink taps add an element of luxury, whilst the rustic table and bench offers a sociable area for dining and entertaining. If you’re fortunate enough to have a large kitchen, a central island is a must, but if not, then opt for a compact butcher’s block to add a touch of shaker to your space.

An important consideration for any kitchen is the flooring. Required to withstand the day-to-day footfall of busy family life (and the spills that come with it), the underfoot surface needs to be robust and easy to clean. Luxury vinyl tiles tick both boxes, whilst also coming in a range of patterns, colours and on-trend designs. Our Dee Hardwicke Lattice luxury vinyl floor tile is the perfect modern take on a classic floor pattern, and its practical qualities also ensure that it works hard for the 21st-century family kitchen space. The striking floral silhouette comes in a range of both bold and muted colours, all of which will create a country kitchen that meets the mark on both style and practicality.

Whether you’re after a clean minimal look or a colourful kitchen space, wall tiles are an important element in showing off your own interior style. From creating a simple border or a feature splashback to sit behind your stove, wall tiles are perfect for adding character into your cooking space. Choose from simple ceramic designs, patterned porcelain or an on-trend metro design; either way, your choice of kitchen tiles will add a little personality to your kitchen scheme.

Gone are the days when your tap was purely a practical appliance. In today’s modern kitchen, your tap adds another design dimension to your space. Whether it’s finished in aged brass or contemporary chrome, ensuring your kitchen has the perfect tap is key to creating the ultimate contemporary country kitchen. What’s more, small appliances, such as taps, have gone up in the interiors world and you can now get your hands on instant hot water taps or practical filtration taps to make life that little bit easier.

No kitchen is complete without the perfect work surface. Ensuring that yours is beautiful and yet hardwearing is vital when creating a kitchen space that steps up to those day-to-day cooking tasks. Whilst some kitchens favour a wooden worktop, these tend to mark, wear over time and can be subject to water damage. With its hardwearing properties, natural stone is the best way to go.