The Craftsman kitchen design is becoming a popular choice in kitchen remodeling projects. The resurgence may have a lot to do with the growing appeal of the Craftsman-style house. We can thank the popularity of shows on HGTV for that.
The charming detail of Craftsman architecture dates back to late 19th century Britain. The bungalow style design with its sloped roof, large porch, and attention to detail make for irresistible charm.
Craftsman kitchen designs are more modern than the original architecture of the existing homes. The things that make the kitchen unique are the design elements and characteristics it borrows from the original structures.
Kitchens are the heart of the home regardless of the style. If you are going to go for a particular theme, you want to get it right.
Continue reading for our ultimate guide to creating the perfect Craftsman style kitchen.
Understanding the Elements of a Craftsman Kitchen Design
Knowing the type of kitchen you want is half the journey. A themed kitchen is a good place to start because when you begin your product search you know what you’re looking for. Being intentional in your shopping will help you remain focused.
Visiting specialty stores in search of these items will give you some great ideas. They also offer things you may not find in the larger home improvement stores.
Key elements of Craftsman kitchens include:
- Cabinetry
- Earthy color schemes
- Large hanging lights
- Wood flooring
- Wood countertops
- Artisan backsplash
We will walk you through these design elements. It is also a good idea to take pictures of items you find and place them in a small vision book. This is one way to stay committed to your design choice.
Do You Have the Space for Your New Kitchen?
Craftsman style kitchens are spacious with plenty of natural lighting. Do you have an existing kitchen big enough to pull off this design? If not, do you have the available space for structural changes?
To remain true to the elements of this remodel, you need to have enough space to incorporate the look and feel you want. Size should not stop you from moving forward, but it is an important factor to consider.
If you’re building a new home it’s easier to make modifications to the blueprints. In existing homes, the extra footage may have to come from another room or in the form of a house addition. A trip to the city’s permitting office may be in order before you begin.
Color Choice for a Craftsman Kitchen
Color schemes for a Craftsman or mission style kitchen are earthy neutral tones. Stick with off-white, beige, and muted tones of blues, greens, and yellows.
Wood is a central theme, so your paint colors should complement the wood finish, not overpower it. Cabinet stains should stay true to durable cherry, maple and oak tones. The Craftsman kitchen is light and airy, so complimenting the stains with lighter paints helps to soften the room.
When you bring in your furnishings, they should also stick to this pattern. You wouldn’t have a glass or marble table top. Nor would you want to incorporate chrome chair frames. Use wood furnishing that either matches your cabinet stain or is painted in the colors mentioned above.
Lighting for Your Kitchen
You won’t find recessed lighting in a Craftsman kitchen. To stay true to the decor, browse for pendant lighting, flush-mounted light fixtures, and island chandeliers. These stylish elements provide a warm, traditional, yet functional feel.
Antique bronze and frosted glass is another key objective. If neither suit your eye, choose Tiffany glass.
There is a wide array of light fixtures on the market for you to choose from. You’ll find that they give the charm of the design with a modern touch.
LED lighting is the rave today. Incorporating cool white will produce a light that will brighten your kitchen with a crisp, clean look.
Wood Flooring
One of the most easily noticeable elements of a classic Craftsman design is the real wood flooring that coordinates with your cabinet finishes. Today, we have many options when it comes to wood floors.
Don’t want to use real wood? Opt for a wood-look instead. Ceramic tile now comes in realistic wood-look planks. Colors range from off-white, to variations of gray, to traditional browns.
Faux woods and laminates are less expensive and are the closest renditions of hardwood flooring available. The application process makes it a good choice because there are no glues or nails.
Sinks and Faucets
The return of the nice, deep farmhouse sinks will feed into your desire to have modern touches throughout your new kitchen. It is not your only option for a sink, but definitely worth consideration for its unique variety of finishes.
Since you’ll most likely be installing new cabinets and countertops, the installation process will be streamlined.
If the farmhouse sink is not to your liking, most sinks with a large, deep basin will fit your design.
The Perfect Appliances
For the past few decades, stainless steel appliances were at the top of the list. You’ll be happy to know that white kitchen appliances are making a comeback, just in time for the resurgence of Craftsman kitchens.
The color white goes well with the countryside feel that the kitchen should have.
Since appliances don’t vary much, it’s easy to get away with any finish. The important factor is designing a layout that is conducive to your cooking style.
Classic Backsplashes
Backsplashes are a key part of your mission style kitchen renovation because they add a crucial element of color to the overall appearance of the space.
If you go the traditional route, artisan tin tiles will be at the top of our list. You can find them in multiple designs and colors that give off an old-world feel. Look for Earth hues with variations of blue, stone gray, and faded greens.
Is your kitchen small? Add reflective, shimmering tiles to create the appearance of more space.
The Ideal Countertops
Wood countertops are recommended for the island in your Craftsman kitchen. Popular woods are hard maple, black walnut, wormy chestnut, and bamboo.
If you prefer a harder surface for the island, consider a quartz countertop. Complete your design with solid quartz in white or beige.
Avoid dark colors and busy patterns because it moves away from your goal and more toward a traditional kitchen look.
Designing a Smart Craftsman Kitchen
Can you have a traditional mission style kitchen while enjoying modern technology? You certainly can.
We’re living in the age of smart devices. They’re a mainstay in many homes and growing in popularity. Your dream kitchen can, regardless of theme, accommodate these devices.
Being able to control lighting, appliances and even building your shopping list through technology is a plus. They help you remain organized and run your kitchen with efficiency. Consider popular smart devices like Google Home, Amazon’s Alexa, Philips Hue Smart Lights, or WiFi-enabled appliances that alert you when your food is ready.
Finishing Touches
To wrap up your design and make it your own, you’ll need to add some finishing touches.
Doorknobs and sink fixtures should be the same finish. If you go with an antique bronze for lights and backsplashes, stay consistent throughout the kitchen.
Windows are also a key element of the Craftsman kitchen design. It’s common to have numerous double-hung, casement, and awning windows with wood trim.
For accents, consider decorative antique china and metal plant holders.
Finding the Right Contractor
Creating a Craftsman kitchen is not a simple do-it-yourself project. It entails skills that the average weekend enthusiast does not possess. Regardless of the kitchen remodeling tips we’ve provided or the remodeling shows you watch on TV, chances are you’ll require a skilled contractor.
However, that doesn’t mean your involvement can’t extend beyond paying for the remodel. Grab your friends and family to help with the demo work, painting, and other tasks.
Skills such as electrical, plumbing, or installing the countertops are best left to professionals. So be prepared to get estimates for these services and include it in your budget.
Having your remodel done right the first time will save you money and time in the long run.
Hiring a Kitchen Designer
Having an idea for a kitchen remodel is one thing. Bringing it to fruition is another. If being your own general contractor doesn’t sound appealing, or you just don’t have the time, hire a kitchen designer.
Kitchen designers have an intimate knowledge of different styles and the materials needed to create the look you’re going for. They also understand the color palettes and how to best apply them. Their expertise and trained eye can help you avoid costly mistakes in your Craftsman kitchen remodel.
It’s easy to overlook simple details such as the type of glass panes used for cabinets during the original Craftsman house era. The designer is there by your side to help you choose kitchen elements that are in line with your objectives.
Hiring a designer will also help keep everything centralized and save you money because they already have a list of trusted service providers they collaborate with.
Paying for Your Kitchen Remodel
Giving a kitchen a complete makeover to mirror the design of a specific style home sometimes requires a large budget.
Before starting your kitchen remodel, make sure you clearly understand the cost of the project. Running out of money and having to cut costs will be apparent to your visitors. It will also take away from the original goal of creating a Craftsman kitchen design.
If you are committed to the project, here are the best ways to cover the cost:
Savings
If building your dream kitchen has been on your mind for a while, you’ve probably considered the cost. Saving for the remodel is a good way to cover the expense and not go into debt.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are one way to fund projects, but may not be practical. For a large kitchen remodel it may require more money than you have available in credit. You’ll also need to consider the interest rates that will increase the cost long-term.
Store Finance
Specialty shops and home improvement stores typically have credit terms available. With a big project, it’s often worth the inquiry to see if financing is offered. More than likely, the terms will be better than using credit cards.
Personal Unsecured Loan
A personal unsecured loan can fund your dream kitchen with agreeable financing. Personal loans, whether secured or unsecured will have set repayment terms.
Many also offer the option of a line-of-credit. This way, you can get approved for the maximum amount available but only use what you need when you need it.
The difference between secured and unsecured is whether or not the bank requires collateral.
Home Equity Loan
Craftsman kitchen remodels add value to the home, which allows you to recoup the cost of a renovation if you ever decide to sell. Taking out a home equity loan to finance the project may be the best solution because you are investing the money back into your home.
A cash-out refinance can sometimes provide the most favorable terms of all the financing options listed, outside of saving for the project.
It’s Time to Bring Your Craftsman Kitchen Ideas to Life
Love the Craftsman kitchen design? If you’re ready to customize and build your dream kitchen, contact our team and tell us about it!
