Written by Rebekah Zaveloff, Creative Director, KitchenLab Interiors and Imparfait Design Studio

Classic kitchens are timeless yet fresh. They often feature neutral color palettes and simple, unfussy details. Sure, a classic kitchen can be deemed too safe for the individualist and too ornate for the purist, but for me it’s like jeans and a white T-shirt: Add a necklace, and heels or tennis shoes and you can make the look your own. (And so can the next homeowner, if you’re thinking about resale value).

Today, we’re discussing the eight elements that reign true for a classic kitchen.

1. White or Cream Cabinetry

This is a style that almost everyone feels comfortable in, even some of the modernists among us. White or cream cabinets provide a classic look that stands the test of time.

Beautiful image of KitchenLab Interiors Fullerton project, a walk-through wet bar with marble countertops, cream cabinetry, and a white subway tile backsplash — Project Fullerton

2. Simple Architectural Details

You may see legs on islands, feet or furniture-style toe kicks, crown molding and even a paneled hood, but these details are often restrained in a classic kitchen rather than being over the top and ornate.

3. Honed Black Countertops

Classic kitchens often go the timeless route with blacks or whites. One tried-and-true classic feature is a black countertop, whether it’s honed absolute black granite, soapstone, or a cast quartz material.

4. White Marble Countertops

Carrara marble and Calacatta marble are the two that really stand out in classic kitchens. In fact, marble countertops are often the focal point of a classic kitchen. Even though many homeowners know there are maintenance issues with marble, they can’t resist its beauty.

Glistening kitchen of KitchenLab Interiors project Keystone, with sleek white marble countertops, navy cabinetry, a black and brass hood, and La Cornue range — Project Keystone

5. White Subway Tile

It really doesn’t matter what size, though the classic is 3 by 6 inches. It can be glossy, crackle, beveled or square edged, handmade or machine made, or even in white marble. If you’re looking for a twist on the classic, try a 2 by 6 or 2 by 8 or 2 by 4 — the proportions can really change the look of your kitchen, as can the grout color.

KitchenLab Interiors finished project Fullerton with a white marble kitchen countertop, navy blue island, and cream cabinetry with a polished nickel range and hood — Project Fullerton

6. Simple Door Styles, Not Too Modern, Not Too Ornate

Another aspect that defines this look is the cabinet door style — often either a simple Shaker door or a Shaker door with a bead molding. You don’t see a lot of raised panel doors (of the sort often found in traditional kitchens) or flat-panel doors typically seen in modern kitchens.

7. Neutral Palettes

Classic kitchens don’t have to be all white. This kitchen mixes natural wood and painted cabinetry. Black and white is about as timeless and classic as it gets, but as long as a kitchen features a neutral color palette, it will maintain a classic appeal.

Alternative palettes like brown and white also find their way into classic kitchen design. Here, walnut cabinets, white marble, and cabinets with a simple door style have all the elements of a classic kitchen.

8. Flexibility

What I love about classic kitchens is that they’re chameleons. You can take the same kitchen and completely change its look by mixing in modern bar stools or lighting, or industrial bar stools and lighting, or traditional — you get the idea.

Classic can become eclectic by adding modern tile and mixing it with a vintage-style table and industrial style pendant lights. Classic white Shaker doors can go more modern by adding a modern light fixture and a terrific Saarinen table to the mix. There are many ways in which you can make this tried-and-true style your own!