Ideas and inspiration for incorporating vintage and reclaimed materials into your kitchen design.

Incorporating some reclaimed elements and second hand finds into your kitchen design can make it unique and stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re planning a major refurb or just need to add interest to a plain kitchen, a few upcycled vintage pieces can add personality and pizzazz even on a limited budget.

Image credit: Toby's Reclamation

Stylish surfaces

An exposed brick wall can provide a striking contrast to sleek modern cabinets – and give a chic industrial vibe. Reclaimed bricks are available from most salvage yards or your builder may be able to get hold of some attractive handmade bricks from a previous project. Tie the look together with a chunky zinc top dining table from a second-hand shop and low-hung brass pendant lights.

Natural Style

Reclaimed wood is another option, adding warmth and texture to a kitchen. For a sturdy countertop, hunt online and in reclamation yards for freestanding pieces, such as an antique butcher’s block or old science bench. Sanded down and varnished or with added slate top, it can make a stunning centrepiece to your kitchen. “We sell a lot of reclaimed islands, sideboards and dressers to people to add a bit of soul to modern kitchens,” said Olly Heriz-Smith, owner of Toby’s Reclamation. Instead of paying huge sums for a luxury kitchen consider buying a standard model and embellishing it with vintage finds. The result will be a “one-off kitchen design rather than out of a catalogue,” said Heriz-Smith. 

Image credit: Toby's Reclamation

For the average person, it can be hard to imagine anything stylish coming from piles of scratched, splintery wood.  But with the right know-how and expertise the reclaimed timber can be upcycled into something beautiful. In this DIY project, builder and retained firefighter Ash Padmore used his carpentry skills to create a solid oak table from disused decking saved from the bonfire when he laid a patio. The decking was originally made from chunky railway sleepers.  Ask a joiner to build you something bespoke, for example, a feature panelled wall, open shelving, or window seat.

Image credit: Ash Padmore

Mix and match

The juxtaposition of contrasting yet complementary tones and textures can have huge impact. Team shiny new cabinets with vintage accessories, such as a wall-hung wooden plate rack or set of vintage scales. Tiles are an easy way to add character and colour to the walls or floor of a kitchen. Think about a retro 1950s geometric print or mix and match plain factory tiles with patterned, handmade ones. Suppliers, such as Bert & May, source tiles from across Europe, including antique terracotta and Spanish tiles.

Perfect plumbing

Upgrading a scruffy stainless-steel sink can instantly lift the look of your kitchen. A white butler or Belfast sink is the traditional choice whether a refurbished original or modern retro design. To make the sink a standout feature, consider a different material, such as brushed copper. Copper has natural antimicrobial properties making it ideal for use in the kitchen. It’s best to match your metals whether stainless steel or copper. On the other hand, white ceramic sinks work well with rose gold taps, antique copper or stainless steel. If you are scouring salvage yards for reclaimed sinks and taps, make sure they have been carefully refurbished. Otherwise your bargain buys could be costly to recondition.

Clever cabinetry

Choosing reclaimed or vintage storage can work well, especially if you like a less formal, freestanding kitchen. Ebay is a useful source of “preloved” cupboards, including Welsh dressers and retro 1950s kitchenettes. The crème de la crème of post-war kitchens are English Rose units built from industrial strength aluminium and trimmed with stainless steel. If you want something more up to date, try suppliers, such as the Used Kitchen Company, that sell second hand and ex display kitchens. This can be a budget-friendly way to afford a top of the range kitchen.   For those who like to buy brand new, Ikea has a range of kitchen units made from recycled plastic bottles and reclaimed industrial wood.

Image credit: Toby's Reclamation

Reclaimed wood floors

Reclaimed wood floors are timelessly elegant, durable and packed with character. Thanks to the many types, tones and finishes available, a reclaimed timber floor works with any style of kitchen.  Options include standard size planks sawn from reclaimed timbers that have been cleaned and de-nailed. Alternatively, consider antique flooring sourced from historic buildings. These are often one-off pieces in random widths and lengths. Because of the age of material and different dimensions, you will have to find a builder who is sympathetic to using salvaged materials. It can be harder work than buying new – and not necessarily cheaper.

Contemporary open-plan kitchens often have a clean and clinical look. So, to add interest and give a homely feel for relaxing and entertaining, sprinkle a bit of designer magic with reclaimed and vintage finds.