How to make a modern kitchen feel older – 6 simple tips for giving your contemporary space an aged feel

Making a modern kitchen feel older might sound counterintuitive, but as tastes and trends change to favour more characterful and traditional spaces, many of us are looking to give our spaces a more aged feel.

Maybe you inherited a modern kitchen you want to give some country charm, or your own tastes have changed since your last kitchen remodel, and looking to give a sleek space a bit more softness.

It doesn't have to be a huge job either, according to the designers I spoke with, giving your modern kitchen ideas a characterful update is easier than you might think. From bringing in natural materials to decorating with vintage finds, there are plenty of easy ways to make your home feel older.

Here are 6 ways to bring in a sense of age and tradition to your contemporary kitchen that feel chic rather than contrived. From furniture changes to simple decor swaps, there's plenty to choose from here.

6 ways to make your contemporary kitchen feel older

Making a modern kitchen feel older doesn't require a full remodel. In fact, a few simple swaps, from decor to freestanding furniture, can instantly give your scheme a more lived-in, visually interesting design. These are the things to focus on, according to designers.

1. Bring in natural materials

Modern kitchens often feature a lot of smooth, sleek finishes – it's one of the main features that sets them apart from more traditional designs. So, if you want to make your scheme feel older, introducing natural materials is a timeless way to do so.

'Bringing a more storied feel to a contemporary kitchen is all about layering in elements with warmth, patina, and history,' says interior designer Marie Flanigan, who designed this kitchen.

'I love incorporating natural materials – think honed marble kitchen countertops, unlacquered brass fixtures, and richly stained wood. These materials age gracefully, developing character over time rather than feeling overly pristine.'

2. Decorate with vintage and collected decor

Mixing old and new is a tried-and-tested way to create a more dynamic, transitional kitchen design. But it's important to get the balance right so your space doesn't feel like a mismatch of styles. Which is where decorating with vintage comes in.

'For styling, balance is key. A vintage or antique runner instantly softens sleek cabinetry, while hand-made pottery and textured linens introduce an organic touch,' says Marie.

If you have open kitchen storage, this can be an impactful area to introduce some older decor and kitchenware. 'Open shelving with collected pieces – hand-thrown ceramics, worn cutting boards, or heirloom silver – adds a lived-in quality.'

3. Introduce vintage hardware

On a similar theme, 'explore vintage kitchen hardware for the cabinet door and drawer fronts,' suggests interior designer Benji Lewis. It's the jewelry of the kitchen, so introducing something a bit more aged and traditional will transform the overall look and feel of your kitchen cabinet ideas.

'It’s about patina – the natural color that metal will take over time. Using solid metal hardware with “living finishes” like bronze and brass in your home allows your touchpoints to last longer and add character to your space,' says Massimo Minale, founder of Buster + Punch.

'These finishes are developed to patinate beautifully over time, reflecting your interactions and telling your story in your home throughout the years,' he adds.

4. Swap out modern lighting fixtures for more traditional designs

The impact of kitchen lighting is not something to be underestimated, especially if you want to make a modern kitchen feel older. Think about the style and finish of your fixtures and how you can use them to bring in a more characterful feel.

'Swapping out modern fixtures for aged brass or iron pendants brings warmth and a sense of timelessness. The goal is to create a space that feels welcoming and storied, where old and new exist in harmony,' says Marie.

The kitchen pendant lighting in this scheme instantly infuses a sense of old to the space. Finished in aged brass, the traditional design instantly adds a vintage feel, giving the otherwise modern room an older feel.

5. Bring in antique or traditional-style furniture

When we think about bringing in elements to give a kitchen an older look, the focus usually lands on the more functional elements. But adding furniture pieces you might not always expect in a kitchen can make a huge difference.

'Buy some antique furniture – nothing says trad more than the chime of a grandfather clock for example, or swap your modern chairs for a set of aged oak ones,' suggests Benji.

The glass-fronted upper cabinets add a dose of vintage style to this kitchen. They instantly add a more rustic, lived-in look paired with the sleeker dark lower cabinets and the luxurious marble backsplash.

6. Use kitchenware to create a more traditional feel

Making a modern kitchen feel older can be as simple as swapping out the kitchenware that's visible in your space. Whether it's the pieces that live on your countertops, are stored on open shelves, or are kept in glass-fronted cabinets, these small switches can instantly infuse a more traditional, lived-in feel.

'Store your utensils in a ceramic pot on the kitchen countertop rather than hiding them in a drawer,' suggests Benji, which can easily be achieved with a classic or vintage-style canister.

It doesn't have to be anything too complicated. In this kitchen, an unused corner of the countertops has been utilized to store decorative kitchenware. Pretty canisters, a pitcher filled with flowers, and a stack of recipe books instantly add a more traditional look.

Shop decor to give your kitchen an aged look

A lot of designer advice on making your kitchen look older focuses on the decor – bringing in more characterful pieces to mix with the modern look. These are some pieces that will easily give your kitchen a more lived-in look.

Making a modern kitchen feel older is all about bringing in traditional details in a balanced and considered way. It should look authentic, rather than a mismatch of design styles. Try to bring vintage pieces into your kitchen and more traditional designs that complement the existing colors and finishes in your space. When it's done right, your scheme will feel transitional and lived-in, rather than a sleek, sterile space.