The Hampton’s style kitchen has gained popularity in Australia, effortlessly capturing the nation’s love for coastal living, relaxation, and entertainment. Featuring spacious interiors, exposed beams, abundant natural light, and a seamless blend of classic and modern design elements, this style offers a luxurious yet laid-back atmosphere.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the 10 must-have elements to create your dream Hampton’s style kitchen, covering aspects such as architecture, layout, color palettes, and fixtures.
Here’s how you can transform your kitchen into a beautiful, inviting space with the timeless charm of the Hampton’s style.
The Australian Version
The Australian adaptation of the of the Hampton’s style tends towards a more relaxed feel, and this has resulted in a broader range of combinations of design elements. It’s so common to see elements of the traditional version mixed with a more contemporary style now, so attempts to achieve the look can be confusing.
When it comes to the kitchen though, there are a number of key elements you can include to successfully achieve the Hampton’s look.
1. Architecture
If budget permits, go for exposed beams painted in fresh white, or coffered ceilings for that extra sense of opulence and old-world charm. Timber is the most common choice for flooring, and while the herringbone pattern has become increasingly popular for traditional appeal, straight timber boards create a more relaxed feel.
Dark colours tend to be favoured for a more traditional look, but lighter boards align with a relaxed, contemporary feeling. Large windows are essential to adding lots of natural light which contributes to the airy sense of space that’s so characteristic of the Hampton’s style.
Walls will look more traditionally Hampton’s if you include wainscoting (decorative panelling), too.
2. Kitchen Layout
The Hampton’s kitchen is famed for the island bench, making it an essential element of the overall layout. Depending on the amount of space you have, an island can become part of the L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen layouts.
Aside from providing more storage and preparation space, the island bench also provides space for casual dining or an area for guests to congregate which is vital if you do a lot of entertaining.
3. The Island Bench
The traditional Hampton’s style island bench is large and grand, but it doesn’t have to be either of these things to achieve the look. There are two main design elements you could include for authenticity.
The first is to include more decorative corners to the cabinetry. The detail should complement the variation of ‘Shaker’ doors that you have decided on.
Secondly, and where possible, the benchtop should overhang to accommodate some seating as this part of the island is often used as a place to eat or gather. As the island bench is a focal point of the Hampton’s kitchen, it can be painted in a contrasting colour to the rest of the cabinetry which is most often white.
4. Cabinetry
The ‘Shaker’ cabinet doors are a must have in the Hampton’s kitchen. The traditional Shaker door is characterised by a flat centre panel framed by square edging, without any other detail or profiling.
This distinctive style traces back to the ‘Shaker’ community – a self-sufficient religious community known for hand crafting their own simplistic furniture, including cabinetry.
For an even more distinctive Hampton’s look, use a detailed decorative moulding to frame the cabinetry. This will keep it more traditional, and it works well when combined with glass inserts on some of the overhead cabinetry.
5. Hardware
Your Hampton’s cabinets won’t be complete without the traditional metal hardware. The metal finish you use will be dependent on your overall colour palette, and while the use of brass and gold is increasing, chrome is a popular choice.
Shape is important, too. A common choice for draw pulls is the ‘cup handle’ while the ‘mushroom knob’ tends to be used for cupboard doors.
6. Benchtops
Marble benchtops really are an essential element of the Hampton’s kitchen. Marble oozes the beauty and elegance associated with the traditional style.
There is a huge range of marble available on the market, but two common choices are the Calacatta and the Carrara.
Calacatta is characterised by a more crystal white body colour with bolder blue-grey veins whereas the Carrara vein is more subtle and feathery.
The key is to stick to white – anything darker would be a move away from the Hampton’s look.
7. Splashback
There are a few suitable alternatives for the Hampton’s splashback. To achieve a truly luxe appeal, you can extend the marble used on your benchtop, up the wall.
A variation on this is to use the same marble but, in a tile, and have them laid in a herringbone pattern.
If marble is beyond your budget, you can opt for the classic white subway tile. Changing the colour of the tile to a pale grey or even a pale green can work nicely as a contemporary contrast to white cabinetry.
8. Colour palette
The colour palette of a traditional Hampton’s style home is greatly inspired by its coastal surroundings. It typically features a variety of soft, muted hues that evoke a sense of calm, relaxation, and connection to nature. Key colours include:
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Soft Whites: This is a staple in the Hampton’s style palette. It’s used in large areas to create a fresh, bright, and airy ambience, serving as a perfect backdrop for other colours and elements in the space.
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Stone and Sand: These earthy tones help to ground the design and add warmth to the space. They can be used in textiles, flooring, or accessories to bring in a natural, organic touch.
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Soft Blues: From pale sky blues to deeper sea-inspired tones, blue is a quintessential Hampton’s colour. It brings in the serenity of the ocean and sky, enhancing the coastal feel.
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Greens: Hints of soft green can help to bring the outside in, creating a seamless transition between your indoor space and the natural world outside. Consider using this colour in accessories, textiles or even cabinetry for a subtle nod to nature.
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Greys: Light to medium greys work beautifully in a Hampton’s style palette, providing a neutral base that complements the softer tones. They can be used in furniture, flooring, or even wall paint.
The beauty of the Hampton’s colour palette lies in its versatility and timeless appeal. By combining these colours in a balanced way, you can create a relaxed and welcoming ambiance that’s perfect for a coastal home.
Remember, the choice of colours should reflect not only the style but also your personal taste and lifestyle, making your space truly unique and comfortable.
9. Lighting
Lighting your Hampton’s kitchen should aim to keep it bright, fresh and airy.
Aside from small, round recessed lighting throughout to assist with this, the focus will be on pendants which should hang over your island bench. Aim for two or three depending on the size of your bench.
Brass or chrome lights in a nautical style are a popular choice, although large lantern style glass pendants will also achieve a Hampton’s look.
If you are using rattan throughout the rest of your home, rattan pendants in the kitchen will help to achieve unity in your styling overall.
10. Fixtures – sink & oven
The sink and the oven are a very personal choice, but they can also be two of the standout features when completing the look of a Hampton’s kitchen.
While they are not essential, incorporation of the deep Butler’s sink and the freestanding oven will be like the icing on the cake for capturing the essence of this style.
If you choose a butler’s sink you should complement it with the right tapware. Go for a classic style in a metal that is the same as your cabinetry hardware.
The Final Word…
Achieving the perfect Hampton’s style kitchen is all about incorporating the right design elements that capture the essence of relaxed luxury, coastal living, and timeless elegance.
By paying attention to architecture, kitchen layout, island bench design, cabinetry, hardware, benchtops, splashbacks, color palettes, lighting, and fixtures, you can create a beautiful and functional space that embodies the Hampton’s aesthetic.
Remember, personalising your kitchen with your own unique touch will make the space truly yours, while still adhering to the classic Hampton’s style guidelines.
If you’re in need of assistance with your Hampton’s style project, don’t hesitate to contact us today – we’re here to help.