Why Copper Works in the Kitchen
Highly practical and with its own natural beauty, copper is perfect for your cook space
Copper has been the metal of the moment for some time now. While it can fit in anywhere in your home, it’s in the kitchen where this warm metal can really take centre stage and show off its natural beauty, whether it’s perfectly polished or weathered and worn.
From pots and pans to worktops and splashbacks, there are a host of ways you can incorporate copper into your cook space. Read on to discover why it works so well and just how to use it.
From pots and pans to worktops and splashbacks, there are a host of ways you can incorporate copper into your cook space. Read on to discover why it works so well and just how to use it.
A dull, hammered or burnished finish creates the perfect aged and rustic look for a more traditional or country-style kitchen.
These hammered copper pendant lights work beautifully with the natural look of the rattan bar stools, the organic form of the bevelled-edge metro tiles, and the traditional feel of the Shaker-style unit doors.
These hammered copper pendant lights work beautifully with the natural look of the rattan bar stools, the organic form of the bevelled-edge metro tiles, and the traditional feel of the Shaker-style unit doors.
Enhance the simplistic, natural and minimalist look of your Scandinavian-style kitchen with subtle touches of warm copper in the form of pendant lights, taps and worktop canisters.
Opt for a copper with a smooth polish as opposed to one that’s hammered or oxidised, as it’s more in keeping with the clean look of Nordic spaces.
Opt for a copper with a smooth polish as opposed to one that’s hammered or oxidised, as it’s more in keeping with the clean look of Nordic spaces.
It moves with the trends
Some will say copper is on its way out, but any material, when used in a way that takes full advantage of its natural beauty and characteristics, will always have a place in good design.
Steer clear of mass-produced imitation copper accessories and instead opt for statement pieces made with love from the real deal – this guarantees longevity, both physically and aesthetically.
With dark tones set to dominate kitchen design in 2017, you might think it’s time to let go of your copper fascination. However, copper can still find a place in the kitchen alongside darker, more sultry shades.
Some will say copper is on its way out, but any material, when used in a way that takes full advantage of its natural beauty and characteristics, will always have a place in good design.
Steer clear of mass-produced imitation copper accessories and instead opt for statement pieces made with love from the real deal – this guarantees longevity, both physically and aesthetically.
With dark tones set to dominate kitchen design in 2017, you might think it’s time to let go of your copper fascination. However, copper can still find a place in the kitchen alongside darker, more sultry shades.
Its natural beauty never dates
While mass-produced copper accessories may be disappearing from our favourite homeware stores, designers are continuing to embrace copper, but they’re focusing more on the natural beauty of this warm, malleable material.
At no time is a material more beautiful than in its pure, raw and organic form. Instead of the recent trend for a polished copper finish, we’re seeing a shift towards a more natural and industrial aesthetic when using this metal in the home.
Designer Tom Dixon launched a new range of homeware at Milan Design week in 2016 called Materiality. It tells the story of the materials that he uses in his products, including copper, and focuses on their natural characteristics and beauty.
While mass-produced copper accessories may be disappearing from our favourite homeware stores, designers are continuing to embrace copper, but they’re focusing more on the natural beauty of this warm, malleable material.
At no time is a material more beautiful than in its pure, raw and organic form. Instead of the recent trend for a polished copper finish, we’re seeing a shift towards a more natural and industrial aesthetic when using this metal in the home.
Designer Tom Dixon launched a new range of homeware at Milan Design week in 2016 called Materiality. It tells the story of the materials that he uses in his products, including copper, and focuses on their natural characteristics and beauty.
It gets more beautiful with age
Copper adds a beautiful, welcoming warmth to even the coldest kitchen. Real copper pieces will age with use and time, developing a deeper, more solid colour on the surface as the metal reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air.
This reaction is called oxidation, a process which protects the metal from corrosion and decay, and is responsible for unfinished copper changing to beautiful colours such as green, purple and bronze. This process applies more to copper used outdoors, but you can still see it occurring in this splashback.
Copper adds a beautiful, welcoming warmth to even the coldest kitchen. Real copper pieces will age with use and time, developing a deeper, more solid colour on the surface as the metal reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air.
This reaction is called oxidation, a process which protects the metal from corrosion and decay, and is responsible for unfinished copper changing to beautiful colours such as green, purple and bronze. This process applies more to copper used outdoors, but you can still see it occurring in this splashback.
These beautiful copper pans have been tarnished from exposure to an open gas flame. Instead of being hidden away in a drawer, here they act almost like a work of art, creating extra visual interest against an attractive tiled splashback.
It’s not just a pretty face
Copper doesn’t just look beautiful. It’s a surprisingly practical choice for many kitchen surfaces and accessories. Copper has natural antimicrobial properties – it’s said to resist bacteria better than stainless steel, which makes it a practical choice for a sink or worktop. It’s also easy to clean and develops a beautiful patina over time.
Worktops, sinks, taps and splashbacks are just some of the areas in your kitchen you might consider incorporating copper. Let’s take a look at these features in detail.
Copper doesn’t just look beautiful. It’s a surprisingly practical choice for many kitchen surfaces and accessories. Copper has natural antimicrobial properties – it’s said to resist bacteria better than stainless steel, which makes it a practical choice for a sink or worktop. It’s also easy to clean and develops a beautiful patina over time.
Worktops, sinks, taps and splashbacks are just some of the areas in your kitchen you might consider incorporating copper. Let’s take a look at these features in detail.
Sinks
Copper sinks are available in many variations, including undermount, overmount and farmhouse style, as seen here. Busy people will rejoice at the fact that copper is really easy to clean without the need for any harsh chemicals. Hot water and washing-up liquid or mild soap are all that’s required to clean its surface.
Copper sinks are available in polished, burnished and hammered finishes, depending on the style of your kitchen. Many modern, polished copper-look sinks are, in fact, made from stainless steel that’s been coloured to look like copper. The advantage of this is that the colour won’t change over time like the real thing, which is perfect if you want to hold onto that perfectly polished look.
Copper sinks are available in many variations, including undermount, overmount and farmhouse style, as seen here. Busy people will rejoice at the fact that copper is really easy to clean without the need for any harsh chemicals. Hot water and washing-up liquid or mild soap are all that’s required to clean its surface.
Copper sinks are available in polished, burnished and hammered finishes, depending on the style of your kitchen. Many modern, polished copper-look sinks are, in fact, made from stainless steel that’s been coloured to look like copper. The advantage of this is that the colour won’t change over time like the real thing, which is perfect if you want to hold onto that perfectly polished look.
Worktops
Copper isn’t the first material that comes to mind when we think of worktops. While it’s naturally antimicrobial and easy to clean, copper is a soft metal, so it’s prone to dents and scratches. However, if you prefer a more natural and distressed look, these scuffs and imperfections can be part of the appeal.
A wax coating can be applied to a copper worktop periodically to maintain its patina and create a barrier against water and other liquids. If you’re particular about maintaining a pristine kitchen and prefer a more low-maintenance material, a copper worktop is probably not the best option for you.
Copper isn’t the first material that comes to mind when we think of worktops. While it’s naturally antimicrobial and easy to clean, copper is a soft metal, so it’s prone to dents and scratches. However, if you prefer a more natural and distressed look, these scuffs and imperfections can be part of the appeal.
A wax coating can be applied to a copper worktop periodically to maintain its patina and create a barrier against water and other liquids. If you’re particular about maintaining a pristine kitchen and prefer a more low-maintenance material, a copper worktop is probably not the best option for you.
Taps
Most modern copper-look taps are actually made from brass and have a copper plating applied to them. Make sure you choose a reputable brand that carries a good warranty to protect yourself against lower-quality products where the plating will wear over time.
Most modern copper-look taps are actually made from brass and have a copper plating applied to them. Make sure you choose a reputable brand that carries a good warranty to protect yourself against lower-quality products where the plating will wear over time.
Consider taking the look to a new level by including some exposed copper piping in your kitchen. This is the perfect style for a more industrial space or a minimalist scheme that needs some visual interest.
Copper is used to make water pipes because it doesn’t corrode and is easy to bend into shape.
Want a touch of copper with a difference? Try these clever piping taps
Copper is used to make water pipes because it doesn’t corrode and is easy to bend into shape.
Want a touch of copper with a difference? Try these clever piping taps
Splashbacks
Copper splashbacks are easy to clean, which makes them an excellent choice in a busy kitchen. Using large sheets of copper to cover your wall also reduces the number of joins in your splashback, again making cleaning easier. Opt for a brushed finish in a more sleek and contemporary space, or consider a burnished copper to turn your splashback into a bold and attractive feature.
If you’re not keen on the fact that your copper splashback will change colour over time, but you still want to incorporate its warm tones into your kitchen, try a glass splashback in a copper colour instead, which is a more low-maintenance option.
Choosing a new splashback? Find the right one for your kitchen
Have you incorporated copper into your kitchen? Tell us how or upload photos in the Comments below.
Copper splashbacks are easy to clean, which makes them an excellent choice in a busy kitchen. Using large sheets of copper to cover your wall also reduces the number of joins in your splashback, again making cleaning easier. Opt for a brushed finish in a more sleek and contemporary space, or consider a burnished copper to turn your splashback into a bold and attractive feature.
If you’re not keen on the fact that your copper splashback will change colour over time, but you still want to incorporate its warm tones into your kitchen, try a glass splashback in a copper colour instead, which is a more low-maintenance option.
Choosing a new splashback? Find the right one for your kitchen
Have you incorporated copper into your kitchen? Tell us how or upload photos in the Comments below.
The beauty of copper lies in its ability to present itself in many forms, colours and finishes. It can be used to add warmth and interest to any style of kitchen, from modern to traditional and everything in between.
The smooth, reflective qualities of a polished copper finish looks stunning in a sleek and streamlined contemporary kitchen. Use a polished copper splashback to bounce light around your room and add warmth to an all-white, simplistic space.
Copper can also be worked into an industrial-style kitchen and adds more warmth than cooler metals such as stainless steel. Team polished copper with textured exposed brick, or mix oxidised copper with concrete worktops and black cabinetry.