Implementing copper in kitchen design is becoming increasingly popular. What started as a fringe movement is now mainstream as more people begin to recognize the extraordinary value of the material.
With that said, figuring out how to implement copper in your kitchen can be challenging. While most homeowners have experience with marble, granite, and wood, they don’t know much about copper, even though it’s been around for millennia.
Good news: this post can help. We explore everything you need to know about copper in kitchen design, including its history, how to use it, and the benefits it offers. By the end, you should have a much deeper understanding of the metal and how it complements kitchen design.
The History Of Copper In Kitchen Design
Along with gold and silver, copper is one of humankind’s oldest-known metals. Discovered in ancient times, it has a beautiful orangey-brown color that instantly attracts the eye.
Copper kitchenware emerged in Bronze Age Asia Minor (Turkiye) around 9000 BC. From there, it spread to civilizations globally, including China, India, Peru, and Rome.
Ancient people used copper for kitchenware because it was easy to work. The metal’s low melting point meant that you could extract it from its ore in conventional fires instead of building specialist facilities. Metalworkers would then combine it with tin and silicon to strengthen it, creating bronze.
Copper cookware existed from around 3000 BC in the east. India and China began producing copper vessels as new technologies became available. Around 2700 BC, the ancient Egyptians began using copper for cookware and vessels. Carvings in tombs show how people used metal to make tongs, knives, ladles, plates, trays, pots, and pans. Later, it was popular in Britain and the Colonial Americas, often displayed on hooks or racks as a sign of beauty or pride.
Homeowners have been using copper in kitchen design since the 19th century (and perhaps before). The trend began when kettle makers switched from iron to copper because of its higher thermal efficiency. People who wanted to boil water could use less wood or coal if they had a copper vessel.
Copper later evolved, and people began using it more. Hammered copper sinks became available for the first time, providing elegance, charm, and additional hygiene. Eventually, manufacturers began constructing range hoods from copper for purely aesthetic purposes.
What Are The Benefits Of Copper In Kitchen Design?
Despite its long history, the use of copper in kitchen design remains niche. Only the most exclusive and luxurious kitchens include it in large quantities.
At CopperSmith, we think that’s a shame. As a material, copper offers an incredible range of benefits that are hard to find in any other material.
Naturally Antibacterial
First, copper has potent antibacterial properties. It kills the vast majority of germs that come into contact with it.
Scientists believe the antimicrobial properties of copper come from its Cu2+ ions. These charged particles disrupt cellular metabolism in microscopic organisms, preventing them from spreading or multiplying. They work by damaging bacteria’s outer membrane and then infiltrating inside, causing additional harm to cellular machinery and preventing normal functioning.
The antimicrobial properties of copper have been known since ancient times, making it an excellent choice for faucets, kitchen sinks, countertops, and cookware. Harmful bacteria cannot multiply on the surface, reducing the risk of foul odors and food poisoning.
Excellent Conductor Of Heat
Copper is also an excellent conductor of heat, making it suitable for cookware. Historically, many wealthy households used copper pans because of their ability to distribute heat efficiently across their surface. Upmarket brands use it for pots, stoves, ovens, and kettles to improve cooking performance and energy-saving.
Beauty And Timelessness
Another benefit of copper in kitchen design is its beauty and timelessness. Copper accessories, appliances, and fittings look just as natural in kitchens today as they did centuries ago.
Part of this is attributable to copper’s warm and inviting appearance. Kitchens that incorporate the metal feel cozy and welcoming, encouraging you to stay longer.
Copper is also a relatively neutral color, allowing it to complement most color palettes. For instance, CopperSmith sells copper kitchen sinks and range hoods that run the gamut from bright orange to deep brown, depending on the oxidation and patina.
Copper also helps brighten kitchens by emitting a soft glow when light shines on it. Placing a copper sink underneath spotlights or beside a window can increase reflectivity, warming and illuminating the entire space.
Durable And Resilient
Copper is also an exceptionally durable and resilient material, again making it ideal for kitchen design. It can withstand regular cooking temperatures and resists corrosion, scratches, and dents. While it will develop a patina over time (a thin layer of oxidation), it ages gracefully, developing character as it gets older.
Easy To Clean
Lastly, copper is easy to clean, adding to its convenience. Washing requires mild soap and water – nothing else.
Ways To Use Copper In Your Kitchen Design
Today, you can incorporate copper into your kitchen design in many ways. As we have seen, the metal is warm and inviting, naturally hygienic, and offers a timeless beauty you won’t find elsewhere. Here are some ideas you might want to try in your kitchen renovation:-
Copper Backsplash
Installing a copper backsplash is an excellent way to incorporate the metal into your kitchen design. While stainless steel backsplashes look cool and clinical, copper adds warmth while being easy to clean.
Copper backsplashes also create a stunning focal point in your kitchen. Dark and aged backsplashes work with bright color themes, while polished versions go well in darker environments or when surrounded by black tiles.
The finish you choose for your copper backsplash is entirely your choice. Polished has a reflective look, while hammered is more rustic and personalized. You can also go for brushed metal, which gives the copper a more professional look.
Like other copper objects in your kitchen, copper backsplashes are easy to clean. Most will develop a natural patina that protects against corrosion and stains, depending on their zinc content.
Copper Cookware
You can also use copper cookware in your kitchen design – something people have been doing for centuries. Again, this brings a sense of warmth and coziness to the room, encouraging you to spend more time in it.
Don’t hide pots and pans away in cupboards. Instead, hang them on racks above your hob or along the wall to access them immediately. Even if you don’t use them day-to-day, they are an excellent way to accessorize.
To give your kitchen a more eclectic look, you can mix and match copper cookware with other metals. Combining them with steel and cast iron is ideal for boho interiors.
Copper Accents
Another excellent way to include more copper in your kitchen is to add copper accents. You can think of these as little flecks of color that complement your theme.
For example, you might use:-
- Copper knobs on your cabinetry
- Copper handles on your drawers
- Copper light switches or pull-cords
- Copper strips along your countertops, floors, or kitchen island
- Copper accessories, such as trays or bowls
The more deeply you can embed copper into your kitchen design, the more impressive the results. As a metal, copper elevates the space, making it more luxe and welcoming.
Copper Sinks
You can also add copper to your kitchen design by installing a copper sink. These impressive units add a sense of weight and substance to your washing-up area and make a pleasant change from enamel.
CopperSmith sells a broad selection of copper sinks you can customize to suit your kitchen’s theme or aesthetic. You can either insert them into an existing kitchen or renovate around them.
Copper kitchen sinks are usually thick and deep. However, you can order smaller sizes for limited space. You can also choose from a range of finishes, from highly polished and bright to severely aged and dark.
CopperSmith offers single and double-basin sinks and the option to add exterior detailing. Copper sinks work well when under-mounted but can also slot into existing countertops.
Copper Range Hoods
Another way to add copper to your kitchen design is to install a CopperSmith copper range hood. These can act as focal points in your kitchen and help bring everything together.
Most range hoods are made of dull metal or built into cabinets, preventing you from seeing what they look like. As such, they lack theater and drama.
But when you install a CopperSmith copper range hood into your kitchen, it changes the dynamic entirely. Suddenly, the entire kitchen comes alive and seems to have a purpose.
Like copper sinks, copper range hoods come in various styles, designs, and sizes. Adding these above your stove helps to add purpose to your kitchen, especially if you have high-end appliances in your home.
Most copper range hoods are vented, meaning they exhaust cooking gasses outside. However, you can fit some with charcoal filters if you live in an apartment where adding new venting isn’t an option.
Copper Tables
Finally, you might consider adding copper tables to your kitchen. These are exceptionally durable and easy to clean after a meal. They can also withstand heat and moisture, meaning you don’t need to worry so much about putting down mats and trivets as you do on a wooden table.
As with other copper elements discussed here, the metal adds a warm and rustic touch to the kitchen by creating an inviting atmosphere. Copper tables match well with hardwood cabinets and even minimalist kitchens. They are perfect for family gatherings and dinner parties.
6 Tips For Using Copper Effectively In Kitchen Design
Implementing copper in kitchen design effectively takes practice. That’s why it pays to understand how to use the metal properly. Here’s what to do:-
Choose A Copper Finish You Love
First, you’ll want to find a finish you love that complements your kitchen. As you go through copper options, you’ll notice they can look very different. Some products are matte and don’t reflect the light, while others are polished and positively gleaming. Moreover, hammered metals have a different aesthetic in person than brushed, meaning you need to consider your theme and the aesthetic you want carefully.
For example:
- A shiny copper backsplash contrasts beautifully with dark cabinets
- A matte copper range hood blends with rustic tiling or an industrial theme
- Copper cookware complements range-style ovens
Once you understand the aesthetics you’re going for, it becomes much easier to choose a matching finish. If you get stuck, CopperSmith has a 3-D configurator showing you precisely how your new sink, table, or range hood will look once complete.
Mix And Match With Other Metals
Another excellent way to incorporate copper in your kitchen design is to mix and match it with other metals, such as brass, iron, stainless, or bronze. Including more tones helps to give the kitchen a more dynamic appearance and prevents everything from looking the same.
For instance, many kitchen owners combine a copper range hood with a stainless steel hob and microwave to bring out the variety in the metals. They also add brass faucets to offset copper light fixtures for additional contrast.
Of course, how you mix and match is your choice. Homeowners wanting more harmonious interiors may opt for copper only and use other design elements, such as marble and wood, for contrast.
Use Copper To Develop Warmth
You can also use copper to bring out the warmth in your kitchen design. The metal has a unique and rich hue that enhances existing color schemes by brightening and consolidating them.
Most designers like to pair copper with browns, beiges, and greens – all earthy tones that naturally complement the metal. Copper adds flecks of interest and richness that you don’t get with other metals.
Interestingly, you can combine copper with turquoise, blue, and white. Pairing it with these hues creates a more striking appearance and helps your kitchen break out of a monochrome palette. However, it won’t necessarily generate warmth.
Add More Copper Accessories
Adding more copper accessories is an excellent option if you don’t want to commit to a large-scale copper project. Pots, pans, door knobs, and drawer rails can help you achieve your desired aesthetic without breaking the bank.
One of the most interesting ways to include copper in your kitchen is to incorporate it into your lighting. Copper-metal lamps that hang over your island or beside your range can spice up your design considerably. Other options include adding copper mugs to illuminated cabinets or hanging copper trays on bare walls.
Embrace The Patina
Another pro tip when including copper in your kitchen design is to embrace the patina. This substance is the thin blue-green layer that forms on the metal’s surface following exposure to air.
The extent to which a patina develops depends on how you care for the metal and its alloy content. For example, you can apply a clear lacquer to copper sinks to prevent them from reacting with the air. The application will stop a patina from developing but is prone to scratching. You can also get copper sinks with zinc in them. Zinc helps to slow the formation of the patina, but it also dulls the copper’s appearance.
Most homeowners using copper in their kitchen design learn to accept and enjoy the patina development. Many go even further and buy copper products pre-aged and already showing signs of oxidation.
Whether you love this effect or not is a matter of personal preference. However, if you like it, you can enjoy the copper in your kitchen design aging gracefully for years.
Experiment With Various Shapes And Sizes
Lastly, commit yourself to experimenting with various copper shapes and sizes. As a highly malleable metal, copper can take virtually any form it wants (as shown by the intricate artwork and patterns on some of our copper sinks). As such, you can use copper to create bespoke, eye-catching features in your kitchen, from stylish copper pendant lights to hexagonal tiles!
Get Started With Copper Kitchen Design
Getting started with copper kitchen design is straightforward when you come to CopperSmith. We can help you choose the right shade, hue, and finish to complement the rest of the room. We can also assist you with including other metals in your kitchen, such as brass and stainless.
Doing copper kitchen design well requires understanding how to balance the metal with other elements in the kitchen like your hood fan kitchen. Copper can be a focal point depending on how you use it, but it doesn’t have to be. Other approaches include blending it into your theme to give your kitchen a sense of permanence and timelessness.
If you’re interested in using copper in kitchen design, CopperSmith offers a vast selection of original, handcrafted products you can include. Virtually every design is fully customizable, letting you find the perfect option for your kitchen. Get in touch for a free quote on any of our products.