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Kitchens are huge parts of our everyday lives. Even if someone only eats takeout and restaurant leftovers probably spends a fair amount of time in the kitchen.
They are important locations for friends and family. We spend a lot of time both by ourselves and with others in our kitchens.
This all means that knowing how to decorate a kitchen well is very important. Kitchen designs must not only be very practical and make sense from a cooking, serving, and clean up perspective, but also need to look good and be places where people enjoy spending time.
Image source: Saint Clair Kitchen & Home
New kitchen ideas can be hard to come up with because we tend to get stuck in a rut. Redoing a kitchen is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor that asks a lot of everyone involved.
Here some valuable kitchen design ideas to help make sure your kitchen decor makes your friends, family, and yourself want to spend time in one of the most important rooms in your home!
Table of contents
- How to decorate a kitchen
- Conclusion
Now let’s look at them in detail.
How to Decorate a Kitchen
Pay Attention to Materials
Image source: Higham Furniture
The materials you use to decorate any room are very important, affecting not just the price and look but also how well a particular element will hold up over time. They are especially important when looking at kitchen decor because kitchens are such different environments.
Kitchens are places of relatively extreme humidity and heat. Stains and splashes are common, and so are situations that can leave behind scratches. It’s also important to be able to clean items up so that they don’t become vectors for disease.
With increased awareness of health and better technology, there are more and more kitchen decorations that can hold up well under the unique and busy conditions of kitchens while looking great for years to come.
If you are looking for modern and chic kitchen sinks, check out the stainless steel farmhouse sink, I’m sure you will love it.
Feel Free to Innovate
Image source: Inspired Dwellings
Kitchens are such central rooms Sleek cabinets and wood beams blend with the aesthetics of a large kitchen.
- If space allows you, choose to make an open outdoor kitchen
- Make an open kitchen for a relaxed ambiance
- You could put in a breakfast seating and an island with storage space in the middle of the kitchen
- Huge windows and stunning lights are a must for big kitchens
- Try a U-shape modular kitchen design for the big kitchen
- Try beige and stainless steel combination colors
- Having multiple islands is also a great idea if your kitchen is really big and you have many cooks at home
- You can also try dark and bold colors for a large kitchen to make it feel cozy and inviting
To our lives that we all tend to be very conservative when it comes to our kitchen decor and kitchen design.
However, while there are some important kitchen design rules that are associated with practicality and safety, you should be willing to think outside the box when it comes to your kitchen decor.
Recently, more designers have been taking off-the-wall approaches to decorating a kitchen, trying different kinds of decorations, creative and unusual colors, and much more.
Plan Your Lighting Out
Image source: Bill Fry Construction – Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.
Lighting matters everywhere in your home, but it probably matters the most in your kitchen design. Lighting makes a huge difference in large areas and an even bigger one in smaller ones. Bright light, for instance, has a tendency to make spaces seem larger than they actually are. Lighting also is vital to setting the mood. It can make your kitchen ultra-modern, cozy, traditional, or intimate. It’s a very important part of planning how to decorate a kitchen.
To get some kitchen inspiration, look at decor magazines and showrooms. These are often areas put together by professional designers who have a very clear idea of what kitchen styles should look like.
They often have unusual and clever twists on ideas that you can get some new kitchen ideas from to help make your kitchen more unique, even if it is using a tried and true classic style. For some truly awesome kitchen ideas, take a look on Pinterest to see some very unconventional, original, and innovative kitchen design ideas.
When it comes to kitchen styles, don’t let your budget talk you out of a kitchen style you really like. While you may not be able to put in a particular kind of mosaic tile for your backsplash or afford to replace your sink with a country kitchen sink, for instance, you can still use all kinds of tricks and smart kitchen decor choices to make your kitchen fit into just about any style you can think of.
Kitchen styles are not created just with one particular element or set piece but are actually the product of many different elements coming together. We’ll walk you through some great kitchen ideas further on that can help you out no matter your budget and get the kitchen design that you want.
Plan Your Kitchen Decor Around Your Routine
Image source: Denise Morrison Interiors & House of Morrison
If you are only in and out of your kitchen very quickly, you have a lot more options for kitchen ideas. If your routine is like this, your kitchen decorations will rarely be in the way, so you can decorate a kitchen decor is nearly limitless. There’s less worry about knocking things over, breaking them, or spilling stuff on them, simply because you’re not in there very much or for very long.
If you do spend a lot of time in your kitchen, your kitchen decor should reflect that in the same way. Choose decorations that can be easily cleaned and can handle increased humidity. keep them out of the way where they can get knocked over (or into food!). A busy kitchen should make smart use of kitchen wall decorations since they are often two-dimensional and can be easily kept out of the way of cooking.
Decide on a Kitchen Style
Kitchens can be decorated in a number of styles. There are cozy, work-focused, eclectic country kitchens. You can find many examples of tough and cabin-like rustic kitchens. You can find modern minimalistic kitchens or some very incredible industrial kitchens.
Knowing which of the many kitchen styles you can find that you are looking to use will help you create a coherent style of decor for your kitchen from the very start. This will help you make sure you pick out the right kind of kitchen decorations from the very start and not waste money or time with the wrong ones as you decide on a kitchen style.
This does not mean that you need to have every specific kitchen decor element picked out in an advance, but you need to know generally what kind of feel you want for the whole space. Sometimes you may not have the budget to replace a particular element, but with the right choices in the rest of your kitchen decor, you will not need to do so in order to get the effect that you want.
Kitchen Decor Ideas
Minimalism with Touches of Color
Image source: eands
This is a great kitchen idea for those who like cleaner and light colored space. To keep it from being too impersonal and too cold (in other words, to allow people to want to stay in the space and be comfortable there), all you need to do is add a touch of color in the kitchen decor details.
This includes your utensils, vases, and other kitchen decorations. Also, remember not to treat white as your enemy. In this kitchen style, use white for surfaces and items that are easy to clean, often ones that are smooth (like countertops and cupboard doors).
Colorful Furnishings
If you want to try something that is bold and innovative, try using bold strong colors for your kitchen furniture. The resulting look is both modern and fun. You could try IKEA kitchen furniture.
However, keep in mind that it is very easy to end up getting bored with the color or colors you choose, so be very careful when picking out what color(s)you end up using. It’s a decision that you should think through carefully. Two-tone kitchen cabinets are in trend. You can try those and see if they work for you.
Coifa as a Highlight
Image source: Amiano & Son Construction, LLC
If you are thinking about purchasing a hood to use in your kitchen, think about getting a distinctive and colorful model or a more environmentally-friendly one. There are a number of options out there that you may not have considered because you didn’t know about them.
This can help give your kitchen design a nice touch of color, elegance, or innovation. Use it as the defining focus of your kitchen, the element that gives it most of its personality. This is made even easier because a hood is simply such a large piece!
Use Pastel Colors
If you want to bring colors into your kitchen decor, but don’t want to go bold, try using pastels. Light blues, for instance, can help add a sense of serenity to your kitchen design.
Soft yellows will add joy. Pastels are generally calming and avoid being too loud, which is often the issue with bolder colors. They are often easy to pair with neutrals like white, gray, and tan. The effect can be much more effective than it might be with a bolder version of the same color.
Add a Kitchen Blackboard
Image source: Chris Cobb Architecture
Blackboards are not just for offices or bedrooms but are amazing additions to kitchen designs, as well. They allow you to quickly write down items you need to buy, replace, or repair in a place where you’re likely to see them.
You can also note down a recipe you’re making for reference as you make it, or leave messages for other family members in a way they can’t miss. It’s also a great place to decorate for seasons or special occasions, or even allow the more creative members of your family to put their art on display for everyone to see.
Add a Colorful Ceiling
The ceiling rarely gets much attention in any room, but making your ceiling colorful can be a fun way to add an innovative and unusual touch to your kitchen design. Paint it a bold and different color, or add wallpaper for a unique pattern or even texture.
Consider using stencils or stamps to add a design of your own making. If you have the budget for it, consider adding wood paneling. Doing something different with your kitchen ceiling can totally alter a space and make spending time in your kitchen a unique experience.
Monochrome Kitchen Decor
Image source: Chris Snook
When we talk about monochrome kitchen decor, we don’t just mean an all-white kitchen or a black-and-white kitchen. While those are certainly viable options, both in retro and modern looks, a monochrome kitchen can be based on any color you like.
The color and tone you use can make all the difference. This can be a very easy choice for those who don’t trust their ability to coordinate colors. It’s very easy to find kitchen decorations in just about any color you want thanks to the internet. Just be sure that you choose a color you’ll like for a long time!
Kitchen Shelf Decoration
Shelves are a very useful form of kitchen decoration for any style of kitchen design. There is a certain charm to shelves. You can use them to keep objects and ingredients easily on hand.
You can also place kitchen decorations on them, or even objects that double as kitchen decorations and useful cooking objects, like spice jars.
Use shelves to show off heirloom china or even family pictures. You can get shelves in any style to fit your kitchen design, from tough industrial-looking blocky floating shelves to old-fashioned wooden ones.
Use Innovative Finishes
Image source: Compass and Rose
You don’t just have to stick to the old-fashioned finish materials and looks. Try using white bricks, back bricks, stones, hydraulic tiles, to glass.
These elements can be the big draws and focal points of your kitchen design, especially if they are truly unique and unusual, whether that’s thanks to their color, pattern, or texture.
If you are watching your budget carefully, considering only changing the lining part of your kitchen walls, which will be much cheaper. Using different finishes is a simple way to add a personal touch to a traditional or even to a modern kitchen style.
Get Creative with Your Kitchen Floor
Flooring is one of the stars of any kitchen design. A new kitchen floor is often one of the most expensive and time-consuming elements of a kitchen design and for good reason. A unique and creative kitchen floor will give your kitchen a very special feeling and set the tone for the whole space.
Cozier country kitchen styles often use porcelain tile that resembles wood. Modern kitchen styles make use of geometric floors. Floors, as well as well-chosen lighting, are key to making sure your kitchen fits the style you are looking for.
Use Decorative Frames for Your Kitchen
Image source: Dodie
Frames are very useful decorative accessories that can assist in setting the tone for your kitchen design. You can find frames in a large number of sizes, big, small, and in between, and for any kind of style, from sleek and modern to highly ornate.
They also are typically quite affordable. What kind of pictures should you put in the frames you pick out? Anything you like! Frame family photos, art you bought at the local fair, or even pictures you print off the internet. Match your frame and your picture well to help your kitchen style come together even better.
How To Decorate a Small Kitchen
Small spaces can be very hard to decorate well. Decorating a small kitchen is even more of a challenge. It is a very functional space and can get very tight and crowded with your appliances, seating, cabinets, and people sharing the same area.
It can be tempting to just keep it as a purely functional space with no personality, or leave your small kitchen with whatever out-of-date style it currently has, but the truth is that you can decorate a small kitchen very nicely and make it a space where you enjoy being, even as small as it is.
All you need is to figure out how to balance your small kitchen’s sense of scale. If you do this, you can display a collection, hand window treatments, and even accessorize your small kitchen just the way you want. Let’s take a look at some great ideas for decorating a small kitchen.
Lighten it Up
Image source: Novare Renovation & Design
Using dark colors to decorate a small room make it feel even smaller. To make it feel larger, use light colors. This doesn’t mean your small kitchen should be plain white or that you have to replace your cherry wood kitchen cabinets.
The key to making a small kitchen feel bigger is in the lighting. Even if you can’t change the colors of your cabinets or if you don’t really have anywhere you can repaint the walls, picking the right lighting will make a serious impact.
If you want to make a big difference without using a lot of space, add LED strips under your shelves or cabinets. Try replacing some of your kitchen’s old light fixtures with newer energy efficient models. Plan your kitchen decor around your lighting scheme and you will find that this tiny space will start looking a lot better.
Include a Bold Backsplash
Image source: Kepler Design
Showing off your personal style is a small kitchen can be very hard. There just isn’t a lot of room to work with and you are likely not able to rearrange items like bars, cabinets, or maybe even your dining table. What you can do, however, is focus on making the most of what you do have control over.
One of those things is your backsplash. It is a necessity for your kitchen and also takes up no space since it’s part of the wall. It doesn’t really need much empty wall space. A bold kitchen backsplash can add an instant impression of liveliness above your stove and kitchen sink.
There’s a lot you can do with a kitchen backsplash. Use a bold pattern to add some energy to your small kitchen decor. You could use a contemporary pattern in neutral tones to modernize a more traditionally decorated kitchen.
If you like to change decor on the fly, there are a number of temporary options for kitchen backsplash decoration like certain painting techniques and removable decals, so you don’t have to commit to a design for years to come if you don’t feel like it.
Add Shelves for Extra Storage
Image source: Ultimate Remodel
Include an extra shelf between your kitchen cabinets or above your kitchen sink. This will give you a bit of extra storage space.
These shelves can be used to display and store china or other items, or even keep ingredients and utensils you want to be able to grab easily.
Use these shelves as a spice rack or an easy place to keep plates. Try not to overdo it, however. The fewer small items you have on display, the tidier and larger your small kitchen will look.
Add Some Color
Color and patterns add life to any space. If you have a single wall of open space, be brave and paint it a bold bright color.
This will give even an older kitchen a modern look. Make it easier to look at by breaking up the space with some shelves to store keepsakes, pictures, and other interesting trinkets.
If you can’t paint the whole wall, consider adding a printed shade over your windows or place a patterned rug on your kitchen floor. These kinds of changes will still give a space more life and are easy to undo if you decide you don’t like them.
Hang Up Your Pots
Image source: Gensburg Toniolo Harting Architects
Pots and pans take up a lot of room in your cabinets. Think about getting a pot rack to keep them out and out of the way.
Try hanging them securely from the ceiling above your kitchen island or above your stove. If you don’t have any space for a pot rack that hangs from the ceiling, look for smaller ones that hang from the wall.
Pot racks give you extra storage that also allows you to include your pots and pans into your kitchen design with a nice effect.
Display Some Art
Image source: Gregory Davies Photography
Art is a great way to personalize any room. Select something that fits you and your kitchen decor. Get a contemporary painting that catches the viewer’s attention.
Hang up a collection of vintage art in a gallery style. Pick a single color or style of frame to unite a group of pictures and tie them together. There are many options.
Whatever you choose, whether its a single large art piece or collection of smaller eclectic ones, you should use them to create a single focal point. This focal point will make a big difference in your small kitchen and trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it really is.
Remove Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Image source: Webber + Studio, Architects
Kitchen cabinet doors have a tendency to make an area feel closed off and claustrophobic, so think about removing them in order to open up the room.
Paint the insides of your now exposed cabinets a fun color that matches the rest of your kitchen design. This will also give the room some depth.
Don’t just use these spaces to display your dishes, but use glass jars and textured baskets to help keep everything organized and stylish at the same time.
How to decorate a large kitchen
A large kitchen has other issues. Naturally, if you have a large space, that means you have almost no limits on how you can decorate a kitchen right? Nope!
You need to figure out how to decorate a kitchen so that it is neither cluttered nor too empty. The lighting, furniture, and kitchen decorations you choose are just as important in a large kitchen as they are in a small one.
On top of those, you also have more room for kitchen furniture and your selections are very important to the final result of the kitchen design.
Selecting the Right Furniture
Image source: Crosby Creations Drafting & Design Services, LLC
Before you even start looking at a kitchen furniture, you need to take a closer look at the shape of your kitchen. Your kitchen furniture should fit with the scale of your kitchen.
It should feel not too large, not too small, but just right. If you decide that you need more counter space for cooking and food preparation, this is going to change what furniture you select, as well.
You should never select your kitchen furniture at random. You have more space, so that does mean more flexibility, but even the most eclectic country style kitchen has some thought put into its furniture choices. Your furniture should fit the style, meet your cooking needs, and make the room as a whole functional.
As always, keep your budget in mind when shopping for kitchen furniture. Remember, this room is one of the most important and most frequented in your home, so getting good quality furniture that will look good and work well for years is very important.
If the kitchen is very large, consider buying a kitchen island and additional kitchen cabinets. If it fits with your kitchen decor, consider buying antique kitchen furniture, or kitchen furniture that has a more naturalistic finish. Always check the various styles and prices that are out there before finally making a purchase.
Large Kitchens and What You Can Do With Them
Image source: J.Holderby – Renovations
With a large kitchen, you can get creative in some very unique ways:
- Sleek cabinets and wood beams blend with the aesthetics of a large kitchen
- If space allows you, create an open outdoor kitchen.
- Make an open floor plan kitchen for a relaxed atmosphere.
- You could add breakfast seating and an island with storage space in the center of the kitchen
- Huge windows and stunning lights are a must-have for large kitchens.
- Try a U-shaped modular kitchen design.
- Try out a beige and stainless steel combination.
- Having multiple islands is also a great idea if your kitchen is very large and you have several cooks in the house.
- Try dark and bold colors to create a cozy and inviting feel.
As always, your own personal preferences will determine your kitchen design’s style. It should make you comfortable and not make the kitchen too cluttered. These are just some ideas that work well in large kitchens. Use them as a basis for your own kitchen design or come up with something totally new!
Cheap Kitchen Decor
Everyone has a budget. Kitchen remodels tend to be some of the most expensive updates you’ll make to your home. How can you stay on budget and still have an amazing kitchen design?
By doing a lot of projects yourself and try out some new creative ways of using things. For the most part, these kitchen decorating projects require time, effort, and a little creativity to get some truly amazing results.
Take a look and see if these cheap kitchen decor ideas can help you as you update your kitchen design!
Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
Image source: tds
Painting your kitchen cabinets is one of the cheapest ways to refresh their look and completely change the feel of your kitchen. Use a neutral background to create a calmer atmosphere, or go big and bold for a modern look.
If you are trying to update some very well-worn cabinet doors, be sure to sand them and prepare them before you begin painting. Some materials take some kinds of paint better than others, so be sure to do your research before you start painting your kitchen cabinets.
Install New Countertops
Replacing your countertops can radically change the look of your kitchen. There are many options out there at varying prices, but the most cost-effective is laminate. You could try bright white countertops.
If you have the budget for it, think about adding some more extras, like heat rods that can be fitted into the surface as a permanent pan stand or a built-in draining board.
Update Your Kitchen Floor
Image source: my fathers heart
Kitchen floors are very important and if yours is not right, it can drag the whole color scheme and style of your kitchen down. If you’re on a budget, replacing or updating your kitchen floor can be an even more intimidating task than usual.
However, you don’t have to go through the trouble of taking it all up to lay new flooring on the top. As per most kitchen designers, you can just cut your costs by running the new kitchen flooring underneath the plinths rather than running it wall to wall.
Improve Your Kitchen Storage
It’s only when you are preparing to remodel your kitchen that you realize just how much stuff you’ve accumulated over the years. If you can, Set aside an afternoon to sort through all of your kitchen cupboards and organize them so you can easily reach the things you need every day.
Clearing your countertops will also instantly improve the look and atmosphere of your kitchen and costs you nothing at all. You can also rethink your storage solutions. For instance, adding pull-out drawers in a cupboard will make every possible inch of space usable.
Add an Accent Wall
Image source: Lunde Construction Inc
Wallpaper is a great and original way to add some life to an old kitchen. Feel free to cover a whole wall in wallpaper, or just create a feature wall for a more subtle but equally stunning look.
Pick wallpaper that is designed for use in kitchens; these are that and steam resistant, so they will not discolor and come loose over years of being exposed to normal kitchen use.
Change Out Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors and Handles
Image source: Weaver Custom Homes
This is a very simple way to revitalize your kitchen cabinets. All you need to do is use a screwdriver to take off the old kitchen cabinet doors or handles, then swap the new ones in. There are many budget-friendly options to choose from.
Even try mixing and matching by replacing only the wall or base cupboard doors. White doors and handles will help create a modern look, while distressed wooden doors are great for a country style kitchen.
Add Some Life With Kitchen Accessories
Adding a few kitchen accessories can brighten up the space and help bring your theme home. Use shelves to display the items and reorganize your counters to show off your favorites.
Use New Fabrics
Image source: J. Stephens Interiors
Change your old seat cushions for new ones, or buy some new tablecloths. Consider adding or replacing your old window treatments and curtains. This simple changes can make your kitchen seem like a brand new space while not costing an arm and a leg.
Buy New Appliances
By buying new appliances, you can refresh your kitchen while updating its functionality. Modern appliances are more energy efficient and are packed with many useful features that older ones don’t have. They also have more updated looks, coming in all sorts of colors and sizes.
Install More Lighting
Image source: Poggenpohl Florida West
The best lighting you can get in a kitchen design consists of task lights (like spotlights) over your counters, halogen bulbs on the extractor, and overhead lighting with ambient light over the dining area.
If this is outside of your budget, be sure that your lighting is good enough to see clearly what you are doing when cooking and pleasant enough of people are comfortable just sitting in the kitchen and talking.
Update Your Kitchen Walls
As they say, give your kitchen walls a literal fresh coat of paint. This is a simple way to give our kitchen a new look without spending too much money. You can usually finish in one day.
Get a New Kitchen Sink
Image source: Veronica Rodriguez Interior Photography
If you’re going to only replace one major feature in your kitchen, consider changing your sink. A white butler sink is good for a country kitchen.
Stainless steel sinks are more contemporary and look good in a modern kitchen design. Or, you can go for a distinctive copper sink to make a serious statement. If the space doesn’t allow for something fancy, you should try a corner sink.
How to decorate a kitchen with black appliances
Black appliances are very common and very stylish. However, from a design perspective, they can be a problem. It’s a hard color to match with a theme and fit in with all the other colors in your kitchen design.
Black appliances can be worked into a number of styles with some careful thought:
- For a modern look, pair black kitchen appliances with white and bold colors.
- For a retro look, pair black appliances with white in a chessboard look. This style manages to look space age and retro at the same time.
- For a country kitchen, riff off your black appliances with your many other eclectic furnishings.
How to decorate a kitchen table
Image source: Zoevox
Kitchen tables are not just places to eat, but can also be decorated to help tie your kitchen design together. Decorate them for the season, special occasions, or just to bring in some life to everyday use.
For holidays, change up your kitchen table centerpiece to match the season but stay within your theme. Place a paper turkey on your country kitchen table for Thanksgiving, or create a display using glass vases, candles, and fake frosted holly for the Christmas season in your modern kitchen. Decorating your kitchen table is a great way to let your creativity flow!
Try out these kitchen table decorating ideas!
Decorate with Fruit
Fill a basket or bowl with apples, oranges, lemons, or any other fruits you like. You can also place them into glass containers and turn them into elegant centerpieces.
Decorate with Plants
Flowers are a traditional centerpiece choice for a kitchen table for a good reason. Potted plants also look nice, and succulents, in particular, require very little care once potted properly.
How to decorate a white kitchen
Image source: Jane Lockhart Interior Design
White kitchens are classics. They are bright and clean. Without lots of colors,they’re very low-stress spaces to decorate since everything is white. However, this does not mean that they have to be boring. Here is some great kitchen decorating inspiration for a white kitchen:
Brass accents
Use brass to bring in a classic timeless but not dated look.
Industrial
Add a marble and iron kitchen island to create an industrial look.
Minimalist
Keep everything sparse and calming. Also very budget friendly.
Modern
Use cool geometric pendant light to keep your white kitchen looking modern and fresh.
Greenery
Add some life with potted plants.
Warm wood
Keep a white kitchen from being too cold with some warm wood accents.
Decorating a Kitchen Wall
Image source: Andrea Schumacher Interiors
Kitchen walls are often not used to their fullest. With everything else to think about when decorating a kitchen, they get left out. However, there are a lot of great options for kitchen wall decorations that can add a lot of a space!
- Add striking tile murals
- Create a chalkboard with chalkboard paint
- Show off your art collection
- Hang baskets on the wall
- Display plates and platters
- Hang your pots and pans
- Paint a mural
- Add wall-mounted planters
- Create an accent wall
Ending thoughts on how to decorate a kitchen
There are many different ways to decorate a kitchen. Kitchen decor should be a reflection of your personal preferences and your lifestyle.
Whether you have a big kitchen or a small kitchen, one that is used often or used a little, there are a lot of great ways to get it to look great!
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