It can be argued that the kitchen is the most valued room in one’s home, both literally and metaphorically. The kitchen, revered by all, possesses a certain cachet that eludes all other rooms. This room of royalty holds court and demands our attention. Therefore, it is no surprise that we struggle to adorn it as it so rightfully deserves. Here are some tips to styling this regal room. However, one does not need to pay a king’s ransom to create a chic and sophisticated kitchen. Here are some easy and inexpensive tips:
- Clutter is not chic! Kitchens seem to be a dumping ground for one’s mail and rogue papers that appear out of nowhere. I get it; it is hard to control the copious amount of papers that flow through one’s door. However, one can only have so many junk drawers. (If you read my post on the Ridiculously Simple Things For A Better 2016, this is surely not the case for you 🙂
Come up with a real solution that allows you to control the clutter. I love vintage and rustic looking accessories to add some depth to your decor. The more refined your style is, the more interesting the juxtaposition of vintage looking accessories will be. Choose interesting metal or wooden containers like these to wrangle in those papers.
These metal hanging baskets get the clutter off your countertops-Wayfair $54
Wood container with chicken wire sides and rope handles – Wayfair $49 for a set of 3
2. Create small vignettes to style your counter top. In the average size kitchen, limit the vignette to two. If your kitchen has an area designated for cocktails, you can create another one there as well. Vary the height of the items in your vignette to keep it interesting.
Below, is a fun mixture of texture and color. The texture is created with the cutting boards which add a roughness and an organic feel. The ceramic jars add a bumpy texture and the flowers add a fun pop of color. The gold salt and pepper shakers add just the right amount of sparkle. Flowers are always chic! Read my reasoning here (see tip #4).
Image via Becki Owens
Yellow is the accent color I chose for my kitchen. I bring this color in using simple pieces. My utensils are held in a yellow flower pot I bought at IKEA. I placed lemons in a footed bowl I purchase from Pier 1. I love the mix of textures in the marble and wood cutting board. The succulents are in a glass vase adorned with gold stripes (which is a replica of a Kate Spade piece).
On my counter top, I placed elements at varying heights to keep the grouping interesting.
Below, is an adorable coffee bar. I especially love the vintage container that holds the coffee filters
The rattan tray provides a great organic texture to the polished butcher block counter top, and the framed chalkboard is a fun whimsical addition
3. Stock your bar with style. If you have a separate area in your kitchen for cocktails, gather some of your prettier bottles and accessorize with a mix of metal and crystal to create a chic display.
The vintage brass and crystal candelabras add a sophisticated touch to this counter scape. The fresh roses in the antique china creamer adds a pretty pop of color – Image via Designthusiam
The vintage vanity tray is a perfect way to corral all of the bar fixings!
4. Add an artfully arranged display of fruits or vegetables. Fruits and vegetables come in a myriad of colors and textures; best of all, it is a CHEAP way to create a counter top display. I love to display fruits and vegetables in containers that were meant for another use. Place fruit of the same color in a glass trifle bowl, or arrange artichokes on a cake platter. I prefer to use pure white stoneware or clear glass to showcase my fruits and vegetables.
The variation in the height of these glass containers is what makes this grouping successful – Image via Modern Home Idea
5. Add interesting and unique wall decor. The possibilities for wall decor in the kitchen are endless. Wall decor can be three dimensional, framed art, a chalkboard or hanging containers. More so than in any other room, kitchens are set up like grids with horizontal and vertical lines and planes. Wall decor helps to break up these linear elements to create visual interest. I prefer to add three dimensional wall decor in kitchens for this very reason. Wall space is usually limited in a kitchen, so make sure the elements you choose are unique and create a sense of presence.
These wooden boxes are both beautiful and functional – Image via Driven by Decor
6. Add fun and interesting patterns through window treatments, upholstery and rugs. With so many hard surfaces in a kitchen, using fabrics and rugs are a great way to add some soft and cozy elements to your kitchen. Use fun, bold pops of color to lend a fresh feel to your kitchen.
Image via Pinterest
This blue trellis area rug breaks up the black and white palette and adds much needed pattern in this kitchen.
Image via Pinterest
The kitchen is probably the most expensive room to build; it increases the value of one’s home more than any other room. It is also the room that hosts more activities than all of the other rooms combined.
According to a study done in 2015, the average women will spend the equivalent of 18 years of her life in the kitchen. Therefore, this room deserves the same, if not more, attention to detail that we bestow upon other rooms.
I hope this post helps inspire you to look at this room with a fresh set of eyes. Adding decorative elements, especially ones that are not typically found in a kitchen, truly elevates the look of this room.
Thanks for reading!
xo Laurie
