7 Tips for Decorating the Kitchen - Stylish & Practical

Kim {Tidbits&Twine}
by Kim {Tidbits&Twine}
Sometimes, given their function, kitchens are overlooked as a space that can be decorated in the home. But kitchens are the heart of the home and a gathering place for family and friends, so just like any other room in the house, they should reflect our personal style. Yes, a remodel can do wonders for the feel and function of a kitchen, even without a remodel, a few, well-placed accessories and details can give a kitchen a warm and inviting touch.
Here are some of my favorite Tips & Tidbits for decorating a kitchen so that it’s both stylish and practical!
1.KEEP THE FLOW
When adding accessories to a kitchen, ensure that the decor doesn’t interfere with work flow, or you’ll find yourself frustrated by your decor rather than pleased with it. A small display or vignette on the counter can be quite beautiful, but be sure you place it in a corner or other out-of-the way spot so that you aren’t interfering with your workable counter space.
2. STICK WITH KITCHEN-THEMED DECOR
Accessories and other decor in a kitchen feel more natural and less contrived when they are items that “make sense” for a kitchen, so be sure to give careful thought as to what you include. Beautiful dishes, serving pieces, a display of cutting boards, flatware, baskets, or even a nice cookbook can all make beautiful displays in a kitchen without feeling like they are out-of-place.
3. IF YOU HAVE SPACE, USE IT!
There are definitely two sides to the debate as to whether to decorate above the kitchen cabinets. My feeling is that if your style is more clean and contemporary, then not decorating above the cabinets and instead, leaving some negative space, creates a much sleeker look. If, on the other hand, your style is a bit more traditional or eclectic, then using this space is a great way to show off more of your style with groupings of beautiful accessories.
A few words of caution, though:
1. Make sure you have adequate clearance between the cabinets and the ceiling before you decide to add accessories. You should have around 24″ of space to ensure that the items can be seen and do not appear to be “stuffed” above the cabinets.
2. Just because you have the space doesn’t mean you need to fill all of it! How much of the space you use really depends on what you are displaying. If you are displaying a collection of like items, then filling the entire space gives it a seamless look. But if you are creating vignettes using a variety of items, limit displays to small areas and don’t allow the various groups to touch so that they look intentional and not cluttered.
4. EVEN SMALL SPACES CAN BE "DECORATED"
If space for “extra” decor is limited, find stylish ways to display your kitchen necessities. You can find beautiful jars or pots to use as utensil holders, decorative canisters for day-to-day items, a beautiful epergne to display fruits, a French bottle drying rack for cups, or even a plate stand to display a collection of plates. And speaking of plates, investing in a beautiful (but practical) set of everyday dishes can really add a decorative touch.
5. BE PRACTICAL!
It’s hard to keep the kitchen clean and inevitably, things get splashed with water or food and grease can build up on items. As you select decorative accessories to include in the kitchen, be practical and look for items that can easily be cleaned or wiped down as part of your regular cleaning routine. For items that are frames, such as handwritten recipes, be sure that the backing is well sealed so that dirt and grease don’t get inside the frame.
6. DON'T FORGET THE WINDOW
Adding a simple window treatment in the kitchen is a great way to give the space a finished look. You don’t have to do anything expensive, even just a simple valance is a great way to bring in some texture and color.
7. PAY ATTENTION TO THE BASICS
If you can, give you walls a fresh coat of paint to act as a backdrop and give the kitchen a bit of depth. Also, a quick change of hardware on the cabinets and drawers can instantly change the look and feel of the space.
The kitchen is where memories are made, so make sure your kitchen reflects your style and your family with the addition of a few well-placed accessories. And don’t feel pressured to run out and buy something. Instead, open up your cabinets and look at what you already have to see how you can incorporate it into a beautiful display!
Additional tips and example images can be found on my site: http://tidbitsandtwine.com/how-to-decorate-a-kitchen/
Everyday items can still be decorative.
A framed recipe is a great idea for kitchen decor! Image via Cherry Hill Cottage.
A gorgeous window treatment can tie all the colors together. Image via Pinterest.
You can use the space above cabinets to display collections. Image via Sutton Suzuki Architects
Kim {Tidbits&Twine}
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 of 16 comments
  • Manuela Torres Manuela Torres on Mar 16, 2015
    I loved
  • Kristin Topping Kristin Topping on Aug 20, 2015
    I liked your kitchen floor with lovely cabinets that notonly enhance the look value but also increase the property value of your home.I was really very much impressed when I was touring this wonderful project. It doesn’t seem that it is a DIY project instead it looks like a professional work. Thanks for nice sharing.
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