Decorating Your Kitchen

There’s a difference between designing a kitchen and decorating it. Kitchen design is about placing the right things in the right places, and ensuring functionality and comfort in the room. Kitchen decorating, however, is about making the kitchen a nice place to work and eat in. It’s about adding personal touches that make your kitchen stand out from the others, and make it feel like your own.

Often, it’s the decorating part that leaves most people stumped. How do you decorate a kitchen without giving up some of its practical functions? Well, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be one or the other. With a little know-how, you can decorate your kitchen the way you want while keeping it perfectly usable. Here are some kitchen decorating ideas to help you out.

Design inspirations

Most people get their picture of an "ideal" kitchen from what they see in magazines and brochures. But while these are certainly attractive, not all of them are actually practical. Many of them are pre-arranged studio shots, and let’s face it, no kitchen can look impeccable unless you never use it. And if you look closely, these "perfect" kitchens don’t really meet quality standards. Simply put, they’re not the kind of kitchen you can really live with.

However, you can use these pictures strictly as design inspirations. Use them to get an idea of the colors, patterns, and materials you want. You don’t have to get the exact same thing as in the picture (they’re often overpriced, anyway), but you’ll know what to look for when it’s time to do the shopping. Just find a kitchen photo gallery on the internet and you should get lots of ideas for your own kitchen.

Kitchen furniture

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably integrated your kitchen with your dining room, or maybe even your living room. This usually involves the use of furniture to help you stay comfortable, whether you’re working or enjoying a meal. But design-wise, furniture can also lend a decorative touch to your kitchen. Take your time to find stylish pieces that are comfortable and suit your décor at the same time.

At the very least, you’ll want a sturdy dining table and matching chairs. This can double as your work table, although you can get a separate one if you have enough floor space. You should also consider storage cabinets, as they tend to dominate the kitchen visually. Corner cabinets usually work well for small spaces, while standalone closets often make a good fit for larger rooms.

Choosing your cookware

Your cookware is an important part of your kitchen, both from a practical and aesthetic point of view. You want them to look good on the counter, but you want them to do their job at the same time. Fortunately, manufacturers have come up with quality kitchen cookware that’s both attractive and durable, and all within reasonable price ranges.

Some of the most popular cookware materials are cast iron, copper, and stainless steel. Cast iron has that old-school feel that suits country and traditional-style kitchens. If you’re more of a modern cook, you can go for stainless steel or copper, although the latter has some safety issues. Non-stick cookware is also popular, especially in the health-conscious crowd.

A comfortable workspace

Since most of your time in the kitchen is spent working, it makes sense to invest in a comfortable space that at least reduces your stress. A smooth, well-planned layout is essential, but you should also invest in subtle details such as a comfortable floor and ample elbow space. Carpeting isn’t practical, but you can get some soft kitchen rugs to soften your floor and decorate it at the same time.

Increasing your space simply means getting rid of things you don’t need. You may want to downsize your fridge, stove, or other appliances if they’re too big for your everyday cooking. The same goes for your table, counters, and storage. Downsizing frees up floor space and makes your kitchen feel roomier, even if it’s small to start with.

Kitchen accessories

Finally, throw in some kitchen accessories that personally appeal to you. This is where you get to display that impressive collection of wines, silverware, clay pots, or fine china. They don’t even have to be kitchen-related; if you want, you can display art on your wall or even put up a tapestry. It helps if you have a design theme going, as it ensures that all your pieces are tied together.

If you’re not sure which accessories to add, start with simple kitchen details like spice racks, dish drainers, and pot hangers. Because they’re functional, you can appreciate them both as kitchen tools and decorative accessories. What’s important is that they personally appeal to you. The goal is to put a bit of you in the kitchen, so if you like looking at it, go ahead and put it there.

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