A wise person once said, “The kitchen is the heart of the home.” How true it really is. From the kitchen come items that show love, give hope, help celebrate, and promote wellness. Yes, the kitchen truly plays a vital role in our lives. Our kitchens become part of our personalities, and as we set out to use our creative touches to decorate, we get a glimpse of who we really are.
One of the easiest ways to begin decorating your kitchen is by choosing a theme. Decide what inspires you. Do you prefer a contemporary look with lots of stainless steel, or does a country kitchen with a butcher block feel more like home? Are you drawn to a French bistro style with specialty bottles of wine and grapes, or does a colorful Southwest theme with brightly colored chili peppers seem right? Do antiques appeal to you, or are you more drawn to modern designs? You don’t need a large budget to decorate your kitchen, but you will need a big dose of creativity. By answering these simple questions, you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful masterpiece.
Bringing Your Kitchen Theme to Life
Long gone are the days when every room in your home must match in theme. The key to decorating your kitchen is to simply love what you choose and choose what you love. Don’t worry about pleasing the neighbors or your friends. Decorating should be an extension of who you are. Surrounding yourself with the things you love will inspire a more creative version of yourself.
After deciding on the style of kitchen you prefer, consider the different areas you’ll be decorating. These might include walls, floors, windows, counter space, cabinets, furniture, and seating upholstery, just to name a few. Window-shop online for ideas of what you like, study fabric samples at your local upholstery shop, and browse through the paint color samples at your home improvement store to see how colors will work together. Visit the fabric section at your local department store to get ideas for curtains, aprons, or matching napkins. With so many options available, no matter what theme you choose, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect pieces to accent your kitchen.
Once you decide on a theme, consider what to do with the walls in your kitchen. Maybe they are fine as they are, or perhaps you’ll want to paint or wallpaper them. Will you go with a solid color, or would two colors create a better finished product? Many people have found that using satin or semi-gloss paint gives beautiful results. Be sure to put down a drop cloth to protect your flooring if you decide to paint. Will you use a chair rail between two paint colors or between a paint color and wallpaper? Be adventurous! Don’t settle for drab—remember, this is a reflection of who you are.
Will you keep your existing floor tile, or maybe you have a wonderful wooden floor? It’s usually better not to place carpeting around the sink and stove areas in case of spills. Consider using simple throw rugs instead. These rugs add warmth, texture, and color, and most can be laundered or spot-cleaned. Sometimes, all it takes to spruce up your kitchen is a few floor rugs with complementary accent colors.
Depending on your theme, your kitchen curtains can help pull the look together. You have many options for window treatments: valances and sheers, drapes, mini blinds, or café curtains. The amount of privacy and light you want will help you choose the best style. The color of the curtains should pick up accent colors from the rest of the room. Once you’ve made your choice, give your windows a good cleaning—nothing feels better than placing new curtains on a sparkling clean window. And remember, allow the paint on your walls to dry before hanging your new window coverings.
Unless you’re doing an actual remodel, you’ll likely keep your existing countertops. Give them a good cleaning, and then set out a few special items such as a vase of fresh flowers and a scented candle. Add a few cookbooks, and if your canister set is old or chipped, consider replacing it with a fresh set that matches your theme or color scheme. The key is to keep your countertops uncluttered. Home decorators often say, “Less is best.” You want a clean, fresh look, not a cluttered mess. Store your small appliances in cabinets and leave space on the countertop for preparing meals and treats.
Once again, if you’re not remodeling your kitchen, chances are you will keep your cabinets. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders, as can adding new cabinet knobs and drawer pulls. This is an inexpensive way to modernize your kitchen. Before painting, scrub the fronts of your cabinets with a good cleaner that cuts through grease. This will ensure the paint adheres well to a clean surface. If you have space above your cabinets, consider using that area to store beautiful woven baskets or silk plants. This will draw the eye upward and create an appealing look. Adding greenery will bring life into the room, and it’s always nice to bring the outdoors inside. Another idea is to install a pot rack, if space allows. This frees up cabinet space and lets you show off that new pot and pan set you’ve been eyeing.
If you’re keeping your table and chairs, consider painting them for a fresh look. Many people find that having a rocking chair in the kitchen is a great addition. Since so much activity happens in the kitchen, a rocker gives family and guests a place to sit and chat while you prepare meals. It also provides a perfect spot to calm a fussy infant. Keep in mind that darker furniture tends to make a space feel smaller, while lighter furniture creates the opposite effect.
If the chairs or bench seating in your kitchen are upholstered, it’s usually simple to change the fabric to match your new theme. If you’d prefer, you can have a professional upholsterer do the work for you. You might even find fabric that matches your curtains or drapes. Choose a pattern and design that looks like it was made specifically for your kitchen.
As you began your decorating adventure, all your senses helped you make wise choices. Don’t forget to hang a pretty apron on a nearby hook and place a charming table runner or placemats on your table. If there’s space, hang a mirror in the area. Nothing is worse than receiving unexpected guests with flour on your nose or your hair in a mess. Hang a few related items, like theme pictures, on your walls. It’s been a fun project, and you should be proud of your hard work as you sit back, relax in the rocking chair, and enjoy the beauty of your efforts.
