Kitchen Style Tips

Much of any given day is spent in the kitchen—make it a place you love to be. With these style tips in place, your kitchen will become your favorite room in the house.

The kitchen may be one room where function is key, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a stylish space, too! From the color palette to the materials and finishes to flooring and other accents, there are countless opportunities to infuse your culinary domain with personal style. Read on for a few of our favorite kitchen decorating tips and tricks.

Choosing Your Kitchen Color Palette

The color palette of your kitchen should be easygoing, adaptable, and appealing to everyone. If the work surfaces are a prominent color (as slate, granite, or tile can be), go several shades lighter on the walls. Choose an accent material or color to run throughout the kitchen via countertop organization items, kitchen textiles, wall art, etc. Don’t forget that hardware and other metal finishes can also contribute to the palette. Simply changing the hardware on the cupboards and drawers can provide a fresh update to the kitchen. Another way to add color and style in your kitchen is with an acrylic or kilim rug.

Kitchen Storage Tips

Kitchen storage is essential, of course, from a functional perspective, but it can also influence the style of your space and keep the space from looking cluttered. If you like to use canisters, bread boxes, jars or other countertop storage, purchasing them in the same material will reduce visual clutter while providing adequate storage. If storing pots, pans and lids is tedious for you, consider adding a pot rack over the range or island and install a plate rack in a cabinet for lid storage. Meanwhile, using compartments and dividers in your drawers will help to keep items organized by function, type or size. And let’s be honest: having a junk drawer is also essential to keeping counters tidy. Otherwise random items will collect on counters without a logical place to go.

Versatile storage pieces like baskets are a great way to store a mix of books and cookware. They can also hold frequently used dining essentials and table linens. Everyday linens can be stored in shallow drawers or in baskets on open shelves. Remember to keep them far enough away from the stove so they do not absorb odors or grease.

Take advantage of your walls, too. The wall above the stove is a neglected area of the kitchen where shelves can easily be installed for arranging and storing accessories such as utensils and favorite spices. An open shelf over the stove is both functional and decorative; Fill it with a collection of favorite bowls and pitchers that can be put into service when needed. A chalkboard is also nice to have; It can take the place of art and is a useful tool to help keep your family organized.