We’ve talked about organizing various parts and pieces within the kitchen, and that’s all “very responsible” but today, I’d like to take a look at the kitchen as a whole. During the entertaining “season” we spend much more time than we normally do in the kitchen. I think that, alone, is a good argument to take a fresh look at your kitchen’s overall appearance, its decor, for two reasons…your own enjoyment and sprucing it up for your guests. We KNOW everyone always ends up in the kitchen!
First, try to skim over the kitchen with as objective an eye as you can. Look for clutter. It’s probably there. What I like to do is tackle one section of the kitchen at a time. Even if it’s just a corner, I will NOT move on to somewhere else until that designated area is fully dealt with . No “I’ll get back to it” for me. It’s such a great feeling as each section gets done. What you want to do is to move the decorative items that are part of the clutter, to a staging area.
Now that your countertops and other areas are free of clutter, it’s time to sort through your stuff. I’ll help you out here…if you just really don’t like some of your decorative items, and perhaps they were gifts, give them to someone else or donate them, or just put them far away in your house. I want you to only have things in your kitchen that you love.
Remember, less is more is a good mantra to use, when thinking of the kitchen decorative “layer.” Watch the clutter, although collections can be their own design statement too, they just have to be arranged with care. Follow the theme of the other rooms in the home.
One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is to bring “living room” artwork and other items into the kitchen. Oil pantings, prized prints, photography, sculptures, or other valuables can absolutely have a place in the kitchen. I feel very strongly about that! Give me one good reason why you should not enjoy “living room” artwork in the kitchen…as long as it is adequately protected from the proximity of the cooktop and its heat and fumes, that’s your only real concern.
Play with color and contrast, smoothness and texture. And, if I can make one other strong suggestion, it would be….take your time. Sometimes my arrangements in the kitchen take me hours! But, again, sometimes you need to be in the zone when you are doing your decorative arrangements, and when you give it time, wonderful things happen that do not happen when you rush.
This is where your personality should shine. Whether your style is high country, low country, minimalist, eclectic, whatever it is, it’s YOU. Sometimes I mix my precious items with something new that speaks to me in some way. When looking for decorative items for the kitchen, look for what speaks to you. Does it look too big? Get it anyway. My husband and I have a famous “act”…he says “where will you put it?” I say, “I have no idea!” Why does he keep asking? I need to be surrounded with things that I love in my kitchen, and I encourage you to do the same…whatever it is.
Don’t forget to leave time for this project…you’ll be glad you did and your guests will love the feeling in your kitchen too, I’ll bet. Have fun!
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1. Hello Susan,
My name is Martha. I really need your help with designing my kitchen. It is just as plain as when we purchased our house six years ago. Please help me with some ideas. I uploaded some pictures to the gallery–disregard the mess. My family has been sick, so I have not been able to clean much. We have the orange-colored cabinets, white tile with dark gray grout, white appliances, recessed lighting/lighting under the cabinet in strips. I want it to look like an elegant kitchen, but for much less. If you can see through the mess and see any organizational issues, please comment on those as well. Thank you very much for your input.
-Martha
by Martha — 10/24/08 at 11:23 pm #
2. Susan, when I said gallery, I meant “Customer Finds”. Thank you.
by Martha — 10/24/08 at 11:24 pm #
3. I absolutely LOVE that black hutch! This inspired me to start a file on my computer with photos that inspire me. I can see the perfect spot for that in a house that we are thinking about putting an offer in on.
by Shelley — 10/26/08 at 4:04 pm #
4. Hi Martha,
Well, I think your starting point is a good one. You have very good looking cabinets and I like how the colors are neutral and simple. Simple is good. Simple is also elegant. But, in your case, a couple of embellishments will go a long way.
I do not see hardware on the cabinets. I don’t see why you cannot get hardware, something nice, to put on the cabinet doors. I would imagine they are finger pull type doors. If the finger pull is not obvious, you can add hardware. Hardware is like jewelry!
Also, clear off all of your countertops and above the cabinets. The items above the cabinets are too small in proportion to the space. You need larger items there. But, you may want to put a few very large items, say, above the microwave section, to feature the range section. Then, perhaps another few, large items, over the refrigerator section, or in one or both corners, with space in between.
It’s a great opportunity to bring in color, whatever color you like, since your kitchen is neutral right now. Perhaps put a basket or other decorative object in the corner of the countertop. Again, something either useful or decorative, but large enough. You can also hang just a few very small paintings or photographs across the backsplash, just a few. Those are surely elegant, and you can find the pre-printed type of paintings that look like real hand painted pieces which are inexpensive. Proportion is the key, however. Have fun!
by susan — 10/27/08 at 9:32 am #
5. Shelly, yes, it’s unexpected, the black. Glad you like it! I often add in black touches here and there, presenting them to my clients. At first it can be a bit scary. But, it can be worked in and is certainly dramatic. Good luck with the house!
by susan — 10/27/08 at 9:33 am #