Skip to main content

8 simple winter kitchen decor ideas that will complete your rustic design

Decorating your kitchen for winter is a great way to boost your mood during the colder months. When you spend much of your time inside, it can be easy to feel overcome by winter-weather blues. To combat the darker days of the year, decorate your kitchen to inspire joy and winter enthusiasm. Below are some of our favorite winter kitchen decor ideas that are perfect for lovers of rustic design.

Inexpensive winter decor ideas for your kitchen

If you want some affordable options for adorning your space, we have a few ideas that are sure to excite your rustic-loving heart.

Swap out your potholders and towels

One of the best ways to decorate your kitchen this winter is to swap out your regular potholders and hand towels for some winter-inspired alternatives. Potholders with blue and white winter scenes of snowmen or hand towels with plaid patterns are wonderful ideas. You could also opt for a wintery kitchen runner, some pale blue or snowflake-designed curtains, or even opt for fun winter canvas bags to store your goods. By using winter-themed linens in your kitchen this season, you can use small touches that add an extra bit of detail to your overall design without emptying your wallet.

Use hand-painted signs

Rustic design enthusiasts know that painted signs are a staple in their homes. Therefore, your kitchen should be no exception! Find some old picture frames or framed chalkboards from thrift stores or your local craft shop to begin your homemade design. Use paint or chalk paint to create fancy lettering and write a quote that feels right. You could also purchase a ready-made sign at your local home goods store if you prefer.

red teacup and kettle decor with brown grass in them
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Winter kitchen table decor

If you have a kitchen table or want to decorate your dining table this winter, there are plenty of fantastic rustic design ideas to choose from.

Glass vases with candles

Glass vases on the center of the table are the perfect way to add elegance and sophistication to your design. Put some candles or tea lights inside them for a soft look that blends modernity with your rustic-styled home. These decor pieces make beautiful centerpieces on your table and can be stacked on raw wood, draped by evergreen garlands, and partnered with pine cones or miniature winter signs.

Layer winter fabrics

Whether you use a tablecloth or not, you can’t go wrong with adding a bit of fabric to your kitchen table design. Use fabric placemats colored green, white, or blue to reflect the winter landscape outdoors. Layer them with other patterned placemats for a curated look. Be sure to use winter-themed napkin holders for any family gatherings you host, and don’t neglect table runners for a stunning look.

Use raw wood slices

Raw wood slices are a beautiful rustic element to add to your wintery design. Use raw wood slabs on your kitchen counters in place of ordinary pot holders or place them atop dining placemats for a natural look. Wood slices can also be added to the center of your table as a base for your decor. These pieces add an element of authenticity and outdoorsy intrigue that will blend seamlessly with your current rustic design.

Winter decor for your kitchen counter

If you want to go all out with your winter kitchen decor, don’t leave your counter feeling empty. If you have any winter-themed bowls or platters, now is the time to bring them out. Even if they’re not in use, displaying them can be a great way to enhance your winter design scheme. Plates and dishes with winter themes, painted snowflakes, or winter landscapes are perfect additions to your decor. Place them on kitchen islands, counters, or tables so all who enter your kitchen can witness their beauty.

white kitchen with rustic winter decor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Natural winter decor for kitchen

Rustic design is well known for its use of natural materials as part of its decor. This winter, take advantage of natural elements to enhance your overall scheme when it comes to your kitchen.

Decorate with evergreens

Evergreens are an excellent natural addition to your home. Use sprigs in jars, evergreen potted plants, or garlands to add some greenery to your home. For example, an evergreen garland across your kitchen or dining table can make an incredible and timely centerpiece. Whether live or faux, this stunning addition can bring a bit of the outdoors in, highlighting rustic decor’s authentic and natural appeal.

Use twigs, logs, and pine cones in your design

Twigs, logs, and pine cones add natural detail to your design. As beautiful brown hues, they can be a wonderful and warm addition to your color palette. Additionally, these materials are perfect for centerpiece decor. Tuck your twigs in some glass vases and scatter pine cones around an evergreen garland or nearby candles in their glass vases. For an added touch, stack wooden logs in your kitchen or dining room to resemble firewood, making it a great aspect fit for rustic design.

Winter decor and rustic design were practically made for each other. Marry these aspects to create a stunning wintery kitchen scheme that brings joy to all who enter. Be sure to use plenty of natural elements in your design, and remember to blend in some modern pieces like glass vases and candles to create more elegance this winter season.

Editors' Recommendations

Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
The best indoor plants to decorate your home with in October
Resilient indoor plants to brighten your home during the fall months
Croton plant

Fall is a slow and underwhelming season for avid gardeners. Summer plants start to die off or go dormant, and it's too early to cut down a Christmas tree, right? So, what can you do to keep some of that glorious greenery in your life when the air starts to get chilly? The good news is you don't have to give up your green thumb just because summer is over. There are a ton of low-maintenance indoor plants that can thrive right inside your home during the brisk fall season.

What makes the best indoor plants for fall?
Not every indoor plant is suitable for indoor life in the fall and winter. Many varieties need high heat and long hours of direct sunlight, and they just won't get the vital things they need while inside your home in the fall. The days are shorter and the air is cooler, after all. To prevent the disappointment of browning or wilting leaves, look for indoor plants that have a few key characteristics so you can reap all the benefits of your fall foliage.
Pick plants with high durability
Since fall and winter produce shorter days and dryer air, direct sunlight and humidity will be scarce in your home. It's a good idea to pick the heartiest, most resilient plant varieties that can withstand, or even prefer, the low light conditions and lower moisture levels.
Some indoor plants have great health benefits for cooler months
Among the dry, recycled air blowing around your HVAC system, there are a lot of germs, toxins, and impurities that you and your family breathe in during colder months. Fortunately, many indoor plants can improve the air quality in your home. Through the process of photosynthesis, they filter out those harmful toxins and even give the air a little more humidity. Pick indoor plant varieties that are the best air purifiers out there.
Go for some decorative beauty
Our moods and energy levels definitely take a hit during the chilly months, especially when the trees are bare and the lawn is yellowing. Arguably the best quality of indoor plants is their natural beauty and greenery. Amidst the long nights and barren lawns, having some decorative plant life around may be just what you need to brighten up your day.

Read more
Embrace rustic design with these fall-inspired home decor ideas from Pinterest
We love these seasonal rustic decor ideas
fall mantel decor with sign and candles

Fall decor and rustic design were practically made for each other. The rich, authentic feel of natural woods, exposed brick, raw materials, and neutral color palettes are the backbone of rustic design, making for a cozy style that's perfect for the autumn scene. If you’re ready to refresh your home this season, we have the perfect tips for you. Below, check out some of the best fall home decor ideas from Pinterest that will fit right in with your rustic theme.

Dress up the fireplace with organic materials
Whether your fireplace showcases raw wood, exposed stone, or a sleek white frame, you can always enhance its beauty with natural elements.

Read more
What colors go with gray? How to make a neutral hue pop in your home
Make gray walls work for your home decor with complementary colors
Modern living room with gray walls and yellow furniture

Neutral colors like gray and taupe are always popular options for your home's interior design. Both are versatile shades that can go with a plethora of other hues, which means you can easily change up the look of your decor with gray walls and a rotating rainbow of accessories like colorful throw pillows. With all the different shades of gray paint available, from matte to glossy, warm to cool, and brownish to blueish, it's certainly possible to find the one that's perfect for you and your home.

Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. While gray can be a sophisticated and elegant shade, too much gray can wash out a room or make it feel dull and dingy or cold and unwelcoming. Think of gray as the neutral backdrop on a canvas that lets your color palette shine, and you can't go wrong. So, it’s important to incorporate other colors into the decor, whether it be with pieces of furniture, art, or throw blankets -- but what colors go with gray? If you're looking for the best options to brighten up your current decor, keep reading to find out how to accent this elegant tone.

Read more