Your kitchen doesn’t have to be depressing. Over time, it’s easy for your space to become outdated, leaving a bitter, drab feeling in its wake. But rather than sipping your morning coffee in a lackluster space, consider uplifting your kitchen decor with design ideas that suit your personal style.
Below are some of our favorite kitchen decor ideas that can help you transform your space without a grand overhaul, no matter your design style.
Try a patterned wallpaper
Adding patterned wallpaper is a simple yet effective method for sprucing up your kitchen. Whether you use it as an accent wall, cover your whole kitchen, or use it as a backsplash, the variety of colors and patterns can help you create a focal point within your space. Additionally, this is a great solution for homeowners who want an affordable option for updating an outdated space.
If you’re renting, you can try using peel-and-stick wallpapers, which are easy to remove but offer the same gorgeous facelift as standard wallpaper.
Revamp your open shelving
Properly decorated open shelving can make or break your kitchen design. A cluttered, disorganized shelf will weigh down your kitchen aesthetic, while near-empty shelves are completely impractical. We advise that you consider your existing space and needs before opting for open shelving.
If you have a large kitchen with plenty of cabinets, install two to three long shelves and decorate them with minimal kitchen wares that match your aesthetic. If you have a small kitchen, invest in several custom shelving solutions like spice racks, large shelves for appliances, small stacked shelves for trinkets, and corner shelves for cookbooks. Varying up your shelving styles and shapes will help you better organize any clutter and will make your design feel intentional.
Earth tones are trendy
Earthy hues added to your kitchen color palette are ultra trendy today. Many homeowners are inviting warm brown, deep green, sky blue, slate gray, and subtle beige to the main room of the house. Brown tones, in particular, are gaining a lot of traction in interiors. Create a monochrome brown palette with varying shades to create an earthy, warm, and cozy space.
Update your kitchen lighting
Lighting is vital in every room design. You want your lighting to be effective throughout every moment of the day. Limiting yourself to a singular light source may result in a drab look. While there are several lighting tips you should follow, one of the easiest to execute is to update your kitchen with multiple lighting sources. Add under-cabinet lights, dimmable overhead lights, lamps, wall sconces, or interior cabinet lighting to make the most of your space.
Use natural materials
Today, many homeowners are craving the use of more natural materials in home design.
In the kitchen, you might expect to see:
- Wood countertops or butcher blocks
- Oak wood cabinets
- Marble or quartz countertops
- Stone floors
- Concrete floors
- Handmade tile backsplashes
- Handmade pottery
- Artisan rugs made of all-natural materials
- Wicker seating
- Plenty of plants as decor
As design needs shift toward a more biophilic, natural, and organic lifestyle, we can expect to see many earthy elements added to our spaces. Just be sure to add modern elements like metal details and glassware to prevent your design from feeling too heavy, wild, or rustic.
Hang your cutting boards or pans
If you want a traditional home aesthetic, consider hanging your cutting boards and cast-iron pans. The key to pulling off this look is to stagger the heights of your boards and pans. Additionally, show off pans and boards in a range of sizes, styles, and colors. This gives a more natural and eclectic look that feels lightly curated rather than overly perfected.
All-black kitchens enhance the mood
All-black kitchens may seem intimidating or off-putting at first, but these sleek, elegant, and enriching spaces often feel moody, intimate, and cozy. All-black kitchens are rich, luxe, and easy to clean. They offer a streamlined feel with more depth than the now outdated all-white kitchen.
Retro appliances are all the rage
Midcentury modern lovers will be happy to discover that retro appliances are all the rage in home design right now. From the classic retro-colored refrigerator to the ornate double-oven stoves, there are several amazing retro appliance designs that are making a comeback. Indulge in this aesthetic by installing green or blue appliances that break the status quo. Or, go light by leaning into your accent color with mini retro appliances like stand mixers, toasters, or coffee makers dotting your countertops.
Add elements of the country kitchen
While country aesthetics are not for everybody, there’s no denying that the country kitchen is trending in home design. Country kitchen sinks, under-sink curtains, pastel yellow colors, checker and plaid prints, and vintage wooden furniture are entering the kitchen. Vintage seating arrangements are great for creating a mini breakfast nook. Additionally, some homeowners are leaning into the farmhouse or English countryside aesthetic with a modern touch to uplift this design style.
Use coastal decor
Coastal kitchens may be one of the most popular design styles this year. The coastal kitchen is reminiscent of life on the beachfront. With cool tones, plenty of blue and white accents, subtle nautical details, and plenty of wicker elements, coastal decor can give your kitchen a breezy, delicate vibe.
Updating your kitchen can be simple once you have a vision. Invest some time in discovering styles you adore and begin slowly implementing elements of that style into your home. You might start with a simple accent wall, a revamped sink area, or some open shelving. But once you know what you like, it’s easy to expand from there.
