7 Kitchen Spots You're Forgetting to Decorate

A cooler cooking space is hiding in your home — you just have to know where to look.

Eric Piasecki/OTTO. Designer: Dunn & Tighe
You Overlook the Ceiling
"People always overlook the ceiling," says designer Malcolm James Kutner, "and it's a great place to put wallpaper, do a texture, or do a different color." In this kitchen, the homeowners have clearly said "hello, pumpkin!"

Alexander James/The Interior Archive
You Lose the Counter
In this case, you want to decorate a space by a process of omission. Coffee maker, toaster oven, microwave — all your small appliances can quickly overwhelm your workspace. Designer Lauren Levant Bland suggests turning a couple cabinets into an appliance pantry by adjusting the shelving and adding electrical outlets. "The appliances stay plugged in and operate right there, but then you can shut the door." All that's left to see is that beautiful counter you spent so much time picking out.

LG Studio
You Ignore the Lighting
"A beautiful light fixture adds a whole other layer of design and atmosphere to a kitchen," says designer Sara Story. And for a softer ambiance, "Two lamps on either end of an island warm a kitchen up," offers designer Susan Ferrier.

Your Appliances Are Outdated
Your stove, fridge and dishwasher represent a substantial swath of space, so make sure they're chic. Whatever your configuration or color scheme, streamlined, stainless appliances, like LG Studio's new Gas Slide-In Range and Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator enhance the look of the whole room.

James Fennell/The Interior Archive
You Hide the Dishware
Bowls, cups and plates in the same color family look great showcased in open shelving. Or, as Kutner suggests, you can stack them in serving trays to create a "sculptural moment" on the counter.

Alexander James/The Interior Archive
You Don't Plan for Clutter
The kitchen is the inevitable catch-all area for the family's day-to-day stuff: mail, phones, tablets, charging cords. Designate an organized hideaway — like a painted hutch — to act as a landing zone for papers and gadgets.

Breakfast Table: Jean-Marc Palisse/ The Interior Archive
Your Forget About the Breakfast Table
Outfit your cooking and dining space like your other rooms. "I just don't think the kitchen should be treated differently than any other room in the house, with the exception of maintainable countertops and flooring that can be swept," suggests Ferrier. "In my own kitchen, the finest chair in my house is in there — it's gilded, and it's at the breakfast nook."

Next
12 Stellar IKEA Hacks That Organize Your Entire Kitchen
From: ELLE Decor US


By Lauren Ramakrishna

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