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Thinking of switching up your kitchen decor? We’ve got some of the hottest ideas in this post, giving you plenty of inspo for your revamp!
Upgrading your kitchen isn’t as simple and straightforward as sprucing up your living room with a few new cushions. Sometimes it feels impossible to decide exactly what style you want to go for.
So, we’ve rounded up the best kitchen decor ideas to help you plan your dream space with ease!
Kitchen Decor Ideas
1. All White Everything
What do you do when you can’t decide on your kitchen decor? Play it safe with an all-white space.
The ultimate blank canvas, this is a great option for those who prefer a timeless aesthetic that effortlessly complements the ever-changing trends. Just switch out your accessories when you’re ready for a fresh look!
(We’d opt for more minimalistic cabinets, countertops, and hardware to avoid committing to one particular design trend – think contemporary and low-key.)
2. Matte Black
Sleek and contemporary, matte black cabinetry is, despite first impressions, a rather muted choice for your kitchen decor.
However, it can look pretty dull if not styled properly. We’d go for warm wood accents to offset the starkness of such a moody colour palette!
3. Glossy Vibes
The glossy look is all about modern design, clean lines, and sleek finishing touches. Think ultra-sheeny cabinets, and minimal, zero-fuss hardware – though there’s also a perfect opportunity to embrace the futuristic aesthetic with subtle chrome accents.
And the best bit? You can make it your own unique look by sticking to neutral hues or going bold with a vibrant colour!
4. Monochrome Moment
The easiest way to make a stunning statement? Go back to basics and embrace the timeless simplicity of a monochrome kitchen.
It’s a well-known fact – black and white will never go out of style. And the beauty of decorating your kitchen with such a neutral palette is that you can always add splashes of other colours to brighten the space should you want to.
5. Checkerboard Floor Tiles
Whenever we think of checkerboard tiles, we’re transported to those iconic movie scenes set inside 1950s American diners. And that’s exactly why we love them!
The retro vibe will always be a classic, and brings a timelessness to the kitchen despite first appearing in the interior world many moons ago.
6. Refurbished Kitchen Island
Whether you prefer that lived-in, cottagecore vibe, or lean towards something a little more sleek and contemporary, refurbishing pre-loved furniture works perfectly for remodelling on a budget.
Facebook Marketplace is one of the best places to pick up super cheap pieces. Even if they’re a little used and worn-down, the magic is in restoring them to create something beautifully distinctive!
If you look closely, the kitchen island in the photo above has all the original features of a wooden workbench. But the rustic staining and brass handles completely switch up the aesthetic. Clever, right?
7. Statement Shelves
Kitchen decor with lots of chunky upper cabinets has definitely been done before – countless times. So, add visual intrigue with statement shelves instead.
Perfect for decorating with your favourite accessories or using as an easy-to-reach surface to store tableware, drinkware, herbs, and more, they’re as functional as they are aesthetic!
8. All-White with Wooden Accents
Although fresh and bright, all-white decor can sometimes appear too stark and clinical. But a white kitchen is such a great blank canvas, allowing you to transform the space however you like. So, how can you make it feel more homey?
Add in warm wooden accents. Whether it’s your countertops or your hardware, this takes away from the harsh wash of white and helps to break up the unembellished feel.
9. Contrasting Cabinets
Can’t decide on a cabinet colour? It’s always such a tricky decision. So, transform your indecisiveness into a bold interior statement.
We love experimenting with contrasting cabinets, and the possibilities are quite literally endless. Just make sure the tones complement each other to create a seamless aesthetic!
10. Peek-a-Boo Glass Cabinets
If you’re anything like us, you have a totally unnecessary collection of mugs, cups, cocktail glasses – you name the drinkware, and we’re certain we’ve got it.
But it’s a shame to keep them tucked away, right?
So, put them on display with sleek glass cabinetry. In doing so, you’ll actually make your kitchen appear bigger too, as the transparency creates an open, airy feel and brightens up dark spaces.
11. Completely Ditch the Upper Cabinets
Especially in poky kitchens, upper cabinets can unintentionally accentuate how little space you have. Plus, they’re often the culprit for making the room feel dull and dingy by blocking out natural light.
The solution? Do away with them altogether. If you get savvy with your storage elsewhere, utilising racks and shelves, you’ll likely find you won’t even miss them!
12. Wallpaper Galore
Want to add bundles of character to your kitchen decor? Wallpaper is the easiest (and cheapest!) way to do it.
There’s just one rule – if you’re gonna do it, go bold. Embrace maximalist styling to offset the monochromatic design of your cabinets!
13. Double Up On Island Space
Ofc, we’re fully aware this kitchen decor idea isn’t workable for many of us. You undoubtedly need a large, open space to embrace this unique style!
But it’s a fab way to turn the heart of the home into more of a family space than simply somewhere to prep food. Reserve one island for all the practical stuff and utilise the other as a cosy dining spot!
14. Hob on the Island
If you love entertaining, designing your island with a hob is a must. This provides you with plenty of space to place ingredients and serve up whilst socialising with friends and family!
But there’s another reason we love this popular kitchen decor choice – it puts your finest appliances on show. Those things aren’t cheap, so why hide them away?
15. Bring in the Dining Table
One of our favourite kitchen decorating ideas is to place your dining table front and centre – think of it like a sort of island.
Again, this is the perfect design choice for those who enjoy hosting, as you and your guests can mingle whilst you’re cooking up a storm. But it also provides you with another surface to prep food!
16. Statement Tiles
If you love bringing a little pizazz into your home, statement tiles are a must when revamping your kitchen decor.
Don’t be shy! It’s all about embracing block colours and mesmerising patterns. In fact, the bolder, the better.
Our only advice? Stay away from hot-off-the-press trends – perpetuity is the key. Search for tiles that create a one-of-a-kind first impression, but will still look fab in 10 years’ time.
17. Ceiling Height Backsplash Tiles
Traditionally, your backsplash would cover a few inches, if not half the wall behind your countertops, right?
But adding a ceiling height backsplash creates a beautifully seamless finish, mimicking the eye-catching look of an accent wall. Plus, it makes your kitchen even easier to clean – we’re all for pretty spaces, but not when they’re an effort to maintain.
18. Invest in the Countertops
Yes, selecting the right cabinets is pretty important. After all, they’re usually what demands your attention when walking into any kitchen.
But nailing the countertops is equally critical – more so from a durability standpoint. And in our opinion, if you’re willing to invest in just one thing in the kitchen, it has to be this.
Quartz, granite, marble, and even concrete offer years of use thanks to their hard-wearing properties. And, bonus, they still check all the boxes for aesthetic appeal, too!
19. Add Your Favourite Artwork
One of the most practical rooms in any house, the kitchen is often the place where cosy, homey elements get thrown out the door.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Adding your most cherished art pieces brings a host of personality and charm to the space, giving your kitchen much more aesthetic appeal.
20. Chic Hardware
Without a doubt, one of our favourite past-times is browsing our fave stores (we’re looking at you, Homesense!) for ways to spruce up our existing furniture instead of splurging unnecessarily on new pieces.
Speaking of, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best home decor stores for 2023 – check it out!
Sourcing super chic knobs and handles for our kitchen cabinets is a must. We prefer a cohesive aesthetic, which is why we always colour-match the hardware to the faucet and other kitchen accessories.
21. Zone in on the Appliances
There’s no point splashing out on your cabinets, tiles, flooring, and accessories if you’re going to neglect your appliances, right?
So, make the (traditionally) not-so-aesthetic kitchen must-haves such as the fridge, toaster, kettle, or the AGA oven the focal point of the space. You can either make a real statement with colourful pieces, or simply choose high-quality alternatives that don’t need a bold exterior to demand attention.
22. Pots in the Spotlight
A jam-packed pot rack is a sight we love to see, wbu?
Leaning into more maximalist styling, hanging your pots from the ceiling ensures they’re always at arm’s reach. But it also means you can take advantage of them aesthetically as well as functionally – quality pots are not cheap, so show them off!
23. Bold is Gold
We’ve all seen those gloriously striking kitchens, adorned with bright colours and intricate details most of us can only imagine implementing in our own homes.
But it’s not as scary as you think to create that bold look. Just remember – if you’re going to do it, don’t hold back. Some of the best statement kitchens are a love-it-or-hate-it kinda deal, but that’s what makes them so incredible.
24. Paint Inside Cabinets
We totally get it – not everyone is brave enough to go all-in with bold, colourful kitchen decor (we’re not sure we are!).
So, test the waters by painting the inside of your cabinets first. And if you’re not convinced this unique look is for you, opt for something muted and complementary, so as not to draw in too much attention.
25. Keep It Moody
Always-on-trend navy blues, charcoal greys, and rich forest greens will forever be a vibe in the kitchen. They’re moody and dramatic without looking too dull.
Top tip? Make sure you have lots of natural light pouring in to brighten up the space and make the colours pop.
26. Embrace Glossy Walls Tiles
Effortlessly glamorous and undeniably sophisticated, sheeny wall tiles instantly add a lavish feel to your kitchen decor.
The simplest way to achieve an opulent finish? Opt for neutral cabinets adorned with a matte coating and choose simple glossy tiles with a subtle contrast in colour.
27. Wood on Wood on Wood
Warm, natural, and homey, wood in the kitchen will always be a hit. So, don’t be afraid to go all out.
We mean it – deck out your entire space with complementary woody hues, from your cabinets to your island, your flooring and even the accessories.
28. Add Built-In Seating
If you have the space, getting extra creative with your kitchen decor and constructing built-in seating, AKA banquette seating, is a must!
The pièce de résistance in the hub of the home, this will undoubtedly tie your entire kitchen together, creating a wonderfully cohesive and functional space.
29. Create a Built-In Drinks Area
There are so many avenues you could take with this one – a classic coffee nook, a cocktail corner, a Prosecco station, or whatever tickles your fancy.
(We’re thinking of something similar to Zoe Sugg’s concealed coffee area.)
This dedicated space certainly brings a sense of luxury to your kitchen decor and helps to keep all your most-reached-for drinks in one place.
30. Chalkboard Paint
Springing onto the home decor scene back in the early 1990s, the classic chalkboard paint will never truly go out of style. Why? Because it’s all about how you adorn the paint, not the actual paint itself.
A brilliant choice for families and wannabe artists alike, this easy kitchen decor idea helps you embrace your own style – again and again and again.
31. Layer Neutrals
Neutral decor (think sultry beiges, luxe creams, and even touches of bamboo wood) is often the target of endless abuse because of its “boring”, show-home aesthetic – especially on Instagram, iykyk.
But we disagree entirely.
This simple colour palette is much softer and less harsh than an all-white kitchen. Especially when the cabinets, flooring, and tiles all complement each other, it creates a stunning look with an expensive edge.
32. Statement Lighting
If your kitchen decor comprises an island, statement lighting is a necessity, both functionally and aesthetically.
We’ve a particular penchant for pendants, as they look stunning alone or as a trio (odd numbers are always best for styling, don’t ask us why!). But lately, we’ve also fallen in love with adding beautiful table lamps to the kitchen, introducing a snug feel to the space.
33. Daring Ceiling Paint
The universal decor rule is that ceilings are painted white – if not a light, neutral colour. But we’re all for breaking the norm, and where better to be daring than in the kitchen?
Stray away from the typical decor we’re all so familiar with and opt for a bold ceiling paint instead.
Whether you colour-match your cabinets or choose something completely unexpected, this adventurous choice will surely make your kitchen one of the most interesting rooms in the house.
34. Keep It Traditional
One of the best kitchen decor tips? Let your property’s features inspire the space!
If you own an older home with lots of character, the most obvious design choice would be to keep it traditional and embrace the charm. Sometimes, this works better than introducing an entirely new style that feels a little out-of-place.
35. Symmetrical Styling
Lean towards smart and formal styling in the kitchen?
Try decorating symmetrically, mirroring the same formation of cabinets on one side of the room as the other. This creates an air of opulence in the heart of the home thanks to the intentionally stiff yet brilliantly satisfying design.
36. Play with Natural Materials
Love to bring elements of the outside world inside? Natural materials, such as jute, stoneware, and ofc, wood are our top choices to do exactly that.
Introducing an abundance of interesting textures to your kitchen decor, they undoubtedly spark visual intrigue with their beautifully natural qualities.
37. Focus on Cohesive Elements
Working with an open-plan kitchen-dining space? Perhaps you only want to revamp your kitchen and leave your eating area as-is.
Make the spaces as cohesive as possible by zoning in on the smaller touches. For example, if you have an oak dining table, you could introduce oak countertops to mirror this style choice and connect each living area.
It doesn’t need to be OTT – just something to make the spaces feel coherent!
38. Design for Durability
Not everyone wants to revamp their kitchen every few years, and it’s not realistic to do so.
That’s why designing for durability is one of the best kitchen decor ideas. Selecting hard-wearing materials, such as quartz, that will withstand marks and scratches is a great place to start. Although this can mean spending a lot of money!
So, it’s time to be super savvy. If you don’t want to splash the cash, opt for dark countertops and cabinets instead, as they always disguise wear-and-tear with ease.
39. Add Plenty of Greenery
They say less is more, but when it comes to bringing greenery into your home, we completely disagree.
Plants add a burst of life, a splash of colour, and a whole heap of texture to your kitchen decor. And if you’re not much of a plant-parent, don’t worry, fake it ‘til you make it with artificial alternatives.
40. Sparkling Stainless Steel
Hear us out – we’re fully aware this kitchen decor resembles the back of house in your favourite restaurant. But if Kim K can have a stainless steel kitchen, so can we.
Love it or hate it, it’s definitely a conversation starter with its uber sleek, reflective, and slightly masculine finish. And it’s perfect for those with a penchant for challenging their culinary skills – there’s no doubt you’ll get in the zone in a fully decked-out chef-style kitchen.
41. Decorate Vertically
Whether you’ve got a beautiful Georgian mansion or a chic loft house, you’ve likely been blessed with towering ceilings. And whilst they may seem like a pain to begin with, you can actually use them to your advantage.
Instead of designing your kitchen to utilise maximum square-footage, decorate vertically. Investing in tall cabinets offers a great place to store lesser-used appliances (and they’re a fab excuse to treat yourself to a rolling library ladder!).
42. Add Freestanding Cabinets
Love quirky accent pieces? Freestanding cabinets offer an opportunity to periodically switch up the aesthetic in your space. Plus, you can easily move them around should you want to change your kitchen layout.
Consider it a neat place to store boujee cocktail glasses, or transform it into a cosy coffee nook.
43. Open Up the Space
A cramped, poky kitchen can quickly become very crowded, especially if you have guests. But it can also feel dark and dingy, making it one of the most uninviting rooms in your home.
So, why not explore the possibility of creating an open-plan layout? Merging your kitchen with the dining room or living area helps to create the illusion of a bigger space, and avoids that suffocating, boxed-in feel.
44. Texture on Texture
As one of the most used rooms in your home, your kitchen decor should make you feel at home, right?
That’s why we adore playing with lots of different textures. This always makes the space feel less clinical and stiff, and effortlessly mimics that lived-in vibe we love so much. Plus, it creates endless points of intrigue, ensuring your kitchen is always Instagram-ready!
The image above does this perfectly, mixing industrial-style copper, soft marble, deep mahogany wood, and lots of other contrasting yet complementary materials.
45. Invest in a Belfast Sink
We’re all about beautiful ceramics, hence why we adore the look of the classic Belfast sink.
Offering impressive depth and width, they’re also the perfect solution for busy households with a capacity unlike any other.
46. Add a Rug
Don’t get us wrong, we hate carpets in the kitchen. They’re simply a breeding ground for germs, dirt, food splashes, and all the rest of it.
But we’re allllll about adding a stunning rug atop quality real wood floors or statement tiling. Look for those with a low-pile, as this is the most sensible choice for high-traffic, high-mess areas like the kitchen!
47. Matchy Matchy
Ever thought about coordinating your floor and wall tiles?
It’s fair to say this daring style choice is quite a commitment – it’ll cost you a penny or two to replace the tiling should you later decide on a different aesthetic. But if you really, really love a particular tile, you may as well double up, right?