Kitchen Styling
1. Get organised. Keep the surfaces clear.
No matter what size your kitchen is, staying organised can be challenging. Whether you're navigating tiny cabinets, narrow drawers, or an overall lack of storage space, every kitchen has its quirks so there's a lot to contend with when you're trying to keep your kitchen tidy while also making sure everything you need is still accessible.
There are some fantastic storage hacks out there that help to keep your surfaces clutter free and maximise the way you utilise your cupboards. Perhaps use drawers or baskets in deep shelves to make better use of the space or turn one shelf into two with shelf raisers. Use a beautiful bread bin to keep ugly packaging out of view but still keeping your breads handy, your crumbs hidden, and your breads fresher for longer.
We've all got those units stuffed to the brim with endless tins and packets, which can make it much trickier to see what you have to hand. Sorting them into proper containers can also make them look much more aesthetically pleasing. We have a collection of beautiful glass and acacia matching jars that can be labelled. They’re a great way to keep the pantry and cupboards looking perfect as well as an encouragement to use less plastic and keep your food fresher for longer.
2. Create an Interesting Line.
If you have shelving your eye will naturally stagnate on a straight line so when everything is all lined up and everything is the same height, it ends up looking a bit flat. You want to create an interesting line for your eye to follow. Try and find objects of varying heights, sizes and textures so that it feels more dynamic. In a kitchen, you will have this to hand – stacks of plates, bowls, glasses, jugs etc all serve different functions and so you’ll naturally have different sizes and shapes to everything. There are some gorgeous marble and wood cutting boards that look great leaned up against the wall or displayed on shelves - they are not only practical but add height and texture.
3. Use Different Textures.
My next tip would be to ensure you have some contrasting textures on display. Mix smooth things with rough, shiny with matte, opaque with solid, keep the eye moving with variety. You can use a mix of smooth surfaces like glass, ceramic, porcelain, metals or marble with rough and organic textures like a wood, wicker or stone. The options are endless, make it interesting!
4. Add Some Plants and Greenery.
In a kitchen it’s always nice to have some fresh herbs to hand while you’re cooking, you can then use a variety of pots, bowls or baskets to place them in. I love plant-filled shelves – they add so much colour and life to any room. I especially like placing a draping plant on the edge of a shelf and letting it cascade to the shelves beneath it as it breaks up the rigid line of the shelf. If you struggle to keep your plants alive there are some amazing artificial plants that have the same visual impact.
5. Use real food as part of your styling.
Bowls of lemons, limes, oranges, all look great in the kitchen, there are also some beautiful faux options such as artichokes and figs. They naturally bring colour and life to your kitchen for very little cost.
6. Display Cookbooks.
Put some cookbooks out on display, not only do they look nice but they will remind you to look up different recipes. If you have shelving in your kithen switching up the positioning of books and aligning them vertically and horizontally helps to make the shelves feel more dynamic and interesting. There are lots of options when accessorising with books, you can face the spines inwards, outwards, create little stacks that you can use to elevate certain objects and mix up the positioning of books aligning some stacks to the left, right or centre of a shelf to help balance the weight of the styling. Additionally, displaying a cook book on a stand can have a dramatic affect.
7. Use Art.
I’d highly recommend using a some art in your kitchen as its a great way to share some of your personality and tie in colours from the rest of your home. If you have shelving consider placing your artwork towards the back of the shelf and layer smaller decorative items in front. Framed photographs also create a personal touch to the shelves and by layering items and utilising the depth of the shelf you will create a more curated and considered feel. Play with scale and feel free to use both landscape and portrait art together.
8. Utilise Trays.
Trays have lots of use in the kitchen. If you have a small selection of items that are looking a bit messy sitting on the counter on their own, try grouping them on a nice tray and see if that helps. Trays can also be used near the cooktop to hold oils, utensils and salt and pepper pots - so these are all handy and close to where you are cooking.
9. Indulge in pretty tea towels.
It’s all in the details. A pretty tea towel brings a soft touch to the kitchen where most surfaces are hard. There are some gorgeous fun patterns out there and it’s a great way to add some colour and pick up on some accents throughout the kitchen.
10. Step back and edit.
Take a step back and assess, sometimes less is more, we want to achieve a curated look rather than cluttered. Don’t be afraid to play around and get creative. It's all about expressing your personality and being surrounded with things that you love.
We’d love to hear how your kitchen turns out! Leave a comment below or any questions you might have. Please tag us in your kitchen styling pictures on social media, we would love to see the end result. Good luck and have fun!