By Karen Kirk
October 2023
Who doesn’t love to add a few decorative accents to our kitchen decor now and then, especially as the seasons and trends change? But sometimes things can go wrong with the choices we make resulting in a kitchen that’s dysfunctional, cluttered and lacks a cohesive aesthetic.
Here are a few essential decorating dos and don’ts I’d like to share with you when decorating any age, style or size of kitchen. A thoughtfully curated kitchen decor is welcoming, comfortable and calm, and functions seamlessly for the home chef and their family’s lifestyle.
1. Don’t do all the decorating at once. Do start with decor that will make the biggest impact.
The more expensive decorating projects such as paint, wallpaper, draperies and upholstery are great starting points that will help set the stage for the kitchen’s style. Doing a bit at a time will ensure you’re comfortable with your choices. Let these decor elements inspire your decorative accent items such as florals, plants and art to add colour, texture and personality.
2. Don’t create more work for yourself. Do consider safety.
The kitchen is a high-traffic and highly functional space so any decor added to the space should improve, not hinder its functionality, flow and aesthetic both visually and physically. For example, although a rug looks great under the kitchen table or the sink, keep in mind that they’ll have to be cleaned regularly, can cause tripping and can make it difficult to move the dining chairs up to and away from the table.
3. Don’t scrimp on furnishings. Do scale up on items you use every day.
Upholstered bar and dining chairs are a fun way to add decorative colour and pattern to complement your decor. Choose sturdy pieces for a busy family kitchen with high-performance fabrics that are easy to maintain and clean.
4. Don’t hide away your best dishes, glassware and linens. Do display and use them to enhance the decor and elevate the dining experience.
Which life are you saving them for? You only live once! Use floating or open shelving to display and easily access your pretty things. With Thermador’s stainless steel Star Sapphire Dishwasher you’ll never have to worry about safely washing up your delicate stemware and best china.
5. Don’t always buy new. Do go to markets and junk shops and mix old with new.
Antique and vintage pieces can make a stunning personal statement in a modern kitchen. Whether they’re family heirlooms or fabulous finds from a local flea market, vintage table linens, an aged-brass chandelier, a harvest table or hutch with a rich patina will add loads of character in the kitchen without busting the budget.
6. Don’t invest in decor that will inhibit the flow of your kitchen. Do choose items that are as practical as they are pretty.
Remember that your home is meant to please you and reflect your own personality, not impress your friends, so have fun with it. Choose pieces that you can switch out or embellish easily for a seasonal look including bowls, art, linens and candle sticks. Choose finishes like chrome, stainless steel, brass or iron that will complement your beautiful stainless-steel Thermador appliances.
