Kitchen Decorating Tips
Style, Design and Decor

Find out how to choose the right materials and fixtures for your kitchen.

And get help in choosing the right decor and design for your kitchen.

...now consider the style, theme and precise details.

Take a little time to choose your fittings, finishes, style and colors.

Browse the kitchen decorating tips and styles on this website, in magazines, and in your local kitchen and DIY stores, for lots of ideas...

I'll help you to decide what to choose for your best and most practical look...

Colors

• If you have a small kitchen, choose pale colors to maximise the space.

  Try a streamlined, minimal design and incorporate lots of space-saving ideas.

• Larger kitchens can take brighter or darker colors.

  Try including color contrasts between different parts of the design...

  Choose pale units with a dark counter top and tiles, and a mid range color for the walls - or choose your own variation, which suits your own tastes.

• Find colors that work for you, are suitable for your room, and create the right mood or atmosphere.
• If you have a kitchen/diner, try splitting off the areas for cooking and dining...

  Use a row of units, a change of flooring, a change of wall color or wallpaper.

  You may wish to decorate the dining area in a color that makes you feel more relaxed and sociable, and choose ambient, mood lighting for this area.

• Darker colors will be good if the dining will mostly take place during the evening.

  Add some soft textures such as rugs, carpets, curtains, cushions or wall hangings - to soften and relax the mood of the dining area.

Tiles

• Consider the color and design of any kitchen tiles...

  Pale and cool colors tend to recede. Dark and warm colors come forward.

  Small tiles or mosaic tiles look good used in small rooms, but can look jumbled and fussy in large rooms.

  Large scale tiles look better in large rooms.

• Modern tiles come in all colors, shapes, textures and materials - including glass and stone.

  You can get some really unusual and stunning tile designs, but make sure you choose something you will be able to live with longterm.

  I always like to choose a fairly neutral tile color, that will give me lots of options for changing the wall colors in the future.



• Consider the use of patterned tiles - I advise to use these sparingly, unless the design is very simple.

  Try and stick to the guidelines on using pattern.

  Easy DIY Tiling Guide

• Alternatives to tiles might be traditional tongue-and-groove paneling (we have just fitted this in our kitchen), or modern stainless steel or glass panels.

  You can now buy wall panels to match your work surfaces, for a modern, streamlined effect.

Work Surfaces

• Here are some more kitchen decorating tips - on choosing the kitchen work surface to meet your needs.

  Consider durability, maintenance and cost - as well as good looks.

• Wood, or butcher's block looks great in a modern or traditional setting - and you can choose a variety of wood finishes.

  If you choose wood, make sure you are prepared to take the time to treat and oil it every few months - to stop it drying out, and keep it in tip-top condition.



• Granite, marble and stone (or stone effect) look luxurious and sophisticated - but cost lots.

  They need to be kept super shiny to look great.

• 'Composite' work tops are made from a mixture of minerals and resins. They look good and are really tough too.

  They are a lot cheaper than the genuine article, but are really good look-a-likes.

• You can also get granite worktops which fit on top of your existing work surfaces - cutting the price considerably. Find out more, here... (UK)
• 'Corian' is a practical man-made material that comes in a huge choice of colors.

  It can be joined together almost seamlessly, and adds a real touch of luxury to the modern kitchen.

• For many people, a simple laminate covered board is a pleasingly adequate work surface.

  It is not too pricey at all, and is perfectly functional and hard wearing. It also comes in loads of different colors and effects - to suit your chosen style.

  Easy DIY Guide to installing your kitchen countertop

Choosing a Finish

• Modern kitchens may include a lot of shiny glossy finishes - stainless steel, glass and high gloss cupboards.

  This gives your kitchen a minimalist, clean, hygienic look, and is very practical, as it can be wiped clean easily.

• Wood and wood effect is still a very popular choice for the kitchen.

  It is good for a modern kitchen, but is an ideal kitchen decorating tip to use in a traditional or country kitchen.

  Wood gives a warm, natural, friendly feel - and comes in many different colors and finishes.

• Enhance your wood, by keeping to the warm feeling - use more warm colors in other elements of your kitchen design.

  Or, contrast the warm wood against a cool color.

  This is what I did in my kitchen at home - chocolate oak cupboard doors, contrasted against against pale blue walls, and mixed with pale blue blinds with pink flowers in a retro '50's pattern - mmmm - I loved it!

A reader asks about the differences between laminates and veneers for kit hen cabinets

Save money on your kitchen by buying the kitchen cabinets yourself online - it is a great idea, and gives you the oportunity to think about what you really want and need for your kitchen...

You can fit them yourself, or get a local fitter to do it for you.

You might want to just replace the doors - or even just paint the cabinets yourself.

Find out how to paint kitchen cabinets, here...

Watch this video clip for some quick kitchen decorating tips for replacing cabinets...

Just click on the picture to find out more...

Try an ultra-modern, sophisticated kitchen design. It really is the 'must-have' kitchen choice of the season.

Bring the tranquility of the Tuscan landscape into your home with a Tuscan inspired kitchen design.

Learn how to create a timeless kitchen with universal appeal, with a country kitchen decorating theme.

Look at some cheap and easy kitchen makeover ideas.

Look at more practical aspects to designing your kitchen and positioning your appliances.

Some reader style and finish queries...

Let other readers' problems inspire you with kitchen decorating tips and ideas...

Wanda needs help with lightening up a kitchen dining nook

Gail needs help with mixing colors and finishes in her kitchen

Will a reader's copper and blue kitchen work?

Val discusses how her flooring colors can affect her kitchen style

Lisa wonders about inexpensive options for countertop and tiles

Lori wants color inspiration for a beadboard

Marilyn's kitchen paint color dilemma

Still Stuck?

Get help with your own kitchen design, here...

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