Add interest to your cooking space with one of these simple yet effective ideas
The kitchen is, of course, a functional space whose layout, finishes and appliances tend to get a lot of consideration. But don’t forget to add some character into the mix. The designers of these kitchens used color, pattern, and texture to take the personality up a notch.
1. Go Bold With the Backsplash
If you want to add just one area of strong design to your kitchen, the backsplash is a good place to choose. There are plenty of ways you can get creative with the surface behind the countertop, such as by installing patterned tiles.
These flat-panel kitchen cabinets get energized by the wall of fish-scale tiles. The design is bold, but the cool colors complement the pale gray units.
A painting, poster or print can completely change the room, transforming it from a functional area into a cozy space.
If your artwork is directly above the stove, as shown in this kitchen from Arq-A Interiors, choose a protective covering and a frame that can withstand moisture.
3. Put the Focus on the Floor
Boost the character of your kitchen by choosing an interesting floor surface. Patterned tiles are a good option, and they come in a range of styles and colors, so there should be something to suit your design.
The owners of this kitchen from Haus Concrete Surfaces went for a geometric pattern that adds a colorful, textured area below the white cabinets.
Choose a design that works with the rest of the space to quickly update the look of the room. These turquoise knobs are simple yet bold, and they work perfectly with the patterned backsplash in this kitchen from Studio Morton.
If you have a kitchen island in the center of your room, make a feature of it by painting it a different color from the perimeter cabinetry. Since it’s just one area of the kitchen, you can afford to be quite bold.
The vivid red in this space really makes a statement. Counter stools in a mix of shades add even more personality.
A similar idea is to use two colors on the perimeter cabinets. Choose one shade for the uppers and another for the lowers.
In this kitchen from My Bespoke Room, the dark base cabinets help anchor the space and open up to a much lighter shade above.
Wall cabinets are practical for hiding away clutter, but if you want to add character to your kitchen, it’s worth incorporating some open shelves. They provide an opportunity to keep dishes handy and to display decor.
The key is to choose attractive items to display and to ensure that you keep the surfaces neat. The storage jars on the top shelf add warm hues to this space and complement the pale blue bowls, cups, and glasses below.
Give your kitchen an element of surprise by contrasting standard cabinets with a vintage piece of storage furniture. Just one unusual cabinet can be enough to give the whole room a different look.
The cabinets in this kitchen from Sigmar are a traditional Shaker design, but the glass display cabinet brings an eclectic feel to the space.
If you’re planning to have pendant lights in your kitchen, choose ones that will add some personality. A well-chosen light fixture can have a huge impact on the look of a room — and it can be as bold or as subtle as you like.
Take these copper shades, for example — the design is fairly simple, but in this white-and-aqua kitchen from EM+ Interior Design Studio, they stand out beautifully.
Your choice of faucets can play a part in how much character you bring into your kitchen. If you want to be different, go for something besides the standard chrome finish. Copper faucets like these, or designs in black or brass, will bring a personal feel to your room.
We often use fabric in other rooms to boost the character of the space, and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same in a kitchen. If there’s seating in the room, for instance, you can choose interesting designs for upholstery and pillows.
The simple addition of a patterned shade is enough to give this mostly white room from NW Interior Design a welcoming vibe.