Your kitchen operates just fine as a place for cooking and serving meals. But is it lacking some touches that could convert it from a room where you take care of daily chores to one where you enjoy spending time?
With many of our kitchens serving as the home’s primary gathering spot for family and friends, we’ve come to view it as a second living room. With this in mind, many of our kitchens can use a little extra attention to make them more inviting. I have some useful idea for sharing with you all.
Pare down and regroup. Instead of replacing the cabinetry, Erinn reorganized and edited. Out went an awkward cabinet looming over a short peninsula countertop—a strategy that now affords a clear view from sink to sunny breakfast area. Two additional cabinets flanking the range were also banished, making way for more counter space and a streamlined vent hood.
Focus on details. Erinn upgraded the cabinets further with sleek chrome hardware. Sophisticated pendants crafted from antique mirrored pieces illuminate sink and table. And cheery flowers are always present. Erinn reserves the prominent display area for keepsakes. The dainty teapots and figurines look as beautiful in her stylish kitchen as they surely did in her grandmother’s.
Change the window treatments. If you only have blinds on your kitchen windows, perhaps it’s time to think about adding fabric coverings. If you currently have café curtains, consider simplifying the picture with a valance.
Use light effectively. Two areas that need distinct overhead lighting are the range and the sink. Ambient lighting, easily achieved by installing a dimmer on your primary light fixture, presents a lovely glow all around. Candles provide soft lighting here or there but they require two cautions. First, make sure that you place them where they won’t get in your way as you cook and where curious little hands can’t grab them. Secondly, pick fragrances carefully so that they don’t seem out of place in the kitchen. Best choices are those that smell of fruits, spices, or bakery products.
In the end, make it personal and practical!
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