Redecorate Your Kitchen in 8 Simple Steps

Are you looking for ways to keep your kitchen beautiful, as well as functional?

1. I find it really helps to keep the top of the refrigerator clear. However, it’s not a terrible idea to keep a modest display of cookbooks around. I like to keep my cookbooks nearby to inspire the creation of a tasty treat. A pair of bookends will set things off nicely.

2. Show off your glassware. For instance, in a glass-paned cabinet, it’s a good idea to put your attractive pieces on the higher shelf and keep the everyday ones on the bottom where they’re easy to grab.

3. If you have the space under a cabinet, you can install a rack that will enable you to hang your wineglasses.

4. Consider changing the decorative items in your kitchen with the seasons. Seasonal items such as tea towels, potholders, aprons and decorative items such as fake pumpkins at Halloween can really spruce up a room.

5. My clients seem to fall into two different camps when it comes to the counter space in their kitchen. I find that most like the counter completely clear. Others like to see every gadget they own out on the counter and ready for use. To me, there seems to be a middle ground. If you use an item often, such as a coffeemaker, then keep it out. Who has time to haul it out and put it away every day? On the other hand, for occasional-use items, such as a food processor that’s only used for holiday food preparation, it’s better to store it in a cabinet.

6. Remember, counter items can be grouped into categories according to their function. For example, in the morning you might want toast and coffee. Therefore, place your coffeemaker and toaster near one of the outlets. If you are a busy mom who is always cooking, cluster the blender, small processor and electric can opener around another outlet.

7. I find that plants make a great addition to any room. If you can find some counter space near a window, you can really add a bit of life and personality to your kitchen with a plant. Do you find yourself always forgetting to water them? I'll bet you have a calendar by now with your schedule kept up to date in its pages. Simply make a note to water your plants once a week. You will find that there are so many benefits. Let’s face it: plants are beautiful. Furthermore, they clean pollutants from the air and restore oxygen levels. It is possible to find varieties that you would be hard-pressed to kill. Talking with someone from your local nursery can help you select a variety that is both hardy and will thrive in the conditions you offer.

8. Lighting can really influence the atmosphere of your kitchen. See if you have the counter space for a small lamp. In the morning, as we prepare for the day, we like a bright, cheery kitchen. A lively interactive evening meal is the hallmark of a large family. Those late-night forays to the kitchen for a snack or a beverage, however, can be made in the gentle, quiet light of a lamp. When I suggest this idea to my clients, they tend to be indifferent. I then ask them to try a lamp, just to see how it looks. It doesn’t surprise me when they change their minds. So will you give it a chance? You say you don’t have any counter space? You might want to try a dimmer switch.

Dining Room Furniture
Done with the kitchen? Consider redecorating your dining room with an elegant American made dining room set.