Kitchen Styling Ideas

When it comes to styling your home, kitchens can be a tricky part to really make your mark on, without splashing a lot of cash. There are quite a few big ticket items in there that most likely you’re stuck with (like the oven, possibly a dishwasher and maybe even the fridge). But that doesn’t mean that you can’t make it feel a bit more like you without a big budget. Here are some ideas for adding a bit more you, to your kitchen!

1. Mixer 2. Shaker Set 3. Cake Tin 4. Tea Towels 5. Olive Oil 6. Knife Set

Start with a wish list

It can be really tricky to get the look and feel of any room just right and I think even more so in the kitchen where things need to be functional and not just pretty. Dream budgets can get out of hand really quickly if you head to a store without first making a list and then setting a realistic budget. What I like about making the lists is that you get the chance to sit and think about what you’d like and what you really need.

In most cases the things you need will come first before the ‘would likes’ but it can be great to make that list and even see what you might be able to save for. I always have a bit of a kitchen wish list in the back of my mind and I’m not much of a cook!

Think small and then big

I’m a big believer that little things can make a big difference to the way your home feels. So even if the dream mixer is out of budget right now, you might be able to treat yourself to a great knife block set or some pretty tea towels that add some colour to your kitchen. Even some fun salt and pepper shakers can make your space feel a bit more fun.

Another thing you can consider adding is some framed artwork for the walls. A cute fruit print or even a great recipe in a beautiful font could really make the space feel more welcoming to be in.

Add (and remove) as you go

I think the trick to a smoothly running kitchen is that it works for you. You have the utensils that you need and they are where they should be. I’ve found that as I use my kitchen for more cooking and more varied recipes that I’m noticing the things that we are missing that would things so much easier. Sometimes they aren’t all that expensive to add (like a new rolling pin) and can be picked up on the supermarket run.

This can be better than going into a shop that has all the cool gadgets and picking them because they look so cool and then having to store all these things that you never really needed. I’ve been terrible at doing this in the past. It’s possible I have a gadget draw full of these little “make life easier should you ever need them” thingees.

There’s also nothing wrong with passing things on to others or donating things (in great condition) where you realise that you really don’t need it or you want to replace it with something more your style.

Don’t rush it

Allow yourself some time to come up with a colour scheme that suits you, whether it be bold and colourful like mine, or sleek and stainless steel or even somewhere in between. I like to keep my list in my phone and check for things on sale if I happen to be in a shop selling what I’m looking for. Sometimes you can get some real bargains on things that are considered ‘last season’ though there’s not much difference to the current season.

I think there’s something really cool in letting your home style develop over time. It’s great to have it all there for you, but as time passes we need different things, and it can be fun to see how that all evolves and tells the story of our homes in a cool way.

What’s the number one thing in your kitchen you couldn’t be without? What’s one thing on your wish list?