It takes a lot of patience, planning and work and just as much financial and mental resources to successfully complete a kitchen design project. So once all the furnishing, installations, appliances and the rest of the items you might deem necessary in a kitchen are set into place, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. At least, that’s how one hopes things will go. In reality, things don’t always work out as planned.
What happens if, after all the effort and investment you’ve put into creating your dream kitchen, the space doesn’t feel quite complete? Even if everything looks perfect on paper and you’ve made sure to check all the must-have boxes, you cannot shake off the frustrating feeling that something is missing from the picture, but you simply can’t put your finger on what that might be.
In this situation, you may want to listen to your instinct because that inner voice of yours might be right. It’s common for recently finished kitchens to look a bit stark and lack character. That’s because people often forget about the finer details or don’t know how to use them to fill in the design gaps.
Finishing touches are key for infusing interiors with personality and making them feel warm and inviting. A few simple styling features can fix the problem and turn your kitchen into the dream space you’ve envisioned. So, if you’re not happy with the final result, here are some elements that can help you bring the whole space together.
Fresh produce
Some might think that having a perfectly neat and organized kitchen where all the daily use appliances and items are out of sight, leaving counters completely clear, is the ideal everyone should aspire to. While the minimalist aesthetic, with its sleek and clean lines and clutter-free surfaces, can be charming indeed, if things are overdone, you can end up with a barren and uninviting space.
Even the most beautiful cabinets can appear rather lackluster if they’re not complemented by some eye-catching details that can bring them to life. The secret to creating a hospitable and cozy kitchen is to make it look like it’s lived-in, even if it’s really not. And what better way to do that than by displaying fresh produce? You might not be a big fan of cooking and only use your kitchen sparingly, but if you want to achieve a homely vibe, try placing a bowl filled with colorful fruits and vegetables on the countertop or kitchen island and see how the whole room lights up.
Plants
Greenery can have a similar effect on your interiors. Integrating plants into your kitchen design is always a good idea, especially if you’ve chosen neutrals throughout the room and feel the need to include a touch of color to break the monotony. A few pots here and there can add visual interest and brighten up the atmosphere instantly.
Kitchens provide an optimum environment for growing houseplants as they tend to be warmer and have higher humidity levels due to all the cooking and washing that goes on, so you won’t find it too hard to pick a few plants and keep them thriving. Feel free to adorn your open shelves, countertops and windowsills with all sorts of flowers and plants in cute jugs, pots and vases. You can even cultivate your own aromatic herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, or mint that will fill the air with their delightful fragrances.
Cookbooks
Again, cooking might not be your biggest passion, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use cookbooks as a prop in your design scheme. After all, the kitchen is the place where delicious meals are prepped, so it makes perfect sense to fill in empty spaces with a small collection of cookbooks or stack them neatly in a corner on the counter.
Who knows, maybe having a few cookbooks around will help you unlock your inner chef and encourage you to try different recipes, experimenting with flavours and food combinations that you’ve never thought of in the past.
Art
The kitchen is probably not the first room in the house you would think of when choosing a space to display your art pieces, but we can assure you they make for great additions. The kitchen has long ceased to be just a functional work area used exclusively for meal preparation. These days, kitchens are regarded as versatile spaces that can serve many other functions and act as a central hub for the home.
Seen from this perspective, bringing art into the kitchen makes just as much sense as decorating the rest of your interiors with artwork. The subtle elegance of cream kitchens or the sleek look of modern kitchens can be enhanced with the right artwork. From prints and posters to paintings, vintage plates, and ornate mirrors, art pieces will uplift the space and help you achieve a unique design that reflects your personal style. If you have enough objects to display, you can even create a gallery wall and turn it into the focal point of the room.
Textiles
In a space that endures a lot of wear and tear, hard-wearing surfaces like granite countertops, hardwood floors, and ceramic backsplashes are a must and dominate the aesthetic. But that can also make kitchens look too cold and clinical, so you need to include softer materials to provide a contrast and bring some balance.
Textiles will add texture and depth and warm up the ambience in your kitchen. Tea towels, rugs, and throw pillows in different colours and patterns are not just practical items but can also enhance the overall design. Finish it off with accessories, ornaments and other trinkets that you might find appealing for a personal touch.
That’s a wrap
A kitchen is not complete until it feels like home. So, if you’re not there yet, keep searching, tweaking and changing things up until you are fully satisfied with the result. We promise it’s going to be worth the effort.