Some simple kitchen styling can make the heart of your home feel fresh and inviting. Last week I talked about shopping your home for a new look and that extended into our kitchen, as well. You don’t need to spend a lot and you may be able to use what you already have.
Simple Kitchen Styling Tips And Tricks
First, start by clearing your kitchen counters of clutter as much as you can. Having counter space will immediately upgrade your kitchen and give you a clean palette to style it. If you have a small kitchen (like how ours was in San Francisco) you may only want to employ a few of the simple design ideas below to limit accessories.
Dish Towels
Fresh dish towels look great. I buy them inexpensively at Target or IKEA. I also like to buy them as souvenirs on vacation.
When they become worn out, I use them as cleaning rags.
Shop Kitchen Towels:
Note that we added a new subway tile backsplash to the ceiling above the kitchen cabinets. This gave a new look without a major renovation. The color palette is neutral with white cabinets so that the accessories stand out. The paint color on the white cabinetry is Benjamin Moore China White.
Utensil Holder
You may have noticed that interior designers just put the pretty wooden utensils on the counter (all the colorful metal ones are in the drawer below). Marble Utensil Holder
Trivet For Oils
A wooden trivet like this (similar) serves as a tray and keeps the countertop organized.
Candles On The Kitchen Island
I restyled the island recently. It’s nice to light the candles when we serve dinner on the island as a buffet.
Small appliances like the toaster and blender are stored inside the island.
An Orchid Or Plant For Decor
We just added that Trader Joe’s orchid to the pot. Normally we have something tall here like branches or flowers.
Cake Stand
The black wooden cake stand is from Target. I am using it with a cloche that I bought years ago in Paris. This is a similar one.
Cookbooks and Holder On The Countertop
Cookbooks on open shelving or on built-in shelves can warm up a kitchen and add personality. It’s nice to have seasonal fruit out too. This is a similar-footed fruit bowl. The rooster was a gift from a trip to San Miguel de Allende. Put your personal finds on display too!
Some of my favorite home decor and cookbooks are here.
You may also like Style Your Kitchen Like a Pro! Before and After Makeover and 13 Great Pendants to Update Your Kitchen.
Great post. I am addicted to dish towels. I buy on vacation, on day trips, and online haha. I admire you / anyone who has white dishtowels: I am too messy. I use my old ones to dry lettuce and other veggies. I am looking for a kitchen trivet — maybe for small potted plants. although my husband is not a plant lover. I have two utensil holders – not sure why, but one has the wooden spoons, etc. and the other holds everything else. One thing I’ve always heard is that your oils should be stored in a cool dark place, so next to your cooktop is not ideal, especially for specialty oils (e.g., walnut oil) that you don’t use frequently.
Your kitchen is so pretty and I love the updates. Great inspiration! (moving soon so I appreciate all the ideas!)
Great styling ideas Mary Ann! We are going through a somewhat major remodel in 6 months. I have already purchased 3 sets of kitchen towels from Williams Sonoma. The old ones will not be coming back into my new kitchen lol. I may use some to pad boxes for packing up stuff. I bought a very thick wood charcuterie board that has my oils on it which I love.
Linda S.
Fresh dish towels are the BEST! The Easter bunny brings them to my kids and their wives in their baskets (yes, I still do baskets🤭) Your kitchen is so pretty! I’m looking for a salt cellar like the one you have?!? Does it have special name or do you know where you got it? Always love your posts!
PS I wanted to ask how you get home large heavy things like the rooster? I see stuff like that and think well that’s not going to fit in my suitcase!
Mary Ann, I’m so glad you show back up in my feed for some reason a few months ago you stopped visiting my inbox. But I re-subscribed an now you seem to back! I also buy dish towels on vacation. Love to see them–now if I would just “retire” some to the cleaning rag pile I could get them all in my drawer. I also love the painting of the bicycle in with your cookbooks. Can you tell us the artist? Have a great vacation
Earlier this week I made the Ginger Citrus Marinated Chicken recipe you posted a few weeks ago. Very easy and so good! It will be one of my go-to’s for sure. Thanks!
You are welcome…w like it too.
Thank you for your useful ideas and lovely photographs. What did you use for your kitchen countertops?
Yes I would like to know about counter tops as well.
They are a natural granite….it don’t have the name.
GREAT IDEAS!!
Kitchen looks fresh, warm and welcoming. Hope you have a fantastic time. Looking forward to following your post and taking us on a staycation with you. Safe travels 🙏
Hey, great minds think alike! I also buy dish towels on vacation. They are a good way to remember the trip. Now, if only I can get my husband to stop using the kitchen island as a dumping station and general catch-all.
Haha…I know the feeling!
I love how you updated your kitchen! We have a similar layout with the sink at an angle. I’m not crazy about it but it will do. Also, we have uba tuba verde countertops & Im wondering if you think the tile you chose would go with them or should I just replace with a white Silestone quartz -eternal. I’d appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks…
Nancy B
Yes…I’m not crazy about an angled sink either. Can you send a photo of your choices?