A sleek, modern kitchen needn’t feel cold. There are lots of simple things you can do to revamp your kitchen, jazz it up a bit and make it much more livable. The goal is to have a super functional space that has a fresh feel. Think clean lines, and a classic white and gray palette with a playful amount of color coming from accent pieces to keep things fun, without being overwhelming or too dark. [break]
Photo Courtesy: Arjun Shah
This weekend redo your old kitchen and put together a happy space that makes cooking a much more enjoyable experience and at the same time can be used for other purposes.
The Week tells you how.
First up, access your space
A kitchen that opens up into the main living area can be an extremely exciting space to decorate. A generously sized table can accommodate dinners and even intense work projects. Think beyond the primary functions of the kitchen and consider how it can seamlessly extend into the other areas of your home. When a few rooms spill into the kitchen, it’s time to create a balanced flow, which can be accomplished with a cohesive and simplified color palette. A tiny kitchen (and a tight budget), requires careful and creative planning.
Create a focal point and work around it
Just as you’d decorate a living room around a coffee table or a TV console or a bedroom around the bed, plan your kitchen around the cooking zone. A really great stove can be the focal point and transform a kitchen. For a nice pop of color, consider a pretty splash back in a vibrant color. Keep the vibe modern, casual and cool by layering a black-and-white–striped rug and hanging an oversized shade over the countertop.
Be smart on storage ideas
To make a kitchen homey as well as functional, hang storage racks from the ceiling for frequently used pots and pans. For a home that relies on plenty of storage, hang extra floating shelves to hold cookbooks, containers and favorite accessories. If you don’t have much cabinet space, bring in freestanding pieces or floating shelves to hold appliances, dishes, and other kitchen essentials. Also, a simple steel pipe, strung with hooks can keep pans and utensils within reach. Another perfect way to not let your storage items look drab and chaotic is to use similar sized containers to store edibles.
Glam it up a bit
If you have a modern decorating style, embrace a bold color and high-gloss finish. Silver and cherry red lacquer cabinets take the kitchen pictured alongside to daring heights. To avoid visual commotion, keep the rest of your accessories (kitchen textiles, serving ware and plates) in the same color palette. Infuse your kitchen with some color even if you want to stick to a neutral palette for the base. Add texture by layering a striped rug over a seamless floor. Hang a pair of chandeliers from the ceilings for an unexpected twist. Toss in a few experienced items; your collection of mugs or ceramic plates, attractive cutlery or even interesting kitchen appliances to make your kitchen come to life.
Be creative while designing
While fantasy designing can sometimes seem impractical you should still feel free to let your mind roam. That doesn’t mean you should be so bold as to place a light rug in line of fire for food spills and wine drips, but interesting colors and patterns in terms of accessories could act as an inspiration. Place an interesting lamp or a chic rug at a corner for a hint of intrigue. You can stick to a monochromatic palette while still adding interest and personality to a room. A continuous pattern, like modern black-and-white zigzag, running across a counter is graphic and unexpected. For an instant update, you can opt to give the cabinets a fresh coat of paint in a vibrant color.
Go for the effortless appeal
An assortment of odd stools instead of regular chairs around the dining table can add an old world charm to your kitchen area. Salvage a damaged rug by having it cut down and rebound into a kitchen mat. A runner across the counter top can hide stains and scratches. A quirky vase with fresh flowers or even a small potted plant on the table can up the style quotient with minimal effort. The idea is to incorporate your personal style to make the room truly inspiring.
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