Easy Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Between the fridge, the stove, the table and chairs and the hardworking countertops, there isn't much room left in a kitchen for decorating. And whatever you do put out has to survive grease, steam and the occasional spaghetti sauce explosion.

But the kitchen is the heart of the home, and it deserves a little personality. The trick is decor that's useful, easy to clean and doesn't eat your counter space. Here are easy kitchen decorating ideas, most of which cost next to nothing, using treasures you already have.

First, Clear the Counters

The best kitchen decorating idea is free: clear the clutter. A pretty canister can't compete with a pile of mail, three phone chargers and a fruit bowl full of rubber bands. Put away everything you don't use daily, and your kitchen instantly looks better. Here are more kitchen organization ideas.

Decorate With What You Cook With

• Utensils: Stand cooking utensils in a pretty ceramic vase or pitcher instead of a plastic holder.
• The sponge and scrubber: Instead of leaving them lying around the sink, stash them in a small painted pot or a pretty dish.
  
• Dish towels: Hang bright, cheerful towels from the oven or refrigerator handle for an instant pop of color. Swap them by season.
  
• Cutting boards: Lean a few good-looking wood boards against the backsplash.
  
• Cookbooks: Stand your favorites on the counter between bookends, or on an open shelf.
  
• Everyday dishes: Display a stack of pretty plates or bowls on open shelves.
  
• Pantry staples: Put flour, sugar, coffee and pasta in matching glass canisters.
  

Bring in a Little Life

• Seasonal fruit bowls: Fill a basket, bowl or wooden tray on the counter, the windowsill or the breakfast table with what's in season: gourds in autumn, chestnuts or pomegranates in winter, bright lemons in spring and limes in summer. Swap them to suit your mood and the season.
• Fresh flowers: Even a few grocery store stems in a jar bring a burst of life to the kitchen.
  
• Herbs: A few pots of basil, parsley and rosemary on a sunny windowsill are decor and dinner.
  
• A bird feeder outside the kitchen window adds color and entertainment to dish duty.
  

Easy Updates to Brighten a Dull Kitchen

• New cabinet hardware: Swap humdrum knobs and pulls for brass, matte black, chrome or colorful ones. It's one of the fastest, cheapest ways to change the whole look.
• Paint: Paint the walls or the cabinets a bold new color. It's the quickest, cheapest way to transform a kitchen. And if you don't love it, you can always paint it again.
  
• Peel-and-stick backsplash: Renters, this one's for you. It goes up in an afternoon and comes off without damage.
  
• A new faucet: A modern faucet makes an old sink look updated.
  
• Art: Hang a framed print, a vintage sign or the kids' artwork. Kitchens deserve art, too. Keep it away from the stove, where grease and steam collect.
  

Light It Up

Lighting changes the whole feel of a kitchen. Add plug-in or battery LED strip lights under the cabinets to light up the counters. Replace a dated ceiling fixture with a pendant over the table or island. And put the overhead light on a dimmer, so the kitchen can go from bright work light to cozy dinner light.

Add a Runner Rug

A washable runner in front of the sink adds color and pattern, and it's kinder to your feet. Choose a low-pile or flat-weave rug with a nonslip backing that can go in the washing machine.

Right-Size the Table

Does your kitchen table take over the room? Leave at least 36 inches between the table and the walls or counters, and 42 to 48 inches where people need to walk behind chairs. If your table is too big, swap it for a smaller one, or a round one. What you'll lose in serving space, you'll gain in mealtime intimacy.

Make the Most of the Windows

Window treatments change the look and feel of a room quickly. In the kitchen, choose ones that stand up to heat, grease and steam, and that are easy to clean:

• Cafe curtains cover the bottom half of the window for privacy while letting in light, and they're easy to toss in the washer.
• Faux wood or vinyl blinds wipe clean and don't warp from steam.
• Roman or roller shades in a washable, moisture-resistant fabric add color and pattern.
• A simple valance adds color without blocking the light.

Simple is best in a kitchen, especially near the stove. Keep curtains well away from burners. Here's how to clean blinds and how to wash curtains when they need it.

Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas

• Go vertical: open shelves, a wall-mounted rail with hooks or a magnetic knife strip free up counter space and add style.
• Use light colors on walls and cabinets to make the room feel bigger.
  
• Hang a mirror to bounce light around.
  
• Choose one statement piece, like a colorful stand mixer or a bold light fixture, instead of lots of little accessories.
  

Easy Kitchen Decorating Ideas: Quick Answers

How can I decorate my kitchen on a budget?

Clear the clutter, then try new cabinet hardware, a coat of paint, a seasonal fruit bowl, fresh flowers or herbs, bright dish towels and a washable runner.

What should I put on my kitchen counters for decor?

Keep it to a few useful, good-looking pieces: a utensil crock, a fruit bowl, a few canisters, a cutting board and maybe a plant. Leave plenty of open workspace.

What are the best window treatments for a kitchen?

Easy-to-clean options that handle heat and steam, like cafe curtains, faux wood or vinyl blinds and washable roller or Roman shades.

How do you make a small kitchen look bigger?

Use light colors, open shelves and a mirror, keep counters clear and choose one statement piece instead of lots of small accessories.

Keep Going

Make the whole house feel fresh with these related guides:

• Easy Home Decorating Ideas: A room-by-room guide.
• Kitchen Organization Ideas: That make cooking easier.
• Kitchen Recycling Center: Hide the recycling, beautifully.
• Pet Feeding Station Ideas: A tidy corner for the pets.
• How to Clean Blinds: Every type.
• How to Wash Curtains: Curtains, drapes and sheers.
• How to Clean Copper: Keep those copper pots shining.
• Kitchen Cleaning & Organizing: The complete guide.