Now we are getting to the fun part of organising your kitchen … styling and decorating. There are many different themes for kitchens from modern, farmhouse and industrial, to retro and vintage. Once you have determined the style and colour scheme of your kitchen, you can choose the right accessories to go with it.
Lighting
The kitchen is such a hub of activity from preparing and eating meals, to reading books and enjoying your morning coffee. It’s important to have good functional lighting for cutting and cooking. Recessed downlights or pendant lights are ideal for kitchens. For a softer atmosphere over your dining table choose a lamp that provides a warm, yellowish light. Install a dimmer switch to dim the light over your table for cosy dinners.
Furniture
The seating area in the kitchen plays a central part in the home. That’s where family and friends get together over a nice home cooked meal. Depending on the size and shape of your kitchen, you can choose between a round or rectangular table. Ensure that you have comfortable chairs or seat cushions to sit on. Bar stools are great if you have a counter table in your kitchen. A very useful piece of furniture is the kitchen trolley, which offers additional counter space and storage for smaller kitchen spaces.
Large Appliances
I have already mentioned the fridge and freezer in my previous post. Besides the oven and stove, a dishwasher and microwave are important helpers and great time savers.
To clean your appliances use soapy water. Run a wash cycle with clear vinegar once a year for your dishwasher and washing machine to avoid the build up of limescale and other residues. For cleaning the oven door pour 3 tablespoons of baking soda into an empty spray bottle, then fill it with water and mix the solution until all of the baking soda has dissolved. Spray the solution onto the door and leave overnight.
Kitchen Accessories
Tea towels, plates and placemats are a great way of adding colour in your kitchen. For a bold statement hang a large colourful painting on the wall or paint the one wall in a different colour. Shelves are useful for displaying cooking books, plants and decorative ornaments.
Invest in a classic white dinner set and compliment it with beautiful napkins and placemats. Add unique, colourful plates and bowls to increase the joy factor. Your table should always be tidy and inviting to sit at. Create a beautiful table display with flowers and candles. Placing a few leaves in a large vase will create a wow factor and lasts for weeks. Big house plants are great for filling empty corners and create a fresh touch.
For a more playful and casual look place notes or photos on the side of your fridge with colourful magnets. Add a blackboard for writing daily notes or shopping lists.
” Kitchens were made to bring families and friends together .”
Follow my 52 Week Organise your Life Programme
organised-spaces.com 