3 quick tips for customizing your kitchen
How many times have you hosted a gathering and noticed that everyone was gathered in the kitchen??? I have only been a home-owner for a short while but this has already happened to me multiple times. It is just natural for people to gather around the source of food and drinks. Even more reason to make it beautiful and reflect your family’s personality.
1. add pendant lights
2. switch your hardware
3. bring in plants and pictures
1. Add pendant lights
Anyone who has ever prepared food knows how important proper lighting is. Thankfully, most home builders in the modern era understand this importance and place the appropriate amount of lighting in the kitchen. BUT, just because they place lights in the kitchen, does not mean you have to keep them. More often than not home builders use the brushed nickel pendant with the frosted flower-shaped globe. Honestly, you can select any pendant light you find online (I suggest Rejuvenation or build.com) and you will INSTANTLY see results in your kitchen.
Sometimes builders just place recessed lights over the island (the situation in my home). These are totally fine when it comes to the functionality of lighting but, when there are no pendant lights, the kitchen begins to fall flat. Something needs to draw your eye up, and recessed lights are not going to do the trick.
2. switch your hardware
I have already blogged about mixing metals and their impact on a kitchen (read that here), but today I am only going to talk about the importance of showing your style and personality through your hardware. You do not have to go all out and mix your metals, but please spice up your kitchen by investing in some new hardware (amazon has 10 packs of hardware for $26 - one of the most affordable home renovation investments you can make). I know the brushed nickel pulls and knobs are affordable and readily available, but I also know that the people of the world are not as boring as their brushed nickel kitchen hardware suggests. Think for a second about what you want your home’s personality to be: is the answer farmhouse? Go for some square matte black hardware. Is the answer mid-century modern? Go for a tapered gold hardware. Is the answer modern-glam? Go for the ornate brass hardware.
You do not have to make any changes to the cabinetry itself. Hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen. How much nicer does an outfit look after you add the statement earrings and layered necklace?? Channel that into your cabinet hardware upgrade.
3. bring in plants and pictures
If you look around your kitchen and the only items on the counter are kitchen appliances - this one is for you. I know, I know… kitchens need toasters and water kettles and air fryers and all of the other 1000 small kitchen appliances that are available today. I myself own way too many small kitchen appliances (although I would own 500 air fryers if I could because those things are kitchen miracles). BUT! You can store those somewhere else and put decor on the counter!
Using artwork and plants around your kitchen brings in colors and textures that elevate your kitchen immediately. You can even use real plants that serve a purpose in the kitchen such as mint, or basil.
Have fun in your kitchen! People will notice these small changes. No one likes boring people and no one likes boring kitchens - remember that :)
