73 Kitchen Ideas Designers Say Can Make Your Space Feel New
Give your kitchen a fresh look with ideas for every budget.
The kitchen is one of the most functional rooms in the home, but it also offers plenty of opportunities to showcase your style. Experts shared kitchen decorating ideas that can help you make the most of your space. Whether you’re planning a full renovation or looking for budget-friendly DIY upgrades, there’s sure to be an idea here that inspires you.
Something as simple as a fresh coat of bright paint or a new backsplash can make your kitchen feel fresh. As you’re looking through these decorating ideas, it may be helpful to think about how you want your kitchen to feel. If you’re all about a cozy, cafe-inspired vibe, adding a breakfast nook and coffee bar can help you achieve the look you’re going for. If you want your kitchen to be your crew’s go-to hangout spot, investing in an oversized dining table or chic bar seating can keep the party going all night long. And if you’re at your happiest when you’re experimenting with a new recipe, consider a kitchen layout that puts your appliances and other essentials on display. That stand mixer deserves a spot of honor, after all.
Ahead, check out the kitchen decorating ideas pros recommend.
Incorporate Simple Stripes
Whether with wallpaper or wood paneling, classic stripe walls are a great way to make a room feel spacious. Here, Alison Giese Interiors and Unique Kitchens and Baths teamed up to craft a soothing, country kitchen.
Add a Built-in Ladder
Not only does this rustic ladder add style to a sunny kitchen, it mosts the most of the high ceilings. Now, homeowner Laura Skudder can reach her top shelves and access infrequently used kitchen appliances.
Go for Deep Blue Paint
Paint trim, walls and cabinetry a moody hue, like a rich blue. Interior designer Kelsey McGregor elevates the look with gold hardware and a boho runner rug.
Install Glass Cabinet Doors
To contrast the green lower cabinets, home builders Forge & Bow go for white upper cabinets. The glass doors act as extra storage while putting a gorgeous glassware collection on display.
Try Sea Green Cabinetry
Interior designer Emily Henderson is loving blue and green kitchens — especially when paired with natural woods and hardware.
Ditch Upper Cabinets
Make a small space feel larger by ditching the upper cabinets. Instead go for large windows, just as Ellen Hatton of BarnesVanze Architects does in this neutral kitchen.
Maximize a Galley Kitchen
Here, interior designer Julia Chasman packs a ton of style into a narrow space with green cabinetry, gold hardware, open shelving and a statement runner.
RELATED: Gorgeous Galley Kitchen Ideas to Maximize Small Layouts
Set Up Double Islands
One for food prep and one for dining, this double island setup maximizes on counter space. To keep it cohesive, interior designer Lindye Galloway adds two gold pendant above each island.
Create a Wine Nook
Elevate your design while making use of vertical space with a built-in wine rack or freestanding bar cabinet that shows off your collection.
Embrace a Vintage Feel
Infuse a modern kitchen with character and charm by using a vintage farm table as an island — as Amy Sklar of Sklar Design does here.
Designate a Bar Area
Reserve a space to craft a striking home bar, and ensure it stands out by going for a fresh cabinet color. Arterberry Cooke selects a moody green to contrast the bright white kitchen.
RELATED: Stunning Home Bar Ideas That Pack Style Into Small Space
Carve Out Window Sill Storage
In this bright blue kitchen by REFORM, two shelves are added below the window sill. The open shelves offer additional space to display trendy dishware and everyday kitchen essentials.
Aim for Balance and Flow
Following the rules of Feng Shui, designer Jennifer A. Emmer incorporates raw woods, embraces natural light and maintains the kitchen triangle rule (which states the sink, refrigerator and range should form a triangle).
Weave in Butcher-Block Islands
Bring in natural wood grains, even if you go for a bold hue for your main cabinets. Here, Arterberry Cooke pairs baby blue cabinets with a walnut butcher block island (which even has a mini fridge).
Show Off a Stone Slab
From the high-gloss green cabinets to the statement stone backsplash, this kitchen does not hide behind neutrals. Add a vibrant runner and you're set.
Create Contrast
This modern kitchen finds the perfect balance of light and dark, from the bright white cabinets to the deep gray island that's complete with storage. The black and white patterned backsplash pulls the whole space together.
Arrange a Gallery Wall
Fill a blank kitchen wall with your favorite artwork. From modern silver to antique gold finishes, mix and match frames to create visual appeal. A gallery wall is a great way to personalize a space, and you can admire it every time you do the dishes.
Buy a Brass Faucet
There's something about a brass kitchen faucet that elevates an interior. Pair it with complementary knobs and an aged brass pendant light to achieve a cohesive look.
Upgrade to a Blue Backsplash
Reinvent your kitchen just by swapping out the backsplash. This beautiful baby blue and white pattern pairs well with the crisp white cabinets and sleek open shelving.
Design a Country Kitchen
From the lantern-style pendant to the distressed wood kitchen island, this bright kitchen has country chic written all over it. Complete your decor with wood serving boards, glass jars and vintage buckets.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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