Kitchen Decor Ideas To Inspire an Enviable Remodel (2023)

Kitchen decor has so many components that there’s no shortage of ideas for the heart of your home. There are many things to plan and consider before being happy with the way a kitchen looks.

It’s often hard to make decisions. Do you want a marble countertop or one made of wood? Or something else? Everything has to be in sync even if you’re choosing to mix and match different styles, materials, finishes, or colors.

Inspiration can come from anywhere so don’t rule out any kitchen decorating ideas.

In a rush? Jump to the most important kitchen decor headlines:

• Wood Materials
• Countertop Types
• Decor Ideas for Your Counters
• How To Accessorize Your Counter
• Decor Accents
• Must-Have Decor Items
• Inspirational Ideas

Wood Materials for Kitchen Decor Ideas

When it comes to decorating your kitchen, the types of materials you use go a long way toward defining the aesthetic and the general vibe.

Many different kinds of wood are used in cabinetry:

• Red oak: Red oak is heavy and dense with an open wood grain. It’s often paired with light-colored granite countertops for a traditional look.
• White oak: White oak originates in the eastern United States and southern Canada. This heavy wood has a pale ashen color.
• Hard maple: Hard maple cabinets are more expensive than soft maple cabinets, but have much better durability. It’s a smart choice for the kitchen.
• Hickory: The hardness of hickory can be difficult for woodworkers to manipulate, but it’s a popular choice for kitchen cabinets anyway. It has a warm, rustic appearance.
• Cherry: Cherry wood has a naturally deep, reddish hue that pairs well with modern kitchen designs. Cherry is one of the more expensive luxury hardwoods, but still cheaper than exotic options like teak or mahogany.
• Birch: Even though birch is a medium-density hardwood, it is still a good option for kitchen cabinets since it is scratch-resistant.
• Ash: The surface of Ash is very smooth compared to other wood grains. It’s easy to clean, which makes it popular. Ash is light in coloring so paired it with modern fixtures to keep it from looking dated.
• Pine: Pine is a softwood that is moisture-resistant, making it a smart choice for kitchens in humid environments. It’s also good for custom carpentry and millwork in cabinets.

Kitchen Countertop Types

There are several kinds of kitchen countertops you can use as a foundation for your kitchen. Each one has advantages and disadvantages.

Some are more durable but expensive, while others are cheaper and easier to source, but may not last as long.

Here are some of the types of countertops you’ll encounter:

• Laminate: Laminate is one of the cheapest types of countertop, but it also comes in a wide range of different color and pattern options to fit many different residential styles. While affordable, laminate scratches easily and doesn’t hold up to wear and tear well compared to other materials.
• Marble: Marble is one of the most expensive countertop materials, and is often found in luxury kitchens. It offers unique beauty since all marble countertops are natural and look one-of-a-kind.
• Stone: Countertops come in several types of stone, including quartz and granite. These offer some of the aesthetic benefits of marble at a fraction of the cost. Some stone countertops may be susceptible to scratches, however.

Decor Ideas for Counters

Your kitchen counters are one of the first things your houseguests will see, so make sure that they dazzle onlookers.

Decorating kitchen counters is about using open spaces and curating accent pieces to make your counters look decorated and not cluttered.

Follow these tips for a dazzling result:

• Make decorations functional. Decorating with containers such as flour canisters and fruit bowls adds a personal element while adding storage.
• Keep clutter at bay: Keep small appliances and accessories off the countertops as much as possible. Use organizing tools to keep your countertops clear of miscellaneous items.
• Organize counters into stations: Place decorative cleaning items around your kitchen sink for dish time. Keep spices organized in one spot on your countertops.
• Go with quality over quantity. It’s better to decorate with a few well-chosen items than to overload your countertops with cheap knick-knacks.

Decor Ideas to Accessorize Your Counter

When it comes to adding a personal touch to your kitchen counters, it comes down to the accessories you’re choosing.

Here are a few ways you can add unique accents to accessorize your kitchen counters:

• Add some greenery. Cut flowers or a few pots of fresh herbs can freshen up any kitchen. Remember that greenery counts as a neutral in a color palette.
• Use trays and butcher blocks to group items. Grouping purely decorative items on a serving tray or butcher block can help keep decorative items from cluttering the countertop.
• Keep it personal. Include your favorite cookbook or some family photos.

Kitchen Decor Accents

As the heart of your home, you’ll want to make your kitchen a welcoming space. Adding the right decor can make your kitchen design look refined.

Here are some tips for decorating your home kitchen once the basic elements are in place:

• Consider setting up a coffee or tea station. A coffee station for morning beverages is ideal for bringing people together. Gather supplies such as tea bags or coffee tins together in a basket to display them in an organized way.
• Don’t forget the artwork. Artwork gives your kitchen a personal feel. It can also reinforce existing aesthetics.
• Try a statement object as a focal point. It’s better to reduce the number of decorations on your kitchen countertops. Choose a single unusual statement piece to contrast the spartan surfaces in the rest of the room.
• Use accent colors. Light-colored neutrals make a kitchen look spacious and clean, but can tren toward boring. Spice things up with an accent color or two or a bright rug.

Must-Have Items for Kitchen Decor Ideas

Home decor will vary depending on your personality, but there are a few general items that just about everyone can use.

Here are some of the must-have kitchen items you should consider including:

• Cut flowers: A bouquet of cut flowers can elevate any interior, and the kitchen is no exception. Rotate in new cut flowers regularly to keep the kitchen looking bright.
• Lighting: Every kitchen needs good lighting. Be sure you have ambient light sources as well as task lights.
• Cutting boards: Cutting boards come in a wide range of styles and materials. Since they lie flat on the countertop, they can also help section off a space.

40 Kitchen Decor Ideas

1. Espresso and White

Espresso and white is a classic combination of colors that looks equally good in rustic designs and modern kitchen setups. Contemporary touches like open storage, a mirror, and industrial pendant lights add a glamorous vibe. The marble counter incorporates both colors and pulls the room together.

2. Glass Front Cabinets

The Motra collection by Christopher Peacock is for traditional homes that want to look clean and a bit modern. It has iconic features such as glass-front cabinets, marble counters, and solid wood surfaces. Marble on the backsplash and countertops showcases its unique pattern and is ideal for cooking.

3. Ceiling-Mounted Shelves

Ceiling-mounted shelves allow you to store more pots and pans while also giving you a place to hold nice glassware. Choose hardware for your ceiling-mounted shelves that match the hardware in the rest of the kitchen for a unified look.

4. Above Island Storage

The best place for ceiling-mounted shelves in the kitchen is above the kitchen island. This location also helps the shelves further divide the kitchen’s functional sections, like the cooking space. Bar chairs along the island add seating and a place for people to eat.

5. Glass or Bottle Rack

A glass or bottle rack is another common use for ceiling-mounted shelving. Placing your wine collection on the kitchen bottle rack is a fun way to show off the label art on your favorite brands.

6. Marble Countertops

Marble countertops are an expensive upgrade, but they can be well worth the investment. These bring tons of equity to your kitchen’s value and can increase overall property value.

7. Golden Accents

While too much gold can look garish, a touch of here and there can be the perfect accent for a refined aesthetic in your kitchen. Gold looks good with other decorating neutrals such as white marble and warm toned wood.

8. Industrial Features

Industrial features are a common motif in modern kitchens. They’re a good match for contemporary architectural features like loft layouts and vaulted ceilings. Adding a fresh organic touch like a bouquet of flowers can keep things from looking too harsh.

9. Raw Concrete and Smooth Finishes

Another thing you’ll see in contemporary kitchens is a contrast in textures. Raw unfinished concrete can look foreboding alongside the smooth finishes of hardwood and stainless steel. However, some good lighting and a graceful touch like this sprawling floral centerpiece, help textures accentuate each other.

10. Wooden Countertops

Multicolored tones in the wood bring in pattern and texture, but the smooth finish mirrors the smooth textures elsewhere. Edison bulbs and a metallic backsplash add even more industrial appeal. The grayish blue cabinets add some spice.

11. Fitted Bar Stools

It’s important to make sure your bar stools are fitted to the height of your countertops so that guests are comfortable when they sit to eat or drink.

Most countertops are built to a standard height, but the height of your stools will also depend on the thickness of your countertop and how far it sticks out from the bar.

12. Contrasting Contemporary Design

Contemporary design in kitchens doesn’t mean you have to decorate in stainless steel. This modern kitchen uses dark wood cabinets to help soften the look of the metallic backsplash. A handful of candleholders provide soft accent lighting, even while you’re cooking.

13. Natural Wood Finish

Most wood finishes used in the kitchen have a glossy finish, but this design leaves the wood of the lower cabinetry raw to show off the wood grain.

Keeping the other cabinet fronts plain helps draw the eye back to the natural wood finish and the metallic backsplash.

14. Beautiful Black Marble Countertops

While white marble is one of the most popular choices for kitchen countertops, black marble can also be a dramatic choice. Paired with stainless steel and a natural wood finish, it’s very dramatic.

15. Rustic Wood Bar

For a rustic kitchen vibe, a thick butcher block-style wooden countertop makes a great focal point. While a big unfinished wood slab looks sharp, these types of countertops have to be oiled and well maintained.

16. Combine Different Materials

Combining different materials in your kitchen is a smart way to interject style into without adding a bunch of knick-knacks to your countertops. Clear surfaces with high-quality materials create a much better impression with houseguests.

17. L-Shaped Bar

A marble backsplash can look elegant and you can match it with the counter or complement it with a wood countertop bar.

18. Compact Open Kitchen

Compact kitchens can be a challenge to design since they require a lot of functionality in a small space. You can make the most of a small kitchen by using open storage for tableware and keeping the floor plan as open as possible. Clearing out clutter also plays a big part in keeping the space tidy and useful.

19. Open Kitchen Shelves

Open shelves look best in a contemporary kitchen where the items stored in plain sight are well-organized and minimal. Too many items on open shelves can make your kitchen look like a grocery store display.

20. Built-in Appliances

It takes a lot of planning to come up with the perfect storage configuration for your particular needs. You must also figure out how to integrate other smaller details that aren’t necessarily storage-related.

For instance, maybe you could opt for kitchen pocket doors. They’re very practical and sleek and they’re great for small spaces.

21. Marble Accent Decor Ideas

Marble makes your kitchen look upscale, but using too much can come off as gaudy. Instead, try to use marble in just a few places rather than as an entire countertop to bring a touch of class without breaking the bank.

22. Kitchen Dining Table

Kitchen dining tables are an eye-catching centerpiece if you don’t have an island. The color and finish of the table make a huge impact on the overall look of the room. Choosing a wood grain or shade that complements the cabinetry is best.

23. Task Lighting

In kitchen remodels, it’s important to make sure you have appropriate linds of lights so that people can perform tasks in the kitchen as well as see the decor. Task lighting is underneath the upper cabinets and helps illuminate the countertop space where you’re prepping and cooking.

24. Drawer Dividers

Be sure to include design features that make the kitchen more functional and organized. Black wooden drawer dividers provide a pop of contrast against the white cabinets and help keep your flatware looking neat.

25. Dark Walls

Dark walls aren’t for every kitchen since they can make the space feel smaller than it actually is. In fact, in larger kitchens, dark wall colors can make it feel cozier and can add a dramatic pop of color to neutral kitchen fixtures.

26. Jewel Tone Floors

This design choice might not be for everyone since it’s very bold. However, this striking mauve tile floor really pops with the variety of other neutral materials in the room such as beige crockery and dark wooden cabinets. Of course, you could always try a bright rug.

27. Metallic Countertops

If you’re decorating the kitchen with jewel tones, metallic fixtures such as this patina coppertop counter complement more showy shades. At first glance, it looks like these two shades don’t match, but violet is actually the opposite of yellow (gold) on the color wheel.

28. Black Cabinets

Black cabinets are an unconventional choice, but black and metallic accents are a natural pair. This kitchen has random pops of jewel tones that contrast with natural elements such as the bamboo steaming tray and light-colored walls.

29. Unique Color Combinations

This eclectic mix of colors, materials, and finishes in this kitchen design gives it a bohemian feel. When mixing multiple design elements together, keep to a theme so they don’t look too hodgepodge. Here, bright accent colors are toned down with metallics and dark neutrals to pull things together.

30. Wine Cooler

Wine lovers will want an open-faced wine cooler like this that allows you to easily organize and see what wines you have. This is better than keeping your collection in a wine rack because it’s a temperature-controlled space. It also keeps them close to where you are cooking.

31. Neutral Modern Design

Neutrals go well with a wide variety of kitchen styles, but they play especially well with industrial appliances, metallic fixtures, and other design elements in a modern kitchen. Try adding some greenery such as a few potted herbs to help break up all the beige and stainless steel.

32. Bar Extension

If you have a larger kitchen, a bar extension adds seating to the island. Adding a foldable bar extension allows you to put the bar away to make extra space for daily kitchen use. However, it still gives you the option to have chairs for extra guests when you need to.

33. Cool Gray Color Palette

For a contemporary style, try pairing dark woods with stark cool whites and medium to dark grays. This ashen palette makes the kitchen look sleek and modern, especially when paired with stainless steel fixtures. (via Sunny Side Up)

34. Exposed Beams

If you want a traditional farmhouse-style kitchen, pair exposed wooden beams in the ceiling with copper pots and pans for charm. Wooden accent pieces like the bar chairs and the cutting board soften the luxurious feel of marble countertops. (via One Kind Design)

35. White and Metallic Accents

All-white kitchens are common and stainless steel fixtures usually accompany all-white designs. Copper or gold fixtures are unexpected choices and repeating the material around the room helps emphasize the theme. (via Jennifer Maune)

36. Geometric Shapes

For a modern feel in your kitchen, include accents that have a geometric pattern. These can be contemporary pendant lights or glass panes in the upper cabinets. Emphasize these geometric patterns by choosing accent pieces and furniture with hard, inorganic lines. (via Decor Aid)

37. Unexpected Pop of Red

Neutral color palettes are always a good for a contemporary kitchen, but run the risk of having a bland feel. A dramatic accent, such as the red fridge in this kitchen, is a statement piece and a focal point that pops. (via Best Online Cabinets)

38. Floating Shelves

In a small kitchen, floating shelves are a useful way to make the most of the space you have by allowing for extra storage, framed by the cabinets. This type of shelving is not suited for heavier objects, but are a good option for artwork, knick-knacks, or photo frames. (via Decor Insider)

39. Balanced Island

The island is a primary design element in your decor because it accounts for much of the flat surfaces. Place decor at each end of your island and avoid piling decorations at one end, or it will look haphazard or cluttered. (via My 100 Year Old Home)

40. Pot Rack

Ceiling-mounted pot racks are another way to add storage to a compact kitchen. It’s also a way to show off your best kitchenware.

If you have a collection of heirloom cast iron or copper pans, this is a fantastic way to display them while also keeping them within easy reach. (via Architectural Digest)

Kitchen Decor: Conclusion

Many elements go into decorating a home kitchen, from major design features like backsplashes to more subtle details like accent pieces. Figuring out which materials and fixtures appeal to you is the most of the fun of coming up with a design.

Think ahead about your needs and preferences when planning your kitchen so that in time you will end up with one that you’ll love.