Kitchens nowadays show more personality. Because they have become a hub, they are not just for cooking and eating. We want our kitchens to reveal our interests and tastes, yet blend in with the rest of our home. Here are four ways – small and large – to do that by designing a creative kitchen.
#1 Love for a creative kitchen
You like to look at posts on Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration and save them for mood boards or targeted aesthetics. But because of your drive for individuality, you want to integrate choices in a way that no one else does. As long as you don’t make drastic changes that would cost a lot of money if you were to sell it in the next few years, you can get creative. Feel free to decorate your kitchen the way you want.
“Do what feels right for you and no one else,” urges designer Sharon McCormick of Sharon McCormick Design in Hartford, Connecticut. This can mean a quick, affordable solution. So you can move a rug from another room to add a pop of color or pattern. Or hang your favorite works of art or display collectibles on floating shelves or in glass-fronted cabinets.
If you need to focus on investment-grade moves with lasting value, you still have options. Think hand-scraped floors, wire-brushed and high-gloss lacquered cabinets, or hardware in new elegant shapes and finishes, says Chicago kitchen expert Mick de Giulio of Giulio Kitchen Design.
#2 Express yourself with kitchen color
Kitchen color is the big game changer for a creative kitchen. It’s a quick and easy way to update the look and feel of your kitchen. White, gray and beige are still popular palettes for kitchens, but brighter shades are also appearing, according to a 2021 Houzz survey. If you’re shy about the new shades—lots of blues and greens—consider small amounts in a few cabinets near the edge. Or for an island, you can add some backsplash tiles to one wall; device in one color, such as a turquoise range (yes, it is available!); or a smaller standing mixer or countertop oven. They are now available in almost every color of the rainbow.
People want to bring the feeling of plants and trees indoors, whether in dark jewel tones or more muted, soothing tones. Green also pairs well with wood in floors, furniture or butcher block countertops.
If you’re not ready for color yet, consider sophisticated black accents. They have become popular for architectural features such as window frames, doors, cabinets, faucets and appliance fronts. “Black is the Sharpie that defines the kitchen,” says JT Norman, design specialist at Kitchen Magic in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
#3 Mix your spaces for seamlessness
The kitchen has become more of a living space. Even if you already have an open floor plan with adjoining spaces, you may want your furniture, color palette and accessories to fit together seamlessly. That way there is no jarring change from one room to another. McCormick says this is a shift from years past, when each room was a different color and sometimes a slightly different style. “With this new way you can move chairs from one room to another when you need more seating,” she says. “They look good and are also easier on the eye.”
If your kitchen has separate dining and comfortable hanging areas, you can still achieve a cohesive look by coordinating colors and styles. One way to make spaces flow together is to use the same cabinetry style. Simple shaker cabinets are still a classic choice. Some homeowners also want panel fronts that resemble their cabinets to camouflage kitchen appliances. And even if the color scheme isn’t exactly the same everywhere, you can introduce a common denominator of a few accessories of the same color into every room.
#4 Go for convenience with smart devices
Your tech-savvy side wants to find ways to use the latest advances in kitchen appliances to save time and effort. Why not start by preheating the oven for the chicken you want to roast after a hard day’s work – or reheating the chicken you bought at the supermarket? Most major manufacturers offer models with Wi-Fi capabilities. You download an app on your phone or tablet and program the device. Please! The stove is warm when you get home, so you can get started sooner.
Faucets like Delta’s Touch2O technology allow you to touch the spout or faucet handle with your wrist or forearm to activate water flow when your hands are covered. So don’t worry if you’re kneading pizzas for your gang.
You may or may not be ready for a refrigerator that knows when you’re running low on butter or eggs and need to order them. “Some buy this technology if they can afford it, even though they may not use it often,” says Chicago designer Susan Brunstrum of Studio Brunstrum.
But here’s something you can easily add and that you might want: more electrical outlets and USB ports. You’re ready to charge everyone’s phone and other tech devices from one convenient charging station.
A creative kitchen can be a more livable space that showcases your family’s interests and fits well with your other rooms. And best of all, changes don’t have to be big, expensive or time-consuming. They can still make a big difference in increasing your happiness quotient.