I'm all about embracing a trinket or gadget that will make your kitchen more intentional and considered, but when does decor cross the line into clutter?
Modern kitchen ideas come and go and — while that's not a problem — issues quickly arise when the things you buy for your kitchen also come more than they go. Before long, a build-up of belongings makes the space feel less cohesive and even outdated.
So, take a step back. Look at your space. Really look at it. Are there things that are broken, worn, or simply taking up space? Before we head into the season of spring cleaning, I asked interior designers and kitchen experts to weigh in on the things that are keeping our kitchens from feeling oh-so-stylish. Here's what they said to ditch (and what to replace them with).
1. Faux Greenery
DO INSTEAD: Scatter real plants around your kitchen to ground the space.
Filling our spaces with foliage is a tried-and-tested styling trick, no matter which room of the home. But for a space as fresh as the kitchen, it can be a game-changer. What doesn't quite hit the same? Faux plants.
Angie Kreller, an interior designer at Australian-based kitchen and bathroom brand, Yabby, says, "When you think of biophilic design, your mind goes to 'plants'. For some people, the line between real and fake plants is blurred, but if you fill your kitchen with fake plants, it can look super old and off-putting." (Not to mention these dust-traps aren't very hygienic for a cooking space.)
Instead, Angie recommends incorporating real potted herbs and plants into your kitchen. When it comes to what herbs grow best in the kitchen, basil, rosemary, or thyme in simple planters "add a natural touch, smell amazing, and you can actually use them while cooking," adds Angie.
Angie is the in-house interior designer at Yabby. With a BA in Interior Design from Design Centre Enmore, Angie has a strong passion for both commercial and residential projects with experience staging properties and creating exceptional spaces that are both functional and stylish for clients.
Price: £20
Price: £32
Price: £11.50
2. Countertop Knife Blocks
DO INSTEAD: Opt for a magnetic knife rack that lets your knives breath.
As much as kitchen countertop knife blocks may be helpful, they more often prove to be clunky rather than clever. "Pretty much any space will look better if it doesn't look too cluttered, which means you should try and get rid of things that take up too much counter space," says Angie. Unfortunately, this means knife blocks are on the kitchen decor chopping block.
However, if you lack ample drawer space in your kitchen, fear not. The change here is super simple and seriously stylish; just swap it out for a magnetic knife strip on the wall. These will "keep knives within easy reach, and give the kitchen a more modern, chef-inspired look," says Angie.
Price: £37.60, Was: £41.85
3. Plastic Soap Bottles
DO INSTEAD: Decant your dish soap into matching (preferably) amber glass bottles that will disguise the color of the liquid.
While we are on the topic of kitchen organizers, we need to address the eyesore that is plastic dish soap bottles, half-filled with fluorescent liquid. "Get rid of the non-matching, commercial dish and hand soap bottles, and put your soaps or lotions in matching glass bottles," says Jessica Holwick, founder and principal interior designer at Restart Renovation and Design.
These ugly bottles can end up becoming a focal point of your entire kitchen design, whether you like it or not. It pays to pay attention to the details, no matter how mundane.
"I would also replace the old utility dish scrubber with a stylish dish brush and keep it all neatly contained on a marble tray," adds Jessica. Shopping for stylish kitchen caddies will make the task of cleaning a touch more fun, too.
Jessica runs real estate company, Restart Homes, based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Restart Renovation and Design's goal is to "foster close relationships with homeowners and provide them with a full-service experience while creating interiors that exceed their expectations."
Price: £39.99
Includes: Set of 2 Amber Glass Bottles, Acacia Rectangle Tray & Dish Brush
Price: £8
Price: £14
4. Counter Drying Racks
DO INSTEAD: Choose a dishrack that can easily be folded away, to prevent it from being left 'on display' for too long.
Ditching the drying rack isn't easy, but alas, these clunky metal devices are keeping you from the kitchen of your dreams — I don't make the rules. "Say goodbye to the old on-the-counter drying rack, they are bulky, take up valuable counter space, and are an eyesore," says Jessica.
As I, regretfully, am the owner of a bulky, metal drying rack, I quickly began searching for clever alternatives, and there are a few ways to go here. Expandable, over-sink racks that can be easily folded and tucked away when dishes are done are a popular choice, or if you don't have storage space under the sink you can simply opt for an elevated version of outdated design.
Price: £18
Price: £18
Price: £60
5. Old Blinds
DO INSTEAD: The touch of red that this chic curtain brings instantly elevates the feel of the space.
Sunlight in the kitchen is a modern luxury, so you want to make sure your kitchen window treatments enhance the aesthetic instead of ruin it. Blinds may be fulfilling the function of providing shade and privacy, but they don't always optimize style. In fact, "Blinds lack character, look basic, and collect dust," says Jessica.
One alternative is to take down the old blinds and put up a cafe curtain instead. "They can provide privacy as well as character to your kitchen," says Jessica. Plus, there are so many different fabric options, making it an easy kitchen DIY that will refresh your look without starting a major undertaking.
Revamping your kitchen into a stylish cooking space starts with the details.
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