Use these kitchen decorating ideas to jumpstart your creativity

Create a kitchen you love by making small changes that deliver big benefits

The living room is the social center of the home, the bedroom is the soul, and the kitchen is known as the heart of the home.

The kitchen, as the heart and gathering place of the home, is also the most complicated. No two families use their kitchen in the same manner, whether it is the way they cook, entertain, or conduct myriad family activities.

Once again, as in every other room you plan on redecorating, a first step would be filling out a room analysis before you develop your kitchen decorating ideas.

A full assessment of your kitchen should be your first step

Some of the questions you should consider are listed below:

• 
  What type of cook are you? Professional, cook from scratch, short order, takeout?
• How many people cook or help out at one time? Is the room adequate for everyone to move around comfortably and out of each others way?
• Are other activities conducted here? Dining, homework, meal planning, entertaining?
• What type of special storage do you need? Professional cookware, wine collection, antique china, cookbook collection?

These are just a few of the questions you should be considering before you move on to kitchen decorating. For a more comprehensive list, click here for a printable form you will find useful as you analyze your kitchen. Fill this out at your leisure before you move on to consider further kitchen decorating ideas.

Whether you Prefer the Look of Today or Retro 40's
The Work Triangle is Always the Heart of the Kitchen

The standard kitchen design used in kitchen decorating today for both comfort and efficiency is the "work triangle". This is a system developed in the fifties to save steps and energy when moving between work areas.

The idea behind the triangle is to try to place the three primary work areas at equal points of a triangle. In order to work efficiently each leg should be between 4 and 7 feet long and the total of the three legs should be between 12 to 21 feet.

At each major work area storage areas should be located for items used in that area. There should also be counter space for working near each section.

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Deciding on the decor for your kitchen decorating project can be a heartstopping proposition.

Once you have an idea for your floor plan, it's decision making time for your cabinets. Even if you have a completed kitchen and are remodeling or only redecorating, you can still change the entire look of your kitchen by replacing only the doors on your cabinets.

In many cases the style and decor in the rest of the home will determine the decisions you make for kitchen decorating. Obviously, a totally high tech steel and glass kitchen would be jarring in a victorian home. However, if the kitchen is closed off away from the rest of the house and this is your dream, than why not do it that way? It's your house and your preferences that matter here.

One major point to consider in choosing your kitchen style is maintenance.

If you equate cleaning house to having your fingernails pulled out, think twice before setting up a victorian kitchen decorating scheme with all it's carvings and curlicues.

At the other extreme, if you have an active family with children and you dream of the pristine glass and stainless steel surfaces you see in advertisements, think of this: myriad sticky fingerprints on all of these gorgeous surfaces, books and papers scattered across every counter, and clothes thrown over a chair.

If however, you are one of those people who can't wait for Saturday to roll around so you can work off your stress by cleaning your cupboards, then by all means, go ahead, choose any kitchen decorating style you like and enjoy!

Let your personality serve as a clue for your kitchen decorating decor.

• If you love to cook and will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen, efficiency, storage and high tech will be what you are aiming for.
• If your kitchen is a primary hub for the gathering of family and friends, your kitchen decorating plan will be guided by seating and counter space for laying out buffets and perhaps a mini bar area.
• If you have special interests or collectibles, these can be just the inspiration you need for a jumping off point. A window garden or herbs, in interest in wine collecting, or a collection of fiesta ware dishes can all be the starting point of your decor.
  

Consider an island for storage and efficiency

Whether you have a vast amount of space in the center of your kitchen, or a small nook on the corner, an island can be one of the most used sections of your room. Here are some hints that may get your creativity moving for kitchen island ideas:

Choose an island that is in proportion to your room. Larger islands can hold a built in microwave, freeing up valuable counter space, or a bar sink for a second prep area when you are entertaining. It can be a place for guests to have coffee and chat while you work, or a desk for meal planning and bill paying.

If you don't have space for a permanent island, a small island on wheels that can be tucked into a corner when not in use is ideal. This can also be used as a convenient area when more space is needed, or wheeled out onto the patio loaded with ingredients or dishes for your next barbecue. It could even be used by the children for making puzzles or doing homework.

Lighting is a primary concern in the kitchen

Of all the rooms in your home, lighting is most important in the kitchen. Have you ever struggled to look into a dark oven, or squinted your eyes trying to read a recipe in a shaded corner of your kitchen? If so, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Here are some kitchen lighting ideas for you to consider:

• If there was ever a need for task lighting, this is the room that has top billing. Areas to consider for task lighting are the stove and sink areas. Don't forget to consider light over the island. Fluorescent lighting can be installed under the cabinets for lighting counter areas.
• When using fluorescent lighting, remember there are both cool and warm lights. Warm fluorescents cast a light that is softer and more flattering.
• General lighting can be used in overhead ceiling lights. A hanging lamp looks good over the dining area and a dimmer is great for creating ambience.
• If you like to cook with fresh herbs, a window greenhouse fitted with pink "Gro-Lghts" creats a wonderful focal point in the evening.

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There's Never Enough Storage

If your room is large enough, consider some free standing pieces of furniture for storage. A corner cupboard, hutch or armoire can store your china and glassware. They can also be a great focal point for displaying your collection of carnival glass or antique cooking tools.

Other kitchen storage ideas are:

• An iron rack for hanging cookware over the island
• A hanging rack for barware over your entertainment area
• A wire grid hung on the wall near the stove can hold cooking utensils on hooks
• A pegboard by the prep area can hold small kitchen items
• Magnetic knife strips can be mounted under the cabinets for holding knives and other small utensils.
• The inside of cupboard doors can be rigged with with bins to hold cleaning supplies and paper goods
• A small wall area can be hung with a cork board, blackboard or magnetic board for the family message center

Use these tips and tricks as a jumping off point

So there you have it. A collection of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Do some comparison shopping. Look through kitchen decorating magazines for ideas that inspire you. Review the floor planning and color pages in this site.

Create an environment that makes you feel happy and good about your life and your surroundings. Make your kitchen a room where people gather together to enjoy good food, good friends, and find joy in everyday living.