How to Style a Kitchen That Works for Real Life (and Still Looks Gorgeous)

Your kitchen Pinterest board is full of gorgeous, Instagram-worthy spaces, but your actual kitchen? It's where real life happens – spilled coffee, cluttered counters, and that mysterious pile of mail that somehow always ends up next to the toaster. The good news is you don't have to choose between a kitchen that works and one that wows.

One of the most important things in the kitchen is space. You need space to store your kitchen essentials, condiments, spices, and more. I learned this the hard way in my tiny apartment kitchen – that bulky dining table was eating up half my space until I discovered expandable options that could shrink down when it was just me eating cereal for dinner.

Kitchen styling can include adding more storage space, like installing cupboards or floating shelves. Instead of ordinary storage spaces in the kitchen, you can invest in stylish options like cupboards finished in specialist veneers. You can also explore options like streamlined handle-free units.

Closed cupboards are a great kitchen styling option because they are more attractive to the eyes and help you keep the contents and overall kitchen tidier. They are also more hygienic because their contents do not collect dust. However, if you have a small kitchen, you can explore open storage, such as floating shelves. They give the illusion of more space, making the room feel more spacious. Open kitchen storage solutions are also great if you have a collection of utensils and crockery that you would like to display.

You can never go wrong with multifunctional kitchen design and furniture. These are pieces of furniture with dual purposes. They help save space in your kitchen while adding versatility. For example, you can install pull-out countertops, expandable/foldable dining tables, and even wall-mounted racks. The point of these is to offer practicality while improving the visual appeal of your space.

Ever tried to chop vegetables in a dimly lit kitchen? It's not just frustrating – it's dangerous. A space that is properly lit enhances visibility and creates a welcoming vibe. Lighting also sets the tone and mood for any space. While overhead lights installed on the ceiling are always great, more creative ways exist to explore kitchen lighting as a style element. For instance, you can install task lighting such as under-cabinet lights. These are attractive lighting features yet very practical, especially during food preparation. Pendant lights can also add some flair and decorative appeal to your kitchen.

In addition to the above options, natural light is important. To flood the space with sunlight, you should get large windows or install skylights. This will minimize your reliance on bulbs and will improve your mood as you make your meals.

An appliance garage is a compartment that stores everyday appliances like toasters, microwaves, electric kettles, food processors, or coffee makers. They are designed to help declutter countertops while providing easy and quick access to the appliances. Appliance garages are, therefore, a great addition to any kitchen, especially if you are going for a visually minimalistic kitchen. There are many ways to go about adding appliance garages to your kitchen.

For instance, you can have open garages that use the spaces between your kitchen countertops and upper cabinets or cupboards. Alternatively, you can create space for the appliance garage behind a cabinet or pantry door, with roll-up or sliding doors. There are many ways to arrange the appliance garage, allowing you the freedom to make sure it fits the vibe of your kitchen and your vision. Nothing kills the zen of a clean kitchen like a toaster, coffee maker, and blender staging a countertop takeover.

No kitchen is complete without space for food preparation. This space is the countertop. It determines the efficiency of a kitchen, just like the storage spaces and appliances. It is the central area where function and everyday kitchen activity come together. For modern kitchen styling, you should always think of ways to create a functional countertop. Installing a large, continuous surface makes it easy to move from one task to another when preparing meals. From butcher block that gets better with age to quartz that laughs at red wine spills, your countertop choice sets the tone for everything else.

A good example is the kitchen island countertops. These multifunctional centers can serve as work tables, dining areas, cabinet spaces, and even centers for built-in appliances. When choosing a countertop for your kitchen, one key factor you should consider is the type of material. It should be durable, appealing, and suitable for the work you plan on doing on the countertop.

Other things you can explore when styling your kitchen are:

Colours - You can think of colors that are easy to clean and aesthetically pleasing. That said, the color you pick largely depends on your preference.

Flooring - Pick attractive and stylish floors that can withstand the high traffic in the kitchen. Wooden floors would be perfect.

Materials - From the countertop to the cabinet and even the floor, go with materials that are durable, and that give your kitchen some character

Decorations - You can use functional decorative items in your kitchen. Here, you can allow your creativity to run wild. For instance, you can hang chopping boards on the kitchen walls as decorations. Other decorative items can also add warmth and character to your kitchen.

Ventilation - You can incorporate a range hood that blends well with your style. Windows and fans are also great for adding ventilation to your kitchen while improving the look of your home.

The bottom line? Your kitchen should make your life easier, not harder. Start with one area – maybe that chaotic corner where everything gets dumped – and apply these principles. You'll be surprised how quickly function and beauty start working together instead of against each other.