Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, but that does not mean you have to compromise your aesthetic. It just means that is it so important to pick out the right kinds of decor items when designing one.
So, to ensure you make the most of your home’s square footage, we rounded up 10 different kitchen decor staples — and found the best one for every size of the kitchen. From wall-mounted pot racks to kitchen island carts, here are 30 decor items to help you maximize your kitchen space.
Lighting
Good lighting is crucial in any size of the kitchen, so you can properly cook and prepare food without sacrificing any ambiance.
For a small (50-100 square foot) kitchen: Employ a petite sconce or some other style of wall-mounted lighting to avoid further cramping up space.
For a medium-sized (up to 200 square foot) kitchen: Opt for a statement flush mount to draw your eye up to the ceiling and create the illusion of a larger room.
For a large (more than 200 square foot) kitchen: Install an eye-catching pendant light to create a focal piece for your substantial kitchen space.
Sink Organizer
An organized sink zone is essential to keeping countertops clean and clutter-free no matter what size the kitchen.
Small kitchen: We recommend using a stylish over-the-sink organizer to free up countertop space.
Medium-sized kitchen: Consider investing in some solid under-the-sink organizers to stow your kitchen sink-related necessities neatly away from plain sight.
Large kitchen: If the storage room is not a problem, try a clean-lined counter organizer to keep your sink area nice and tidy.
Pot Rack
No kitchen setup would be complete without a space-savvy pot rack to store your bulky cookware.
Small kitchen: Opt for a wall-mounted rail with hooks so you can hang up your pots, pans and skillets without taking up any cabinet or surface space.
Medium-sized kitchen: Consider a restaurant-style hanging pot rack to create overhead storage for hanging up heavy cookware.
Large kitchen: Since square footage is not an issue, we recommend investing in a sleek but slender cookware stand to score some vertical storage opportunity in your kitchen.
Fixtures
Installing new fixtures, particularly a sink faucet, is a goof-proof way to update your kitchen without a complete — and costly — redesign.
Small kitchen: Go for a slender style, such as this sleek single handle style by Kraus, to instantly upgrade your entire sink.
Medium-sized kitchen: Consider a compact faucet with a pullout spray head, like the Blanco Linus at Quality Bath, to streamline your sink area (and speed up dishwashing).
Large kitchen: We suggest splurging on a tall, articulating style, like the Artesso at Brizo, to better clean everything in your deep, oversized sink.
Wall Storage
Whether you are working with little or unlimited space, wall storage is a stylish way to create extra storage room in your kitchen.
Small kitchen: Employ a handful of wall hooks, like these removable ones from Command, to hang mugs, skillets and cooking utensils without taking up any valuable cabinet space.
Medium-sized kitchen: Mount a few floating picture ledges, like these clean-lined ones at IKEA, on a wall to securely store spices and other small cooking essentials in style.
Large kitchen: Invest in a sleek wall-mounted shelving system, like this 5-tier stunner at Crate & Barrel, to keep your cooking essentials within arm’s reach and out of plain sight.
Seating
Every well-designed eat-in kitchen offers some comfortable seating.
Small kitchen: If your countertop doubles as a breakfast bar, pull up a compact counter stool or two, like this dainty model at Blu Dot, to score a small space-friendly seating arrangement.
Medium-sized kitchen: Consider a cool dining bench to seat multiple people at once without taking up too much space.
Large kitchen: If it already boasts a proper breakfast nook, bring a sophisticated banquette, like this midcentury-style one at Crate & Barrel, to the table to create a welcoming — and comfortable — dining area.
Kitchen Carts
Never underestimate the power of an attractive storage cart in any size of the kitchen.
Small kitchen: If you have little to no cabinet space, a compact rolling cart, like the RASKOG Utility Cart at IKEA, is awesome for storing (and moving around) your go-to cooking utensils.
Medium-sized kitchen: We suggest an extendable kitchen cart with a cutting board, like this drop leaf style one at Wayfair, to score some extra cooking prep room.
Large kitchen: Opt for full-fledged mobile kitchen island cart with drawers, like this teal-colored beauty at Target, to create plenty of easy-to-move storage opportunity in your kitchen.
Backsplash
Not only does a quality backsplash make cleanup a breeze, but it also brings a pop of personality to your kitchen.
Small kitchen: Stick with a clean, unobtrusive backsplash, like matte white subway tile, to update without overpowering the rest of the space.
Medium-sized kitchen: Consider a backsplash with some colored tile to liven up your stovetop and sink area (since you are working with more space).
Large kitchen: We recommend installing a patterned mosaic tile backsplash, to create an artful display that will not compete with the surrounding decor in the lofty space.
Pantry
No proper pantry in your kitchen? No problem. No matter what size of the kitchen you are designing, there are still ways to score some pantry-inspired storage room.
Small kitchen: We suggest a slender rolling storage cart, like this three-tiered one at Urban Outfitters, which is slim enough to squeeze into just about any sliver of kitchen space but still offers up loads of storage opportunity.
Medium-sized kitchen: Opt for a tall freestanding shelving unit that will not cramp up the room, or a wall-mounted one to free up floor space.
Large kitchen: Consider installing this reach-in pantry from The Container Store complete with drawers, shelves and a butcher block, for a makeshift pantry that is every bit as sophisticated and functional as the real thing.
Trash Bin
For as much as we depend on our trash bins to hide unsightly waste, we usually do not spend enough time selecting the right-sized one for our kitchens.
Small kitchen: Consider a petite and slim trashcan, like this sleek model at Crate & Barrel, that you can squeeze under your sink or into a tight space.
Medium-sized kitchen: Opt for a stylish trash bin that is slender enough to fit anywhere, but attractive enough to keep in plain sight, as the Erpa Trash Can at MoMA Design Store.
Large kitchen: Consider a sophisticated — and state-of-the-art — trash receptacle, such as this voice-activated smart sensor can at SimpleHuman, to streamline the space (since you have plenty of room to show it off).
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