Many people struggle with styling their kitchen countertops. It’s almost as if in a space so functional, there’s little room for decoration. And while a kitchen should be first and foremost functional, there are so many ways you can warm up the room and make it a stylish part of your home.
The number one rule when it comes to kitchen countertop styling is that almost everything should be functional. There’s no problem leaving a vase of fresh flowers out to bring a little colour, but just remember that you’re going to be cleaning countertops regularly, so anything that doesn’t need to be there will just get moved when you start wiping down.
In this article, we’re going to give you our top tips to style your kitchen worktops to make them look good and be fully functional as part of the busiest room in the home.
10 Tips for Stylish Kitchen Countertops
#1. Do a Big Declutter
I don’t know about you, but kitchen countertops seem to be the place where clutter assembles. Whether that’s bits of the kids’ homework, keys or water bottles, they all end up flung around the kitchen. Before styling your countertops, get rid of all the clutter hanging around. It’s important to have a fresh space to work with so you can see which areas of the kitchen you use more and which can afford to be a little more decorative.
#2. Think About How You Use Your Kitchen
You know better than anyone how your kitchen works. Is there an area where you always do meal prep? Or where you gather around with friends for a coffee? Make sure these areas have what they need close by, such as chopping boards or the coffee machine. Avoid putting more decorative items there that will only end up being moved.
#3. Start with the Sink Area
Nothing kills kitchen decor quite like a sponge that should have been thrown out 2 weeks ago. Although one of the more functional areas of a kitchen, the sink can still be pretty. Think about using boxes, pedestals and trays to keep things looking neat. You can also buy refillable soap bottles that are more in line with the rest of your kitchen decor, rather than ones from the supermarket.
#4. Think About the Meal Prep Area
Most of us chop on the largest countertop space we have which is usually close to the knife drawer and rubbish bin. Large countertops are great for displaying useful kitchen utensils such as chopping boards. Try stacking different-sized, wooden chopping boards against the wall for a practical display. Wood often works really well in bringing a bit of warmth to a functional room and can contrast nicely with tiles and minimalist worktops.
#5. Consider How You Store Ingredients
The area around the hob can easily become cluttered with salt pots, odd cloves of garlic and jars of spices. If you don’t have the space to keep these all behind cabinet doors, think about ways you can store them neatly. Pretty spice racks and boxes help to keep them organised whilst also making them easily accessible.
#6. Use Trays!
Trays are one of the best things you can use in a kitchen to keep items organised and practical. They’re great for creating little gathered areas and vignettes. Use a tray near your coffee machine to put coffee, tea, sugar and other coffee accessories on. You can also think about decanting olive oil into a decorative bottle and placing this on a tray with other kitchen countertop essentials such as salt and pepper.
Trays come in all shapes and sizes. Some of our favourites to use in kitchen decor include wooden, acrylic and marble ones which are practical to clean but also add style.
#7. Display Food
We’re not talking about last night’s curry but some food items can really bring a bit of charm to a kitchen. Fruit bowls help to add colour and appeal to a kitchen and are great to leave out on islands and countertops. Display cakes and other sweet treats in transparent stands and classic cookie jars are always a hit with guests!
#8. Use Cookbooks
Maybe not all your cookbooks but ones you use often or with a particularly attractive cover. Books can be a great way to add elegance to a room while still being something you practically use to cook with. Try stacking them horizontally or vertically and using a kitchen-inspired bookend.
#9. Add Freshness
Even though kitchens are primarily functional rooms, they’re still a great spot for gathering with friends and family. Adding fresh flowers and plants can help to make them feel more homely and add colour and brightness. You can group smaller plants such as succulents, or make larger plants a focal point in a countertop corner. Trailing plants are great for styling shelves above countertops or as decorative pieces on top of storage boxes.
#10. Hide Small Appliances
A top tip for styling kitchen countertops with minimal clutter is to remove small appliances that you don’t use every day. It can be a slow cooker, blender, toaster or anything else that can add chaos to a countertop. The more things you can get behind cabinet doors, the cleaner and more organised your kitchen will look. You can then replace these items with specifically chosen objects that match your kitchen decor.
Styling Kitchen Countertops: Is It Really So Difficult?
Kitchen countertops can easily get very busy with cooking utensils and items from daily life. Following these 10 tips can help you style your kitchen so that it becomes a beautiful and functional space for you to enjoy. The key thing to remember is less is more and that the majority of things on your countertop need to be objects you use regularly.
Make sure you place them where they’re easily accessible, bearing in mind how you use the space around them. Pretty objects such as trays, boxes and stands can help to add charm to the space while ensuring it’s still a room for entertaining and cooking.