STYLE SMARTS
10 Tips for Good Looking Kitchens
Time to define your personal style. Will it be slick and modern or warm and rustic? The sky's the limit when it comes to choosing your new style, but keep these tips in mind, whatever you choose.
- CABINETS FIRST
Start with the cabinets. It's often the main source of color in kitchens, and you can use this to your advantage. The shade you pick can centralize your palette, dial up the intensity of the room or play neutral backdrop to bright accessories.
2. GET NATURAL
Bring a touch of warmth and character to your kitchen with hardwood floors. To add a splash of color and style, throw a bright rug into the mix.
3. HIDE AND SEEK
Integrated appliances are all the rage, and for good reason. They lend a cohesive, built-in look to kitchens with hidden controls, one-piece doors, and customized hardware and trim options.
4. GET FRESH
A good kitchen is a source of vitality for the home. Keep your kitchen vibrant and full of life with fresh flowers, seasonal fruits, veggies or herbs.
5. MIX IT UP
Eclectic and unexpected details add character -- drop a couple of bright daisies into an antique milk bottle, or mix and match colored tableware for a fresh, fun look.
6. GO RETRO
When in doubt, turn back the clock. Find inspiration from a different era -- sixties era curtains or an art deco vase adds a splash of whimsy. Pepper in accent pieces throughout your kitchen for a retro motif.
7. SPACE OUT
When it comes to kitchen space, bigger is better. Create more space by eliminating extra cabinets. Consider a built-in pantry or open shelves instead.
8. POP YOUR TOPS
Countertops are functional, but they should also be fun. Mix up your surface space with a decorative wood butcher block or a colorful spice rack.
9. MAKE A SPLASH
One of the best ways to accent with color is a backsplash. Check out painted tiles, stainless steel, or glass mosaics to add a blast of personality to a wall.
10. LIGHTEN UP
The best accessory to any kitchen is light. Make the most of natural light by installing sheer window treatments and don't skimp on over-head lighting. Dark corners get warmth and functionality with task lights.
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