In Paid Partnership with The Home Depot
If there is one area of the home that should feel inviting and welcoming, it’s the kitchen. The kitchen is often a buzz of activity. It’s the place for kids to pull up a stool and complete homework, chatting about their day to the parent prepping dinner, or the place to gather for a late night snack, sharing intimate parts of the day in hushed tones. It’s the source of nourishment for the family and a place to host friends and neighbors. This is why I feel it is so important to take special care when designing a kitchen. My goal when designing a kitchen is always to create a homey and relaxed feel, with design that inspires and draws you into the space.
A friend recently asked for help in giving their kitchen a makeover and I happily took on the challenge. The kitchen itself was already beautiful and didn’t need much to make it shine except for updating a few small pieces which felt dated, and filling it with decor that helped the room feel lived in and welcoming.
I sourced everything I needed for this kitchen refresh at The Home Depot.
The Home Depot has quickly become my go to spot when sourcing lighting, furniture, kitchenware, and even decor. I was able to find everything I needed online with their one- stop shopping experience, and the items were shipped to my door at lighting speed. This is a welcome relief instead of ordering from multiple stores with multiple shipping solutions and dates.
My main focus was to fill the open shelving with useful kitchen items and add a few decorative pieces to make the area shine. I also wanted to update the kitchen island in order to bring some style into the space.
There is not a lot of cabinet storage in the kitchen, so I knew whichever pieces I chose to fill the shelves needed to be practical yet aesthetically pleasing as they would be on display.
I choose a selection of tableware from Stylewell and Home Decorators Collection, two of The Home Depot’s exclusive brands which offer incredible quality at an affordable price point.
I selected dinnerware in a warm taupe and metallic edging, giving it a sophisticated look while also being practical as it is completely dishwasher and microwave safe
I choose bowls with etched details, and a selection earth toned mugs that give the design of the shelves a warm feel.
Filling a large area of open shelving can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Here are a few tips; Display items of the same look or category in groups of three, then stagger these groups across your design. This will give visual balance to your design. It’s also always a good idea to incorporate living plants or fresh flowers to liven up the space. In this case, the terracotta planters also serve as part of the design element, bringing even more texture and style to the space. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun and remember that design is always a process. If you style in one way but then decide the next day that you’d rather see it a different way, no big deal. It’s ok to switch things up over time.
For the bar area, I replaced the dated pendant lights with two oversized vintage inspired globe pendants, then replaced the current barstools with elevated plush velvet stools in a rich rust tone, offset by brushed bronze legs. These simple changes immediately updated the room and took it from feeling a little drab to exuding a time tested elegance full of character and warmth.
Lastly, I added some useful small appliances to help make this family of five’s day to day life a little easier. It was important for me that these elements fit the style aesthetic of the kitchen as well, so I kept design in mind when selecting each item.
I added a white KitchenAide mixer which blends effortlessly in the kitchen when on display and not in use.
For cookware, I went with Caraway Home’s non-stick pots and pans. I love this line for its quality and thoughtful design and also its range of colors. I ordered a set in Navy to match the kitchen cabinets.
Of course I had to bring in an AirFryer as well because AirFryer’s are making all of our lives easier right now. I chose one that was large enough to cook an entire chicken in if desired, but also the right size to slip under the kitchen cabinets discreetly when not in use.
I had so much fun giving this kitchen a facelift. The updates weren’t enormous, yet the impact feels massive. The room was pretty already, but just by switching out a few key items it really all came to life.
Items I used in this makeover