Bake Off’ is back hooray! And we need it more than ever. There’s nothing like watching a group of strangers struggle under extreme pressure to give you that warm glow.
Did you see it? **spoiler alert** I was gutted when Loriea left. I loved her. Her energy, her laugh, her hair and clothes. She could definitely pass for an interior designer in those earrings and puff sleeves. I was really looking forward to seeing her outfit next week, shame her baking was a bit shit.
Normally there is someone I instantly love to hate. Either a pouty girl who knows she’s amazing but pretends it’s all going wrong. Or some yoghurt-weaving guy who insists on creating flavours purely from what he’s foraged in his garden (massive eye roll). But this year I loved them all. Even the guy who plays the flute in his garden was charming.
WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT BAKE OFF?
Anyway. The reason I am talking about ‘Bake Off’ is the interior design of course. I love the set styling in the tent. It’s not my own taste but I really appreciate how well put together it is. All those pastels, pine dressers and organic textures are one of the reasons the show is so feel-good. The set is there to manipulate us into feeling warm and fuzzy. It’s nostalgic. Very 1950s, subconsciously reminding us of times when life was good and simple. It’s very different from the set of Master Chef which is all stainless steel, hard edges and generally terrifying. And that’s the trouble with kitchens! Because we design them to be functional and practical we often forget about comfort and the feel of the room.
So if you have a brand new kitchen and it’s left you feeling a bit cold. Don’t worry. You are not alone. It’s a really common problem I come across. The good news is it’s easy to fix. You just need some styling. A kitchen isn’t ‘finished’ until it’s dressed and styled like any other room in your home.
So follow these simple steps…
HOW TO STYLE UP YOUR NEW KITCHEN
Image via our white house on the hill
1. PLANTS
Get some greenery in your kitchen now! And I promise you this will make a World of difference. Plants go with any colour palette. The green colour of plant life makes us feel grounded and peaceful and connects us to nature. Plus, they soften corners with their organic shapes and provide some much-needed texture. And they purify our air. So really what is there not to love?
They honestly are the perfect accessory for creating a more homely and friendly space. And if you can’t keep a plant alive then fake it with a faux or go for a beautiful flower arrangement. If you have the space dot them around at varying heights, and if you have open shelves or wall-hung cabinets a trailing plant is a must! The plants also create the opportunity for pots which gives you the chance to go wild in the pot aisles in Homesense. Textured, rustic ceramics will be softer than glossy or shiny finishes.
2. ARTWORK
Wall space is often a premium in a kitchen but if you have some then use it as an opportunity to get some art you love on the walls. Art doesn’t have to mean expensive originals. It can be prints, postcards, plates, signage or your kid’s latest creations. String up some wire to hang little postcards or stick some stuff to your fridge. Anything to show off your personality and add colour and pattern to your practical space. You can read more about how to choose artwork here.
3. RUGS
I’m a massive fan of the rug. It adds colour, texture, warmth and comfort which is often what a modern new kitchen is crying out for. There are a couple of options for rugs in kitchen areas.
If you have an open-plan layout then a rug under the dining table is going to help zone the space and stop your dining table feel like it’s floating around. Rugs are very grounding and anchor a space giving it purpose and an identity so work brilliantly in a dining area. Just make sure it is big enough so it’s not rucking up when you move your chairs in and out.
If your kitchen is purely a kitchen, then a smaller rug can work well in a galley way or by the kitchen sink or at the back door. People often think kitchen rugs are a bit gross and impractical, but you can buy indoor/outdoor rugs that are really hardwearing and scrub up a treat.
4. ACCESSORIES
If you have ample surface space or open shelves then you can really go to town with accessories to make the room feel beautiful and not just functional. Choose warm, textured materials like wood, bamboo and rustic pottery. If space is really tight then you can still get these textures into the room through essential items like chopping boards, tea towels and utensil pots. Choosing organic textures will really soften the space and add warmth.5. WALL COLOUR
A good dose of colour on your walls can completely transform a space. If your room doesn’t get a lot of natural light, or if it has a cool feel from all that stainless steel and stone worktops, then choose a colour with a warm undertone. Anything from the pink, red, orange or yellow family will help cosy up your space and make it feel more inviting.
6. ACCENT COLOUR
And if you don’t want ‘colour’ on your walls then add it through your accessories. But please don’t buy a matching kettle, toaster and utensil pot and think you’ve nailed it. You haven’t. Matching kitchen sets are uninspiring and dated. You need to be more creative and subtle than that. Pick a colour and dot it around your kitchen in various accessories. A pale pink trim on a tea towel, a pink piece of art on the wall, some delicate pink flowers in a vase and a pink serving bowl on a shelf. That’s how to use an accent colour.
7. LIGHT FITTINGS
If you have wall lights and pendant lights in your kitchen space then these are a great way to introduce more natural materials. So avoid the glass and metal options and go for wood, wicker or bamboo. These little details will tie in with all your organic accessories that will create a cohesive and soft look. Nice!
8. FAILING THAT GET A CAT
Finally, the piece de resistance, get a cat. They are fluffy and warm, whilst at the same time effortless and sophisticated. So they are the embodiment of good kitchen design. Plus everyone loves the cat/interiors combo on Instagram.
So there it is. Eight easy ways to style up your new kitchen.
If you would like help styling your own kitchen then why not get in touch? I offer a variety of interior design services across Southampton and Hampshire.
Sarah x
