It's best to consider all the different kinds of interior kitchen ideas you could try before whipping out the paintbrush or screwdriver. As one of the most important and well-used rooms at the heart of your home, you want this space - one where you'll frequently be cooking or dining - to feel nice and functional as well as pleasing to the eye.
If you want to transform your kitchen in a big way, then pay attention to changing larger surfaces like the wall tiles, cabinets and countertops. However, that doesn't mean that smaller tweaks can't make a huge difference - including features like hanging storage, luscious plants and matching crockery.
Whether your taste in design is modern or rustic, or you're a keen follower of the latest kitchen trends, there are many ways to create a cosy, inviting space that is as stunning as it is practical - and just remember that the attention is all in the detail. Take inspiration from these stylish options...
32 interior kitchen ideas
Shelving storage
Running out of space in your kitchen? Rather than stuffing full overflowing cupboards, fitting some shelving units in your kitchen can be great for providing additional storage while also displaying stylish items - such as cookware, glassware or other decor. What's more, open shelves also make the kitchen feel more spacious, and add to its overall charm.
Good lighting
Installing enough lighting is vital in a kitchen because it boosts both functionality and aesthetics. Whether hanging or spotlight styles, it will ensure your countertop and cooking areas are well-lit for tasks. What's more, it can also be used to add personality and elevate the overall design - creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Colour-block cupboards
Bold, colourful cupboards are a great way to add vibrancy to your space, turning the kitchen into a lively, inviting environment. A striking shade can also serve as a focal point - particularly when adjacent to otherwise pared-back decor - elevating the overall design and allowing you to make this a room that feels like somewhere you want to spend time.
Hanging wall storage
Using walls to hang items or fit shelves is a smart idea for a smaller kitchen because it maximises vertical storage, freeing up valuable countertop space for cooking and keeping your area much more organised. As a result, it will also make your kitchen look far less cluttered which will add to its overall aesthetic appeal.
A statement fridge
While it doesn't typically have the reputation as the most stylish kitchen essential, opting for a bold fridge colour can really add to the look of your space, creating a striking focal point, particularly in a 'retro' design.
Further still, the eye-catching shade will contrast nicely with adjacent cupboards in other hues, brightening up your cooking environment.
Try a table in the centre
If space allows, having a table at the centre of your kitchen can create a lovely focal point. It invites social interaction, making the space feel more warm and welcoming. Further still, the furniture arrangement also enhances the room's functionality, promoting a sense of balance and flow between the cooking and dining areas, that allows for easy movement around the room.
Island countertops
Doing some serious DIY? Installing an 'island' countertop is a great idea in a roomy kitchen because it provides additional space for food preparation and cooking - perhaps being an area for a stove or sink - while also offering extra storage should you need. Additionally, if you add in some barstools, it also creates another social hub in the home .
Magnetic knife holders
A magnetic knife holder attached to the wall contributes to an aesthetically pleasing kitchen by providing a sleek, minimalist way to display knives - keeping countertops clear, organised and, importantly, safe. Further still, with the knives in easy reach, it also aids efficiency so you can truly get stuck into your tricky recipe.
Patterned wall tiles
Fed up of neutrals? Bold pattern tiling can make an eye-catching statement in your kitchen, creating a striking focal point. A vibrant, colourful design will perfectly complement simple cabinets or countertops, helping to inject personality into an otherwise pared-back space and allowing you to flex your creative muscles.
Marble countertops
Opting for a marble countertop will instantly add to the aesthetics of your kitchen. The elegant material has a luxurious and timeless feel, with its natural veining and smooth finish. Better still, it will go well with a wide range of kitchen styles and colour schemes - although, keeping the rest of your decor simple will allow it to take centre stage.
Large plants
An easy way to freshen up your kitchen is to introduce plants into your space. They add a touch of natural beauty, which helps to create a more inviting and homely atmosphere, and also bring contrast and texture - softening hard surfaces and aiding a sense of calm, particularly if you opt for large pots of greenery.
Pastel cupboards
Want to switch things up from neutral cupboards, but are nervous to go too bold? Pastels in a kitchen can be really aesthetically pleasing because their soft, muted tones create a calm and airy atmosphere, making the space feel bright and inviting. These gentle colours - such as green, pink or blue - also blend well with various styles.
Wooden parquet flooring
A wooden parquet floor in a kitchen can add a sense of elegance through its intricate geometric pattern. This instantly creates visual interest - as opposed to standard floorboards, tiles or laminate - particularly when adjacent to more pared-back cabinets and countertops. The natural warmth and texture of the wood also goes a variety of decor styles.
Cupboards with windows
Installing a scattering of kitchen cupboards with glass windows is a great tip for showcasing your beautiful crockery and glassware. It adds a decorative touch - by breaking up the solid cabinetry - and personalises your space. Additionally, it serves a functional purpose, allowing you to see at a glance where you have stored key items.
Statement floor tiles
If you've got plainer kitchen cupboards, introducing eye-catching floor tiles is a great opportunity for a stunning design statement. Adding bold patterns or colours can instantly elevate a room's design, creating a striking focal point, and bringing visual interest to a part of the kitchen you'd perhaps usually ignore.
Sink fittings
A kitchen sink primarily serves a functional purpose. However, given its importance in your cooking area, some clever tweaks can really elevate its design and create a stunning focal point. For example, gold fittings can add a touch of luxury and elegance, as well as draw the eye.
Bar stools
If you've not got enough room for a table, then bar stools at the counter can really transform a kitchen by being both practical and providing the opportunity to make a style statement. A casual seating area encourages social interaction while cooking or dining, and - depending on your style of countertop - they can often be tucked away to save on space when not in use.
Consider a coffee station
There's no doubt that making coffee can be a messy business, so mark out a dedicated area on your kitchen countertop to create your brew. Having an organised space for brewing and storing your essentials - like the machine and mugs - will make the room look more aesthetically pleasing while also helping your day flow more smoothly.
A decorative fruit bowl
Placing a fruit bowl on your kitchen countertop or table can help freshen up the space by adding vibrant pops of colour. Having newly bought produce on display will not only enhance your kitchen's visual appeal by creating an inviting, homely atmosphere, but it will also promote healthy eating habits. Just ensure you keep it well stocked!
Matching crockery
Treating yourself to matching crockery in your kitchen creates a cohesive, polished look that will enhance the overall aesthetic of the room. Coordinated dishes and bowls provide a sense of order and elegance - particularly if stored on open shelves or in glass-front cabinets - making the room feel more organised and visually appealing.
Rustic aesthetic
Live in an older property? Why not embrace a rustic aesthetic in your kitchen, from natural materials such as wood and stone to highlighting period features and including vintage-inspired details. Allowing your home's in-built charm to shine will also help create a warm, timeless atmosphere.
Neutral decor
You can't go wrong with neutral decor in the kitchen, which will create a calm and serene atmosphere, making your space feel bigger and more inviting. On top of this, it also provides a versatile backdrop that complements various styles and colour schemes, while also highlighting other design elements - such as a wooden countertop or classic sink.
A cosy rug
A tiled or wooden kitchen floor can often feel quite chilly, but you can soften up hard surfaces - adding in warmth and comfort - via a cosy rug, perhaps placed beside your cabinets or under the table. It also provides another opportunity to get creative with texture and colours. Just make sure to keep on top of the vacuuming so it stays clean!
A large dresser
They might be associated with more traditional kitchens, but a dresser can be a nice design element in any space because it combines functionality with aesthetic appeal. It can serve as both storage and as a display space for decorative items, crockery or cookbooks - creating a focal point with charm and character that will help to foster a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
Soft furnishings
An armchair or sofa in a kitchen can be a nice design element because it creates a comfortable, inviting space that encourages relaxation and social interaction. By blending functionality with aesthetics, it transforms the room into a cosy gathering area, enhancing the overall ambiance - with soft furnishings also providing another opportunity to play around with colour and texture.
Wooden countertops
A wooden countertop in a kitchen can add warmth and natural beauty, creating a welcoming atmosphere that will complement various cabinet colours - from plain white to striking shades. The material's texture will bring character to your space, while also providing a functional surface for food preparation and dining.
Exposed beams
Embracing the exposed beams in your kitchen can add a rustic charm that enhances the overall character of your space. They create a sense of openness and vertically draw the eye upwards, while contributing to a warm, inviting atmosphere that combines both elegance and cosiness.
Colourful tiles
Add a pop of colour into your kitchen with vibrant tiles on the wall. Whichever you choose, it will infuse personality into a room that you're certain to spend a decent amount of time in, and create a visually striking focal point. Further still, the tiles can be used to contrast nicely with the cabinets and countertops.
Fresh flowers
After an instant design upgrade? Fresh flowers in a vase on your kitchen countertop will brighten up your space with vibrant colours and fragrant scents in seconds. A colourful bunch will create a lovely focal point in the room that enhances the overall decor - however just be sure to change them regularly enough.
Hanging pans
If you find your pans hard to access in cupboards, then make a statement instead with a hanging rack in the centre of your kitchen. It can showcase nice cookware while also helping you organise your space - and it's a set-up that can also add to the room's rustic charm, creating an inviting atmosphere.
Below-cupboard lights
Brighten up your kitchen with the help of clever below-cabinet lighting. It will boost functionality, by illuminating countertops and workspaces - making cooking and food preparation easier - while the soft glow creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that will also add an element of sophistication.
Statement handles
Adding statement handles to kitchen cupboards can add a unique focal point and personality to your cabinets, elevating the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. You can have fun choosing an eye-catching design according to your taste, and they can be used to contrast nicely with the cupboards and countertops.
