11 Brilliant Hacks To Make Your Kitchen More Aesthetic

The kitchen, which is primarily a functional space, typically doesn't look as glamorous as the bedroom or living room regarding aesthetics. However, you should still put just as much effort into its appearance. After all, most people spend hours cooking and eating in their kitchens daily, so you may as well make that space look chic, too. Believe it or not, there are many ways to make your kitchen seem more stylish. Some tips involve the room's color scheme, others are more about organizing, and some require decorating the kitchen to make it feel designer

Whether you prefer playing it safe or going bold and dramatic, there are a plethora of ways to implement fashionable touches into this space. It doesn't matter if the room is large or small or if your home has an open or closed floor plan — anyone, with any type of house or budget, can upgrade the aesthetics of their kitchen in easy ways. People with a "less is more" approach may want to keep it simple by minimizing clutter and improving the lighting, while homeowners with more maximalist tastes should have fun with the decor.

1. When in doubt, stick to neutrals

Anyone who enjoys a minimalist interior design style should be happy to know that you can never go wrong with a classic, neutral kitchen. While colorful features or walls can be fun, they run a greater risk of appearing overwhelming and tacky. On the other hand, a traditional black, white, and gray kitchen will always appear sleek — even on days when the kitchen doesn't look its neatest. Even if you enjoy a loud, maximalist design, you may want to consider choosing a neutral base and adding more color and interest through easy-to-replace decorations instead. 

2. Add a tile backsplash

Do you want to add some more pizazz to your kitchen? Install a tile backsplash between the top of the countertops and the bottom of the cabinets. The tile feature will help your kitchen stand out and appear more aesthetic, especially if you have a neutral color scheme and you want to upgrade the space with some color or pattern. Just don't install it until you're sure the design and hues you choose for the backsplash work well with the rest of the room's color palette and overall vibe.

3. Hang up some cooking tools

Are you running out of room in your cabinets to store your kitchen utensils? Consider hanging them up on the wall with a mounted rack, perhaps next to the sink. Doing so will save space in your cabinets and on your counters while making your kitchen look more quirky, organized, and cozy. This simple trick will showcase that you use it for cooking and not just eating. Practically, it will also make your items easier to access, making cooking much simpler.

4. Experiment with wall decor

One of the most fun and unexpected ways to make your kitchen more aesthetic is to decorate the walls, as empty walls are dull and lifeless. Don't be afraid to reflect your style and personality when decorating your walls, whether you hang up beautiful art or fun signs. No matter how much wall space you have, there's always room for some art (even if the piece is quite small or it's hung on the backsplash). Maybe you'll even want to explore adding some wallpaper for a bolder look.

5. Add a fun rug

Another easy way to bring your kitchen to life is to buy a stylish rug. If you want to add a splash of color or contrast to the kitchen, a rug can instantly help you achieve that goal. Always double-check that the options you consider when shopping will fit the space — typically, a runner will work best. Remember to have fun with this hack, as a new rug isn't a permanent commitment. In fact, you could even switch it out with the changing seasons, if desired.

6. Put a creative centerpiece on the island

One of the best ways to dress up your kitchen is to add a bold or unique centerpiece to the island. For instance, some people may want to match their centerpieces to the seasons, adding a pumpkin for fall or a snowman decoration for winter. Or, put your kitchen tools in a stylish holder, such as a flower vase, and kill two birds with one stone by using it as your centerpiece. This will not only add more interest but also make the space more functional, as you'll be able to easily grab the tools you need and save space in your drawers.

7. Keep plants around

If you have a green thumb or love nature, you may want to add plants to your kitchen. Including greenery on shelves and on top of the countertops will make the room look more charming and nature-inspired. Even if you don't have the patience to care for genuine plants, fake ones can do the trick. Using faux plants will also allow you to place them in hard-to-access spots like above your appliances or cabinets.

8. Get rid of kitchen clutter

While busy people who tend to push off cleaning and organizing may roll their eyes at this tip, one free way to make your kitchen more attractive is to keep it tidy. So, if you're serious about wanting a more aesthetic cooking and eating space, you should try your best to keep your kitchen clutter-free, from the table to the countertops to the floor. A couple of ways to reduce clutter include buying a silicone roll-up drying rack and opting for paper towel holders that mount to the wall or cabinet.

9. Think about the lighting

You may be surprised by how much the right or wrong lighting can upgrade or decrease the aesthetics in your kitchen. Because of this, put just as much thought into the lighting as you would any other aspect of the decor, whether you want to change out your overhead lighting or invest in a cute new lamp. Including some hanging sconces over your island or sink instead of simply relying on recessed lights in your ceiling can make a massive difference in the look and feel of your space.

10. Hide your electrical outlets

While outlets are crucial for charging and using many items, they don't look stylish at all. Instead of letting them ruin your kitchen's glamorous, rustic, or eccentric vibe, put cutting boards in front of the outlets for a more aesthetic kitchen. Consider shopping for fun kitchen boards with unique patterns or colors if you think the ones you already have are too dull. At the same time, basic wooden boards can add warmth and interest to an otherwise boring or all-white space.

11. Keep the trash in the cabinets

Garbage cans and bins are even less attractive than outlets. Thus, instead of leaving those unappealing — and sometimes smelly — garbage holders out in the open for everyone to see, invest in a a pull-out system that will allow you to hide the trash inside your cabinets. This is bound to make your kitchen appear more sophisticated, thereby giving your space a clean and aesthetic feel.