Add Just One Thing To Your Countertops For Instant Character

Your countertops don't have to be bare and boring just because they are made for more functional purposes. In fact, as home trends lean more into personalized designs and nostalgic or vintage aesthetics, giving your surfaces in the kitchen a little character is a big "yes." From adding decorative trays to stylish cookbook collections and even a table lamp to your kitchen for a cozier vibe, the desire to make these spaces more intimate and customized is taking over. Rather than sticking to the minimum utensils or cookware you need, bringing in small vintage prints can give your kitchen countertops a refresh that also offers more dimension. Since cooking spaces can be so utilitarian or even sterile, these small additions offer just enough decor without creating visual clutter. Whether you hang them just above your surfaces or prop them up against the wall, this clever accent trend is sure to become a popular addition.

The key to this decor hack is to stick to smaller pieces of art or vintage prints. You typically don't want anything too big or heavy, as that could make your counters seem crowded. You still want your cooking area to give off a sense of functionality and style, which is why tinier elements can help create more texture without overwhelming the room. Framed or unframed, these prints should help pull through your kitchen's theme. This decor trick to elevate kitchen countertops is probably one of the easiest ways to bring more style into your cooking space.

It's important to consider how much space you have on your countertops before adding prints and art to them. If you have smaller surfaces, you may only need one painting, or you might want to hang your accents on the wall rather than propping them on the counters. Appliances you keep out will also play into this, as you don't want to create more clutter in your kitchen. Thrifted pieces are great for bringing more visual interest, especially if you can find framed versions. You can also pick your own prints and size them to 4x6 or smaller, then frame these, as this helps create a more textured design on the walls or even when propped.

If you're going to hang your small prints, it may seem odd to place them low on the walls above your counters, but this is actually what you want to do to help draw attention to the decor nearer your surfaces. Secure your tiny framed pieces to the backsplash just above your counters or directly to the wall if there is no backsplash. As long as you balance these lower hangings with other decor, it will make the whole area seem light and stylish. In front of the hanging print, add one or two kitchen related items like a jar for utensils or a bowl or tray to hold supplies. Try the triangle trick where you use three items (one being your painting or print) for a balanced finish.

When coming up with kitchen countertop decor ideas that avoid clutter, this option is certainly worth using. Should you decide to prop your prints, it may still help to add a piece of cookware, a candle, cookbook, or tray near it to group the items so the print doesn't seem random or out of place. You could also group your prints and paintings in twos and threes, using various sizes for dimension. Use a medium-sized framed painting, then add two smaller prints in frames or on canvas to build on that. This would work well in a corner or against a fairly blank wall. 

When it comes to unconventional kitchen countertop decor, this may be the most ideal, especially for long counters or a lot of space. With these, place several pieces of art every few feet or so to help fill empty spaces. These can stick with the smaller sizing discussed, as bigger pieces might be too much. The point of this is to add a customized decor element but not overdo it. It's also a good idea to use frames that have glass rather than open art, canvas, or anything of the sort near where you cook. This will protect your paintings or prints from food, moisture, and other elements that are a big part of this room.