Why Your Kitchen Looks So Cold (And How To Instantly Make It Cozy)

A kitchen is the perfect place for gathering and engaging. Your family and friends want to feel welcomed while spending hours at a time in this communal space. Yet with the wrong design elements, a kitchen can feel off-putting. If your kitchen lacks warmth, then it's time to reevaluate the components of the room. 

Smooth, hard surfaces like a subway tile backsplash, stone countertops, or even stainless steel appliances can make this all-important gathering room feel cold. If not styled correctly, these fixtures will look like an afterthought and promote a stagnant vibe. If abundant glossy finishes are present, then a lone overhead light could worsen the problem by putting too much strain on the eyes. Multiple light fixtures throughout the room can help alleviate this issue. 

This is especially evident in white-all-over kitchens, and even The Property Brothers issued a word of warning about all-white interior design. With so many appliances of the same light shade, any room can become sterile and lifeless. And true, a white color scheme could make the room appear larger but will also put focus on any part of the kitchen that looks empty, making it look unfinished. Also, a colorless room depends on natural light to brighten up a space, and on cloudy days, the gloomy outdoors could carry into the kitchen, a room that demands to be grounded with softness. As such, even the smallest accents and bits of decor can help create balance.

A kitchen should embrace design that feels comforting and inviting, and design tricks can make your home feel more cozy and incorporate a warm ambience into the space. For example, color is a stimulating tool that can define and revitalize any room. Earth tones like copper and terracotta provide the perfect balance between light and dark palettes. These colors will warm up the space in a way that is eye-catching without being overbearing.

An unmistakable way to add warmth in a space is to establish more texture. Decor and wall art with elements of naturalism are timeless and stimulate the senses. One useful material is hardwood, which can lend a feeling of calmness to interiors. Wood is also a known insulator and can literally and metaphorically raise temperature while providing a tactile experience in a space. To add softer touches, area rugs are a stylish way to bring detailed visuals and a pop of color into the kitchen. They can help a room feel toasty and peaceful.

Also consider switching up seating by covering chairs in cushions that have pretty, playful patterns. The addition of leather cabinet knobs or a small plant in a wood box or clay pot can make a notable difference, too. Such small scale changes can make a kitchen feel lively and warm without looking cluttered.