11 Ways to Give Your Kitchen Character
The kitchen is, of course, a functional space whose layout, finishes and appliances tend to get a lot of consideration. But don’t forget to add some character into the mix. The designers of these kitchens used color, pattern and texture to take the personality up a notch.
1. Go Bold With the Backsplash
If you want to add just one area of strong design to your kitchen, the backsplash is a good place to choose. There are plenty of ways you can get creative with the surface behind the countertop, such as by installing patterned tiles.
These flat-panel kitchen cabinets get energized by the wall of fish-scale tiles. The design is bold, but the cool colors complement the pale gray units.
The Beautiful Wall Tiles You’ll Be Hankering After
If you want to add just one area of strong design to your kitchen, the backsplash is a good place to choose. There are plenty of ways you can get creative with the surface behind the countertop, such as by installing patterned tiles.
These flat-panel kitchen cabinets get energized by the wall of fish-scale tiles. The design is bold, but the cool colors complement the pale gray units.
The Beautiful Wall Tiles You’ll Be Hankering After
2. Introduce Artwork
When it comes to designing a kitchen, we often focus on practical necessities like storage, appliances and workspace. But once the essentials are in place, think about adding artwork.
A painting, poster or print can completely change the room, transforming it from a functional area into a cozy space.
If your artwork is directly above the stove, as shown in this kitchen from Arq-A Interiors, choose a protective covering and a frame that can withstand moisture.
Browse artwork in the Houzz Shop
When it comes to designing a kitchen, we often focus on practical necessities like storage, appliances and workspace. But once the essentials are in place, think about adding artwork.
A painting, poster or print can completely change the room, transforming it from a functional area into a cozy space.
If your artwork is directly above the stove, as shown in this kitchen from Arq-A Interiors, choose a protective covering and a frame that can withstand moisture.
Browse artwork in the Houzz Shop
3. Put the Focus on the Floor
Boost the character of your kitchen by choosing an interesting floor surface. Patterned tiles are a good option, and they come in a range of styles and colors, so there should be something to suit your design.
The owners of this kitchen from Haus Concrete Surfaces went for a geometric pattern that adds a colorful, textured area below the white cabinets.
Find a local kitchen designer in the Houzz pro directory
Boost the character of your kitchen by choosing an interesting floor surface. Patterned tiles are a good option, and they come in a range of styles and colors, so there should be something to suit your design.
The owners of this kitchen from Haus Concrete Surfaces went for a geometric pattern that adds a colorful, textured area below the white cabinets.
Find a local kitchen designer in the Houzz pro directory
4. Change the Cabinet Hardware
The quickest way to make your mark on kitchen cabinets is to replace the pulls and knobs. There are many designs, including leather straps, brass pulls and jet-black T-bars.
Choose a design that works with the rest of the space to quickly update the look of the room. These turquoise knobs are simple yet bold, and they work perfectly with the patterned backsplash in this kitchen from Studio Morton.
The quickest way to make your mark on kitchen cabinets is to replace the pulls and knobs. There are many designs, including leather straps, brass pulls and jet-black T-bars.
Choose a design that works with the rest of the space to quickly update the look of the room. These turquoise knobs are simple yet bold, and they work perfectly with the patterned backsplash in this kitchen from Studio Morton.
5. Emphasize the Island
If you have a kitchen island in the center of your room, make a feature of it by painting it a different color from the perimeter cabinetry. Since it’s just one area of the kitchen, you can afford to be quite bold.
The vivid red in this space really makes a statement. Counter stools in a mix of shades add even more personality.
Shop for bar and counter stools by color on Houzz
If you have a kitchen island in the center of your room, make a feature of it by painting it a different color from the perimeter cabinetry. Since it’s just one area of the kitchen, you can afford to be quite bold.
The vivid red in this space really makes a statement. Counter stools in a mix of shades add even more personality.
Shop for bar and counter stools by color on Houzz
6. Try Two-Tone Cabinets
A similar idea is to use two colors on the perimeter cabinets. Choose one shade for the uppers and another for the lowers.
In this kitchen from My Bespoke Room, the dark base cabinets help anchor the space and open up to a much lighter shade above.
A Two-Tone Cabinet Scheme Gives Your Kitchen the Best of Both Worlds
A similar idea is to use two colors on the perimeter cabinets. Choose one shade for the uppers and another for the lowers.
In this kitchen from My Bespoke Room, the dark base cabinets help anchor the space and open up to a much lighter shade above.
A Two-Tone Cabinet Scheme Gives Your Kitchen the Best of Both Worlds
7. Incorporate Open Shelving
Wall cabinets are practical for hiding away clutter, but if you want to add character to your kitchen, it’s worth incorporating some open shelves. They provide an opportunity to keep dishes handy and to display decor.
The key is to choose attractive items to display and to ensure that you keep the surfaces neat. The storage jars on the top shelf add warm hues to this space and complement the pale blue bowls, cups and glasses below.
Style Your Open Kitchen Shelving Like a Pro
Wall cabinets are practical for hiding away clutter, but if you want to add character to your kitchen, it’s worth incorporating some open shelves. They provide an opportunity to keep dishes handy and to display decor.
The key is to choose attractive items to display and to ensure that you keep the surfaces neat. The storage jars on the top shelf add warm hues to this space and complement the pale blue bowls, cups and glasses below.
Style Your Open Kitchen Shelving Like a Pro
8. Add a Vintage Touch
Give your kitchen an element of surprise by contrasting standard cabinets with a vintage piece of storage furniture. Just one unusual cabinet can be enough to give the whole room a different look.
The cabinets in this kitchen from Sigmar are a traditional Shaker design, but the glass display cabinet brings an eclectic feel to the space.
Give your kitchen an element of surprise by contrasting standard cabinets with a vintage piece of storage furniture. Just one unusual cabinet can be enough to give the whole room a different look.
The cabinets in this kitchen from Sigmar are a traditional Shaker design, but the glass display cabinet brings an eclectic feel to the space.
9. Let the Lights Shine
If you’re planning to have pendant lights in your kitchen, choose ones that will add some personality. A well-chosen light fixture can have a huge impact on the look of a room — and it can be as bold or as subtle as you like.
Take these copper shades, for example — the design is fairly simple, but in this white-and-aqua kitchen from EM+ Interior Design Studio, they stand out beautifully.
Shop for pendant lights
If you’re planning to have pendant lights in your kitchen, choose ones that will add some personality. A well-chosen light fixture can have a huge impact on the look of a room — and it can be as bold or as subtle as you like.
Take these copper shades, for example — the design is fairly simple, but in this white-and-aqua kitchen from EM+ Interior Design Studio, they stand out beautifully.
Shop for pendant lights
10. Make a Statement With Faucets
Your choice of faucets can play a part in how much character you bring into your kitchen. If you want to be different, go for something besides the standard chrome finish. Copper faucets like these, or designs in black or brass, will bring a personal feel to your room.
Shop for copper faucets
Your choice of faucets can play a part in how much character you bring into your kitchen. If you want to be different, go for something besides the standard chrome finish. Copper faucets like these, or designs in black or brass, will bring a personal feel to your room.
Shop for copper faucets
11. Have Fun With Textiles
We often use fabric in other rooms to boost the character of the space, and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same in a kitchen. If there’s seating in the room, for instance, you can choose interesting designs for upholstery and pillows.
We often use fabric in other rooms to boost the character of the space, and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same in a kitchen. If there’s seating in the room, for instance, you can choose interesting designs for upholstery and pillows.