Decorating your home can be an overwhelming task, especially if you try to change your motif based on seasons or holidays. While choosing what child’s artwork to showcase on your refrigerator, you should also consider these additional design elements: the layout of your kitchen, lighting fixtures, maintaining comfortable temperatures and refinishing or re-facing your cabinetry units.

Believe it or not, the layout of your kitchen can virtually make or break any design, no matter how ornate the woodwork, how contemporary the appliances nor how stylish the wall décor. If you often find yourself throwing large gatherings that incorporate directing traffic through your kitchen and eating area, you may want to consider how well the traffic actually flows. Often, the island center unit, bar stools and a oddly angled kitchen table can create chaos for you, the cook and anyone else trying to accomplish anything in the kitchen during a party. The best solution is to create a space between the island and any cooking surfaces of at least three feet; this will enable you to swiftly work from the stove top to the island and to the sink without dodging guests. Too much distance between the island and your cooking space will encourage guests to cut through, making cooking even more difficult!

Lighting is a crucial element in any room, especially kitchens. One of the easiest design elements is to create a focal point using light, not objects. So you do not have to worry about finding the perfect crystal vase or exotic nick-knack from a faraway country to show you are cultured. Often, simply hanging a single overhead light fixture over your countertop will create a similar effect: elegance and sophistication – without the cost of an expensive trip! Additionally, installing back lights behind open shelving units can showcase any artifacts or dishware you already possess or would like to show off.

Let’s face it, large gatherings tend to create a lot of hot air. And no one wants to linger at a party if they are profusely sweating. Likewise, shivering in the corner near the stove top is equally as unappealing. Try to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, whether or not you are entertaining guests. Controlling the temperature does not mean constantly hovering near the thermostat to turn it up or down, accordingly. Rather, installing a ceiling fan can help direct and circulate the air in any room – especially your kitchen – without cranking up your heating bill. The fan blade’s direction helps maintain temperature. During wintertime, switch the fan blade direction to counter-clockwise; this will help draw hot air from the ceiling (heat rises) and direct it downwards. Contrarily, during warmer months, a fan running clockwise will help draw up air from the ground and bring it towards the ceiling, producing a cooling effect you can feel on your extremities.

One of the easiest decorating ideas for your kitchen is so simple, it is often overlooked: installing new kitchen cabinet hardware. Often, the cabinet knobs are outdated and no longer match the cabinets themselves or the overall design and style of the kitchen. Replacing the drawer hardware with newer, more elegant or sleek hardware will create a cohesive, sophisticated look. First, you must count how many knobs, drawer pulls, or finger wells you will need; if you are replacing some but not all, be sure to keep the material and finish consistent. If you are choosing entirely new hardware for your kitchen, consider changing up the materials you have used or the finish you or previous owners have selected. Materials traditionally used for drawer hardware include: brass, copper, iron, stainless steel, glass, nickel and chrome. Next, select a finish to match your material such as polished, burnished, antiqued, or satin. The right combination will subtly enhance your cabinetry units and ultimately tie your overall kitchen decorating together.