Home Kitchen Design 18 Kitchen Counter Décor Ideas For Fashion And Function Keep it pretty and practical. By Zoe Denenberg Zoe Denenberg Zoe is a professional baker and writer. Zoe has written 300+ stories for Southern Living print and digital, focusing on food, travel, and culture. She draws on her own culinary knowledge to translate complicated techniques into easily digestible terms for home cooks. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 26, 2024 Decorating your home can be endlessly fun—and incredibly intimidating. Some designers know just what a space needs to bring it to life, but for others, decorating poses more of a challenge. Your first decorating project might be to tackle the prominent areas like the living room or primary bedroom, but let’s not forget about functional spaces like the kitchen. Small decorative touches like fresh flowers, fruit baskets, or pretty countertop appliances can bring the kitchen to life. Here are some kitchen décor ideas to decorate your kitchen counters while keeping the space clean, functional, and as pretty as it is practical. 01 of 18 The Golden Rule: Avoid Clutter Karyn Millet When decorating the kitchen, it’s crucial to think about functionality. The last thing you want is to clutter your counters with décor, leaving no space for cooking. When it comes to kitchen décor, less is more—edit carefully and remove items that don’t serve a purpose on your countertop. There are, however, some decorative elements to bring a stylish flair to your kitchen counters. Use them sparingly. 02 of 18 Go The Natural Route Hector Sanchez; Styling by Audrey Davis; Products by The Southern Living Home Collection at Dillard's In the kitchen, don’t get too fussy with décor. Instead, show off the ingredients that you keep stocked at all times. A beautiful fruit basket makes a natural—not to mention functional—decorative element for your kitchen. We love multi-tiered fruit bowls, which add height to the countertop, but a simple wooden bowl does just fine. Opt for natural materials like stone, wood, or seagrass for a breezy coastal look. 03 of 18 Use Flowers, Flowers, Flowers Laurey W. Glenn Keep a vase of fresh flowers in every room of the house—the kitchen is no exception. Opt for dramatic coastal greenery, like a fanned palmetto leaf, to make a kitchen centerpiece. Pro tip: If you don’t want to worry about keeping flowers fresh, opt for a vase of dried blooms. 04 of 18 Show Off Those Beautiful Bakes Laurey W. Glenn If your house has a resident baker, make the sweets the star of the show. That pretty pound cake will look great on your countertop, maybe even under a glass cloche. Create layers on your countertop with a cake stand and keep it stocked with a pretty cake or pie, or opt for a wicker bread basket to stash baguettes from the local bakery. 05 of 18 Break Out The China Laurey W. Glenn Don’t keep your precious china locked away in a cabinet. Showcase your favorite pieces of chinoiserie as countertop décor. Mixing cherished hand-me-downs with modern appliances creates charming, vintage-inspired appeal for your kitchen. 06 of 18 Choose Sleek Storage Dillard's According to interior designers, smart storage solutions are on trend. If you’re short on cabinet space, make use of your countertops. Create a sleek, cohesive design by storing olive oil in a stylish cruet and decanting ingredients like flour, sugar, and even snacks like cereal into cute containers—check out our collection of chinoiserie canisters, available at Dillard’s. Buy on Dillards.com Buy on Dillards.com 07 of 18 Go For Function And Fashion Francesco Lagnese If you’re short on space, certain appliances (like a toaster or coffee maker) probably claim a permanent spot on your counter—but that doesn’t mean they need to be eyesores. Ditch the basic toaster you’ve owned for years in favor of a charming design—matching the color to the other kitchen elements. Your burner range is part of your kitchen countertop, so treat it as such. Use the stovetop to show off your prettiest teapot. 08 of 18 Highlight The Details Laurey W. Glenn When decorating, details make all the difference. Add a pop of color with a decorative spoon rest. Keep it movin’ with a lazy Susan. This kitchen staple spins to help everyone at the table reach what they need and looks great. Bar cart? Forget about it—we’re making a bar corner right on the countertop. Showcase your crystal glasses, sleek decanter, and classiest liquor bottles. 09 of 18 Display Items On Open Shelving ANNIE SCHLECHTER; STYLING: MATTHEW GLEASON Let the items you use every day be your inspiration. Open shelves filled with pots, pans, dinner plates, and glassware can be beautiful and practical. Bonus, everything is within easy reach when you need it. 10 of 18 Put Your Tools To Work Hector Sanchez; Styling by Audrey Davis; Products by Dillard's It's a kitchen after all, so why not let your well-loved and well-used tools add to the décor? A crock of your most-used spoons and spatulas is convenient and adds some personality to your kitchen. Look for a vintage stoneware crock, add a splash of color, or use a canister without the lid. 11 of 18 Grow A Plant Getty Images Not only does it add color, but a kitchen plant can add cheer and have healthy benefits (think aloe). Look for a plant with bright flowers or colorful foliage that goes with the rest of the kitchen décor, or choose plants that do double-duty. An herb garden adds color and fragrance to the room while also adding flair to your recipes. Depending on the plant's light needs, tuck it into a nook or put it on full display as your island centerpiece. 12 of 18 Layer Materials Hector Sanchez; Styling by Audrey Davis; Products by The Southern Living Home Collection at Dillard's Adding natural elements can cozy up an otherwise practical kitchen. Keep your wooden cutting boards stacked neatly in front of a tile backsplash to add color, character, and warmth. This also solves the problem of where to store them. How To Clean Wooden Cutting Boards, Spoons, And Serving Trays 13 of 18 Display Collections Designer: Charlotte Harris Lucas; Photographer: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Kendra Surface Don’t be afraid to showcase kitchen collections. There’s no need to keep curated groupings tucked away out of sight. Display favorite pieces from your grandmother’s china, the variety of platters that make gatherings special, your copper cookware, or the vintage baking items that bring joy. Open shelving, glass cabinets, or wall space can help a group of like items make a big statement and remind you to use them. 14 of 18 Corral With Trays Julia Lynn; Styling: Dakota Willimon To keep needed items from cluttering your countertops, corral them on a decorative tray. Group coffee pods, spoons, and syrups on a tray for your coffee zone. Cooking ingredients like olive oil, salt, and pepper deserve a spot near the stove. Use pretty salt and pepper mills and a glass decanter to match the style of your kitchen. If you have more than a few items, consider mixing trays with pedestals for height and visual impact. 15 of 18 Store Small Appliances Laurey W. Glenn Unless you use it every day or it’s too heavy to warrant the work of pulling it out of storage frequently, keep small appliances like can openers, coffee grinders, food processors, and slow cookers in cabinets or the pantry to create more workspace on countertops. If you have a nook or a designated area, such as a breakfast station, incorporate often-used appliances into the space. Don't fret over items you use daily. Moving the coffee maker may not be practical, especially for those afternoon perks. 16 of 18 Use Decorative Bottles Lucas Allen, Styling: Elizabeth Demos Dish soap, hand soap, and lotion are a must next to every kitchen sink. Why not make them pretty too? Use glass dispensers to streamline the look. If you have more than one, group them on a small tray. 17 of 18 Buy Colorful Appliances Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn Blenders, toasters, mixers, and coffee pots don't have to be boring. For appliances that you use daily, why not let them add color and fun to the room? Choose appliances that are stylish and functional. A pretty pink stand mixer can add to the color scheme while being a workhorse in the kitchen. Just don't store all of your small appliances on your counters to avoid clutter. 18 of 18 Add Lighting Laurey W. Glenn Soft lighting adds ambience to the hardworking kitchen. Tone down harsh overhead lighting with countertop lamps that will add warmth, style, and a touch of coziness. Set a lamp in a dark corner or workspace where it can provide more light for kitchen tasks. Frequently Asked Questions What color is best for kitchen decor? Use warm, welcoming colors like green, gray, blue, yellow, and white. Neutral colors allow room to play with color on your countertops. How can I elevate my kitchen decor? Add pendant lighting, small lamps, plants, window treatments, and rugs to create style in the kitchen, and show off your kitchenware to add color. 15 Kitchen Curtain Ideas To Add Texture And Style To Your Space Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit