2014 Kitchen Decorating Accessories Ideas : Easy Update

Add color and personality to the cooking zone with inexpensive artwork, displays, and linens.

By  : Renee Freemon Mulvihill

The kitchen is a hardworking, functional room, but you can have fun with its design, too. Once you've selected the cabinets, appliances, and fixtures, don't forget to add the accessories that will truly make the room feel like your own. Decorative items, such as artwork, collectibles, and linens add welcome color and personality to finish off the space.

Artistic Elements 

You'll likely spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so brighten up the space with wall art. Although you may not want to place your most cherished artwork near the sink or range, due to possible steam and splatters, inexpensive poster art can brighten a wall, says Richard Landon, a certified master kitchen and bath designer in Bellevue, Washington. Keep in mind that artwork isn't limited to paintings and pictures. Consider hanging decorative platters, distinctive cookie cutters, or vintage cooking tools as decoration.

Creative Displays 

If your kitchen includes glass-front cabinets or open shelves, use them to create attractive and colorful display areas. Design an eye-catching focal point by grouping similar items and hiding not-so-pretty items in decorative canisters or baskets. Limit color choice for a more sophisticated look. All-white dinnerware on open shelves can form a simple and attractive display, for example, while collections of enameled cast iron pots in complementary hues can add a burst of color to a neutral kitchen. No open shelves? "Take a simple element and repeat it on a windowsill," Landon says. "I've taken empty Perrier bottles and lined them up. Something about repeating an element makes it special."

Other Accessories 

Even everyday items can make a big impact in a kitchen work zone. Choose rugs or dishtowels with bold pattern to add a burst of cheerful color, choose a light fixture with a colorful shade, or paint chairs or barstools in bright, unexpected hues. Copper pots and pans hung from a pot rack or set on a shelf attract the eye and add old-fashioned charm to a traditional kitchen. Sculptural salt and pepper shakers, stand mixers, or other functional kitchen tools can double as art when displayed on the countertop. Or place red and green apples (real or fake) in a ceramic bowl for an inexpensive display that can break up an expanse of countertop.

2014 White Kitchen Cabinets Ideas

White cabinetry is a classic choice for a kitchen. Providing a neutral backdrop, white cabinets can be left alone or dressed up with colorful art and accessories.

White cabinets are a versatile choice for a kitchen. Though usually available in laminate or thermofoil (which can be difficult to paint over), more expensive custom wood cabinets can be ordered in a painted white or cream finish with distressed or glazed details.

With plenty of options, white cabinets don't have to be basic. If you want a warmer look, shift direction and use wood cabinetry for your island. Use the same hardware on both the white peimeter cabinets and the island, or the same countertop on both to tie the look together.

Like a little black dress, white cabinets are appropriate almost anywhere, whether your kitchen is sleek and modern or warm and traditional. Full-overlay cabinetry with doors that cover the entire cabinet frame present a minimalist profile, which works well in a modern kitchen. Pair the streamlined cabinetry with similarly styled hardware for the ultimate modern look.

An off white tone, glazing, and distressing techniques will give white cabinets traditional flair. Detailed door fronts and classic hardware will help solidify cabinetry as truly timeless.

White is a quintenssential cottage hue, which is why white cabinets work so well for the style. Pair the cabinets with vintage-inspired hardware, sweet pastels, and materials such as beaded board and wood surfaces for the ultimate in cottage style.

Even though white is simple, it fits well in elegant, showstopping kitchens. When used in tandem with detailed moldings and trimwork, glass door insets, and rich materials such as marble and stained cherrywood, white cabinets convey formality and grace.

Glaze applied to the edges, carved details, and reliefs gives white cabinets instant patina. Paneled cabinet doors, antique-inspired hardware, and details such as carved corbels, brackets, and turned legs will also turn white cabinets into old-world charmers.

Glazing and distressing say "traditional," while a high-gloss finish says "modern." The reflective surface of glossy cabinets will bounce light around the room and make the space feel bigger and lighter.

If you're concerned that white cabinet after white cabinet will turn your kitchen dull, shake it up with a bit of variety. Use glass doors in select upper cabinets, or include open shelves in your plan.

Add a little color to white cabinets with contrasting frames. To DIY this look, remove cabinet doors and paint them white. Once dry, mask off the door panels and paint the frames in your chosen color. Lighter colors work well for the frame. Once you've selected your accent color, pick a white with similar undertones for a look that will be well-blended, not jarring.

A black and white color combination is dramatic. When using the duo in a kitchen with white cabinets, keep the look from becoming theatrical by practicing restraint. Opt for black and white patterns with an organic or curvy aesthetic, rather than sharp and geometric, and use the black in small doses.

Bring a little pep to white cabinets with a colorful backsplash. White goes with almost anything, so backsplash options are wide open. Think about the look you want to create and the other elements in your kitchen, such as the floor and countertops, when selecting a backsplash color and material. With these parameters in mind, it will be easy to find something you love.

If you crave an all white look, use texture to your advantage. Subway tiles laid in a herringbone pattern or white stone with a mottled texture will add visual interest to your kitchen without breaking away from a sophisticated white scheme.

To create a new look without extensive remodeling, simply remove the doors from a few upper cabinets. Paint the interior of the cabinet boxes white, and show off eye catching dishes and accessories in your new display space.

Room Partitions and Transitional Elements 2014 Ideas

Combine the spaciousness of an open floor plan with the order and function of defined rooms by using creative transitional elements and room dividers.

I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you ...... Enjoy it !!

A built in bookcase carves out a small entryway in this open plan home. A change in floor height between the entry and the nearby kitchen also creates separation without closing off any of the space.

Thick columns topped with beautiful crown molding lend style and separation between this living room and the adjacent kitchen. The half wall between the columns was topped with a slab of granite, transforming the space into a casual breakfast bar. Family members and guests seated in the living room can easily converse with the chef without getting in the way of the work zone.

Here, a bank of multipane windows between the living room and the front hallway makes both areas feel lighter and airier. Long shelves below the windows provide another layer of separation as well as open storage and display space.

A floor-level change and a broad passage delineate this entryway from the living room, sharing views while preserving a separate identity for each space. The family room's lowered floor allows the ceiling to truly soar.

Here, a large storage unit installed on one side of the front door gives the look of a distinguished entryway. Rather than extending the piece from floor to ceiling, it only extends 3/4 of the way up the wall, which delineates areas of the main level without interrupting the flow of the open floor plan. The high-gloss finish of the storage unit reflects natural light, helping the the space feel even more open.

Two doorways flanking both sides of a large built-in storage unit and fireplace combo create an open passageway between the living room and kitchen. Including two doorways not only adds to the openness of the home, but it also lends a sense of balance that blends well with the traditional style decor.

Both a storage wall and a style statement, this wall of floor to ceiling cabinetry creates a breezy separation between the front entry and the kitchen. The frosted glass inserts on the upper cabinets also help the divider look more airy.

To open up the room to room flow that encourages social engagement, limit the number of walls that you use to define separate spaces. Here, a quarter-wall offers slight separation between the front entry and the living room without blocking the stream of light from gracing both areas.

Create privacy in a bathroom by installing a frosted-glass wall panel. Unlike a normal wall, this frosted glass option allows light to pass freely between the main area and the toilet while still offering plenty of privacy. Sharing light enhances the sense of space in both areas.

With a wide open floor plan and soaring vaulted ceilings, this home could have ended up looking stark and cold. But rustic wood beams and columns affixed to the walls and ceiling lend separation and help break up the expansive main level. Here, the columns and beams join to form a faux doorway between the entry and living room.

Here, an opening between the formal dining room and kitchen makes the spaces seem bigger and provides shelves for storage and display. The cabinets above the countertop feature glass shelves and window panelike doors, allowing light from the large kitchen window to stream into the dining room.

In this home, the front door opens immediately to the living room, but a freestanding folding screen offers slight separation between the areas. In addition to saving money on a costly renovation, the partition defines space while still allowing light to pass freely throughout the faux entry and living room.

A built in banquette creates a smooth transition between the kitchen and nearby living room. In addition to providing a casual dining spot, the banquette creates a smoother transition between the hardworking kitchen and the relaxing living area.

Lofts satisfy the desire for generous living space, but they also call for creativity in addressing the natural desire for functional zones. Clever furniture arrangements help distinguish the zones throughout the main level of this home while still emphasizing the wide-open floor plan.

In this bathroom, the back to back vanities are separated by a dark-stained wood wall, which lets the homeowners be in the bathroom at the same time without getting in each others' way. The wall and vanity tables were constructed from the same wood, which allows seamless division between the pieces.

A floor to ceiling double sided fireplace divides a long, narrow room into two separate living spaces. Each area benefits from the cozy fire, but the room feels more welcoming with the addition of the separation. Expansive sliding glass doors allow a steady stream of light to grace both living rooms.

Obscured glass panels suspended from the ceiling form a sleek partition between this dining room and the nearby living room. The frosted-glass panels provide the separation offered by standard walls, but they don't interrupt the open floor plan of the home's main floor.

A banquette island combo installed in this kitchen makes the most of the room's limited real estate. In addition to providing plenty of prep space, the banquette creates separation between the kitchen and formal dining room. Glass panel cabinet doors on the dining room side of the unit provide storage space for pretty drinking glasses.

Refresh Home Update with Budget Decorating Ideas

Refresh your home decor for less with these budget decorating ideas from designers, bloggers, and our editors. 

You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! 
I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you ...... Enjoy it !!

Painted the same color, mismatched secondhand dining chairs look happy together. Use white for a simple look, or embolden your dining room by painting the chairs a deep, rich color.

Remove the jackets, then group books by color, standing some upright and stacking others. Shelves will seem more organized and have an artistic, color blocked look.

A pair of oversize urns is a foolproof scheme for a mantel. It's easy and a little glam, especially if the urns are a great color.

Make an easy table runner for your next get together with assorted paper napkins. Lay out napkins (we used lunch size, but cocktail size would also work) in your desired design, tape the edges together, and flip it over.

In place of a predictable coffee table, use two inexpensive side tables. Outline the edges with strips of nailhead trim for a high end look.

A corbel is a clever perch for an accessory. Try painting it a bright color to draw attention to whatever you put on it.

Cheery dish towels are a super inexpensive way to bring a little zing into the kitchen. I always find great towels at World Market and Anthropologie.

Plants are an underappreciated decorating tool. They bring life and color to a room, they're relatively inexpensive, and they're good for you, too.

Have a card you can't bear to throw away? Put it in a frame or easier yet perch it on a little easel, and you've got art.

Thinking about buying a new lamp, pillow, or throw? Don't bring it home unless it will work in at least two rooms.

Add one woven or wicker chair to a room. Spray paint it a great color, and you have both seating and an element of surprise.

An extra large mat is a simple trick for giving a small photo or piece of art big presence.

They've been around forever, but candle sconces are still brilliant for adding ambience without calling an electrician.

For a new take on a bulletin board, wrap twine around a lampshade in a crisscross pattern, then tuck in pictures and paper mementos.

Clever Storage Solutions for Small Bedrooms 2014 Ideas

Small bedrooms present decorating and storage challenges. Here are our smartest ways to store everything from shoes to jewelry in your short on space bedroom. you'll love these ideas to try in 2014! 

 I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you ...... Enjoy it !!

Bedside tables with shelves work best for storage purposes. This simple but hardworking nightstand offers a tabletop surface for a lamp and a collection of decorative elements, a drawer to corral smaller items, and a lower shelf that holds reading materials.

If you don't have the luxury of a bedside table, create a storage-packed floating shelf by installing a closet shelf upside down beside your bed. The small shelf takes up no floor space yet offers an ample surface for an alarm clock, reading material, and decorative accents.

When square footage is at a premium, this space-saving alternative to a bedside table is perfect for a bookworm. Cut a small section out of the wall between the studs, finish the opening with drywall or wood, and outfit it with shelves to store books and decorative elements. Hang a wall-mount lamp beside the bed for a well-lit reading nook.

Create unexpected yet convenient bedroom storage using objects usually reserved for the kitchen. Frame your bed with kitchen cabinet components to fashion a niche. Fill the upper cabinets and lower drawers with clothing or accessories. Top the upper drawer with a slab of wood to serve as a pull-out nightstand.

Narrow furnishings add a surprising amount of storage and display space in a limited footprint. This bedside console table offers plenty of surface area for showing off collectibles and other possessions. A lamp sheds light on the bed for reading after overhead lights are turned off.

Create a work of art while keeping your jewelry safe and tangle-free with this chic jewelry display. Purchase a plain picture frame and attach decorative hooks to the backing to create a place for favorite pieces. Place the frame on the top shelf of a tiny shelving system, and fill the rest of the shelves with pretty glassware to store small items, such as rings and earrings.

Put your jewelry to work as eye candy with this clever and decorative display. Use a store bought jewelry tree to corral earrings, bracelets, and necklaces on a dresser or tabletop. A napkin holder spray painted to match the jewelry tree creates the perfect resting place for a small clutch.

If your bedroom has less than standard height walls, don't despair. As this bedroom proves, you can stash a lot of stuff along a short wall and still add some decorative elements. A long, low built in offers ample surface storage, while drawers and open shelving below provide space to stow clothing, books, and more.

In a small bedroom, it's important to embrace every inch of square footage. Take a cue from this attic bedroom and tackle a corner oddity by incorporating a small built in bench. The bench makes use of potentially wasted space below a window to create a cozy reading nook.

Small bedrooms necessitate creative storage solutions. Make the most of your limited space with a storage laden headboard. This headboard features padded lift up panels that shield from view everything from extra blankets to cozy sweaters. Plus, when the panels are closed, the ledge on top of the headboard offers a place to set bedtime necessities and decorative items.

Creative storage solutions turn this charming bedroom into a calm and tidy haven. A low shelving unit stands in as a footboard and provides a spot to sit as well as stash stuff in closed drawers. A narrow wicker vanity along an empty wall offers storage space for beauty supplies, while a nearby basket holds seasonal accessories.

Decorative storage boxes are a pretty accent atop a dresser and also provide space to stow away those little items and keepsakes that are so easy to misplace. Stack various-size boxes to create visual interest.

Modular systems aren't reserved for spacious closets. This tiny yet tidy closet is organization central, decked out with useful modular closet components. A row of open shelves along one side houses bins filled with delicates, swimwear, and other small items. A closed upper cabinet and lower drawers offer space for bulky folded items. Clothing racks flanking the cabinet unit increase the storage capacity of the small closet.

Even if you don't have the luxury of a built-in closet, you can have the functionality of one. A freestanding closet system like this one allows you to dedicate a wall of your bedroom to efficient storage for clothing and accessories. Either leave the unit open to allow your wardrobe to take center stage, or cover the unit with fabric that coordinates with your bedroom decor.

Use a large basket or laundry hamper to corral shams and throw pillows at bedtime. When you go to crawl into bed, toss the pillows into the basket and drift off to sleep, knowing you won't trip over pillows in the morning. Plus, you can place extra blankets at the bottom of the basket.