How to Decorate a Kitchen With a Chef Theme

Sometimes kitchens get left out of the home decor and design loop. They often simply don't get the same attention as other rooms in the home. Some designers feel there is no need to choose a theme for a room that already has one--cooking. Still others make the assumption that the kitchen isn't a room where friends and family will "hang out." They couldn't be more wrong. Often the kitchen is exactly where everyone congregates. Therefore, it deserves the same kind of attention--if not more--than the other rooms in the home.A wonderful kitchen design can be easily be built around a chef theme. After all, nothing better represents the heart of the home; the kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

Establish the Basic Design of the Room

1. Decide how the chef theme can best be used in the room. Chances are, very few will go full scale, decorating everything from the wall to the floor in the theme. That could prove to be too limiting for future design changes. A better choice might be to simply add a few decorative touches to a basic kitchen layout.

2. Take room measurements for flooring or wall covering purchases. Measurements are also critical if additions are to be made to the kitchen like a central cooking island or a butcher's block table.

3. Take measures of cabinetry for painting, refinishing or decorating purposes.

4. Roughly draft out the kitchen space out on paper, noting doors, windows, cabinetry, free standing or built-in furniture and anything else that must be taken into consideration during the planning process.

5. Design the room on paper. Be sure to outline everything including the type of floor covering, wall covering, trim, cabinetry and furniture to be used as part of the room’s overall basic design. Decide on the specific type, color or tone of flooring to be used. Make decisions about the color, texture and type of wall paints, wallpapers or tiling to be used. Pick trim colors for wood moldings, doors and window areas as well as for the cabinetry. Choose the type(s) of window coverings to be used (such as blinds, shades or curtains).Sketch where any new built-in or freestanding furnishings will be placed and determine the specific type to be used.

6. Make the purchases necessary to complete the decorating project.

7. Redo or redesign cabinetry if that is an intended part of the overall plan. This might include installing new cabinetry or simple updating of existing cabinetry. For example, one choice might be to replace cabinet doors with glass fronts. Another idea would be to just change out the cabinetry fixtures for something more modern.

8. Add and/or change lighting covers that don't blend in with the room's theme.

Decorate the Room

1. Refinish or paint cabinets if that is part of the overall design. Use a semi-gloss or gloss acrylic paint that can be easily cleaned. Match the room's trim to the cabinetry.

2. Apply paint, paper or tiling to the wall as determined from the plans outlined in Section 1 above. If desired, add a specialty paint design like sponging, ragging or stippling. For accent, consider a chef theme wallpaper border around the top of the wall or stencil kitchen items like pots and pans in strategic locations on the wall.

3. Lay flooring as chosen. This might include hard wood, laminate or tiles. Limit carpeting to accent rugs.

4. Hang window coverings as chosen. These might include blinds, shades or curtains. Choose materials that are in keeping with the overall basic kitchen design or that work together with the motif.

5. 

   Hang framed prints, paintings, plaques or plates that meet the vineyard theme on the walls. Try a chef theme clock or add a menu chalkboard in keeping with the theme.

6. 

   Add chef theme utilitarian pieces like a paper towel or utensil holder. Choose trivets and/or spoon rests in line with the theme.

7. 

   Choose kitchen linens like potholders, trivets and kitchen towels in a chef theme.

8. 

   Add chef figurines to shelves or counter spaces.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix solids and prints as well as patterns and textures to add more interest and depth to the kitchen.

• Choose accent pieces that serve a purpose as well as for a decorative reason.

• Mix a chef theme with a food theme to broaden the overall basic design.

• Don't make drastic changes to the kitchen that can't be easily changed if you don't like the end result.

• Don't choose accessories that can only be used one way.

• Don't choose fabric accents that aren't simple and inexpensive to keep clean.

• Mix patterns and textures carefully so the room doesn't come across as too busy.