How to Use Kitchen Utensils and Appliances as Decor

The kitchen is the one room in the house that a lot of people don't know how to decorate. Kitchens are often small, cramped and have limited storage space. All of these problems and concerns can make kitchen decorating difficult. By incorporating common kitchen utensils and appliances into the room's decor, it solves two problems at the same time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kitchen appliances
• Utensils
• Wall hooks, racks or ceiling mounts

1. Choose a style for the room such as antique, contemporary or specialized. For example, you could use all copper, all stainless steel or everything in a certain color or color theme.

2. Pull out all the utensils and appliances that fit the desired style. Write down others you may wish to purchase to complete the design.

3. Determine how the utensils and appliances will be used. For example, if there is space between the tops of kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, then appliances that are not used often might serve as decor there. Pots and pans can be hung from high ceilings. Measuring cups, spoons and specialized kitchen utensils can often be hung on the wall. Appliances such as convection ovens, coffee makers or wine coolers might also double as counter space decor.

4. Think of additional decorative things that might be used in conjunction with the appliances and utensils. For example, copper pitchers or serving pieces could double as containers for beautiful silk greenery or floral designs when they aren't being used. Ropes of silk greenery or flowers might be used to twist around items like antique appliances that are stored on top of kitchen cabinets. Additional copper items that have no real function in the kitchen might be purchased to use as filler pieces for wall racks. Old coffee cans could be paired with a collection of coffee makers (old and new) to decorate a baker's rack.

5. Purchase pieces that complete the design. For example, if you wish to display spices, you might want a rack on which they can sit on top of the counter. Another option would be to install a wall shelf on which the spices could sit without taking up valuable counter space. Purchase a ceiling pot holder for pots and pans and wall hooks from which pans can hang. A butcher's block might serve as counter decor while doubling as a place to house knives.

6. Add finishing touches. A few candles mixed in with countertop appliances add a touch of color that will set the space off. Often, it is small elements that move a ho hum kitchen into a showcase.

Tips & Warnings

• Think outside of the box when mixing kitchen utensils and appliances with other traditional decorating items.
• Choose a central color scheme to prevent the space from being overdone with too much color.
• Don't try to crowd too many appliances onto counter space. You will lose valuable working surfaces.
• When using heated appliances on kitchen counters, put a protective trivet underneath to prevent counter damage.
• Don't put electrical appliances too close to any type of water receptacle, such as a kitchen sink.