Bringing Joy Into the Mundane: Decorating Your Kitchen

 

 

The kitchen is the most-used room in our home. It is where meals are prepared to be shared, food is cooked with love, fresh coffee is brewed, and a mom spends most of her days. I have found, however, that many kitchens are practical, and not beautiful. Practicality is a must in this room, of course. We homemakers need space to do our work well, all of our utensils easily obtainable, and appliances on the counters ready for quick use. This sometimes doesn’t leave much room for decorating and beauty. For me, it made me not want to be in my kitchen more than I had to be. I love beautiful things and small details to make me smile in the places I do my work, and the kitchen being an exception was really disheartening for me.

 

God calls us, as homemakers to take joy in what we do, and to bring glory to Him through it. If decorating makes you smile and brings more joy into your tasks, why shouldn’t you make that happen? It doesn’t need to be expensive or look magazine-ready. It just needs to feel homey and make you more joy-filled as you serve your family.

 

My kitchen isn’t huge, so I had to get creative, but I was determined to bring some of my decorating personality into my kitchen. Today I share with you how I did just that.

 Bringing Joy Into the Mundane: Decorating Your Kitchen:

Flowers. I bought some pretty fake flowers to always have in my kitchen, but I really try to keep a fresh bouquet of real beauties in there too. Having some fresh cut daisies from the farmers market in front of me while I chop veggies brings joy into the mundane.

Nothing ordinary. In my kitchen, I shy away from the usual. My coffee maker and built-in appliances are the only things that are not unique. I needed a timer for time-outs, baking, and cleaning sprees, so I opted for this cute little guy. My toaster is teal, one of the colors in my kitchen theme. My mom bought me these amazing owl jars that are so much more personable than the usual clear cookie jars.

Theme. Owls accidentally became the theme in my kitchen, which I am totally okay with! My mom bought me a few owl items, my husband gave me some owl things for Mother’s Day, and whenever I see a cute owl figurine while thrifting, I just can’t say no! The kitchen became the perfect place to show off all my owls and form a theme in my kitchen. Your theme can be a thing or colors, or a pattern- whatever brings you joy!

Chalkboard. I am a little obsessed with chalkboard paint. I confess. The best thing I ever painted chalkboard is our refrigerator. We got it from my husband’s coworker when we moved into this house last year, and since it wasn’t stainless steel or brand new, I went for it. It has really helped keep the kids busy while I’m cooking or doing dishes, since they love to get right under my feet while I’m in there. It’s also a great place to jot down notes while I’m on the phone, or reminders for me throughout my day. And having an encouraging message or verse right there is always a joy for me.

 

 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 11:18-19

 

Shelves. Since space in the kitchen can be sparse, I have found that the walls make the perfect space to place some personality. In my kitchen, I have one small wall in between my cabinets and fridge that fit a pallet shelf perfectly! To make a pallet shelf, literally just get a pallet, sand it down, and hang it on the wall- super easy, trendy, and comfortable looking. Fill whatever shelves you use with knick-knacks, pictures, whatever goes with your theme and makes you smile. I also painted a thrifted accent table and placed it underneath on the same wall, and use it to hold extra jars and cookbooks. This really helps make my kitchen feel like the other rooms in my home!

Little details. When I buy dish soap, I buy the one with the pump because it makes dishes easier, and I buy it lemon {my very favorite scent}. I also buy all-purpose cleaners that smell great and make wiping things up a little brighter. I buy rags that I like, not just whatever was cheap. I have a tiny ring holder by my sink where I place my wedding rings for heavy duty dish washing that is really adorable. It’s in the little things!

 

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13