Kitchen decor help

[EllieNor]

We've recently moved and whilst I don't think I'll ever love this kitchen I do want to warm it up and make the best of it. I've tried wooden accents and have two oak shelves to put on the wall to the left of the window but it still feels cold to me.

I'm completely stumped on wall colour, tiles, blinds, shelves yes or no, whether to try to embrace the monochrome or try to mould it into our tastes a bit more.

Any and all suggestions welcome, what would you do with it?

I actually really like it, it looks clean and tidy and huge!

But, what about trying a nice lemon or something summery in your paint work, or even just tea towels and blind? Some cases of flowers or a little mini herb green house on the window ledge
And dress up a little dinging table or breakfast bar if there is one /could be one in there, thatd all make it look a lot more homey.
A gorgeous click too always helps.

Clock not click

What’s on the floor?

How much are you prepared to spend?

Thanks Shaytoon I hadn't thought of lemon, i quite the way the pink looks in there as an accent but there's no way I'd be bold enough to paint the room a shade of it but lemon may be a good one to test. I love the idea of a mini herb garden, I've been looking at the poles in ikea to hook on some little planters to put under the shelves when I put those up so it'll be somewhere in there. The kitchen does have space for a little table but the dining room is the room next to it and I'm hoping to take the wall down in the next year so don't think dh would agree to a table when we've got bigger things to pay!

The flooring is vinyl just now, no plans to change it yet as we'll need to when we take down the wall anyway. It's the black I can't seem to take to, I'd have gone for a wooden worktop but because it's all black carcass it'd look odd white doors, black outline and innerds and then wood top. Ideally don't want to spend loads but for the right pieces to bring it together I haven't really got a budget, I'll just save and get as and when.

The entire house is mostly grey flooring/white walls and we added lots of oak and white furniture, plants, pink and navy accents/accessories and it flows nicely until we can start painting, the kitchen is the room I just have a mental block with.

I think lots of plants would warm it up a lot, maybe hanging ones by the window if not enough surface space?

with black and white almost any colour could be an accent,
I think bright green and/or a little pink or perhaps pale olive green with a tiny bit of terracotta could work

A few plant pots filled with green herbs on your windowsill with added bonus that there will always be some basil, coriander or mint leaves to add to your cooking. A blind with just a bit of colour to it even just a couple of coloured hand towels oven gloves a bright fruit bowl
paint walls pale mint green or even very pale olive,
also olive and grey can look quite sophisticated

blind like this

www.directblinds.co.uk/roller-blinds/spectrum-lime/

or like this
www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roller-blinds/24421/splash-scribble-stem-seagrass.html or this
www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roller-blinds/15154/wildleaf-spring-green.html

I would go for pink. It's warm, cheerful and I love pink. Yellow and black just remind me of bumblebees.

Thanks for the replies!

I do like the second blind, need some texture and pattern. Not sure if the colours though, think I'd like to have more greens with pinks so I'll have a look if anything pops out.

Here's a shot of the other side of the kitchen, I've got my eye on two large desenio palm leaf prints with pink in them in black frames for the plain wall (That's the wall we want gone next year). You think the oak shelves next to the window would make it look cluttered? Was thinking maybe a trailing plant on some lay flat cook books but I'm crap at styling so not sure what else!

What about blinds like these - they would incorporate your greens and pinks and your leaf prints.
www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roller-blinds/19973/arboretum-linen-heather.html
www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roller-blinds/17951/angel-ferns-olive.html
www.blinds-2go.co.uk/roller-blinds/22939/choices-scandi-ferns-vintage-linen-mint.html

For the wall you could try something like:
www.ikea.com/gb/en/collections/fintorp/
www.ikea.com/gb/en/collections/kungsfors/

Kungsfors lets you add shelves, hanging rails, etc which would let you have your cook books and trailing plants. You can design it for your particular needs and dimensions.

I would paint the walls a blush/dusky pink and above the radiator have a gallery wall of family photos

If you've the budget to change the worktop to wood I would go for it! Or change the flooring to a patterned vinyl? Or put down a washable rug.

I wouldn't put in a blind, it would block the light and make things gloomy. Fill the windowsill with herbs in nice pots, paint the walls – dusky pink, sage green or daffodil yellow if you're feeling brave? – and add the prints you're thinking of, a jaunty tea towel or two and a couple of nice ceramics on the counter, and you're set.

I think you could definitely do open shelves by the window without it looking cluttered. Changing the handles from brushed chrome (if that's what they are) to brass would warm things up too. But paint is probably the cheapest short-term option.

Oh. Right...so two missing major factors then...LOL you’re going to knock a wall through and there are French doors 🤣

I wouldn’t put a blind up unless you’re putting the same thing up at the French doors, it’ll look odd not to treat them the same.

The floor will make a huge difference when you knock through. I’d go for a white wash oak or similar.

I wouldn’t paint it. Two reasons, I like white and because it’ll all need doing when you knock the wall through. But if you hate the white it’s an easy enough job to paint.

I’d decide on what floor you’re going to have then choose a worktop that goes with that. I was going to say wood and even though you have said about the black carcasses (why didn’t they use white?! 😖) I still think it would look better than the black (but I really dislike white units and black worktops!). Another option is to paint the doors until you can afford to replace them (which actually isn’t too expensive) depends if you like them or not. If you paint them I’d use something like Tikurila specialist paint.

I wouldn’t put shelves next to the window, I like it as it is personally, but if I was going to put something there it would be quite flat like a big clock, print or something statementy but flat.

I wouldn’t have a rug if any kind in the kitchen, personally I think they’re a hazard v

...and other than a few herbs, maybe, I wouldn’t have plants.

You can get splash backs inexpensively too in plain colours, metals, pictures etc . You can even have your own photo made into one.

It's a lovely kitchen but everything is cool toned, hence the feeling. You need to inject some warmth. We had pretty much the same issue when we moved into our house.

I think pink would look lovely, but I understand your reluctance. Crown do a beautiful colour called spotlight, it's a pale lilac/pink grey. Subtle and not too cool.

Would you consider getting rid of the spots and having some feature lighting fixtures instead? Under cupboard and kickboard LED strip in warm white would give a lovely glow and make it feel cosy.

I would get some gorgeous pots wood or metallic with plants for the windowsill. I wouldn't bother with a blind - you want to keep as much light as possible.

For the wall by the doors I would make a feature of either a piece of art or gallery wall, in mixed metals or pastels. Use these colours to co ordinate your kitchen accessories.

it's a bit Cath Kidston but there will be pink/ green stuff in the middle of Lidl next week

It sounds like you're looking for some ideas to help you warm up your new kitchen and make it feel more welcoming. Here are some suggestions that you might find helpful:

Add a splash of colour: Consider painting the walls a warm, inviting colour that complements the cabinets and countertops. Soft shades of yellow, green, or blue can help create a cosy atmosphere. Alternatively, you could add colourful accessories like dish towels, placemats, or a colourful rug.

Install a backsplash: A backsplash is a great way to add texture and interest to your kitchen. Consider a subway tile backsplash in a neutral colour or a patterned tile for a bold statement.

Hang window treatments: Consider adding blinds or curtains to the windows to soften the space and add some texture. A natural woven blind or soft sheer curtains can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

Mix and match materials: To add some warmth to the space, consider mixing and matching different materials. For example, you could add a wood cutting board or a woven basket to your countertop or mix in some copper or brass accessories.

Add some greenery: Adding plants to your kitchen can help bring life and warmth to the space. Consider adding a potted herb garden or some hanging plants to your windows.

Remember, your kitchen should be a reflection of your style and personality.

Don't be afraid to experiment and try different things until you find what feels right for you. You can even look at some of these key kitchen wall art styling tips here.

@tommymel1989 - am guessing that four years after posting, the OP has already made some changes!

The post by @tommymel1989 looks chatbot generated. Weird.

@whichwayiwonder - I thought that too.