Decorating Kitchen Countertops: Simple Ideas For A Beautiful And Functional Space
Decorating kitchen countertops does not have to mean choosing between pretty and practical. Here is how to style your counters zone by zone for a kitchen that looks beautiful and still works hard every day.
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Decorating kitchen countertops can feel tricky, but a few simple ideas can make them both useful and pretty without adding clutter.
Kitchen countertops are among the hardest-working spaces in your home, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be pretty, too. With just a few thoughtful decorating choices, you can create a kitchen that looks warm and welcoming while still being functional.
My kitchen countertops, if left unchecked, are magnets for mess and mayhem. They can be a dumping ground for the overflow of our lives. So keeping them cleared of everything unnecessary is a must. I also want my kitchen to be attractive and decorated with items that have meaning and bring beauty into our lives.
The easiest way to get there is to stop thinking about your countertops as one big surface and start thinking about them as a handful of small zones, each with its own job. Let’s walk through how to find those zones and style each one.
Start With A Clean Slate
Before you begin decorating, clear off your countertops and give them a good wipe down. A clutter-free surface instantly makes your kitchen feel fresher and more organized. This is also the perfect time to rethink what really belongs on your counters and what can be stored away.
🌿 TIP BOX: Take a photo of your counters before you start. It is much easier to spot what is unnecessary in a picture than it is to spot it when standing right in front of the mess.
Find Your Kitchen Zones
Once your counters are clear, look at your kitchen and identify a few natural zones. Some spots will always be work zones, the areas where you actually prep food and need clear space. Others are better suited to double duty, holding useful items in an attractive way. And a few spots may be purely for beauty, since not every inch of counter needs a job to earn its place.
Walking through your kitchen with this zone-by-zone approach in mind makes decorating so much less overwhelming. Instead of trying to decorate an entire kitchen at once, you are simply styling one small area at a time.
🌿 TIP BOX: Stand in your main doorway and look at your kitchen as a guest would see it first. Whatever catches your eye first is a strong candidate for a beauty-focused zone.
Manage Your Appliances
Appliances are essential in the kitchen, but too many on the counter can make the space feel cluttered. Here are some smart ways to handle them.
- Limit what stays out – Keep only the appliances you use daily, like a coffee maker or toaster.
- Use stylish storage – If you have a blender or stand mixer that you love and use often, consider a designated countertop space or a pretty tray to make it look intentional.
- Tuck away what you don’t use often – Store less-used appliances in cabinets or a pantry to keep counters looking clean.
I converted a pantry into a small appliance storage area and moved my pantry into a scullery just off the kitchen.
🌿 TIP BOX: An appliance you truly love the look of, like a pretty stand mixer, deserves a spot on the counter. Save the hiding for the purely functional ones.
Group Items To Create A Curated Look
By my stove, I keep a tray that holds everything I reach for most while cooking. A chinoiserie urn holds my wooden spoons within easy reach, and a bottle of olive oil stands nearby in a decorative cruet. A salt and pepper mill is also close at hand for a pinch of salt whenever I need it. I keep a mug of freshly cut herbs in the mix too, since I use them almost every day and love having them close at hand.
Grouping items like this on a tray keeps everything looking organized and attractive rather than cluttered, and it makes wiping down that section of the counter as easy as lifting one tray instead of moving five little things.
🌿 TIP BOX: A tray with a lip or handles, like a woven basket tray, makes it easy to slide the whole grouping aside for a quick wipe down, then set it right back in place.
Add Natural Elements
A touch of nature always makes a kitchen feel fresh and inviting. A potted herb plant, a vase of fresh flowers, or even a bowl of bright lemons can add a beautiful organic element to your space.
Our kitchen has lots of windows, so I lean into that light with plants, seasonal cut and potted flowers, and herbs throughout the space. This is my favorite way to decorate our kitchen and also keep fresh herbs close at hand right when I need them. By the sink, potted herbs sit next to amber glass soap dispensers, softening what is otherwise a purely functional spot.
If your kitchen does not have enough sunlight for a plant to thrive, a lifelike faux plant will add warmth and freshness just like a real one.
🌿 TIP BOX: Group two or three small potted herbs together near your sink instead of spacing them apart. They read as one intentional grouping rather than a scattering of plants, and you will actually use them since they are right where you wash and prep.
Fresh branches and fruit bring the same natural feeling to a different part of the counter. On my island, a pedestal bowl of green apples sits on a wooden board, with a berry-filled branch in a glass vase and a lit candle just beside it. The height of the branch draws the eye up, while the bowl of apples grounds the whole vignette, and the candle adds a little warmth and glow to finish it off. Always pair a bowl of fruit or seasonal vegetables with something else, like a branch, a candle, or a stack of cutting boards, so it looks like a curated moment rather than a single item left out on the counter.
🌿 TIP BOX: Vary the height in a natural grouping like this one. A tall branch, a mid-height bowl, and a low candle create visual interest without any one piece competing with the others.
Use Decorative Storage Solutions
If you like to keep items you often use out on the counter, opt for storage that is both attractive and functional. Glass canisters for flour and sugar, ceramic jars for coffee and tea, or a pretty salt cellar make everyday essentials easy to access while adding charm to your kitchen.
Since my kitchen is open to our dining room and sunroom, I keep most of the items I don’t use every day tucked behind closed doors and in drawers. But a few things earn their spot right out on the counter, like a set of glass canisters, a cutting board, and a crock of knives, since I reach for them daily and they still look tidy sitting out. Near my stove, a row of glass canisters holds flour, beans, and even a stack of mugs, grouped together so the whole lineup reads as one intentional display rather than a cluttered counter.
We keep bread in a white breadbox with a wooden lid on the counter. It’s attractive and useful at the same time.
🌿 TIP BOX: Choose canisters in a matching or coordinating style, like all clear glass or all the same shape, so a grouping of different contents still looks like one cohesive set.
Create A Focal Point
If your kitchen has an island or a spot on a peninsula that isn’t a work zone, that can be the perfect place for a focal point. It is in mine. I like to build a vignette there with a few kitchen items that grab attention, and most often it gives a big nod to whatever season we are in. It’s not reinventing the wheel, just switching out what sits on that tray to suit the time of year.
In spring, that means a woven tray topped with a blue-and-white pitcher of white tulips, a honeycomb jar, a few pretty dishes, and a candle, with striped mugs and linen towels layered in front. Come summer, the same tray holds a bowl of bright red flowers, a jug of fresh herbs, and a handful of little flags for the Fourth of July, with the same mugs and towels doing double duty.
By fall, the vignette shifts again: a woven tray by the sink holds a ceramic vase filled with branches, a stack of dishes, and a glowing candle, with a printed linen napkin and a wooden cutting board adding warmth. The pieces change, but the tray itself remains the anchor, so the whole vignette always reads as a single intentional focal point rather than a random collection of things.
🌿 TIP BOX: Keep one tray or board reserved just for this spot. Swapping what sits on it takes minutes, and a consistent base makes every seasonal change look pulled together rather than thrown on.
Incorporate Different Textures
Mixing materials is a great way to add depth and warmth to your kitchen decor. Layer wood, marble, and metal to create a collected look. Lean a wooden cutting board against the backsplash, drape a linen tea towel over the edge of a tray, or place a small woven basket near the sink to add texture and warmth.
Kitchens often need texture, especially mine, since it leans so monochromatic. A woven tray with a lot of visual interest looks even better juxtaposed with something smooth, like a stack of glossy dishes and a smooth ceramic teacup, the rough and the refined playing off each other.
A worn wooden cutting board does the same thing, leaning against a stack of canisters, its texture standing out against the sleek ceramic. Frilly hydrangeas or other nubby, textured flowers add one more layer of interest, softening all that wood, wicker, and ceramic with something a little looser and more organic.
🌿 TIP BOX: If your kitchen leans neutral or monochromatic like mine, texture is what carries the visual interest instead of color. Pair a rough material with a smooth one in every grouping so nothing falls flat.
Add A Little Ambient Light
When dusk rolls around, the little lamp in my kitchen adds just enough glow to make this space feel so cozy. It gives the whole area just the right light for winding down in the evening, whether I’m finishing up dishes or just enjoying a quiet moment before the day is done.
There are so many kinds of small lamps that fit right under your cabinets or tuck into a corner of the counter, making it easy to find one that suits your style. If you don’t have an outlet nearby, a battery-operated light bulb works just as well and gives you the same warm glow without any cords to hide. And if a lamp still feels like too much light, a simple candle does the trick; its soft flicker is a lovely way to end the day in the kitchen too.
🌿 TIP BOX: A small lamp on your counter does not need to compete with your overhead lighting. Choose one with a soft, warm bulb and let it do the quiet work of setting the mood once the sun goes down.
Coffee Station
If you love coffee, setting up a coffee station is a must. Keep essential coffee items together on a tray or in a basket right next to your coffee maker. Add a decorative canister for coffee beans or pods, and tuck in a seasonal accent like a small wreath or a candle to make it feel extra special.
This is one area of our kitchen I especially love decorating, since it isn’t near the sink, stove, or any of my working areas, so it can be just a little bit indulgent. The cabinet above holds our coffee cups, and the drawer below keeps everything else close at hand: stirrers, small plates, napkins, cinnamon, and more. On the tray itself, I like to add something organic, like seasonal flowers, alongside a few colorful napkins to bring in a little personality. It is a treat to get coffee here in the morning.
🌿 TIP BOX: Keep the tray itself simple, just a canister or two and a small vase, so swapping in a seasonal napkin or a fresh bloom is all it takes to refresh the whole station.
Other Stations
Creating small, dedicated stations on your countertops makes everyday tasks easier and keeps things looking intentional. Here are a few ideas:
- Baking Station – A pretty crock with wooden spoons, a glass jar of flour, and a rolling pin.
- Meal Prep Station – A set of nesting bowls, a sharp knife on a cutting board, and airtight containers ready to fill.
- Drink Station – A tray with glassware, an ice bucket, and a few favorite bottles for evening entertaining.
- Cookbook Corner – A stack of your favorite cookbooks or a cookbook stand propped near the stove for easy access while you cook.
- Charging or Mail Station – A tucked-away corner for tablets, phones, and mail, with a desk organizer that complements your kitchen decor. This is a genuinely different kind of station than the others, more organizational than food-related, but readers do search for it.
- Cooking Station – A crock of everyday utensils, a trivet, and your favorite oils and seasonings kept right by the stove. Use a nearby drawer for oven mitts, trivets, and hot pads.
- Microwave Station – A small tray for oven mitts, a stack of microwave-safe bowls, and a container of popcorn or other quick snacks nearby.
- Sink Station – Keep a soap dispenser, a scrub brush in a small crock, and a folded dish towel within reach so cleanup stays quick and the area never looks cluttered. A pretty printed or striped towel does the job just as well as a plain one, so there is no reason this everyday essential can’t add a little charm to the space too.
Keeping these areas contained helps prevent counters from looking cluttered while making daily tasks more enjoyable.
🌿 TIP BOX: Pick one station to style first, live with it for a week, then move on to the next.
Keep It Seasonal
One of the easiest ways to keep your kitchen decor feeling fresh is by switching up small seasonal touches. A pumpkin in the fall, a bowl of pinecones in the winter, or fresh flowers in the spring and summer add just the right amount of seasonal charm without overwhelming your kitchen.
The easy way to do this is to add a small vase of seasonal flowers to a coffee station, or a larger arrangement or vignette to a kitchen island. Find a counter space that works for adding decor and changing it up seasonally.
In fall, that might mean swapping your everyday knife crock for a basket of dried grasses and corn seed, with a small glass candle tucked in beside it on a wooden board. A bowl of gourds and mini pumpkins near your cabinets adds another layer of seasonal charm, especially when paired with a branch of golden leaves overhead. Even your stovetop can join in; a pumpkin-shaped Dutch oven brings a playful seasonal touch to a spot that is usually all function.
🌿 TIP BOX: You don’t need to redecorate every surface for a season to come through. One basket, one bowl, and one seasonal piece of cookware are often enough to change the whole feel of your kitchen.
Your Kitchen Countertop Questions Answered
Incorporating functional but decorative items can enhance both the aesthetics and utility of your kitchen countertops. Consider using stylish canisters for storing baking essentials, a chic dish rack, or an attractive utensil holder. Placing a small potted herb like basil or mint adds greenery and is handy while cooking. I keep little pots of herbs right near my sink for exactly this reason.
Incorporating functional but decorative items can enhance both the aesthetics and utility of your kitchen countertops. Consider using stylish canisters for storing baking essentials, a chic dish rack, or an attractive utensil holder. Placing a small potted herb like basil or mint adds greenery and is handy while cooking.
Seasonal decorations on your kitchen countertops can add a festive touch. For autumn, consider small pumpkins or a vase of fall colored flowers. Winter might feature a bowl of pinecones or evergreen sprigs. For spring and summer, fresh flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit can brighten the space. I keep this simple by rotating just one or two spots in my kitchen with the seasons rather than redecorating the whole counter.
Some everyday items are better stored out of sight, even if they seem convenient to leave out. Small appliances you don’t use daily, dirty dishes, stacks of mail, and cleaning supplies tend to be the biggest culprits of counter clutter. Keeping only what you use daily on display and finding a home for everything else is what makes a counter feel styled rather than cluttered. In my own kitchen, this is exactly why appliances and mail have designated spots that aren’t the counter at all.
Decorating kitchen countertops does not have to mean choosing between pretty and practical. Once you start thinking in zones instead of one big surface, it becomes so much easier to style your counters in a way that looks beautiful and still works hard every day. Start small, pick one zone, and build from there. Your kitchen will thank you for it.
More Ideas You Will Love
If you enjoyed these countertop styling ideas, here are a few more posts to help you carry that same thoughtful approach through the rest of your kitchen and beyond.
6 Best Tips To Organize Your Entire Kitchen
Discover the top strategies for creating a functional and organized kitchen from top to bottom. These tips pair perfectly with the zone-by-zone approach in this post.
Simple Spring Kitchen Decorating Ideas For A Fresh, Light Kitchen
Freshen up your kitchen this spring with light and airy decorating tips that bring the season inside. A great follow-up once your countertop zones are established.
8 Cozy Ways To Warm Up Your Fall Kitchen
Infuse your kitchen with the warm scents and comforting decor of fall for a cozy seasonal update. See how these countertop ideas translate into a full seasonal refresh.
12 Simple Kitchen Decorating Ideas For An Easy Updated Look
Give your whole kitchen a fresh, updated feel with simple decorating ideas that go beyond the counters. A natural next step once your countertops are styled just right.
60 Smart And Practical Kitchen Organizing Ideas That Really Work
A big collection of practical organizing ideas to keep every part of your kitchen running smoothly. Perfect for pairing with your newly styled countertops for a kitchen that looks as good as it functions.
Happy decorating, friends…
I have actually gone so far as taking photos of my kitchen counters to see how they look and then tweeking them to my satisfaction. My husband says I’m anal, but I call it particular! Just a hint about keeping your kitchen sink clean. A relative of mine eats dinner later, sometimes around 7:00 PM, then either gets the dishwasher started later, or doesn’t start the dishwasher at all. Then the next day the kitchen sink gets dumped with dirty dishes all day. This results with a big mess when trying to cook the next night’s dinner or walking into a messy kitchen after working all day as well as not having clean dishes to use!! Why not take 10 minutes to empty that dishwasher at night so you have a clean slate the next day?
So easy! Thanks, Lyn!
I absolutely love your kitchen. Can you tell me where you purchased the lovely print above your stove, and how you hung it. How do you keep it clean over a stove don’t you find it? It’s dirty at the cooking?
I like to get into this habit too! And, I prefer to put away my dishes when they are warm (much like I like to fold my clothes out of the dryer warm – this drives me nuts at my daughter’s house with 10 baskets of clothing waiting to be folded)! However, my dishwasher has the absolute longest normal cycle EVER! It must run 4 hours! I’m nodding off to sleep when it’s in the last quarter! If I don’t put them away after that interminable cycle runs, I put them away first thing in the morning while the coffee is brewing! I’ve been trying to eat earlier…we can do that now that we’re semi-retired!
As I get older reach gets smaller so arranging the things I use most is more more essential. Like you only the essentials are truly essential.
I noticed no bread box? I have one but our bread never makes it into it. Wondering if you keep yours in your pantry or have another idea on where to keep it? I have chips and crackers in a drawer and thought about putting it in there so I can away with the bread box?
Hi Sheila, I don’t have a bread box. I keep breads and bagels in the freezer. Crackers and chips in the pantry. Hope this helps.
Your kitchen is WONDERFUL. But what about those of us who live in an older kitchen and no renovation in sight. I can see that when you redid your new kitchen you were able to think about the placement of every single thing and how to create storage. Many of us do not have such an option. I have a small 1930 kitchen which was the original part of a cottage that is my Maine home. Storage is completely inadequate. I must have my stand mixer, blender, toaster, coffee machine, compost… on the counter. I don’t know how to make that look nice. Where do you store produce that should not be refrigerated like tomatoes, citrus, bananas, avocados, potatoes, onions… these are also on my counter top in baskets… sigh. It’s nice to look at your photos and dream.
I had a small kitchen at one time too. So small I needed all the countertop space for food prep. I stored my appliances in the basement. And I did not have a toaster. I used my oven to bake toast. My daughter still does this. As you can see citrus is on the counter. Onions are on the floor of my pantry closet as well as potatoes. I don’t like avocados and bananas usually sit next to the coffee station.
There are very few things we disagree on, Yvonne, but this is one of them. I don’t understand the current obsession everyone has with keeping kitchen counters devoid of kitchen tools and then decorating the same counters with all sorts of objects. I could never imagine putting the toaster oven in a cabinet. In a kitchen with limited storage I can see no reason to try and hide the things we use everyday.
In a recent post on Facebook about light fixtures someone had the gall to tell me to clear off my countertops. While we all love beautiful kitchens I enjoy using mine but my kitchen is small and my space very limited. That means that from time to time the counters are covered from one end to the other with food, pans and items drying from being hand washed. The reality is that we all don’t have pantries and laundry rooms to absorb the messiness of daily living.
Margo, please don’t be offended. Of course, kitchens get messy with cooking. They are supposed to! And I remember the comment on THE DECORATING PANNEL, but I don’t think that person meant anything bad. You had asked a question and although a bit off-topic the commenter gave you a suggestion. Sorry, you were offended! This post is meant to help you inspire! My advice may not be your thing but it also may help others.
How do we get to The Decorator Pannel?
Hi LouAnn, search for it on Facebook. We no longer are administrators, but there is a very active community.
Hi Yvonne
Could you please give me the particulars of your countertops? And the finish?
Thank you
Lou
Hi Lou, the countertops are Quartz Calacutta Trevi, with a 3 cm beveled edge. They have a polished finished. Hope this helps.
I am new to your site and I have to say how much I love your style of decorating. Your kitchen would be my dream kitchen! I have found myself returning to neutral colors in my own home with little pops of color here and there and I really found your living room something to aspire to. Thank you for all of the tips and pictures!!
Welcome to the StoneGable family, Shauna! We are so glad you found us! Thanks for the lovely comment!
I’m with you on the less is more! I do have a large kitchen , but only keep coffee station area, crock with knives and white mixer out. The island always has flowers (right now a white artificial orchid) candle sticks for night time ambience! I can understand those with small kitchens not having places to store small appliances. I just know that even when I lived in a little apartment, smaller homes, I’m still a minimalist at heart! Thank you for your lovely post!!
One of my dear friends has a very small kitchen. You can’t believe how much she cooks and has everything streamlined! She has a table set set up in her garage with her small appliances. It’s amazingly organized!
Hi! I absolutely love everything you do!! Your kitchen is gorgeous. I do have a couple of questions. Where is you get you kitchen chairs and also, is the top of your table white washed?
Thank you
????
Hi Kelly, Thank you so much. The chairs are from Wayfair but I don’t see them on their site anymore. The tabletop is not whitewashed. It’s a light wood.
I love the idea of glass canisters but wonder how the contents will stay fresh with out a seal. Has it worked for you?
PS. I love reading your Sunday addition. Thank you for taking the time to prepare it for us each week.
My flour and sugar stay perfectly fresh. I guess it depends on how often you use it as well.
I love your style and spiritual inspiration. I read all your blogs and incorporate many of your ideas into my kitchen. Thanks so much!
You are so welcome, Jennie
I’ve lived in 4 homes. Our first home had very limited counter space and I felt it was so important to keep them free of appliances. They took up my prep space. I housed them in the basement. That was when I was young and did not mind running up and down the stairs!
I have nothing on my counters but my Keurig. All other appliances are in the appliance garage. All cooking utensils are in a drawer beside the cook top at easy reach. I like my counters clear and shiny. The view out the wall of windows is my decoration. I do keep a vase or pitcher of fresh flowers on the island. I live in a great room house and the kitchen can be seen from the dining & living room. When looking towards the kitchen, one only sees the lovely garden beyond with no clutter to distract. I really don’t see the sense in “decorating” or “staging” a kitchen. Having trays is a good idea for corralling the pieces that must stay out because of lack of space but if you have a big enough kitchen store it.
Another excellent post Yvonne!
There are a lot of people who don’t have the beautiful view you do Joanna. So a little bit of beauty in the kitchen is necessary for the senses!
Your kitchen is so beautiful! I have a large family and currently use two (non-matching) stainless steel bread boxes. On holds a couple loaves of bread and the other has buns wraps, etc. I’ve searched all of Pinterestdom and no one has bread boxes on their counter. What’s a girl with no pantry to do?
Do you have a drawer or cupboard shelf? You could put the breads in a basket on the self. However, if you like your bread boxes, use them!
Your kitchen is so beautiful!! Each piece compliments the other. I would be interested if you have any good air fryer recipes – I seem to be at a loss right now. Thank you.
Oh, I LOVE my Air Fryer, Barbara! I’ve had two. The first one I gave away. But my Instant Pot Vortex Plus is AMAZING!!!! I use it all the time. You can see it here:https://amzn.to/3pzavtM
Lovely ideas, Yvonne, a fresh departure from your style at Stonegable, but equally creative.
Yes, Tanglewood is a very different home.
It all looks very nice. Good ideas. I would very much like to see a picture of the drawer with the salt pig and butter dish as well as the pop-up bar and cabinets or whatever with all the glasses and gadgets needed.!
I’m finishing some organizing in my kitchen and I’ll make sure to include these elle.
I am.with you. No cluttering counter unless I am cooking. only appliance is.coffee pot! Always something seasonal and have a long stainless shelf in front of sink with large windows…perfect for herbs. orchids..etc..my mom was the same about clutter and now my daughter is too…I have a lot of counter top and think I will copy your wooden bread boards..I have some old ones of.my moms..keep posting
You are so blessed to have breadboards from your Mom!
Ah, the battle of the toaster on the countertop! I am the only one in the family that feels it needs to be put away. Seriously, I’ve considered converting my formal dining room into a huge walk-in pantry!
LOL! I know what you mean! My daughter does not have a toaster but uses her oven! The toast is delicious and crispy!
My smallish kitchen has an appliance garage to house the toaster, can opener, bread and crackers. I love it and it takes up very little space. The other thing I do is keep a large soup terrine close to the back door so hubby can drop off keys, change and all the other various items (golf tees) than accumulate in his pockets. It’s going somewhere, I might as well make it pretty. As I have view all the beautiful kitchen this week, I’m surprised at the amount of unnecessary clutter. It’s made me reevaluate what I leave out even before I read your post today. I’m going to edit a few other areas on this bitter cold day in Tulsa. It will help me stay warm.
Good for you Patty! Clutter blind is a real thing! The best way to see what our home really looks like is to take pictures and then look at them closely!
Would love to have more storage for my toaster etc.. By the way , what is a salt pig?
A salt pig is a container to keep salt for cooking in.
Hi! I just did my spice cabinet too. Like you I used all glass jars and new labels. In stead of the “stepped” organizer, I bought turntable from The Container Store (I’m short, so getting thing up front is important for me). I feel like this is a work in progress. I still need a few more jars and there are spices I just don’t use. You are so right — time and money!
Don’t you feel accomplished! Good for you!
Just beautiful. You always give me such great ideas! How tall are your ceilings and how wide is the counter where the kitchen sink is located? We may be building a retirement patio home and the builder grade kitchen will be the best I can do…..
Just wondering the difference in dimensions. Thanks!
The ceilings are 9.5 feet tall in the kitchen. I think the countertops are pretty standard. Hope this helps.
While I like the idea of moving small appliances off the counter into cabinets to reduce clutter, two of my roller drawers (in solid maple from a high end kitchen specialist) have fallen down after three years–one from canned goods (for only two of us!) and one from my crockpot. Never again. For those contemplating renovations, stationery shelving measured for height for your appliances is the way to go.
I think there are different drawer systems for heavier things you want to put on a shelf. You might want to check them out.
I place a small rimmed cookie sheet under my 4 slice toaster, and slide it in an under counter cabinet. The tray collects the crumbs and it makes it so easy to slide in and out.
Great tip, Joelle!
Yvonne — LOVE this post! Your kitchen looks immaculate! There are several items I would love to buy: the small white milk container (holding the snapdragons in front of the bread boards, the bread boards themselves 🙂 and the pitcher and small cake pedestal. Can you please share your sources? I absolutely LOVE, LOVE that small white milk container and have not been able to find one yet!!
Stay warm!
Julie
Hi Julie, I found the little milk jug vases locally. The breadboards can be seen here:https://rstyle.me/+M3-an9-xLLGsHNZfJhcZnQ, and the pitcher and cake pedestal I found at HomeGoods. Hope this helps.
In the picture of the coffee station, where did you find the two round containers?
Hi Emily, I found them locally. Sorry, I don’t have a source for you!
Love the containers so much! I just order the tray, so perfect! Would you be able to share where you got the cutting boards from?! Love your kitchen so much! Thanks for your time and sharing it with me!
I’m so glad you are enjoying StoneGable and my kitchen! Here’s the breadboards:https://rstyle.me/+u4Q-lCaf4eOWB_55G1WQ6g
Yvonne,
Even with a large kitchen I find there are times I question myself about having to many things on my counters I like to use large glass jars for my baking staples and on another counter keep dried fruit and cereals in other glass jars. We have a coffee station and coffee.and train canisters next to pot. On a large buffet I keep the cookie jar,dog biscuit canister and a jar of snack crackers. Everything is well balanced and neat and my appliances are in cabinets when not in use. Anyone who comes into my kitchen knows it is the kitchen of a cook and my grandchildren would be very disappointed if no cookie and snack jars. A seasonal vignette is created in another area on tray as you taught me and the magic of three utilized throughout the kitchen. Kitchens should be unique to their users and variety is what keeps the world interesting.
You are so right Kathy! Your kitchen sounds warm and welcoming!
This has inspired me to take another look at my countertops, and remove a few things! We use are toaster often as well. It’s functional, but not pretty. Do you have a source for the canisters, and tray that corrals them? Thanks so much Yvonne!
Hi Penny, see the white platter here:https://rstyle.me/+SA8kfotAIpdW0A1maAjgaQ. I found the containers locally.
In an open floor plan I feel it imperative to keep a clean and neat kitchen. Albeit, life does happen and the kitchen counter is the first place an armload of stuff ends up! I appreciate your suggestions and love your new kitchen. After Christmas I like to strip my counters and change what I have on them. My sweet brother installed a lift that allows me to hide my KitchenAid mixer and still have it at an easy reach. I wipe my countertops down every night so that helps me from collecting a lot of stuff.
I would love to a mixer lift! Maybe I’ll ask Bobby to install one. Thanks for the great idea!
I love the backsplash in your kitchen. What is it called iris squares of tile?
I luv your backsplash, I finally saved enough money to do mine. I’m struggling with what color would work in my kitchen. Where did you get yours?
Hi Sally, we worked with a kitchen company and we found this Calacutta Marble tile locally.
Wish i had all your cabinets to store stuff but i dont. Beautiful pull outs. I have about 1/4 of your counter top space. Maybe i just hang on to too much stuff in cupboards. Junk it!!
I agree with decluttering your countertops.My kitchen is not overly big so I’m always trying to keep it free of unnecessary items.I have a cabinet with pullout drawers and the toaster goes there !I also like a little pretty on the counter, makes me happy !
We are like-minded when it comes to our kitchens, Doreen!
Just wondering since you said the color paint for your walls is BM’s “Simply White,” and that it blends perfectly with your cabinets, what color were your cabinets painted? Beautiful kitchen. So tastefully done.
All our walls, trim and cabinetry are all Simply White. The walls are flat and don’t refect much light and the rest is semi-gloss which is light reflecting! So the colors look a bit different and always look nice together.
No wonder I identify with your posts! When we built new a couple of years ago, I went SW Pure White flat on all the walls, same color on the trim in eggshell, & had the cabinet company paint all the cabinets the same color with a light caramel glaze in the crevices. I love it. Simplify, simplify!
YES! We live in a very open home with high ceilings so it made sense to paint it white.
These are wonderful ideas, thank you so much. I always love everything you post. Totally fabulous
Please send me your post. I keep not getting them. Thanks!
Love love your backsplash in kitchen
Thank you Sandy
Where did you purchase the basket weave backsplash ? Or what brand is it ? I ve been to Lowes and Home Depot . They have one Calcutta gold but it is not the same ? Help I need asap . Thank you .
Hi, we got it from a local stone shop. It is calacutta gold. The stone on our order is called Soci SSH 270 Calacutta marble basketweave. Hope this helps. Our grout is ultra-white.
Keeping kitchen counters decluttered is a 24/7 job for me! It just never ends! In fact, The only time I feel truly gratified is after spending an entire day cleaning and organizing and then insisting on take-out for dinner! I just cannot keep up! My next DIY in there is creating a cabinet space for the trashcan and recycle bin.
I see you found the blue print cups for the canisters. Ha! Ha!
The white is beautiful!
You always give me such great ideas. We’re in the beginning stages of planning to remodel our kitchen and I wondered about your sink and faucet. What is the sink made of? It looks like the faucet is one that has a sensor to turn on the water. If that’s the case, how do you like it? Thanks!
Hi Sandy, the sink is a composite sink from Blanco. A composite sink is a joy! It’s made of ground granite and other materials. It does not stain and is antibacterial. The faucet does have a sensor. I love it! When I am cooking and have messy hands I just wave a hand in front of it or on the top and get water. Hope this helps.
I have been following your blog for a longtime now, and just yesterday, I really noticed your kitchen sink. You said that it doesn’t stain, even to coffee? Also, do you have a problem with the sink scratching at all? What do you use clean it?
Mostly I clean it with a dishcloth and dish detergent.
Hi Yvonne,
Thank you for your lovely posts. I always find them helpful and inspirational! Your kitchen countertops are beautiful! Can you send me a link for them or tell me where you purchased? How do you like them? My husband & I are starting a kitchen remodel soon out here in California.
Thank you so much!
Treva Del Bene
Hi Treva, our contractor got them from a local company. They are quartz and called “Ultra White”. Hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing this, Yvonne.
These are some amazing ideas you shared here. It will be very helpful.
You are so welcome!
Your clutter-free counters have inspired me. I’m was intrigued by your storing butter in a drawer. Could you provide some more information about what you use fir storage and the lack of refrigeration?
Thank you
I have never put my butter in the frig. We go through it pretty fast and I don’t like spreading hard butter from the frig. I have a drawer next to my stove and the butter dish with its lid fit perfectly in there. Hope this helps.
Where did you get the lovely wooden tray?
The white wooden tray can be found here:https://rstyle.me/+qHB_kinypIchzmQUo-l_1w
Do have recommendations for organizing a kids station? Snacks homework etc. ?
Keep all kiddo’s things together in a basket or bin and bring them out when needed. And refrigerated items kids can eat on a low shelf.
Where do you put your bread? It seams like it’s out everyday, sandwiches, cheeses, toast, etc
Great question, Diana. I have a drawer just under the area I prepare food. Breads, cookies, and other perishables like that are convenient when we need them.
Love your kitchen! You always have many great ideas! Where did you get the pots for your plants that you have in your kitchen?
Hi Linda. Thank you for your lovely comment. Sorry, I don’t have a source for the pots. I found them locally!
Thanks so much this was great. I am a clutterer but I’m getting a new kitchen, this post was just in time!
Enjoy your new kitchen, Susan! How exciting!
I’m new to your site and loving it! Thank you
Wondering where your trays on counters are from Thank you
Welcome to StoneGable Christine!
Here is the lacquered tray:https://rstyle.me/+lEJVWVxNdCanpF7_uAmGyw and the tray holding the coffee is a platter from West Elm but I don’t see it on their site right now. The wooden tray came from a local shop.
Good morning Yvonne!
I would love to see your husbands pop up bar at work!
What a great idea! Next time we have family or guests over I’ll do a little post about his pop-up bar!
Could you please tell me where you purchased the kitchen canister set? Its beautiful.
Hi Caroline, you can see the canister set here:https://rstyle.me/+OIj2A0La_1TaDoUuhpnzYw
Thank you for these tips! With these updates, I’ve been trying to find a way to decorate my kitchen and counters without it looking too cluttered. I just ordered a wood tray and a breadboard, and I can’t wait to get them and decorate with some spring flowers as well!
Yvonne,
I’m laying in bed on a very early Sunday morning reading every single word about your kitchen remodel, and inspired by the photos. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed an article as much as yours. Thank you for sharing every detail. It’s perfection! You’ve become my favorite designer to read daily. Love your inspirational words, as I too am a Christian. Keep up the amazing work. Blessings,
Bev
I love your kitchen and I’m in the process of remodeling mine. Can you please tell me about your backsplash? What is the name and color of it?
The backsplash is called Calacutta marble in a basketweave pattern. You can see it here:https://rstyle.me/n/fuqy4ab6by7
I love your grey and white canisters that are in front of the cutting boards. Can you tell me where you purchased them?
Here you go Vanessa:https://rstyle.me/+OIj2A0La_1TaDoUuhpnzYw
I love the canisters in the coffee station. where did you get those? thanks
Hi Kristen, I don’t see the tall one anymore, but here are a set of 6 floral canisters with wooden tops:https://rstyle.me/+Y7i4MHMNjXIya7K2XnrLfQ
What is the plant in the first photo?? Looks kind of like an olive branch with orange in it.
I’m not sure. It was already planted in our yard when we moved in. Sorry I can’t help more.
Your kitchen is beautiful! Thank you for sharing so many great tips! Would you mind sourcing where you got the extra large, white cookie jar with the wood lid? Thanks in advance!
Hi Shelley, I found this canister at a local shop. I look to see if I can source it but with no luck. Sorry.
Beautiful and inspirational.
My toaster oven is out all the time it’s used all the time – some appliances live in my laundry room – like my bread maker and that’s where I use it. Bread stays in my microwave ?.
What color is your olive oil container as there are 3 blues but yours is perfect.
Thanks
Thanks, Emily! I’m not sure which one. When I bought it it was the only blue.
I love your blog!
I moved to a planned community (from NH to MD) two years ago that has all-ages and 55+ neighborhoods. I love it! I have a beautiful white kitchen with lots of counter space, a pantry closet and pull out shelves inside the cabinets. And my sink (and dishwasher) are in the 8 foot island. My husband is in charge of emptying the dishwasher every morning while the coffee is brewing. He brings me a cup in bed every morning now that we’re both retired.
I am truly blessed!
I too like stations with items corralled but I’m a bit of a grandma-millennial so I like using a mix of vintage and new pieces. My stove top cooking utensils live in a vintage silver champagne bucket, the 3 canisters that live on my countertop (flour, sugar and tea) are white Mother of Pearl, with a beautiful vintage hand pound aluminum tray standing against the wall as their background. My toaster oven does live at one end of my counter but I have a lovely hand made serving piece that sits on top and pretties it up a bit. And at the opposite end of the kitchen, close to the fridge lives my trusty Vitamix for morning smoothies and all sorts of cooking assistance. Everything else small appliance wise lives in the pantry closet.
I too love bringing in fresh flowers, herbs, greenery and berries from our yard to enjoy on our island. Right now I have cuttings from my Pothos rooting in a vase by the sink. Sometimes I will add a few flowers to my cuttings when available. That looks great and friendly on the budget when you’re bringing in from your garden or buying just a few stems.
My next project is to figure out how best to store my spices because I’m short and getting the step stool out of the pantry closet every time I want something on the second or third shelf is getting old. I currently have everything set up alphabetically in vertical rows. Yes, I use all of these spices and go through them regularly to weed out anything old.
Wow! Paulette you are my kitchen hero! Your kitchen sounds like the kind of place I would be so happy in! I LOVE your creativity and the way you infuse your kitchen with your personality.Thanks for sharing.
Paulette, you can get spice inserts for a drawer. They lay at an angle so you can clearly see them. I put mine in alphabetically.
I would love to have them too, but don’t have a long drawer near my cooking and baking station.
This is a great article I really needed to see this. My counters are a bit cluttered right now ? and a change is needed. It’s been on my mind to declutter and this was the push I needed! Got to pick up a few things, a reason to shop.
Hi Ida! I’m so glad. When your countertops are less cluttered it is freeing!
Thanks Yvonne. Perfect timing as we are about to move into our next home and they tips are just what I need. I plan to add a bit of copper for warmth like a copper soup ladle and a copper tea kettle.
Congratulations on moving into a new home, Lynette. Copper sounds like such a pretty choice.
Great ideas. Your kitchen is beautiful.
Yvonne,
I just LOVE your kitchen! Your ideas excite me as my hubby and I continue to search for that right-size home.
Hi June, how sweet of you! Best wishes for finding that next forever home.
Where and how do you organize your pet feeding station in the kitchen?
Hi Beth, we are down to one cat. So I put his dry food in a large plastic cereal container in our pantry. He eats in our kitchen next to the banquette.
My cat is a messy eater – he’ll only eat canned food. He eats with his left paw and then shakes the left-overs off to spatter everything around him. He is relegated to a cube in my office. Too messy for the kitchen. LOL. The two dogs are dry food only. My 42 lb rescue eats a lot so I have a container on wheels. Just don’t know where to store it so it is both convenient and not an eye sore! I have a very small kitchen. any suggestions?
This is about countertops. The home remodel TV shows make it seem like you are a second class citizen if you don’t choose quartz or granite countertops. Hang your head in shame if you even mention”laminate”!! This time around for the new kitchen we installed in our 1959 home, we chose upgraded laminate. Quartz was going to be $3,000 more for our little kitchen. I thought I just had to have a farmhouse sink and you need quartz or granite for this. I found another sink I liked which I just love now and always use a cutting board. We have built several houses and done a lot of remodeling, but I just love our little house.
Hi, you said something in your comment that everyone should do- do what you love!
Thank you for all your beautiful decorating tips Yvonne! I have a small kitchen & agree with you on only keeping the essentials I use everyday on the countertop. One of those is the coffee maker. Would you tell me where you got yours? I love the clean lines!
I love this newer version of a Keurig! See it here:https://amzn.to/3SbeL4v
Hi,
Beautiful kitchen!!
Can you tell me where the large farmhouse vase is from ?
Thank you,
Holly
Hi Holly, I found this vase locally and can’t find a source. Sorry
Hi!
I noticed that you have your knives in a crock. Is it special for knives? I have my knives in one of those blocks and I hate the way it looks.
Love your blog!
Michelle
Hi Michelle, inside the crock is a kapoosh. Check it out. I love having my knives right where I need them. See the kapoosh here:https://rstyle.me/+0xQt53XKQIfzVThmxrWTVg
This is such a timely post for me to read as we’re about to replace our kitchen cabinets and countertop. If our current sink can’t be removed from the existing countertop, we’ll need to get a new sink as well. I noticed your sink’s divider is lower than the sides. I know the purpose is to make it easier to wash larger pans/cookie sheets. How do you like that? Are you still able to get deep- enough water in the “washing sink”?
I’ll keep all your suggestions in mind as I reorganize our cabinets and drawers. One of the things I’m most excited about is that we’re adding a new counter and cabinet section. I have a vintage card catalog with 15 long drawers and I plan to put it on the countertop to use as a spice cabinet. The spice bottles will perfectly fit into the drawers. I can use any extra drawers for long utensils. As a retired librarian, this is something I’ve hoped to be able to do for years but our kitchen was never configurated to make this possible.
Thanks for all the inspiration and ideas you offer.
The new kitchen you are planning sounds wonderful! We do like our sink. We have never had a problem washing anything. It’s not a farmhouse sink but a more updated version. Have fun with your kitchen remodel.
I recently purchased something on Amazon that I thought was ingenious and I thought I’d share here. My daughter had nowhere to place her coffee maker that wasn’t under an upper cabinet. We were moving it all the time to prepare coffee. I found a bamboo tray that slides out from under the cabinet. You can make your coffee, the steam won’t touch/damage the cabinets, then slide it back under when your coffee is done and everyone has poured a cup! The name is ANBOXIT. I’m NOT an online shopper but these were nowhere to be found in brick and mortar stores. I read EVERY review and this was the best one. It has not disappointed! I’m going to buy one for my home.
Love this! I have a question re the knives in the crock. How are they secure in there? I’m moving to a condo and have them in a drawer now but will need to put on counter.
Your kitchen (and home) always looks lovely! Can you please share where you found the large wire wrapped vase on your island? Thank you for always inspiring us!
Hi Debbie, I found this big container at a local shop. Sorry, I can’t find a source online for you.
How do you like your Blanco kitchen sink? It’s granite right? Do you have trouble with it staining and scratching? How long have you had it? Is your the Truffle color? I am getting ready to redo my kitchen this fall and I noticed your kitchen sink today and liked the double farmhouse sink style, so I was interested in your comments on how you like it and/or what you don’t like about it.
I love my Blanco Truffle sink. It is a granite and acrylic resin sink. The can handle pots and pan that have had boiling liquid in them. Mine has never scratched and these sinks have antibacterial properties. I love my sink! I clean it with a dishcloth and dish detergent daily and wipe it dry with a towel. You can use a non abrasive cleanser like, barkeepers friend on them. I’ve had a single farmhouse sink and this double one. I’m not bathing babies in a sink any longer, so I really love the double sink. Hope this helps. Here’s my sink; https://rstyle.me/+VN58jYu00977YvaqSpXNnA
Your kitchen is so absolutely gorgeous! I love all your decorating photos, so inspirational. I’m working on creating this sort of look in my house too. Love it!
You are so sweet, Sarah. How fun to work on creating something new.
What is the source for kitchen stools? Love them. And your back splash is beautiful.
Hi Barbara, they are from Ethan Allen. The fabric on the stools is a performance fabric. Hope this helps.
I love your blog! Can you tell me where you got your kitchen barstools?
Hi Diane, thank you so much! The barstools came from Ethan Allen.
Where can I find the white tray beside your Keurig?
It’s really a white platter. See it here:https://rstyle.me/+5nKjyLx_vDTPZrWii7ON_g
Lovely ideas for decorating kitchen countertops. Simple touches like trays, plants, and useful items keep the space neat yet stylish. Great balance between function and a warm, lived-in look.
Your kitchen is beautiful kitchen and your tips are wonderful. Would you please share what you used to hang the picture over your range?
We put a brass hook through the grout. The picture is quite light, as we did not want to hang anything too heavy. Hopes this helps.
Thank you for all you do sent with a prayer for your day!
How sweet, Cathie! And a prayer from Tanglewood House to you!
The best idea I had was to put outlets in the back of my tall cabinet with pull out shelves. This was the appliances never need to leave the cabinet. Inside is my toaster which I just pull out and my Vitamix blender as well as waffle maker, mini chopper, and mixer.
That is such a great idea, if you have the room and the plug.
LOVE the ideas and suggestions! Thanks so much!
Hi Sandy,so glad this post was helpful.