How To Decorate Kitchen Counters To Keep Them Fashionable And Functional

Keep it pretty and practical.

Decorating your home can be endlessly fun—and incredibly intimidating. Some designers know just what a space needs to bring it to life, but for others, decorating poses more of a challenge. Your first decorating project might be to tackle the prominent areas like the living room or bedroom, but let’s not forget about functional spaces like the kitchen. Small decorative touches like fresh flowers, fruit baskets, or pretty countertop appliances can bring the kitchen to life. Here are a few tips on decorating your kitchen counters while keeping the space clean and functional.

The Golden Rule: Avoid Clutter

When decorating the kitchen, it’s crucial to think about functionality. The last thing you want is to clutter your counters with décor, leaving no space for cooking. When it comes to kitchen décor, less is more—edit carefully and remove items that don’t serve a purpose on your countertop. There are, however, some decorative elements to bring a stylish flair to your kitchen counters. Here are a few design tips to make your kitchen counters as pretty as they are practical.

Go The Natural Route

In the kitchen, don’t get too fussy with décor. Instead, show off the ingredients that you keep stocked at all times. A beautiful fruit basket makes a natural—not to mention functional—decorative element for your kitchen. We love multi-tiered fruit bowls, which add height to the countertop, but a simple wooden bowl does just fine. Opt for natural materials like seagrass for a breezy coastal look.

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

Keep a vase of fresh flowers in every room of the house—the kitchen is no exception. Opt for dramatic coastal greenery, like a fanned palmetto leaf, to make a kitchen centerpiece. Pro tip: If you don’t want to worry about keeping flowers fresh, opt for a vase of dried blooms.

Show Off Those Beautiful Bakes

If your house has a resident baker, make the sweets the star of the show. That pretty pound cake will look great on your countertop, maybe even under a glass cloche. Create layers on your countertop with a cake stand and keep it stocked with a pretty cake or pie, or opt for a wicker bread basket to stash baguettes from the local bakery.

Break Out The China

Don’t keep your precious china locked away in a cabinet. Showcase your favorite pieces of chinoiserie as countertop décor. Mixing cherished hand-me-downs with modern appliances creates charming, vintage-inspired appeal for your kitchen.

Sleek Storage

Buy on

Buy on

According to interior designers, smart storage solutions are on trend. If you’re short on cabinet space, make use of your countertops. Create a sleek, cohesive design by storing olive oil in a stylish cruet and decanting ingredients like flour, sugar, and even snacks like cereal into cute containers—check out our collection of chinoiserie canisters, available at Dillard’s.

Price at time of publishing: $20-$64

Function And Fashion

If you’re short on space, certain appliances (like a toaster or coffee maker) probably claim a permanent spot on your counter—but that doesn’t mean they need to be eyesores. Ditch the basic toaster you’ve owned for years in favor of a charming design—matching the color to the other kitchen elements. Your burner range is part of your kitchen countertop, so treat it as such. Use the stovetop to show off your prettiest teapot.

It’s All In The Details

When decorating, details make all the difference. Add a pop of color with a decorative spoon rest. Keep it movin’ with a lazy Susan—This kitchen staple spins to help everyone at the table reach what they need and looks great. Bar cart? Forget about it—we’re making a bar corner right on the countertop. Showcase your crystal glasses, sleek decanter, and classiest liquor bottles.

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