New Apartment Decorating PART 6: My Cozy Kitchen Styling!
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I moved into my new apartment 2 months ago, and after decorating my living room and bathroom, now it’s time for my kitchen styling!
In the video below, I take you along with me as I shop for new kitchen decor in an adorable local interior decor store in my hometown of Snoqualmie, WA (hey fellow Twin Peaks fans!). Then I bring you with me as I decorate my kitchen with the new pretty things I got. 🥰
So if you’re looking for cozy kitchen inspiration for your apartment, you’re in the right place!
And scroll down for some takeaways and kitchen styling tips based on my experience styling my own little kitchen.
Here’s the video! ↓
Kitchen Styling Tip #1: Shop Local if You Can
There’s nothing like a cute local shop for finding decor pieces that you wouldn’t find in the big, national decor stores. The first store my mom and I went to is called Provocatrix, which is a beautiful little decor store in Snoqualmie, WA. And this shop was like an explosion of pretty things!
If you ever happen to find yourself in Snoqualmie, WA, I highly recommend you check out Provocatrix. It's truly one of the prettiest stores I've ever seen, and a lot of it was perfect for kitchen styling!
Also, don’t underestimate the potential of finding a beautiful piece of decor in unexpected places, like your local hardware store, of all places haha. I ended up finding a rug for my kitchen at the hardware store around the corner from Provacatrix. They actually had tons of cute decor - which I honestly never would have expected from a hardware store!
So, next time you’re shopping, consider exploring smaller, local shops or less conventional sources—you might just strike gold!
Kitchen Styling Tip #2: Experiment With Styling Inside The Store
When you’re shopping for decor inside a physical store (as opposed to online), I recommend to actually try styling inside the store to see how things could possibly look together.
Just start pulling items and experiment with different combinations. See what possible styling choices you could make and do so inside the store before you buy anything. Just… obviously put the stuff that you don't buy back on the shelves where you found them. Don't be an asshole about it, of course. 🙃
My mom and I had so much fun doing this in Provocatrix. We felt like kids in a candy store. My mom, by the way, is just like me; she loves interior decor and I feel like I am the way I am when it comes to decorating because of her. She's like the OG Moda Misfit; she’s Mother Misfit. 🙏 And she has such a great eye, so we were both basically collaborating in this store together, pulling things off the shelves, like a couple little decor goblins.
So after a lot of experimenting, once my mom and I figured out the right combination of decor items in the store, we checked out and we walked away with a beautiful bounty of pretty things!
And this hands-on approach of experimenting inside the store helps ensure that everything you buy will complement each other once you get them home.
Kitchen Styling Tip #3: Maximize Functionality Without Sacrificing Style
When styling your kitchen, remember that functionality should go hand in hand with aesthetics. A kitchen inherently needs to serve the practical purposes of cooking, beverage making, food storage, and so on. There’s a need for a kitchen to functional and organized so you can flow through it as seamlessly as possible. But this doesn’t mean that the practical elements of a kitchen can’t be pretty!
Try to choose pieces that are not only functional but also stylish. For instance, opt for canisters that can be both decorative and useful for storing everyday items like coffee, sugar, or even cat food. I personally use a decorative canister to store Helo’s food, and it works great!
Toasters can also be surprisingly stylish, and even something as mundane as a paper towel holder can be cute. So look for ways to marry functionality with style; that’s the sweet spot when it comes to kitchen stying!
Kitchen Styling Tip #4: Create Visual Interest with Varying Heights and Textures
To add depth and interest to your kitchen, play with items of different heights and textures. Arrange items like vases, dried flowers, candles, and kitchen tools in groups that create a dynamic visual flow.
Textural elements, such as a woven rug or wooden utensils, can break up the monotony and give your kitchen a more layered and inviting feel. By thoughtfully grouping these elements, you can turn everyday objects into artful displays that enhance your kitchen's overall charm!
Kitchen Styling Tip #5: Keep Tweaking Until It Feels Right
The first attempt at arranging your kitchen decor might not always be a home run, and that's perfectly okay, especially if your apartment’s kitchen is tiny. If something feels off, like a piece of art or a decor item, don't be afraid to keep adjusting until it feels right.
Interior styling is often about trial and error, and sometimes what you thought would work doesn't pan out once you see it in your space. This iterative process is normal and necessary for creating a space that truly feels like you. So keep tweaking, rearranging, and experimenting until every piece feels like it naturally belongs!
So those were my kitchen styling tips based on my experience decorating my kitchen in my new apartment! To see the whole process unfold, be sure to watch the video!
