Top tips for creating a cosy kitchen

[Advertisement – this is a paid partnership with Kenwood, but all words and opinions are my own]

I don’t know about you, but with restaurants closed and restrictions in place, I’m spending a lot more time than normal in my kitchen – in fact my day-to-day routine seems to largely revolve around food at the moment! Small activities such as brewing my morning coffee, preparing an evening meal or whiling away a weekend afternoon with some baking have suddenly taken on new significance, and I’ve therefore tried to make the space as warm and welcoming as possible.

Kitchens are often described as the heart of the home, but adding cosiness to rooms that by their very nature are functional and utilitarian isn’t always easy. So, to help you make the most of your own kitchen, I’ve teamed up with high-quality small-appliance manufacturer Kenwood to share a few useful tips. I’m not talking about full makeovers or big remodelling jobs, but easy changes that will help you create an inviting space where you want to linger – whether you have a huge state-of-the-art kitchen or a compact galley-style one like mine.

Get the lighting right

Kitchens need to have bright ambient lighting, as well as task lighting over food preparation areas, hobs and sinks. But softer mood lighting is important too – especially if you want people to be able to relax and chat over a glass of wine or a cuppa. In our kitchen we have carefully placed overhead spotlights, together with a trio of pendant lamps dangling low over one worktop. They’re on separate circuits so we can turn them on or off as needed and everything is dimmable, allowing us to alter the atmosphere in an instant. I also like the way the pendants create a focal point along what would otherwise be a blank swathe of wall.

Making big changes to wiring or installing new lighting might not be possible right now, but you could always bring in a plug-in lamp as a temporary solution. You can also buy stick-on battery-powered LED lights that attach directly to the bottom of wall-hung cabinets or shelves.

Choose small appliances that are easy on the eye

Small appliances such as toasters and kettles are so often an afterthought – something we choose based purely on functionality, with little regard for aesthetics. But it is possible to find designs that are as beautiful as they are practical, and which actually enhance the look and feel of our kitchens rather than detracting from them.

I have a toaster and kettle from Kenwood’s stunning ‘Mesmerine’ breakfast collection, which was recently awarded the Which? ‘Best Buy’ accreditation, as well as receiving a Red Dot Design Award in 2019. It features an eye-catching diamond-pattern surface which looks 3D yet is smooth to touch, making it very easy to keep clean, and it comes in six different colours. Me being me, I opted for understated white, but there are more vibrant options such as ‘Burnt Orange’ and ‘Marine Blue’, too. What’s more, both the toaster and kettle are brilliant to use – read my full review here.

Keep surfaces clutter-free

Cluttered spaces are rarely inviting – in fact they tend to have the opposite effect. So, try to keep your worktops clear and tidy. You don’t want them to be totally empty, but restricting items to a few frequently used things plus some pretty chopping boards and pots can make a big difference to how your kitchen feels.

I appreciate this is easier said than done in very small spaces, but a quick audit to work out what you haven’t used in years – and can therefore probably get rid of – could pay dividends. There are also lots of clever tricks to help you eke every square centimetre of storage out of your cupboards, including shelf risers and pull-out racks.

Create interesting displays

Open shelves lined with a few ceramics, mugs and glasses make a great focal point. Ours were made to measure and fit along the length of the kitchen, but even a single shop-bought shelf screwed into an empty bit of wall can add interest. Alternatively, you could use a windowsill to show off your favourite things.

Introduce rugs and textiles

A well-chosen rug will help soften the hard surfaces that tend to dominate kitchens – just make sure it’s washable so you can deal with any food splatters and spillages. We have a long runner down the centre of our narrow kitchen to add texture to the minimalist scheme; it also has the added benefit of hiding the shiny orange flooring, which is the one bit of the room that we haven’t yet managed to replace.

And if you have seating in your kitchen, how about adding a sheepskin, throw or cushion?

Add plants

So many people have plants dotted around other rooms of their home but forget about the kitchen. Yet to me it’s one of the best places for them – they’re proven to have a calming effect, they help purify the air and they can even boost creativity (ideal if you’re attempting a new culinary masterpiece!). What’s more, a bit of leafy greenery looks fantastic against clean-lined shelves and units.

When choosing plants for the kitchen, do your research and select varieties that can cope with the heat and humidity. I have a String of Hearts, a couple of Pileas and a Mother in Law’s Tongue, all of which seem very happy with the conditions – although if the String of Hearts gets any longer it’s going to need a new spot…

Bring a bit of the season inside

Flowers and foliage are another way to bring a bit of nature into your kitchen and maintain that all-important connection with the great outdoors. I particularly love dressing mine for the season, adding sprigs of fir in winter, blossom in spring, grasses in summer and golden leaves in autumn. You needn’t spend any money, either – I often forage for wildflowers when I’m out and about, or snip a few branches from trees in the garden. Even a bunch of fresh herbs arranged in a jug can create a wonderful display.

Light candles 

I have an obsession with candles and I tend to light them in whichever room I’m using. The kitchen is no exception, and I love the calm, cosy atmosphere they create. Few things beat cooking with a glass of wine and some relaxing music, accompanied by the gentle glow of softly flickering light – and it makes the ‘Mesmerine’ collection sparkle beautifully!

Hang artwork

Finally, artwork can add character to even the plainest of kitchens. I’m planning to hang a large painting to the blank bit of wall by our doorway but I haven’t yet been able to find the right frame; in the meantime, I’ve put a couple of favourite prints on the open shelves. As with plants, just make sure you take the humidity into account – an original watercolour probably isn’t a good idea in a room with lots of steam, for example!

You can shop the ‘Mesmerine’ collection, which is available exclusively from Currys, here. The kettle and toaster normally cost £129 each but are currently an sale for only £89.

All photography by Abi Dare