5 Smart, Stylish Ways to Accessorize an Open Kitchen

Open kitchens are — and this is a technical design term — so much fun. Abundant natural light, beautiful open shelving, and unobstructed access to the party you’re hosting, even while you prep dinner. What’s not to love?

After a nine-month renovation that delivered the kitchen/dining area of their dreams, Kirsten and her husband were excited to bring it to life with their clean, modern style. As a creative director, she knows how to make a big impact — even on a budget.

Kirsten shopped chic home decor from The Home Depot to realize her vision for the new space without breaking the bank. With quality pieces at affordable prices, their online-only selection makes the latest design trends accessible to everyone. Here are a few smart ways she used accessories to help her new open kitchen shine.

Part of the fun of an open kitchen is that everything is a style opportunity, and Kirsten didn’t miss a single one. A wooden cutting board adds warmth even when it’s not in use, a cookbook holder keeps your favorite recipe on display, and a sleek onyx stand mixer doubles as decor. “It’s my pride and joy,” Kirsten says. Small touches like these elegant oil and vinegar dispensers elevate everyday ingredients.

“A bar cart makes you the ultimate host,” Kirsten says. This one in blackened bronze suits her modern aesthetic, and the wheels make it easy to move between rooms or outside. An elegant marble crock doubles as a wine chiller, and classic tumblers and wine glasses are a must.

You already love buffets for their elegant shapes and seemingly endless storage capacity, right? Good. They’re also a great place to sneak in extra lighting. Kirsten used a dramatic table lamp for extra brightness. (Pro tip: Eye-level lighting sets an elegant mood.) Then she echoed its earthy style with a pedestaled marble fruit bowl and complementary modernist candle holders.

Kirsten and her husband love to entertain, but even a quiet dinner for two is worthy of romantic candlelight. This black metal candelabra is beautiful by day and instantly sets the mood when filled with lit tapers by night.

Reserve some counter space for a plant or two. Kirsten brightened hers with a faux snake plant and a faux cactus. Together with the faux fig tree by the bar cart, they add a pop of green and a bit of height without getting in the way.