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As we all know, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is usually the place that brings the family together – the gathering spot if you will. Today I have rounded up 11 AMAZING cozy kitchen ideas that can easily bring your kitchen from builder grade to cottage chic.
Gosh, I could scroll for hours just looking at cozy kitchens. The kitchen is the heart of the home and tells so much about a family and how they use the space. If you are trying to achieve this look but don’t know how – stick around! I’m going through 11 ideas to help you get the cozy kitchen of your dreams.
This post is all about cozy kitchen ideas.
Cozy Kitchen Ideas
1. Add built-in or banquette seating
Adding a banquette or built in seating immediately makes a kitchen feel more cozy. Having the ability to add pillows and blankets to any space instantly bumps up the cozy factor. If you are able to add this type of seating I highly recommend it! This is something that I hope to do in our dining room, but for now I have improvised and actually have a couch for seating which is just as cozy!
2. Textured walls or ceiling
Adding shiplap, paneling or brick to the walls or ceiling INSTANTLY creates soooo much depth. You can see just how stunning the exposed brick is here. If you have a newer home, adding shiplap or brick veneer is such a great way to add a little character to your home. We added shiplap to the ceiling in our old house and not once did I ever regret that decision. It was gorgeous! There are also lots of tutorials on doing this yourself or on a budget, so definitely check out pinterest for some ideas.
3. Mix finishes
This is definitely something that we’re seeing more now and that is to mix finishes. I have done this in my own kitchen. The cabinets are white and we have a wood island. It creates so much warmth and visual contrast. I looked foreverrrrr trying to find a vintage piece to use as our island and couldn’t find one, so instead I found two XL bathroom vanities and butted them together to make a large island. Get creative with your home. Custom wood islands can be VERY pricey, so look for pieces that you can repurpose. It’s a great way to get the look for less. Is that someone’s tagline? Idk… moving on.
4. Open Shelving
A huge component (if not the most important) in creating a cozy kitchen is showing off all of your treasures. Think dishes, cutting boards, bowls, glassware but also add in decor such as: vases, plants, pictures and candles for a beautifully layered look. Using a kitchen rod and hooks or a rail system is another way to put things on display. This pin provides DIY instructions for the shelves pictured above.
5. Lighting
Trust me when I say, a big part of what makes a cozy kitchen cozy is the lighting and the ambiance. The warm lighting, the lamps… it all adds to the warmth and appeal. You want the space to feel like a big warm hug and the lighting plays a vital role in that. I am for LAMPS IN THE KITCHEN!
6. Beams
This is a no brainer. Just look at what these beautiful beams do to this space. Having the beams added warmth gives the space so much more personality to this already stunning cottage kitchen. And do not think that this kind of look is unattatinable. There are SO many DIY beam tutorials out there that are amazing. There are also styrofoam beams (yes, you heard that right) that look like the real deal but are obviously sooo lightweight! It’s amazing!
7. Wood Tones
Adding the warmth of wood tones is an integral part of making a kitchen cozy. You can see here they have added the wood ceiling, butcher block countertops and wood shelves. If those 3 elements were not here it would be a much different kitchen. It is basically the same idea as the beams – these rustic and natural elements bring a space to life.
8. Fireplace
Now, this is kind of a tall order but if there is any way for you to have a fireplace in your kitchen – DO IT! Look at this dreamy kitchen? Imagine sitting there, eating dinner, next to a roaring fire. It’s what dreams are made of. STUNNING.
9. Add Some Contrast
The dark walls and white cabinets really make this kitchen pop. I also love how they added wallpaper and the pops of copper. I love an all white kitchen (my kitchen is mostly white) but there is something about darker tones that really bring all the coziness. It adds so much more depth. If the walls were white it would not be the same feeling at all. If you like this look but are stuck on which color to use, I have a great post on my favorite cozy living room colors that would also be great for the kitchen!
10. Furniture
A major trend that we have been seeing for awhile now is furniture built in to the kitchen. Long gone are the days where standard cabinets are all that grace the kitchen. People are really adding some beautiful pieces for different storage options and variation. I absolutely love this trend so much and I actually don’t see this going away any time soon. Look at this gorgeous buffet as a major focal point in this cottage.
This kitchen is from devolkitchens.co.uk
11. Get Creative
The beauty of this style of decorating is that really anything goes! This is your house, your DOMAIN so make it special and unique to fit you and your needs. Most families spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it should be a happy place. Like I mentioned above, we used two bathroom vanities to make our kitchen island. Think outside of the box. We couldn’t find anything in our price range or in our time frame (thanks Covid) so we improvised and love it!
That wraps it up for my cozy kitchen ideas. I hope this gave you some inspo to start getting some extra cozy vibes in your kitchen. Be sure to check out my other posts and to check me out on instagram @emily_laugherty
Other posts you may like:
DIY Bathroom Makeover | Quick & Easy Tips To Bring Your Bathroom Back To Life
Warm and Cozy Home Decor | The Absolute Best, Budget Friendly Places to Find it
9 Amazingly Easy Ways to Make Your Home Cozy
8 No Fail Vintage Home Decor Ideas
Gertrude Outhier says
There’s certainly a great deal to learn about this issue. I really like all of the points you’ve made.