You've repainted the kitchen, installed some tile for a backsplash, and even installed a new floor. But something is missing from your kitchen decor. You look around, and realize that none of the accessories match. Your kitchen needs matching accessories to look right, just like a new outfit. Try adding some matching accessories to your kitchen, and notice how it improves the appearance.



The first thing you should do, is to decide what theme or colors you need. Do you want a country cottage style decor? A rustic Tuscan look? Or a sleek modern look? Depending on the theme, you'll need different accessories.

Take a look through some kitchen decor magazines if you can't decide what you want. The internet is another good source for inspiration. Just browse around, and get an idea of what you would like in your kitchen. Once you've decided, then you can go to your local kitchen or home improvement store, to get what you need. The color choice should compliment the main color of your kitchen.

Sometimes, you may not even need to buy anything. Sometimes, just re-arranging what you have can create a new look for your kitchen. Look for groupings of odd numbers, rather than even. Vary the height and texture of accessories. Move things around until you get the look that you want.

Wall art, decorative baskets, plates, and trays can really add to the appearance. Just be sure that you know how to properly hang art pieces on the wall. In general, wall art should be hung, so that the center of the piece is at eye level. It should also be no more than seven to ten inches above the table. Try placing wall art in groups on the wall. Placing pieces in a rectangle, triangle, or circle helps to add more interest.

Shelves, and bakers racks often look too cluttered. Vary the heights of your cookbooks, but avoid putting small cookbooks next to large cookbooks. Often, you can make the books look more appealing by removing the dustcovers. Organize the shelves, and decorate them with pictures, baskets, candles, and other small decorative items. Be sure to place them in groups of odd numbers. Clusters of 1, 3, or 5 items looks more natural than an even number. If there's room, place some plants on the shelves and in the corners to add some color and texture.

Hang copper pans from a wire rack to add warmth and color to your kitchen. While you're hanging things from the ceiling, add a plant or two to a bare corner of the ceiling, to give your kitchen a lived in feeling. You can grow herbs in decorative containers on the windowsill, to add some interest, and provide you with fresh herbs for cooking. Colorful bottles placed on the windowsill can also add a splash of color and interest to your kitchen. Canisters and cooking utensils can add life to your countertops.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to accessorize your kitchen. You can buy one or two items at a time, and add them to the counter or shelves, and then buy more as you can afford it. You can find some good deals for kitchen decor items at garage sales and flea markets. Take your time, and look around. Find the right accessories for your kitchen, and just be creative. After all, it's your kitchen.