How to make a kitchen look cosy

Since kitchens see a lot of action every day, they have to be hard wearing and practical spaces, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be a place for relaxing and unwinding in too.

The functional features of a kitchen like tile floors and stainless steel can at times feel stark and cold. With the kitchen being the heart of the home for many, there’s lots of little design tricks you can use to inject your kitchen with warmth and transform it into a cosy, inviting space, whilst still maintaining its functionality.

Read on to discover five simple ways to turn your kitchen into a super-cosy space you’ll love to spend time in.

Ambient lighting

Whilst bright task lighting is essential in the kitchen for functional purposes, if you’re looking to create a space that can transition into a cosy evening area, it’s a great idea to invest in dimmable lighting. This will allow you to alter the atmosphere in an instant.

There are lots of smaller lighting tricks to create a warm ambient atmosphere – from under-cabinet spotlights running the length of your kitchen worktops, to a pendant light suspended above an island, to rattan lamps, candles or in-cabinet lighting.

The key is to strategically place these different forms of lighting around your space to create dark and light zones that draw you in and illuminate key décor features.

Use warm, natural materials

Incorporating warm natural materials like wood, leather and textiles in your kitchen will balance out the colder materials traditionally found in the kitchen, such as stone and steel.

With the rise of farmhouse and country style kitchens, these textures are also very on trend and are a great way to add layers, texture and depth to a design space.

From wooden chairs and tables, to smaller accent details such as wooden coasters and linen tea towels, weaving in these natural materials will add textural interest to the space and make the eye wander.

Add a rug

A really easy way to make a kitchen instantly more cosy both aesthetically and practically is by adding a rug.

A vintage rug with rich colours will warm the space up – as well as your feet on those cold mornings. Placing it under a dining table or a sofa is also a great technique to add dimension to your space.

Personal décor

Creating a truly cosy kitchen comes down to the smaller details that tie together cohesively to create a space that is unique and inviting.

If you have open shelving, don’t be afraid to mix and match dishes and mugs. Several different patterns and unique handmade pieces bring personality and warmth to a space.

Dried flowers and fresh plants will also add charm to a kitchen. Not only are they decorative, but they are proven to reduce stress and will help make you feel calm and relaxed. If you need help choosing plants, check out our handy guide to the best kitchen houseplants.

Create soft spaces and nooks

Whilst it’s important to set the mood and atmosphere of the space, creating a kitchen that’s practically cosy comes down to ensuring you have soft spaces and nooks to settle down in.

Make the most out of corner areas in the kitchen and add banquette kitchen nook seating to maximise seating. If space is tight, opt for a rustic wooden bench with integrated storage in between cabinets. Adding lots of textural cushions and blankets on top of these seating spaces will make them the perfect spots to perch and relax.        

Installing a few bookshelves in a lesser used corner of your kitchen is also a great way to create a cosy reading corner that’s uniquely yours – with a range of your favourite books on show.