I've found kitchens tricky too. When I built my place, I initially went for a minimalist look—clean counters, everything tucked away—but honestly, it felt sterile and cold. Eventually, I settled on a compromise: open shelving for everyday dishes and mugs, plus a few plants. It adds warmth without cluttering up the workspace. Still, it's a constant balancing act...too much stuff out and cooking becomes a hassle.
Totally get you on the balancing act. When I redid my kitchen a couple years back, I went all-in on sleek cabinetry and hidden storage—looked amazing in the showroom, but at home it felt like living in a showroom, you know? I missed the warmth of a lived-in space. Eventually, I added a few open shelves for cookbooks and pottery pieces I'd collected from trips. It instantly felt more inviting without cluttering the counters.
One thing I've learned is that lighting can make a huge difference too. I swapped out harsh overhead lights for warmer, dimmable fixtures and added subtle under-cabinet lighting. It softened the whole space and made cooking feel less like a chore. Still, it's never perfect...I swear, every few months I rearrange something again. Guess that's just part of making a space your own.
You're spot on about lighting. It's honestly one of the most overlooked parts of home design, but it can completely change the mood and feel of your space. I remember working with a client who had a similar issue—her kitchen was beautiful, modern, but felt cold and sterile. We ended up layering her lighting to fix it, and it made a huge difference.
Here's what we did: First, we installed dimmable recessed lights in strategic areas rather than just flooding the space with harsh overhead lighting. That alone softened things up dramatically. Next, we added pendant lights over the island—something with a warmer bulb temperature (around 2700K) to create a cozy glow. Finally, we integrated some under-cabinet LED strips. These weren't just decorative; they were practical for food prep and added a subtle warmth to the countertops.
Funny thing is, even after all that careful planning, she still rearranged her shelves every few months too. I think that's just human nature—our homes evolve with us, right? We get new hobbies, new interests, or even just new cookware...and suddenly the space needs tweaking again.
Your mention of open shelving got me thinking though—do you find yourself drawn more to shelves purely for aesthetics and display, or are you prioritizing practicality and ease of access? I've noticed people often start out wanting shelves for visual interest but end up using them mostly for everyday items. Personally, I love mixing both—beautiful pottery or vintage glassware alongside things I grab daily like mugs or bowls. It makes the space feel authentic and lived-in without sacrificing functionality.
Anyway, your experience is a great reminder that designing your home isn't a one-time thing—it's an ongoing conversation between you and your space.
Totally agree about lighting being a game changer. Just moved into my first custom-built home, and honestly, the lighting decisions were some of the toughest—but most rewarding—choices we made.
A few things I learned along the way:
- Dimmers are your best friend. We put them everywhere, even in places we didn't initially think we'd need them (like hallways). Makes a huge difference.
- Warm bulbs (2700K-3000K) really do make spaces feel more inviting. We tried cooler bulbs at first, and it felt like living in a dentist's office.
- Don't underestimate lamps and floor lighting. We added a couple of floor lamps in the living room, and suddenly the space felt cozy and layered instead of flat.
About open shelving—I started out thinking they'd be purely decorative, but now they're mostly practical. Still, I try to keep a balance: everyday dishes mixed with a few nice ceramics or plants. Feels more natural that way.
And yeah, rearranging shelves every few months is definitely a thing...glad I'm not alone there.
"Dimmers are your best friend. We put them everywhere, even in places we didn't initially think we'd need them (like hallways)."
Funny you mention dimmers—I was skeptical at first because of the extra cost, but after installing one in our dining area, I totally get it now. Still not convinced about putting them everywhere though...hallways? Really? Maybe I'm just too budget-conscious, but I'll stick to lamps for now. Totally agree on warm bulbs though; cool lighting feels way too clinical for me.
