Thursday, April 9, 2009

Cafe Kitchen Decorating Ideas







Cafe kitchens should evoke feelings of relaxation and warmth.


A nice, relaxing cup of coffee in your favorite cafe can be a great way to start your day. If you'd rather not trek to the nearest cafe and spend money on coffee, consider creating a cafe feel right in your own home. Remodeling your kitchen in a cafe style provides a cozy and soothing space for you to prepare your meals and eat. For design inspiration, keep your favorite cafe in mind and try to incorporate that style with your own personal flair.


Color


Cafe interiors are generally done in warmer colors and earth tones. For your kitchen, consider shades of brown to reflect different coffee drink colors. Warm greens and reds also work well for a cafe vibe. Some cafes may even have black walls to allow the decor to stand out more and show off a classic look. Walls are usually solid-colored, though some cafes make use of striped bordering or murals.


Lighting


Having lots of natural light is a great way to bring a cozy cafe feeling to your kitchen. Sheer curtains allow the sun to filter through. If your kitchen lacks the right position for natural light or if it lacks enough windows, consider installing a dimmer system within the kitchen. By having a dimmer system, you can turn up the lights to see better while cooking. In addition, the lights reflecting off the walls will create a warm glow within the room.


Furniture








Classic cafes feature plenty of tables with tablecloths and wooden furniture. A round table works best for a cafe theme, complete with a dark-colored, floor-length tablecloth to complement the wall color. More-contemporary cafes may forego tablecloths in favor of showcasing a solid wooden table or a wood table with a tiled top. Look for wood chairs with cushions to match your color scheme. Some retailers sell kitchen corner booths to make for an even more authentic cafe feeling.


Appliances and Accessories


Having cafe-style appliances is key to a cafe kitchen look. Invest in a coffee maker, espresso machine or a maker that can create different cafe drinks. As with the wall color, stick with simple solid colors, particularly black or white. A houseplant hanging or sitting on a table gives your kitchen more of an outdoor cafe feel. Look for cafe-style dishes and especially coffee mugs, which you can hang up as decorations. You may even set up a sandwich board that lets your family know the daily specials.

Tags: your kitchen, cafe feel, cafe feeling, dimmer system, favorite cafe, natural light