As we described in an earlier article of our Summer 2013 “The Beautiful Beach Life” series, designing a spacious, bright summer kitchen can help transform any home into a fresh summer paradise. (To read that article, click here: “Your Spacious, Inviting Summer Kitchen Awaits”.)
We’ve already covered some expert design tips for creating a dream summer kitchen for you, your family and your guests. But once you’ve consulted with design experts (like those at Peter Salerno Inc.) and created that beautiful kitchen space, what do you do next?
Adding a bit of your own style, beautiful decor, and “summery” elements to your kitchen will only help make the space more appealing and personal. Utilizing lots of ambient light is important, but you should also find other ways to make your summer kitchen bright. Most importantly, make sure the space is one that you can truly call your own.
Here are a few more design tips to help create a beautiful summer kitchen!
Tip #1: Lots of light.
In the beautiful Lavallette, NJ, summer kitchen above (designed by Peter Salerno), you’ll notice the utilization of several highly unique hanging lamps and lanterns. There’s plenty of ambient light permeating the room, but adding bold, stylish lighting fixtures throughout your kitchen space ensures that it appears sunny at all times.
Think of ways you can include fresh lighting ideas into your summer kitchen. If you don’t have the proper ceiling space to do so, perhaps wall-mounted or floor-based lighting is the answer. Talk to your expert kitchen design consultants for inspiration, and cheer up your cooking space!
Tip #2: A bit of garden freshness.
This summer kitchen is constantly adorned by fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as lush plants. Our friends at Houzz explain more in this quote:
“Even if you don’t have the space, time, or energy to have a summer garden, there are still plenty of easy and beautiful ways to incorporate plants into your home. A container garden is a perfect way to benefit from the beautiful flowers and herbs that flourish in the summer…If you’re short on floor space, a few hanging plants can add a brilliant pop of green to a room.”
Don’t know if you want to go “all in” on including plants inside your summer kitchen? That’s fine! You can still achieve the same effect by incorporating freshly cut flowers, leafy vegetables, and vibrantly-colored fruit on your countertops and table space.
Tip #3: Add splashes of color… in your own unique style!
Look at the Lavallette, NJ, kitchen above a bit more closely, and you’ll notice some unique home decor items that add splashes of color to an already sunny room. (For example, how great is that turquoise big-mouthed fish on the shelf above the stainless steel microwave?)
Pick 1 or 2 complementary colors and see what you can do with them. As Ren Miller, editor-in-chief of Design New Jersey magazine said in a recent interview with our blog:
“People are trying to make their beach homes more like their regular homes, just with a bit more color…Navy blue and white is a popular combination, but rather traditional; in the past few years we’ve seen combinations of two shades of blue – navy blue and aqua, for example. It provides freshness. Navy and orange is a bold combination as well. Be creative with patterns and colors – area rugs, throw pillows.”
Of course, the design team at Peter Salerno Inc. is always here to help you achieve the ultimate summer kitchen for you, your family and your unique space. Visit our website for even more information, or give us a call anytime at 201.251.6608.
Design Your Lifestyle. 