Pep up your kitchen

The kitchen is the hardest-working room in the house and often the most overlooked. But there are plenty of ways to pep up the look, whether you revisit storage options, invest in new furniture, add a few pops of colour, or bring the outside in.

Behind closed doors

Every kitchen benefits from a regular declutter. Make the process as smooth as possible by incorporating plenty of seamless storage into your space. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets like these will conceal appliances and utensils for an organised look. Handleless units offer the most streamlined look, while metal handles like these add a stronger, linear note, ideal for contemporary schemes. Updating your splashback is another way to add a relatively cost-effective revamp. A heavily veined marble like this works best against a simple, decluttered surface.

Introduce crisp linens

Nothing peps up a kitchen scheme faster than introducing a selection of fresh linens into your scheme. Whether you simply add a few quality linen tea towels, or invest in new tableware, your kitchen will benefit from an instant uplift. If a table takes centre stage in your kitchen, consider giving it a new look by dressing it. Here, contrasing table cloths in white and soft putty create a spring feel, while striped chair covers add a note of relaxed elegance.

Add a pop of colour

Give the kitchen an instant facelift by updating soft furnishings. Commission some cushion covers or bench pads in a favourite fabric to add a new twist. In this case, utilitarian bench seating is enlivened with a pop of bright pink contrasted with smart white piping. Investing in a new rug is another way to change up the look. Try to go large-scale for a generous look, using the rug to delineate a social space, or to anchor a dining table and chairs.

Bring the outside in

Try maximising the link between inside and out, especially during the short winter days. A view of the garden adds an instantly soothing effect to any kitchen scheme - if large structural changes are impractical, try enlarging door and window openings to channel in light and optimise views. In this scheme a wide doorway looks through to the garden beyond and increases a sense of space and flow.

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For more decorating inspiration, head to housetohome.co.uk.