Having a functional kitchen is one thing, but adding a hint of Italian decor can put a whole new spin on it. There are so many ways Italian designers implement practical elements into most kitchens. This blog post will look at several ways to add Italian decor style to your kitchen while providing some other insider decorative suggestions.
Create A Functional Layout
Italian kitchens are well known for their practical design and effective arrangement. For example, the idea of a cooking zone is meant to separate spaces in your kitchen for cleaning, preparing, and cooking. However, there is a lot that goes with creating a functional layout for a kitchen. For example, you can implement the work triangle concept, which includes the sink, fridge, and stove to make cooking go faster and reduce extra time spent cleaning the kitchen. A large kitchen island or butcher block countertop can provide more workplace and informal eating options.
Think of the Appliances You’re Getting
When choosing your appliances, always think of something rustic and close to the typical Italian style. For example, opt for a gas stove with like 6 burners, a big fridge in case you have a big family and host a lot, and an espresso machine because it is the epitome of an Italian kitchen space. Furthermore, a dual zone wine fridge, translated as “cantinetta vino doppia temperatura” in Italian, is a great addition because it will let you store multiple varieties of wines in different compartments, while still being protected with humidity and temperature control settings.
Italian Tuscany Color Palette
Change the colour scheme of your kitchen to something Tuscan-inspired. In addition, you will want to incorporate warm earth colours such as golden yellows, terracotta, olive green, and dark reds when choosing your appliances, crockery, and decor finishes. Furthermore, these hues can mimic the rustic Tuscan countryside, creating a warm and welcoming kitchen space. However, for an instant Mediterranean atmosphere, try painting cabinets, and walls, or even adding ceramic tiles in these colours.
Creating Open Shelving
Creating open shelving is a great way to put your favourite antique kitchenware on display. For example, you can create a solid wooden shelf above your stove to show off an old school manual pasta machine such as the pasta extruder, ravioli maker, or pasta sheeters on a shelf right above your stove. Additionally, you can display some unique kitchen utensils screwed to the wall or even stack a few ceramic dishes on top of each other. Furthermore, you can use glass jars to store all your different types of pasta and grains, which is another good way of making them accessible. Moreover, put some olive oil into an old wine bottle with a pourer as well as some small batches of dried herbs in some spice jars and put it next to your stovetop.
Take it a step further by using your kitchen windowsill to gather some pot plants with fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, or thyme to imitate the feel of a trattoria, which you’ll see in almost every local restaurant in Italy.
Mixing Rustic Chic with Natural Elements
Seeing that Italians typically stick to their traditions when it comes to the kitchen, there are a bunch of ways you can mix natural elements with other rustic items. For example, having a stone countertop or screeded floor and distressed wooden cabinets will give your kitchen a natural element feel. Furthermore, terracotta floor tiles as a backsplash or floor accent can help make it look a bit more earthy, acting as a statement piece for your kitchen. Moreover, you can even add some steel handles and use pendant lighting above your prepping area.
Blending Traditional with Contemporary Interior Styles
Italian kitchens tend to blend different eras of design including vintage and modern home styles. However, it can be a bit intimidating to figure out what to start with if you don’t know much about the two styles. Nonetheless, when you’re combining traditional with contemporary, try to focus on your permanent fixtures and materials as well as the patterns and textures you want. For example, you can mix glass cabinet doors with wooden countertops or you can pick a geometric tile pattern and combine it with a simple sprayed cabinet door.
However, the main point is to find a balance between whatever elements you’re mixing. Therefore, keep in mind the colours you’re using, the proportions of your mixed pieces, and what you’ve chosen as the centre of attention.
Conclusion
Giving your kitchen an update with an Italian touch to it will challenge you to be creative and open to new styles you haven’t seen before. Whether you are contemplating between colour schemes, storage options, or decor pieces, you will find that creating a tone and sticking to it will help give your home a feel of tradition from the Italian heritage. Not only will you feel inspired to tamper with the other spaces in your home, but you’ll have a classic yet elegant touch to your kitchen.
