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Countertop decorating ideas


15 Ways to Decorate your Kitchen Counters

By

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/04/22

The Spruce / Angelica Valiton

Making room for both aesthetics and purpose on your kitchen countertops is one of those sticky wickets. Appliances you use every day (hello espresso machine!) usually take up prized space over decorative objects. But that doesn't mean you need to skimp on stylish things guaranteed to brighten up your cooking space with pops of color, natural textures, and even extra function. There are plenty of ways you can strike a balance between pretty and practical. The following ideas share how to make your kitchen more drool-worthy with beautifully-styled countertops. 

47 DIY Projects to Update Your Kitchen

IDEAS TO DECORATE KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS

One of the most coveted pieces of real estate in your home is your kitchen counters! We want them to be functional and beautiful! Today let’s talk about ideas to decorate your kitchen counters.

This post contains affiliate links. That means when you click on some of the links in this post and you make a purchase I earn a small commission at no cost to you. All my opinions are my own.

Take a good look at your kitchen counters. Go ahead, I’ll wait!

Well, what did you see? Clutter? Dishes not put away? Countertops filled with small kitchen appliances? If you said yes, then this post is for you!

And if you said no, this post is for you too!

Really, this post is for anyone who has a kitchen!

Today I’m sharing lots of great ideas for decorating kitchen countertops. And not just decorating really, but creating countertops, these prime kitchen surfaces, what are useful and attractive!

Here are 7 ideas for decorating your kitchen countertops.

KEEP COUNTERTOPS TIDY

Kitchen countertops are a clutter magnet. And not only clutter but they also collect lots and lots of small appliances and crocks and jars and coffee makers and mugs and plates and dog treats and pencils and catsup bottles and pepper mills and salt pigs and paper and so much more!

Kitchen countertops really serve two main purposes. .

But I think there is also room to decorate them and make them not only functional but fabulous too!

No matter how much counter space you have let’s use it as if it were gold!

So my first idea and best advice is to clear and clean them off. Take everything off of them and start decorating them from scratch!

Be ruthless! Any clutter or not absolutely necessary thing does not touch the surface of your counters!

I’ve never been one to leave any of my small kitchen appliances (except my coffee maker) on a kitchen counter.

Unless you use it multiple times a day it is clutter! I have most of my appliances in a pantry closet next to the frig.

I keep my Air Fryer in top of my dryer and my mixer under the counter on the left side of the stove.

We use our toaster often. But it’s not so hard to shake the crumbs out of it every time we use and tuck it in a cabinet? My countertop stays cleaner and so does our toaster!

I keep nothing on my kitchen counters that are not absolutely necessary, and there is A LOT of kitchen stuff that is not absolutely necessary!

Start cleaning off all your countertops and putting unnecessary items away! And always clean them and put them away after every use.

CLEAN YOUR SINK

I know this is a post about countertops but I think countertops and our sinks go hand in hand. A kitchen looks messy when the counters are messy and it also looks messy when dishes are piled up in the sink!

Keep your sink clear of any dishes and your countertops free of drying dishes waiting to be put away!

I know you know all this! It’s just a gentle reminder for you and ME!

This idea to decorate kitchen countertops is a way to make the essential things we need out in plain sight on our counters work better for us and look pretty too!

Think about creating stations on your counters.

COFFEE STATION

We are huge coffee drinkers so creating a pretty and useful coffee station in our kitchen was a must.

If you drink coffee or tea or some other beverage I bet you have a drink station too!

How useful, right? Yes, it is.

A coffee station is very functional but make sure to…

I’ve seen many coffee stations and some are simple and tidy and wonderfully functional. But as soon as they become overly decorated or complicated they begin to take over that precious countertop space!

Two things to remember when decorating countertops is to keep things corralled and keep everything simple!

COOKING STATION

Most kitchen have an area next to their stove to keep things they use to cook food.

It is so important to keep the most basic things you used every day at your fingertips.

I used to have a crock filled with every spoon and spatula you can imagine, and a variety of oils and different salts and pepper and on my counter.

I kept it in a large galvanized metal tray!

To be honest, it was a mess!

So now my cooking station is in a small wooden tray that holds…

The longer I decorate and organize the more I believe LESS IS BEST! Especially when it comes to the kitchen.

The drawer below the kitchen station holds a salt pig and butter in a white butter dish as well as potholders and a couple trivets. Out of sight but on hand to use!

For me having something pretty at each station is important! Right now I have a healthy thyme plant, that I use when I cook, in the station too!

Growing herbs indoors is easy with just a little know-how. See HOW TO GROW HERBS INDOOR HERE.

OTHER STATION IDEAS

We should all tailor our kitchens to our needs. Create simple stations to help you better utilize your countertops and keep them tidy and pretty!

Bob’s pop-up bar is set up on the countertop of the long cabinets opposite the coffeemaker.

The cabinets above and below have bar glasses, liquor and mixers and the long drawer has all the gadgets he needs to set up a first-class bar!

Pop-up is the operative word here! His bar could get very out of hand so we leave it up when we have company and put it away when they are gone. It only takes a few minutes to put up and put away and then it has no time to get cluttered.

Right now have this part of the countertop decorated with snapdragons and a lemon bundt cake.

I use this area for serving desserts or drinks when I have friends over for coffee or a meal.

The reason to create stations in your kitchen is to clear up lots of countertop space!

ADD SOME WARM WOOD

If you have a surface like granite, stone, quartz, or other stone-like countertops you might want to add a bit of wood to your countertop decor!

Just a little wood or wicker will add a softer, warmer element to a kitchen that is much needed especially if you have painted cabinets.

Think about adding…

GREAT ORGANIC IDEA TO DECORATE KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS

Organic elements make a kitchen come to life and they are one of the best ways to decorate your kitchen countertops!

PLANTS

Potted plants and especially herbs are beautiful additions to a kitchen countertop!

I’ve used a lot of the little spearmint plant on the right and now new shoots are growing to be used again in my kitchen.

Keep plants small. No jungle look in the kitchen!

FLOWERS

Yes, please! If you have room for a pretty bouquet of flowers add them to your kitchen counters!

From spring through fall I cut blooms and herbs from my garden and add them to the kitchen. In the winter I treat myself and my home to a store-bought bouquet.

FRUIT

A bowl of fruit is a a work of art and looks so pretty on a counter!

When my children were growing up I had a saying “fruit is an anytime snack” and left a bowl of fruit out on the counter.

Fruit is a pretty and healthy way to decorate your kitchen!

SHOW OFF YOUR FOOD

If you have the room think about leaving cookies or biscotti standing tall in glass jars on the counter.

Or if you have baked goods display them on a pedestal cake plate under a cloche.

I love these ways of decorating with what you have! LOL!

USE PRETTY DECORATIVE JARS, POTS, AND OTHER CONTAINERS

Containing things on countertops is a great way to save space, have a cohesive kitchen and still have things at your fingertips.

Use pretty jars, pots and container that work with your kitchen decor!

I hope you are inspired to clean and clear off your countertops and use them in a way that helps you be more efficient in your kitchen and enjoy a lovely aesthetic!

You might also like…

HOW TO ORGANIZE SPICES IN YOUR KITCHEN

BEFORE AND AFTER KITCHEN MAKEOVER

Tabletop decor - simple alterations and ideas for homemade design of various types of tabletops (125 photos)

The table is a must-have interior item and is used to equip the kitchen and living room, personal office and children's room.

With a certain level of wear and after changing the overall interior space, it is necessary to decorate the table and transform it using improvised and inexpensive materials.

Inspiring and beautiful photos of countertop decor will help you choose an original furniture design option to your taste. nine0003

The implementation of the selected options will not require significant time and money required to purchase expensive consumable building and decorating materials.


Contents of the review:

Methods and techniques used to decorate the countertop

intensive exploitation.

A simple and beautiful kitchen worktop decor is quick and easy, for this, several techniques are used, for the reproduction of which it is not necessary to have experience and special skills: nine0003

Pre-purchased ceramic tiles can be used as countertop decoration materials.

Surface decoration is made using various materials left after repair or construction of decorative building materials, paints and varnish, broken ceramics and even epoxy. nine0003

Painting: full and partial

An original tabletop with decor components will be obtained by painting the surface and applying individual decorative elements.

We also recommend that you read about eurozapil countertops on this portal: https://kyhni.guru/evrozapil-stoleshnicy/.

Using masking tape, you can lay out stripes and zigzags, apply several layers of paint and form unusual patterns on the tabletop that replace artistic painting. nine0003

Decoupage: paper and fabric

For table coverings, it is recommended to replace the usual decoupage napkins with a fabric with a beautiful pattern or thick wrapping paper.

After fixing the decorative layer and arranging the various installations, the tabletop is covered with a wear-resistant and durable varnish, which can be applied in several layers.

Mosaic: a choice of materials

The simple decoration of the worktop with mosaic allows you to create unique and designer compositions, and the master can use different materials for this. nine0003

Shards of ceramic tiles and dishes, natural pebbles and shells, compositions of originally laid beads and beads, plastic or cork stoppers are suitable for table decor.

Wall murals with a beautiful pattern

Ordinary or large murals, suitable for decorating tabletops using simple decoupage technique.

Experts recommend that you first think over the location of the central element of the composition on the table top and, if necessary, supplement it with small, separately carved decor or self-adhesive. nine0003

Ceramic tiles for the table

When choosing where to buy decor for the countertop, you can pay attention to the ceramic tiles left after the repair work.

Several elements laid in different variants and combinations will perfectly decorate a wooden canvas, and decorative panels and compositions can be created from small tiles.

DIY stencil technique

It's easy to see the diversity of countertop decor ideas, painting remains the simplest and easiest option, easily reproducible with your own hands.

A unique stencil staining technique can be used to create a refined and sophisticated finish on the wood surface of an old table.

Consumables

Careful and complete preparation of all the necessary materials will ensure the quick completion of the main work, the master will need: nine0003


During the application of paint and varnish, it is necessary to ensure the supply of fresh air and to carry out all work in a mask to protect the respiratory tract.

Application technique

The selected piece of tulle should exceed the area of ​​the table top by 5-10 cm, for its secure fixation to the back of the table, the following procedures are carried out:

To preserve the effect of the design composition, before applying the second coat of paint, the edges of the table are covered with masking tape and the paint through it will not get on the table top.


Source: https://dekorexpert.ru

Top decor photo

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DIY wooden table top decor: original ideas, photo

Old furniture often turns out to be strong and solid. But it is not necessary to throw away an object loved by the whole family - it will be possible to “breathe a new life” into both grandmother’s locker and great-grandfather’s table. Self-decor countertops will not be difficult if the right materials are purchased.

There are many ways to restore kitchen worktops.

Contents

Top decor features

I furniture often turns out to be strong, solid. But it is not necessary to throw away an object loved by the whole family - it will be possible to “breathe a new life” into both grandmother’s locker and great-grandfather’s table. Self-decor countertops will not be difficult if the right materials are purchased. nine0003

To update, modify an old product, you do not need special design skills - what is important is the desire, the presence of an interesting idea. The "issue price" depends on the chosen technique, the materials used. Sometimes the table is still very strong, it is a pity to part with it, but it does not fit into the interior - then it needs to be modified.

Breathing new life into old furniture does not require special design skills.

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How to choose a decoration technique

There are a great many ways to decorate a kitchen table - the choice depends only on the imagination of the master, the degree of wear of the structure, the desired result. Most often, a wooden table is simply covered with stain. A product that has many curved parts is difficult to paste over with a film or tile - it is easier to paint. To implement complex options, you should look at the corresponding master classes.

Decorating an old table with a ceramic plate. nine0003

See alsoAll about ventilation in the bathroom and toilet

How to start restoration, decoration

Carefully prepare the surface before starting work:

Before proceeding with the surface decoration, the worktop must be thoroughly cleaned and sanded.

See alsoDo-it-yourself wood cuts for the interior

Main steps

The first stage of registration is the preparation of the workplace, the necessary tools and materials are purchased. After that, the product is inspected, everything superfluous is removed from it, and a primary primer is applied. After the table is dry, you can proceed to the selected finishing technique. nine0003

See alsoOriginal clock decor can be created with your own hands

Decorating the table with foam plastic for painting

Styrofoam is a cheap, lightweight material purchased at the nearest construction market. Parts of the baguette, corners are used, which are glued to the ends, table legs, facades, with glue. Sometimes foam decorates the junction of the countertop with the wall. The finished product is partially or completely painted with gold, silver, or any other paint.

nine0002 Individual design of the table can be obtained using paintable foam.

See alsoDo we buy or sew with our own hands? 50 decorative pillow ideas.

DIY designs

When there is a choice, what is the best way to finish the countertop in the kitchen, they choose mosaic, decoration with self-adhesive film, coffee beans placed under glass. They also use the craquelure technique, wood painting, decoupage with napkins, and simple surface painting. nine0003

See also The main stages of decorating and decorating a wedding table

Decoupage

This technique allows you to decorate the design with drawings, pictures, photographs, located on special decoupage napkins.

Progress:

Decoupage of the tabletop can be easily done if you have the ability to draw.

See alsoDo-it-yourself Easter decor

Painting

If the artist has certain skills, the table is decorated with any pattern, picture. If such skills are absent, stencils will come to the rescue - they are cut out independently from cardboard or self-adhesive film. The surface is pre-sanded, puttied, painted in a suitable color scheme. After drying, a template is fixed, through which paint is applied with a swab, brush, spray can. Next, the template is carefully removed, the picture is dried, varnished. nine0003

Painting on the table.

See also How to make an interior collage

Craquelure

The craquelure finish creates the effect of a very old piece with all the paint cracked. It is not difficult to create such an effect: the surface is covered with paint, and, without waiting for it to dry, a layer of craquelure varnish is applied. The latter is purchased at an art store or made independently from PVA glue with egg white, gelatin.

Renovation of the kitchen table with caracquelure technique. nine0003

Tip: to make the effect more visible under the varnish, apply two coats of paint - the second after the first has dried.

See alsoDesigner stuff for decorating your home interior with your own hands

Stickers

Decorating the table with stickers is the laziest, short-lived decor option. For work you will need:

Stickers can be considered the fastest and most affordable way to update furniture.

The upper plane, the facades of the product are leveled, degreased. Next, you should “cut” the film, leaving allowances of about five cm on each side - these parts are wrapped at the ends, paying special attention to the corners. The surface is carefully smoothed with a squeegee, but if “bubbles” nevertheless form, they are pierced with a thin needle. The film is completely glued in two to three hours. nine0003

Tip: to make the product look more original, purchase films of several colors, with different patterns.

The sticker allows you to update any surface without much effort and waste of time.

See alsoHow to decorate your desktop with your own hands

Mosaic

A mosaic table top looks luxurious and expensive. Mosaic happens:

Top decor with porcelain stoneware mosaics.

The easiest way is to paste over the table with mosaics, small tiles of which are fixed on a grid, silicone, paper. Single fragments have a square, polygonal shape, different sizes. The surface to be decorated is primed, after which tile adhesive is applied with a comb spatula, but if the tiles are glass, the adhesive base becomes transparent. Gluing is made from the front edge - the most visible part of the structure. When working, they periodically “check” with the building level, carefully smooth out each fragment so that there are no voids under the tiles. Next, the ends are glued, the joints are grouted. nine0003

The technique of mosaic decoration can be made from the remains of ceramic or tile.

Mosaics do not have to be purchased at a hardware store - you can use shards from broken dishes, fragments of ceramic tiles, pieces of CDs, gramophone records, mirrors, colored glass, etc.

Almost anything is used to make a unique picture under the glass surface: coffee beans and beans, cardamom and acorns, beads and plastic caps, wine corks and buckwheat, Kinder surprise hippos and broken glass. It is important to consider that the table decorated in this way will become a little higher. nine0003

Dining table design with glass top.

How it's done:

An easier way to decorate is to apply a pattern on the tabletop, followed by gluing the glass. The greater the thickness of the latter, the more voluminous the picture appears.

Materials, tools

The main materials that are useful for any type of finishing are PVA glue, clear varnish, wood primer. You will also need brushes for paints, glue. When the product is very loose, it lacks any details - this must be corrected. Then you need carpentry tools, fasteners. Old coatings are removed with a metal spatula, pollution - with household chemicals. Even with certain types of design, a ruler, scissors, patterns, a square, a building level will come in handy. nine0003

Before you start decorating the table, you need to prepare the necessary tools and materials.

Styles, colors

The structure to be designed, when completed, must fit well into the existing interior. Light colors and floral prints are suitable for a Provence-style kitchen; it is easiest to decorate a high-tech table top with silver self-adhesive foam. A classic table is hand-painted with white paint, a baroque piece is pasted over with a mosaic of small colored ceramic tiles. nine0003

Decoupage technique for the restoration of a classic table.

Interior accommodation options

A freshly designed kitchen table does not have to be placed in this particular room. It will be an excellent attribute of the living room or bedroom, hallway or nursery. The table is built into a new kitchen set, if the style allows it, in a corner or near a free wall.

A freshly decorated table should be left to dry for several days.

Additional tips from designers

To create a decor for any countertop with your own hands, they are guided by the advice of professional designers who recommend using only environmentally friendly, odorless materials. Finishing elements should not fall off the product. The design itself will become a bright room accent, attracting all the attention to itself. It is important that the item fits well into the interior.

The decor of the countertop should match the overall style of the room.

Conclusion

Any aged item can be updated by designing it for the interior that has changed during the next repair. It will come out much cheaper than buying new, similar furniture. Beautiful decoration of the kitchen table is easy to do with your own hands, using simple tools and materials.

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