Overall, your kitchen might look beautiful from a functional and architectural standpoint, but you will still have to decorate it.

Overall, your kitchen might look beautiful from a functional and architectural standpoint, but you will still have to decorate it.

Kitchen decorating involves adding personal touches that will make it a warm and inviting place. Simply put, kitchen decorating requires more than money!

And with good reason too.

Today's kitchens are truly busy places, going beyond traditional cooking and dining activities.

In many homes they have also become second living rooms . used for family gatherings, doing homework and entertaining.

I think one reason for their popularity is due to open-plan designs; where kitchens and living rooms flow from one to the other, separated only by a small bar or counter. The other reason might be that kitchens have a way of tantalising all of our senses like no other room can.

This is where you will make the difference.

But whether you're an enthusiastic cook who frequently entertains or someone who doesn't know a colander from a calendar, your kitchen is the heart of your home, and you want it to look great.

The good news is that you don't have to break the bank to create a kitchen that is equal in function and beauty.

The updated kitchen below with vaulted ceiling is filled with many creative and affordable elements that should inspire you to create a space that reflects your personality. It was once a ho-hum kitchen with white walls, doors on cabinets and few wall decorations.

Take a look at some of the changes and see if they give you a few kitchen decorating ideas.

Accessories are key.

To make your kitchen truly irresistible, you'll want to create the right ambiance. If you have an open-plan design where your kitchen and living room are connected, you'll want them to have similar warmth and charm.

You won't have to spend lots of money to set the mood you want. You can achieve a lot with a bit of paint, a few kitchen decorating accessories and your own imagination.

Your kitchen decorating display options can include collectibles, china, antiques and anything else that matches your personality .. even airplanes.

But avoid the temptation to display too much.

Select only a few of your very best items and store the rest out of sight. Line your items on the shelves in artful vignettes, just as you would if they were in your living room.

The neon sign and airplane add a retro flair to my eclectic kitchen. Assorted baskets sit atop the cabinets to add charm.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that certain pieces should only be placed in certain rooms. But the truth of the matter is, there are no such home interior decorating rules. Your kitchen should feel as homey as your living room.

If you think a particular sculpture or group of figurines will give your kitchen life, I say go for it.

In my home, the kitchen is the most popular room. I enjoy entertaining and so my friends always gravitate there because it has a cozy and fun feel to it.

Look for containers, bowls, serving dishes, etc that have intriguing designs and shapes, and that capture your imagination. Of course, if you're in the market for the basics you'll find everything from fancy flatware to furniture.

Like every room in your home, your kitchen should have a few interesting kitchen decorating accessories that reflect your personality. Take a risk! - www.home-decorating-made-easy.com