Show Off Your Style Above Kitchen Sinks
Kitchen sinks are often one of the most utilitarian spaces in our homes. Constantly filled with dishes, soap buckets, and various cleaning supplies, they can be easy to overlook when it comes to design and decor. But the area above, around, and behind your kitchen sink is prime real estate for adding your personal flair.
Get creative with the wall and window space surrounding your sink to infuse this high-traffic area with eye-catching style. Your kitchen decor will get an instant upgrade, and you'll bring more beauty and joy into your dish washing routine.
Assess Your Kitchen Sink Area
First, take a fresh look at the sink space in your kitchen. Note the size, existing lighting fixtures, windows, plumbing details, and anything currently occupying the walls or counters. Pay attention to how you naturally move through the area as well. All this will influence the design options suitable for your unique sinkscape.
Consider Your Needs
How do you currently use the space around your kitchen sink? Do you need more accessible storage for daily dishes, cleaning supplies, or prep tools? Are the existing surfaces and layout conducive to your habits or could they use some upgrades for better flow? Consider any problem areas as well - do you struggle to keep countertops clear of clutter or lack sufficient lighting for tasks?
Identify Your Style
Envisioning the aesthetic you'd like to achieve will guide other decor decisions for your kitchen sink surround. Browse Pinterest and home decor sites for inspiration around colors, textures, lighting fixtures, organizational elements you're drawn to. Collect anything that sparks joy to reference as you plan updates to reflect your personal taste above the sink.
Brighten With Lighting
Proper lighting is essential for productivity and embellishing style around any kitchen workhorse. For sinks situated under windows, consider recessing lights into the underside of upper cabinets or installing pendant lights overhead to illuminate tasks without glare. Strategically placed fixtures also highlight decorative choices to maximize visual appeal.
Style Spotlight: Farmhouse Lighting
A black wrought iron pendant light makes a striking style statement contrasted with white cabinetry in farmhouse kitchens. Pair with checkered cafe curtains and a rustic floating shelf over the sink to enhance the cozy, country vibe.
Display Collections creatively
Open shelving, glass-fronted cabinets, floating racks offer lightweight storage solutions to show off cherished dishware or valued cooking tools around your kitchen sink. Style collections of heirloom pottery, aromatic spices and teas, or houseplants on creative organizers as an alternative to art above the sink faucet. They infuse personality while keeping frequently-used items accessible.
Style Spotlight: Coffee Station Organizer
Install floating shelves fitted with hooks, bins, and bars specifically for coffee making necessities. Having everything from mugs to sweeteners within reach makes preparing your daily brew even more enjoyable. Style with festive signage or a vibrant runner for an extra pop of color.
Incorporate Texture With Backsplashes
Mosaic glass tiles, natural stone slabs, or faux tin panels covering the wall behind a kitchen sink present another opportunity to fold visual interest into this space. Consider materials that can withstand splashes and are easy to wipe down between deep cleanings. Then have fun mixing shapes, textures, and colors to design a one-of-a-kind focal feature.
Style Spotlight: Herringbone Tile
A herringbone patterned backsplash in rich blue not only protects the wall behind a farmhouse sink but also instantly upgrades the area with compelling visual geometry. Contrast white grout makes the angled tiles pop for a stunning display when faced head on or admired from the side while washing dishes.
Show Off With Color
Painting walls or adding colorful window treatments specifically above your kitchen sink presents a fairly low commitment way to experiment with incorporating more lively hues. Vibrant in small doses, strategies like painting just the wall behind the sink, hanging mini print roman shades at the window, or filling glass bottles with candy colored cleaning brushes allow the spark of color to stand out.
Style Spotlight: Woven Window Valance
A handmade rag rug valance in crimson and golden yellow stripes and fringe filters sunshine from above the sink window while complementing the warm wood shelves, bronze fixtures, and patterned curtains in this kitchen. The rich colors and textures prevent the practical sink area from appearing boring or sterile.
Define the Space With Focal Points
Instead of filling the entire wall or window over your kitchen sink, concentrate decorative elements into one commanding focal feature. Strategically place an oversized artwork frame, unique lighting piece, or floating shelf unit to provide ample functional and visual weight without feeling overwhelming. Anchor the look with counter stools, runner, or area rug echoing aspects of your featured designer piece.
Style Spotlight: Framed Herb Garden
A rectangular wall frame outfitted with metal hanging planters creates a living art installation hovering above the sink. Crowded with small pots of fresh herbs and trailing vines, it brings organic texture, soothing greens, and garden scents to enliven dish duty against the framed opening's neutral plaster background.
The singularity of a kitchen sink makes it well-suited to act as your stylistic spotlight. Define your tastes through personalized design elements arranged artfully around its practical role. Craft a space showcasing your collections and favorite visual features framed by the humble sink. Then enjoy flaunting your signature look as you take on daily kitchen tasks.