Do you want your kitchen to feel less like a preparation area and more like an at-home diner? Creating that cosy restaurant atmosphere takes a lot of planning, but the finished look is always worth the stress.
As the UK’s number one Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom outlet, we know a lot about renovating on a budget. Our kitchen diner decor ideas are designed for all budgets, whether you’re putting the finishing touches on an existing refurbishment or looking to add low-cost architectural features.
What’s important is that you assess your current kitchen before making any decisions. Have a look around: are you in dire need of a new splashback? Perhaps you have lots of open space around your cabinets – perfect for an island! Stay with Rehome as we break down the best ways to make your new kitchen feel more like home.
1. Skylights
Is your kitchen northwards-facing? In Summer, if you find your kitchen gets the most sunlight in the early morning (and a little towards the end of the day), it may be one of the darker rooms in your home.
To maximise sunlight, rooflights are a relatively cheap, minimally invasive structural alteration. These lights are fitted at a slight pitch and positioned into an opening in your roof.
When installed in the right places, they’ll allow much more sunlight into your home.
2. Kitchen island
Also known as a ‘peninsula’, island kitchens are a must-have for homes with the right amount of space.
Islands can double as dining tables and food preparation areas, and some even offer a functional sink. Shop for islands with an induction hob or a butcher table, and make this one of our kitchen diner decor ideas at the top of your list!
3. Open shelving
If you’re proud of your plates, cups, and crockery, why not showcase them with open shelving? A great alternative to traditional cabinets, open shelves make items much more accessible.
Simply replace your current cabinets with shelving wide enough to accommodate your items, but not too wide that they look out of place.
4. Breakfast nook
Dedicated breakfast nooks are a great way to squeeze in some much-needed family time. In homes where everyone’s busy, rushing to get out of the house, create one moment of calm in the morning with your very own breakfast bar.
For small kitchens, if you have room at the end of one of your worktops, pop some tall dining chairs along the cabinets. Those working with more space (or a peninsula) can use a plinth on one edge of the working space.
5. Pendant lighting
Recessed LEDs and under-cabinet lighting can only go so far. If you really want to make a statement, shop for pendant lights. These fixtures hang from the ceiling via a rod, cord or chain and are also sometimes referred to as ‘drop’ or ‘suspender’ lights.
They work best when positioned over a kitchen island or dining table: what a way to set the mood for dinner parties! You could even add them to the hallway leading into your kitchen.
6. Unified colour scheme
While some renovators love the idea of quirky, mismatched decor, others crave order.
If you fall into this category, create a unified colour scheme. For example, if you’re working with navy blue as your base colour, crisp whites and pale greys will always match well.
Think about patterns and prints that combine these complementary colours, then put them into place! You can make small, inexpensive changes, like wallpapered accent walls, or go all out with a fresh coat of paint.
7. Bi-fold garden doors
Some of our kitchen diner decor ideas are dependent on your home’s architecture, and this tip is no exception. Bi-fold doors consist of multiple panels that fold back on themselves along a track system (which is why they’re also called accordion doors!)
They open fully and create a wide, unobstructed passage between your kitchen and the garden. Compared to traditional doors (which leave half of the space blocked), bi-fold doors are naturally compact and more suited to smaller kitchens.
8. Built-in banquette
Built-in banquettes are the ultimate in cosy kitchen decor. Designed to replicate the feeling of a diner, these banquettes include fixed benches, which are often installed along a wall or in a corner.
When combined with a small table, they provide a way for homeowners to increase seating capacity without the need for additional floor space. You may be able to find a purpose for corners or window bays that would otherwise go unused.
9. Glass partitions
Is one of your top renovation goals to focus more on ‘zoning’? What we mean by this is better defining specific areas of your kitchen, like those used specifically for dining, food preparation and cooking.
Translucent dividers can help you achieve this without completely obstructing the view or light. In kitchen-diner configurations, this can work especially well.
You’ll maintain the same light levels while keeping a separate visual connection to each area.
10. Wine display
Connoisseurs of vintage wines should show off their collection with a dedicated display! Wine coolers make excellent additions to homes, especially when integrated into flat surfaces (like those from leading manufacturer Kaelo).
Unlike standard refrigerators, which can have fluctuating temperatures, wine coolers maintain a consistent environment designed for wine preservation.
Show off the best of your aged reds, whites and rosé’s, each chilling at their ideal serving temperatures.
11. Multifunctional furniture
As kitchen decor ideas go, multifunctional furniture scores ten points for creativity!
These pieces serve multiple purposes within a single unit and can be equally beneficial for small and large kitchens. If you’ve got the space, why not shop for kitchen islands that have an incorporated sink?
With enough space and a few chairs, they can also double as a dining table. More space-efficient ideas include storage benches with hidden drawers and a lift-up lid.
12. Underfloor heating
Does the idea of walking into your kitchen in the early morning send a shiver down your spine? Underfloor heating is the investment that makes no visual difference, but a massive impact.
These heating elements, installed beneath the floor surface, radiate warmth upwards. With an even distribution of heat throughout the room, you can wake up every morning to a floor free of cold spots!
13. Artwork feature wall
More often than not, the kitchens that lack ‘oomph’ feel like a showroom display. They’re almost too pristine (if that’s possible!) and don’t incorporate enough of the homeowner’s personality into the design.
If this is to your liking, then great! If not, an artwork feature wall composed of all your favourite prints and paintings will work a treat. Purchase matching frames for a put-together look, or randomise the design with mismatched shapes and colours.
14. Varied flooring
Another take on ‘zoning’, homeowners can subtly delineate between areas of a kitchen with flooring materials. For instance, moisture-resistant porcelain tiles in the cooking area will be able to withstand food spillages and heavy foot traffic.
Over in the dining area, warmer, comfortable options like hardwood or luxury vinyl planks can make the space feel more ‘homely’.
15. Plants
Who doesn’t love greenery? Scientifically proven to reduce pollutants in indoor air, plants can be a beautiful way to brighten a kitchen.
Those looking for low-maintenance plants that take care of themselves should shop for aloes, succulents or cacti (all of which look great placed on a sunny windowsill). Other options include ferns or snake plants.
16. Sliding doors
To really create a connection between your kitchen and garden, sliding doors are a worthwhile investment. You can use them to open up or close off a space (without the intrusion of traditional hinged doors!)
In summer, you can enjoy meals in the fresh summer breeze, and when winter rolls around, you can watch the world go by without having to face the cold.
17. Mirrors
A clever interior design trick, mirrors, can make even the smallest kitchens look spacious. The most practical area is above the sink: this placement reflects light and, when positioned at eye level, can give guests a great view.
For something a little more creative, consider a mirrored splashback. Reflective tiles can add lots of interest to a small corner and can brighten a kitchen without the full effect of a large mirror.
18. Dining chairs
Who said tables and chairs have to match? If you’ve already purchased the dining table of your dreams, the right chairs are somewhere out there! Just make sure their size and scale are appropriate for your table, and start shopping.
19. Double-sided fireplace
Without the correct zoning, open-plan kitchens may lack the definition associated with traditional layouts.
A show-stopping way to create subtle division is with a double-sided fireplace. Position it between the kitchen and dining area, where you can enjoy warmth while eating your meal.
20. Industrial elements
When you think of industrial, what comes to mind? We think of exposed brick, concrete, and silver, chrome finishes. Metal accents, like stainless steel appliances and kitchen taps, are a classic, low-cost way to give your kitchen a little edge.
21. Coffee station
For the coffee lover in your life!
Sometimes, the simplest kitchen diner decor ideas are finally purchasing the appliances you’ve had your eye on. A dedicated coffee station, complete with an integrated appliance and mugs, can make your kitchen feel brand-new.
22. Dining table
If you’re sick of eating dinner on the counter or on the couch, clear some room for a dining table. Space is no excuse! There are compact, foldable dining tables or those that press up against a wall when you’re done.
23. Pot rack
Are you determined to clear out space in your cabinets? You’ll likely find that pots and pans take up the most space. Ceiling-mounted pot racks hang above kitchen islands or workspaces and give you quick access to cookware.
For smaller kitchens, wall-mounted racks use up vertical space and provide adequate storage without occupying valuable cabinet space.
24. Draw dividers
Speaking of space, dividers can bring organisation to the drawers you dread opening. Allocate space for utensils with adjustable dividers, or get a more precise fit with custom inserts. If you’re feeling brave, take it on as a DIY project!
25. Pantry
Pantries act as a dedicated storage space for all kitchen essentials: dry goods, cookware, mixing bowls, and anything that doesn’t have a home already.
Small kitchens can shop for freestanding furniture that capitalises on vertical space. Bigger spaces could section off a whole area of their kitchen for built-in shaker-style shelves and cupboards.
26. Wainscoting
Wainscoting is a type of decorative wall panelling that covers the lower portion of an interior wall. It’s a low-cost way to protect your walls against stains or moisture (plus, it looks great!)
27. Colourful appliances
Feature appliances may be one of the costlier kitchen upgrades, but they’re around for the long haul! Invest in a colourful fridge or statement silver cooker from brands like Miele or Siemens, and you’ll enjoy it for years to come.
28. Gallery wall
There is no guide for creating a successful kitchen gallery wall; it should simply reflect your personality and interests.
Mix and match frames of different sizes but keep the same finish for a cohesive scheme. Or, shop for mismatched finishes for a quirky but unique look.
29. Transom windows
Transom windows are small windows positioned above doors or other windows, typically used for ventilation, decoration or adding more light to a room. They can be fixed (non-operable) or operable (able to open for airflow).
You can incorporate them above your cabinets to connect the kitchen to other rooms. While it may take a little help from a professional, they’re perfect for period homes or kitchens with tall ceilings.
30. Feature ceiling
On the topic of ceilings, they’re an often overlooked part of a renovation. Creating a feature ceiling might involve incorporating ornamental features, like ceiling panels or mouldings. It could even mean painting it an entirely new colour!
31. Two-tone kitchen
Dual-toned kitchens are the indecisive renovators' dream! Get the best of both worlds by choosing two complementary colours and pairing them around your kitchen. A white kitchen island, for example, paired with navy blue cabinets, works a treat.
32. Splashback
Many people forget about switching up their splashback, but it’s one of the easier kitchen decor ideas on our list. Splashbacks, while typically positioned behind your sink or stove, can go anywhere!
These tiles come in many different materials (glass, acrylic and stainless steel being some of the most popular) and a wealth of colours and textures. Shop around to find the best fit.
33. Window bench
DIY window benches are a quaint way to add extra seating to your kitchen. If your window bay is looking bare, contact a professional to create a custom seat using bare or painted wood. You could even ask them to add a storage area!
Shop for ex-display and approved used kitchen diners with Rehome!
Creating the kitchen you want for an affordable price is no easy task.
That’s why second-hand retailers like Rehome take all the work out of sourcing pre-loved luxury products. We have entire kitchen suites from industry-leading brands like Martin Moore and Eggersman.
If you’re shopping for appliances, don’t miss out on deals from Miele and Quooker! With our products, you could save thousands of pounds compared to high-street shopping. So why wait? Live in possible today with Rehome.
