Focus on the kitchen as a living space, by Camille de Rafélis

Every month, decoclico invites a "freelancer for a day" to write an article on the theme of his/her choice!

This month, it's Camille de Rafélis ( @cderafelis_interiordesign ) , who specializes in interior architecture and design, has taken up the challenge of writing about the kitchen, that real living space. We've given her the keys and let you discover her article, full of decorating ideas.

When the decoclico team asked me to take the floor for their "freelancer for a day" column, I immediately wanted to tell you about a room I particularly love: the kitchen. For me, and in the minds of my customers, the kitchen is no longer a simple place where you prepare tasty meals. It's above all a living room, a key part of an interior, where you spend time with friends and family, but also on a day-to-day basis. Above all, the kitchen should be a place where you can feel at home. So, open, semi-open, closed, neutral or colorful, there's a style for everyone!

Here are a few tips to make your kitchen a room that's pampered and decorated like the rest of the house.

Choose attractive kitchen fronts

Accessorize your kitchen, so that it doesn't look like a supermarket kitchen or even your neighbor's. Personalize it by creating a world of your own.

For the fronts, choose a strong, bold color, or a material such as wood. For the worktop, opt for beautiful materials such as Dekton, stone or wood. If you're on a tight budget, you can also opt for laminate tops, which allow you to enjoy beautiful materials without breaking the bank. Add to this some beautiful handles you've found on the market, and you're ready to go!

Photo ©Bilboquetdeco

Mix kitchen furniture with "real" furniture

When you're ready to move in, keep some of the walls empty, and add storage units that aren't necessarily dedicated to the kitchen. This will accentuate the fact that this room is not just a kitchen

For example, install a china cabinet rather than a row of kitchen units. This will add rhythm and cachet, making you feel even more at home in your own cocoon, your own world.

Column shelf, Decoclico Factory from 165

©bonjourtangerine

Avoid too many tall cupboards

Whenever possible, replace your tall units with shelves to give more rhythm to your walls. This will allow you to decorate these dedicated spaces with your own objects (recipe books, frames, paintings, photos, crockery, knick-knacks, and why not even a portrait of your great-grandmother!) to create a truly unique and personal atmosphere.

NO LIMITS when it comes to decorating!

Wall shelf, Maison Tilleul 35

©lespenatesreims

Incorporate lighting

Accentuate kitchen volumes with attractive lighting , you could also use them in your living room. Play with heights with beautiful pendant lights and brighten up your worktop with attractive wall lights .

Dare to use brass, rattan or cane, depending on the style you want to give this room.

Photo ©Camillederafelis

Bring nature into your kitchen

In this age of "eating well" and "consuming better", use your shelves to install indoor vegetable gardens with aromatic herbs.

And if you don't have a green thumb, you can simply place a pretty bouquet of flowers in a small vase, for a guaranteed decorative effect!

If you put all these little tricks into practice, you'll have a kitchen that doesn't look like the neighbor's and where you'll feel truly at home. Cooking in a personalized space will no longer be a chore and, with a bit of luck, you'll become a real cordon bleu!

In short, dare to be your own person, with no rules and no limits!

Camille de Rafélis https://www.camillederafelis.com/ And on Instagram @cderafelis_interiordesign