Top 5+ kitchen decorating rules designers never break to create a beautiful, balanced space

For a kitchen that's as beautiful as it is functional, stick with these five golden design rules from the pros themselves.

In recent years, kitchens have gone from purely utilitarian spaces to eye-catching design statements. They might be hard-working spaces, but there's no reason they can't be stylish, too. In the best kitchens, style and function are not mutually exclusive, but seamlessly intertwined.

To learn how the pros approach kitchen design, we asked interior designers to share the decorating rules they swear by—and never break. Below, they're letting us in on their secrets, sharing everything from the type of art to hang in the kitchen to their best tips for styling open shelving. The best part is that these decorating rules apply whether you have a small apartment kitchen or a large one in an open floor plan.

Turn the heart of your home into a functional and beautiful space with these five decorating rules designers say you should never disregard.

Meet Our Expert

• Jacqueline Gonçalves is a Los Angeles-based interior designer and founder of Moksa Studio.
• Thecla Glueck is a San Francisco-based designer and founder of Thecla Glueck Design.

While kitchen walls and shelves are an opportunity to inject style and character, Jacqueline Gonçalves, a Los Angeles-based interior designer and founder of Moksa Design, says it's important to reserve some negative space. "Every room needs moments of rest; not every wall needs art, not every surface needs an object," Gonçalves says. It's the negative space, she says, that allows important pieces to stand out.

When you do hang art on the walls, Thecla Glueck, a San Francisco-based designer and founder of Thecla Glueck Design, says it doesn't necessarily need to be kitchen-themed. "A kitchen should be designed as a living space, not a purely functional cooking space, and as such deserves the same emotional consideration as a living room or even a bedroom," Glueck says.

Her main rule? Intentionality. The designer's favorite art pieces feel collected, considered, and personal rather than prescriptive. "They soften a hardworking space, bring memory and meaning into the room, and remind us that the kitchen isn’t just a place to do, it’s a place to be," Glueck says.

2. Create a Layered Lighting Design

Beginning with a thoughtfully layered lighting design is a rule Glueck never breaks. "In a kitchen, it is essential to work in harmony with natural light, then layer in architectural and decorative lighting to create a space that is both beautifully illuminated and functional," the designer shares.

To support the hardworking demands of cooking and meal prepping while also allowing the space to soften in the evening, Glueck recommends a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting. "When done right, lighting shifts the kitchen effortlessly from day to night, from bustling hub to relaxing living space perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine while the room quietly glows—and the cleanup is finished," Glueck says,

3. Eliminate Visual Clutter

Kitchen countertops can easily become cluttered with both functional items, such as small appliances, and, of course, decor. Gonçalves says the moment a surface is crowded or messy, it stops feeling elevated. "Clear counters are calming, and calm is luxurious," Gonçalves says.

For Glueck, clear countertops are always a priority in kitchen decorating. When possible, move countertop appliances into a scullery, pantry, or cupboard. "An appliance garage or tower cabinet is brilliant for the countertop appliances that are used on a daily basis," Glueck adds.

To reduce visual clutter, especially around the kitchen sink, the designer suggests decanting everyday essentials, such as hand and dish soap, into beautiful, uniform vessels. "Choosing vessels in ceramic, glass, or brushed metal turns a utilitarian moment into a considered vignette, proof that even the most functional zones of a kitchen can feel intentional, calm, and architecturally aligned," Glueck says.

4. Aim for Cohesion When Styling Open Shelves

When it comes to styling rules for open shelving in the kitchen, Gonçalves says there should be a sense of unity among the displayed items. "I always look for cohesion in material, tone, or scale so the shelf reads as a storied collection rather than clutter," she says.

Glueck styles open shelving with interesting bowls or glassware that feel special, collected, and curated, while storing everyday dinnerware and glassware in cabinets. "To keep the open shelving uncluttered, I try to keep the styling to two to three colors," the designer shares. Her other tips include incorporating under-shelf LED lights and wall sconces, layering scale and texture, and including one piece of artwork for visual interest.

5. Use Panel-Ready Appliances

"When budget permits, another kitchen decorating rule I rarely break is the use of panel-ready appliances," Glueck says. The designer explains that integrating appliances behind kitchen cabinetry minimizes visual clutter and allows the room's architecture to take the lead. "When appliances visually recede, the space feels calmer, more cohesive, and intentionally designed rather than overtly utilitarian," Glueck shares.