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Use windows as a spot for pattern and color in a kitchen where neutrals reign. To create a coordinated look, use a fabric that has a color already found in your kitchen. The fabric on these Roman shades contains a gray similar to the cabinets. Consider using an easy to wash fabric for your treatments so you can wash them from time to time and prevent the retention of cooking odors.

Outfit your banquette or breakfast nook with an ensemble of pillows. These pretty additions will decorate the eating space when it's not in use and provide an extra layer of comfort when you are gathered around the table.

Even though a kitchen is called upon to be highly functional, that doesn't mean it can't be stylish. Display artwork like you would in a living room or bedroom. Consider vintage food or grocer signs to add collected flair, or a pretty painting for a more elegant vibe.

Turn castoff and mismatch plates into a fun display. Cruise clearance racks and thrift stores to find lone plates that share a commonality. The plates in this display all sport red designs, which unifies the display and creates a bond with the nearby red island.

Give old chairs a boost by re-covering the seats or adding new cushions. Choose a fabric that goes with other elements within the kitchen so your new addition blends seamlessly.

Kitchens typically don't have a lot of wall space, thanks to cabinetry, backsplashes, windows, and doorways. Use limited wall space as a chance to display a color you might not otherwise choose for a large wall or whole room. Here, a sable brown colors the space above the windows, which grounds the light kitchen. Also, look to the "fifth wall" of a room  the ceiling  as a place to add color with paint.

Small kitchens, especially those with U- or L-shape layouts, can accommodate an island, if it is the right size. Measure your kitchen and keep in mind that walkways around the islands should be 36 inches wide. Determine what size of island your kitchen could handle and start looking. A rustic worktable suits this kitchen's cottage style. Consider an island on wheels to make it easy to move as necessary, such as when you're serving a buffet.

Paint the insides of your cabinets for an update that will give your kitchen decorating mileage without much cost. Choose your color from an existing element in your kitchen, such as a fleck that appears in your countertops or backsplash, or a color that is featured on window treatments.

Activate the space in front of a window as bonus storage. Mount shelves in front of the window by either anchoring them to the wall or along the sides of upper cabinets. This handy solution can also block a not-so-great outside view while allowing light to come in from the window.

If you have a beloved collection of cookbooks, don't relegate them to a cabinet put them on display. The pretty covers will serve as artwork when arranged and layered facing outward on the shelves within an island. Floating shelves on the walls are also an easy display solution just make sure the shelves aren't too close to the sink or range so there isn't the risk of a book falling into soapy water or onto a hot burner.

Give a narrow galley kitchen a focal point by painting the "end" wall a bright color. A contrasting and vivid hue will draw the eye through the kitchen and make it appear longer. Consider a color that's complementary to a color already found in your kitchen. Here, a coral-orange paint is the complement to the dusty blue cabinets.

If you have a cabinet door that is irreparable, replace it with a curtain. Cut and hem a piece of fabric to size (you'll want the fabric to be wider than the door, so it can appear gathered and pleated) and sew a pocket on the top of the fabric. Place the curtain onto a tension rod and mount inside the cabinet doorway. Keep in mind that this project should not be used on cabinets near an oven or range to avoid creating a fire hazard.

Rather than going to the task of painting all of your cabinets, paint just the island for a quick kitchen pick me up. Try a bright hue or color that contrasts with the perimeter cabinets in your kitchen. Use accessories to introduce the color elsewhere in your kitchen so the island will blend with the rest of the space.

Unite adjacent areas to the kitchen by repeating a color or motif. An L-shape sofa in this sitting nook just off the kitchen picks up the blue from the kitchen's tile backsplash.

Line the back of shelves or a backsplash with beaded board to add cottage style texture to your kitchen. Paint the beaded board a fun color that matches the rest of your kitchen and be sure to finish it with a waterproof sealant if you are installing it behind or around a sink.

A wooden pergola dressed in panels of outdoor fabric allows entertaining even when the weather isn't perfect. For a more sturdy covering that can stand up to heavy rainfall, consider purchasing a custom roof frame outfitted with clear polycarbonate panels.

Just like window seats inside your home, built-in benches on the deck can be made to offer ample storage space below for outdoor games and decor. Cover the top of the benches with comfy cushions upholstered in fabrics that will stand up to the elements. Comfy outdoor throw pillows add another level of comfort and style.

Before you add anything to your deck, you must first create a solid foundation. Even well-planned cosmetic changes can't hide a deck in disrepair or dirty, grimy boards. Set time each year to clean and restain your deck flooring to ensure it stands up better against the elements.

Guests and family members appreciate places to sit, and built-in benches can be made to look like original parts of the deck. Whether the benches are freestanding or attached, make them blend in by building them from the same materials used for the deck itself.

Railings can do more than enhance the safety and appearance of your deck they can also make a style statement. Decorative spindles and ball tops are among the many specialty products available to embellish railings.

If you gave up your garden to build or expand your deck, grow veggies in containers on your deck for an eclectic look and homegrown food for dinner. Start off easy with tomatoes, beans, peas, and carrots. Put the containers on rolling supports so you can move them around easily.

Add tall, evenly spaced posts around the perimeter of your deck and connect them with glass panels to block wind while retaining stunning views. For a more rustic look, use wooden posts and connect them with tree limbs.

Extend your living space onto your deck and enjoy easy entertaining throughout the warmer months. Use furnishings and fixtures to create distinct zones for grilling, dining, and lounging.

A weatherproof outdoor sound system is a party-ready finishing touch for any deck. Hung up and out of the way, these speakers decrease unwanted foot traffic on this small deck and create the perfect party atmosphere throughout the warmer months.

Before you purchase any outdoor furniture, make sure you consider all of the choices available. Furnishings made of hardy woods, aluminum, steel, and recycled plastics are some of the most common options available today. Include an outdoor rug and a fire pit to create a warm and inviting gathering space.

Give your deck a big style update by replacing tired wooden rail spindles with wrought iron ones. If you live in a wetter climate, you might also want to consider switching out standard wooden deck boards for rot-resistant composite planks that will increase the staying power of your entire deck.

Transform your deck into a luxurious oasis with the addition of a hot tub. Designate a corner or add on to the deck to accommodate the tub. To increase privacy, surround the hot tub with tall plants, mature trees, or even an add-on such as a screened gazebo.

Create an outdoor kitchen, complete with grill, sink, undercounter refrigerator, wine cooler, and eating area. Have money left over? Add a tiki bar to create a fun party atmosphere.

Add texture to a living room by adding a burlap valance to window treatments. The oat-color burlap also grounds a bold patterned curtain panel.

How to Make It: Sew or use fabric glue to attach decorative trim to the raw edge of the burlap. Use curtain clips to hang burlap valance and curtain panels.

Dark color curtains are great for privacy, but they can also darken a room. Add style and light at the same time by adding a band of sheer fabric across the top of plain panels.

How to Make It: Cut across the panel about 1 inch below the top edge. Sew a sheer piece to the 1 inch strip and then reattach the original panel to the bottom of the sheer (shorten the panel as needed to fit your window before sewing the raw edge to the sheer fabric). Use fusible web or fabric glue to apply decorative ribbon over the seams. Tack sheer ribbons to the back of the 1-inch strip and then tie them loosely over the rod.

Add fun flair to a plain window shade with a pretty rosette.

How to Make It: Cut a 4 1/2x48-inch strip of patterned fabric that matches your bedroom decor. Press the strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides facing, and coil the strip into a rosette shape. Hand stitch the rosette to a circle of interfacing. Top-stitch through the center of the rosette and trim away excess interfacing. Pin rosette to the curtain.

Dress up plain curtain panels by adding elegant stripes. Light blue linen curtain panels add color and texture to a plain cream color window treatment.

How to Make It: Cut 8 inch wide strips from ready-made linen curtain panels for each curtain. Create frayed edges by carefully pulling threads from the fabric along the sides and bottom. Place the 8 inch strips over the top of the plain panels. Stitch along the base of the rod pocket and lightly tack the tops of the rod pockets together.

Give pretty panels a modern touch with grommets.

How to Make It: Buy grommets (sold in sets of 10) and follow the instructions on the package. To install, cut a small hole in the fabric, insert both pieces of the grommet, and use the tool that comes in the kit to press them together.

Punch up plain panels with a valance made of decorative napkins.

How to Make It: Cut square napkins diagonally to create triangles. Fold the cut ends under and stitch them to the panel's top edge. Cut more napkins into strips and gather into a ruffle, which you can stitch along the bottom of the panel and the tieback.

Update your favorite lace panels by inserting a horizontal band of patterned fabric. This block of fabric adds a modern edge and also gives privacy.

How to Make It: Cut across the panel about 6 inches below the top edge. Sew the patterned fabric piece to the top panel and then attach the original lace panel to the bottom of the fabric piece (shorten the panel as needed to fit your window before sewing the raw edge to the fabric). Use fusible web or fabric glue to apply decorative ribbon over the seams.

Give plain draperies a sweet makeover with pretty ribbon bows and coordinating stripes.

How to Make It: Create simple two-toned bows from coordinating ribbons. Attach bows to each pleat at the top of the panel. Use fusible web or fabric glue to apply decorative ribbon to the bottom of each panel.

Dress up plain curtain panels with decorative fringe found at a crafts store. Choose trim in the same color as the panel for subtle drama.

How to Make It: Measure the width of the curtain panel and cut six sections of fringe in the measured width plus one inch. (The extra 1 inch allows for 1/2 inch of trim on each side to tack behind the panel to hide the raw edge.) Starting at the bottom of the panel, measure one inch from the hem and stitch on a row of trim. Continue with the next two rows. Stitch fringe onto panel leaving one inch between the top and bottom of each row.

Add artistic flair to a plain curtain panel with stencils and fabric paint.

How to Make It: Lay the curtain panel flat on top of several sheets of scrap paper as a blotter under the area being stenciled. Cover the back of a stencil with spray adhesive and then press it on the panel. Using fabric paint and a stencil brush, cover the design with a pouncing motion. Remove the stencil. When the paint is dry, repeat the process to create the desired pattern.

Add a fresh theme to a plain curtain panel with a floral design stencil.

How to Make It: Lay the panel flat on top of scrap paper. Cover the back of a stencil with spray adhesive and then press it on the panel. Using fabric paint and a stencil brush, apply paint directly onto the curtain with a pouncing motion. Remove the stencil. When dry, repeat the process as desired.

Add style to a window with multiple treatments. A Roman shade and curtain panels work well together. Customize a plain Roman shade with a stenciled design in a color that coordinates with the curtain panels.

How to Make It: Lay the panel flat on top of scrap paper. Cover the back of a stencil with spray adhesive and then press it on the panel. Using fabric paint and a stencil brush, apply paint directly onto the curtain with a pouncing motion. Remove the stencil. When the paint is dry, repeat the process as desired. Hang Roman shade and curtain panels.

Turn patterned cloth napkins into cafe curtains by joining their edges with jean rivets and grommets. You get a pretty window treatment with no sewing.

How to Make It: Purchase a rivet and grommet kit from a fabric store. Join the edges of two napkins together with jeans rivets spaced every 2 inches. To install, cut a small hole in the fabric, insert both pieces of the rivet or grommet, and use the tool that comes in the kit to press them together. Repeat until all napkins are attached and the panel is wide enough to cover your window. Add the large grommets along the tops of the panels and thread onto a curtain rod.

Create a colorful window treatment from pillowcase and ribbon. 

How to Make It: To make a shade from a pillowcase, remove the seams and press flat. Cut the case to size and fuse the hems. Fuse ribbon down the center of the shade. Look for fusible products that are washable.

Add color and personality to the cooking zone with inexpensive artwork, displays, and linens.

By  : Renee Freemon Mulvihill

The kitchen is a hardworking, functional room, but you can have fun with its design, too. Once you've selected the cabinets, appliances, and fixtures, don't forget to add the accessories that will truly make the room feel like your own. Decorative items, such as artwork, collectibles, and linens add welcome color and personality to finish off the space.

You'll likely spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so brighten up the space with wall art. Although you may not want to place your most cherished artwork near the sink or range, due to possible steam and splatters, inexpensive poster art can brighten a wall, says Richard Landon, a certified master kitchen and bath designer in Bellevue, Washington. Keep in mind that artwork isn't limited to paintings and pictures. Consider hanging decorative platters, distinctive cookie cutters, or vintage cooking tools as decoration.

If your kitchen includes glass-front cabinets or open shelves, use them to create attractive and colorful display areas. Design an eye-catching focal point by grouping similar items and hiding not-so-pretty items in decorative canisters or baskets. Limit color choice for a more sophisticated look. All-white dinnerware on open shelves can form a simple and attractive display, for example, while collections of enameled cast iron pots in complementary hues can add a burst of color to a neutral kitchen. No open shelves? "Take a simple element and repeat it on a windowsill," Landon says. "I've taken empty Perrier bottles and lined them up. Something about repeating an element makes it special."

Even everyday items can make a big impact in a kitchen work zone. Choose rugs or dishtowels with bold pattern to add a burst of cheerful color, choose a light fixture with a colorful shade, or paint chairs or barstools in bright, unexpected hues. Copper pots and pans hung from a pot rack or set on a shelf attract the eye and add old-fashioned charm to a traditional kitchen. Sculptural salt and pepper shakers, stand mixers, or other functional kitchen tools can double as art when displayed on the countertop. Or place red and green apples (real or fake) in a ceramic bowl for an inexpensive display that can break up an expanse of countertop.