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In December, the kitchen is the busiest room in the house: cookies, family dinners, guests gathering around the counter. A little decoration makes it feel like Christmas, but in a small kitchen every inch of counter is also a work surface.
Decorate above and around the cooking zone, not on it. Shelves, cabinet tops, the window and textiles do the job. Keep everything at least a foot away from the stove.
Before you decorate
- Protect the work surface. Leave the space between the sink and the stove free.
- Keep decor away from heat. Garland and fabric stay at least 12 inches from the cooktop and oven vent.
- Choose washable pieces. Kitchen decor gets steam and grease; pick things you can wipe or wash.
- Use battery lights. Outlets in a kitchen are for appliances.
01Mini trees on the counter
Two or three small trees in a corner of the counter, like in the photo, are the simplest kitchen decoration. Burlap bases look natural next to wood and white tile.
02Garland on the cabinet tops
The space above the upper cabinets is wasted all year. A lit garland along it adds Christmas without taking any working space.
03Holiday dish towels
Changing the dish towels is the cheapest Christmas update for a kitchen. Hang them on the oven door or a towel bar.
04A wreath on the window or a cabinet door
A small wreath on the window over the sink or on a cabinet door makes a focal point. Use suction cups or an adhesive hook for rentals.
05Lights under the cabinets
Warm white lights under the upper cabinets work as both task light and decoration. Battery LED strips with a remote need no wiring.
06A Christmas village on the open shelf
Small white ceramic houses with LED lights on an open shelf look magical in the evening. See our small kitchen storage ideas for how to free a shelf for them.
07Holiday mugs on display
A set of Christmas mugs on a hook rail or open shelf is decor you also use every day. Hot chocolate tastes better from them anyway.
08A cookie jar and a tray
A glass cookie jar on a wooden tray turns the corner of the counter into a small coffee station. Fill it with gingerbread for guests.
09A festive rug
A washable runner rug in red or plaid in front of the sink adds warmth to the floor and catches drops during baking.
10A baking set as decoration
Cookie cutters in a jar, a red stand mixer cover or a gingerbread house kit on the counter are decor and activity at once.
A plan by time
- Ten minutes: towels, mugs and a mini tree.
- An hour: add garland on the cabinets and a wreath at the window.
- A weekend: add under-cabinet lights, a Christmas village and a new rug.
Before you pay
- Measure the space above the cabinets before buying garland.
- Keep fabric and greenery away from the stove.
- Choose things that wash or wipe clean.
- If you are rethinking the whole kitchen, our small kitchen cabinet ideas show what fits a tight room. For the table itself, see our Christmas table decor ideas.
