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5 Unexpected Ways to Spark Joy in the Kitchen

Unexpected upgrades to make to your kitchen for a more productive and serene space.

Sunset

You’re in the kitchen now more than ever. Why not create a serene space you’ll be inspired by?

In partnership with Method

1 /5 Matt Bean

Center Your Counter

A beautiful cutting board displayed without clutter is an invitation to whip up a handmade meal. Small synthetic boards might be good for smaller items but we find them too tight for most projects—and too often end up chasing loose onion pieces across the floor. Size up to a display board like this walnut option from Boos Block and you’ll find it refreshing to drop down some veggies and start a chiffonade or julienne.

12x18-Inch Walnut Cutting Board, $137 from Wayfair
2 /5 Matt Bean

Clean by Design

Choose cleaning products that compliment your aesthetic, and your conscience. We love the wonderful color palette and silhouette of Method’s new dish soaps, which come in on-trend colors easily matched with contemporary kitchen design. They’re like a remodel in a bottle.

Dish Soap, $5 from Method
3 /5 Matt Bean

Marie Kondo Your Kitchenware

Less is more when it comes to sets of plates and bowls. Stow, swap, sell or donate unnecessary and outdated items and you’ll not only find yourself using your favorite pieces more, but you’ll also have fewer reserves to draw from as the dishes pile up. We like these ceramic plates from California artisan Eun Jin Bae. Bonus: There’s less clutter in the kitchen to get in your way during cook sessions.

4 /5 Jenni Kayne

Mix Materials

Kitchen surfaces often veer between the sheen of stainless steel and the hand-hewn texture of wood and ceramic. Mixing in natural accessories softens the feel of your space, and pairs well with a range of colors. Try arranging some of your wooden stirring spoons in a jar, soft linens in a basket, or wood cutting boards in layers.

Jenni Kayne Striped Hand Towel, $35
5 /5 Matt Bean

Keep Your Spices at Hand

Stashing your spices makes it hard to brainstorm new flavor combinations on the fly. Ditch store-bought containers for uniform, elegant jars and you’ll have them at hand—and enjoy a pop of color.

Spice Jars by JUVITUS

Courtesy of Juvitus

Borosilicate Glass Jars with Bamboo Lids, $44

This story originally appeared in our summer 2020 Outdoor Living issue.

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