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Kitchens on Instagram might be packed with props, but Ina Garten wants none of it. Her shelves? Practical, pretty, and above all—real. “I love working in a kitchen with beautiful things, but I hate anything that’s purely decorative,” she says in a recent Substack post, where she gives a masterclass in decorating with purpose.
Nowadays, ultra-curated kitchens (and homes, for that matter) are the norm, with special-occasion stemware, kitschy Lettuce Ware, and colored glass artfully displayed, but often not for use. To turn that concept on its head, Garten suggests decorating a kitchen with utility in mind. “If you display dishes and trays that you actually use and love, your kitchen just feels alive,” she says.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should add any old bowls, utensils, or tools to your shelves. Garten has a handful of tips to guide you. The 77-year-old cookbook author says to mix old and new—from antique silver platters and handmade dinner plates to new china bowls—and to blend with intention. Don’t go too crazy with a rainbow of colors, though (unless, of course, maximalism is your thing). Instead, Garten says to settle on a color palette and stick to it. “Such as white china and silver,” she offers, as an example.
Additionally, Garten says to be mindful of the shapes incorporated into your display—you want variation to prevent visual boredom. “Choose different shapes—round, flat, plus different heights—to sit next to each other,” she instructs, noting that leaning plates and platters against the back wall of the shelves is a great way to add height. And whatever you do, don’t forget to add a little character with items that you might not expect in a kitchen, like books or a small, cozy lamp.
At the end of the day, Garten says that it’s all about creating a space that’s as pleasing to look at as it is to work within. “Every day when I arrive at the barn, I think, ‘I can’t believe I get to work here,’” she reveals. “I hope your beautiful displays will help you feel the same way about your kitchen!”
