Using Hand Crafted Items to Bring Style and Functionality to Your Kitchen

Everyone wants to have a stylish, unique, and attractive kitchen, but with today’s big box stores and modern manufacturing, it can be hard to find items that are both practical and unique. Add in the need for things to also be attractive and stylish, and it becomes even more difficult to source these one-of-a-kind features. However, with the new focus on local shopping and supporting small businesses, many people are turning to nearby artisans and crafters to find kitchen items they need. Here are some of the hand-crafted, artistic creations that can add interest and value to your kitchen. 

Furniture

Hand-crafted, locally-made furniture can be one of the most attractive additions to your kitchen. While these things may take longer to make and may be more expensive, they are also made from solid wood and are very durable, and can become treasures to pass down to children and beyond. Furniture made in creative ways such as a live edge table or river table epoxy are beautiful, unique, and long-lasting additions to any home.

Pottery

Ceramic plates, bowls, mugs, and serving platters are beautiful additions to any kitchen. They can be personalized to match your decor or the colors of your kitchen. These dishes may be practical enough to use for everyday use, but they are also unique and attractive enough to be displayed on open shelves and used to add color and style to the room. Canisters made from ceramic or pottery can keep your pantry organized and add a decorative touch to your kitchen. They can be personalized with designs or glazes and can often be made nearby in any local pottery studio. Other unique pottery items to consider are vases, mixing bowls, trivets, and serving dishes. You can even use hand-made tiles for your backsplash.

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards made from wood or bamboo are durable and add a rustic touch to your kitchen. You can also have them personalized with engravings or wood-burnt designs, and they are attractive enough to be hung on the wall. You can also get handmade charcuterie boards in all sizes and styles, perfect for your next event or party. Many artisans create these boards using multiple blocks of wood in different colors, which are then glued together and carved into the finished product. These often turn into intricate and detailed works of art that you won’t even want to mar with a knife!

Dish Towels and Linens

Adding homemade fabric products can help make your kitchen more unique. Since you can get fabric in nearly any style, pattern, and color, it can be an easy way to add touches to kitchens that have more unusual or hard-to-find decor. Kitchen towels can be made from a variety of materials, such as cotton, linen, or microfiber, and can be hand-sewn or embroidered with designs that match your kitchen. The same is also true for many styles of window treatments.

If you enjoy cooking a lot, a handmade apron can be both functional and fashionable and can be made in any style. Also, consider adding handmade table linens such as colorful and seasonal tablecloths or table runners. Creative craftspeople can make linens from various materials, such as burlap or cotton, and personalize them with designs or embroidery.

Kitchen Utensils

Wooden spoons, spatulas, and ladles are classic kitchen tools that can be made by hand. Many expert carvers and woodworkers enjoy making these tools by hand, and you may be able to support a local organization with a shop class, such as a school or afterschool program, by commissioning a unique selection of wooden utensils.

Trivets

Trivets made from wood, cork, or ceramic can protect your table from hot pots and pans while adding a decorative touch to your kitchen. Some ceramic artists make trivets from clay and create unique patterns and designs in the material before firing it. Woodworkers also make trivets, often in unique patterns and designs, such as those assembled with a variety of colorful wood pieces or those that are decorated with wood-burned designs or carved details. Many of these trivets are attractive enough to serve duel purposes of both potholder and wall decor.

Pot Racks

A metal worker can create a pot rack that can be used to hold your skillets, pots, pans, and utensils, adding a functional and decorative feature to your kitchen that is unlike any other. Many of these racks hang over an island or other work surface, while others are constructed to hang against the wall, out of the way but still close at hand. These racks can be built of many different metals and stylized to match your home decor. If you have a collection of quality cookware, consider using a pot rack to display it and turn it into part of the decor in your room rather than hiding it away in your cupboards.

Final Thoughts

If you are considering redecorating your kitchen or are getting ready to move into a new house, consider adding functional and beautiful products created by local artisans instead of buying the same manufactured things that everyone else has. By supporting local crafters and avoiding big box stores, you will add value to your community and bring pleasure and joy to your unique kitchen.