The kitchen is a no nonsense place designed to accomplish very specific tasks. It is the central location of meal preparation, the place you go when your feeling that old familiar pit in your belly. However it can also be more than that. It can also be a gathering place, a location where you can bring friends and family together to mingle and communicate. With its warm atmosphere and inviting aromas the kitchen has the potential to be the most social room in the house. The potential is there, it only has to be brought to life through your decorative endeavors.

In a location such as the kitchen you always have to start with function. It is important that the room flows, allowing the chef to easily slip from one task of food preparation to the next. Organization is a key here, and everything should have its own place, that is easily accessible, and easy to remember. The more simple and basic you arrange things, the more likely that arrangement will maintain its shape.

Space is very important in this setting. Floor space needs to be kept open so that the chef has room to easily move, un-impared from task to task. If you have a smaller kitchen, this can be a problem, requiring you to basically remove all obstacles from the path of food preparation. If you have a larger kitchen, you will have a lot more options.

One option which is provided by a larger kitchen is the ability to have an extra kitchen table within the space. This not only serves as extra counter space that you can work from, but is also a place where your friends and family can gather around, interacting with you, and one another. It can be a binding accessory, that helps to form connections within an environment of savory aromas.

As far as decorating, the walls of the kitchen are going to be your canvases. This space isn't terribly functional, and is often left bare, waiting for attractive pieces to liven up the look of the room. Pictures, posters, or quirky wall art are all options. The important thing to remember however, is that the kitchen gets hot, and messy. Make sure that anything you hang in this space will be resistant to damage from those factors, or easily and inexpensively replaced.

The kitchen is a functional place, however you can still add decorative beauty to this room by employing a variety of strategies. Use the space efficiently to maximize the ability of the chef to work, and then add extra pieces that will promote socialization and connection.