The kitchen is the natural gathering place of the home, but decoration often stops at appliances and cabinet space. The quickest and cheapest upgrades are new knobs for the doors (from 30-60 kr. each), ceramic storage jars and a wooden cutting board displayed as decoration. Fresh herbs in stylish pot covers and colourful ceramic details tie it all together — without replacing a single wall tile.
The kitchen is far more than a production room for dinner. It is where morning coffee is brewed, children sit with their homework, and friends gather around a glass of wine while the onions sizzle. Yet most kitchens end up looking functional — neutral cabinet fronts, generic handles and no real personality. It doesn't have to cost a renovation to change that. A handful of well-chosen details make an enormous difference, and here we go through exactly which ones give the most value for effort.
Cabinet knobs — the quickest makeover
If you only have time for one thing, let it be the knobs. Replacing the standard handles from the original kitchen is one of the cheapest and most visible upgrades you can make. Most kitchens have 15–25 doors and drawers — that is 15–25 places where a neutral metal bar can be replaced by something with character.
Cabinet door knobs are available in ceramic, brass, porcelain and stone. Pricewise they typically start from 30–60 kr. each, and all it takes is a regular screwdriver to fit them — about 10 minutes per knob. You can refresh the entire kitchen for under 1,500 kr.
What goes with what?
Brass knobs are an obvious choice for white and grey kitchens. Brass patinas over time and develops a warmer, more lived-in look than new metal — in fact most brass knobs look better after a few years than on installation day. Black knobs create a sharp contrast and suit a graphic, modern kitchen well. Hand-painted ceramic knobs with geometric patterns or botanical motifs are the easy choice when you want something personal and unique.
You can also mix — one knob type on the upper cabinets and another below — to create visual depth. Use brass on top and ceramic below, for example, but stick to one metal to avoid visual clutter.
Tip: Measure the hole spacing on your existing handles before ordering new knobs. The standard is 32 mm or 96 mm centre-to-centre, but older kitchens may differ. Most single-hole knobs fit universally, while bar handles require precise measuring.
Stylish storage: jars and baskets
The kitchen counter and open shelves are the most visible surfaces in the kitchen — and they are perfect for showing some personality. Jars in ceramic or stoneware for flour, sugar, tea leaves and snacks look far better than the original packaging they otherwise live in, and they keep the contents fresher at the same time.
Group jars in three sizes — low, medium and tall — for a cohesive look without appearing contrived. Three identical ones in the same series give calm; three in the same colour palette but different shapes give life. Both work well.
Woven baskets for bread, fruit or napkins bring an organic, natural element into a room otherwise dominated by hard surfaces like stainless steel, granite and glass. A basket weighs almost nothing visually — it is soft and rests well next to ceramics and metal.
Cups and pitchers on open shelves
Open shelves are one of the most debated decisions in kitchen design. They look great, but require that you actually put attractive things on them. If you have them — or are considering mounting a few — tableware is the obvious thing to display.
Cups in stoneware or glazed ceramic are too good to hide behind a door. Stoneware is fired at a higher temperature than earthenware (typically above 1200°C), giving a denser, more durable body with a slightly rough, matte surface — it is that texture that makes them interesting to look at and pleasant to hold.
Pitchers serve a dual purpose: they pour liquids and look great. A pitcher with a bunch of dried flowers or a few branches on the kitchen counter is a simple detail that adds warmth without taking up space from cooking. Pitchers in glazed ceramic with a thick handle and a slightly uneven glaze are especially good for this — they have enough character to stand alone.
Herb pot covers — greenery by the window
Fresh herbs in the kitchen window are the shortest path to a kitchen that smells good and looks alive. Basil, parsley, rosemary and thyme thrive in most south-facing kitchen windowsills, and they are functional accessories that are actually used during cooking.
The problem with most herb pots is that they come in plastic containers that are boring to look at. Herb pot covers solve that: choose terracotta for a Mediterranean-inspired look — terracotta is porous and helps regulate moisture in the soil, which plants appreciate. White ceramic gives a cleaner, Nordic look. Place three to four pot covers in a row on the windowsill or on a small console shelf near the stove.
Remember: supermarket herbs are typically planted densely to look lush at purchase — if you split them into two to three pots, they live significantly longer.
Cutting boards as decoration
A cutting board in olive wood, walnut or acacia is far too attractive for the drawers. These wood types are dense, have low porosity that resists moisture better than beech, and they patina with use — olive wood develops deeper grain, walnut becomes darker and more lustrous with proper oil care.
Lean the cutting board against the wall behind the stove or along the splashback as a natural part of the décor. It takes up almost no space, but adds a warm, artisanal element to a room that can otherwise feel clinical. Two to three boards in different sizes and wood types combined give a rustic, lively look — and they double as serving boards for cheese and tapas when you have guests.
Tip: Oil cutting boards made from olive wood and acacia 2–4 times a year with food-safe oil — such as coconut oil or linseed oil. This seals the wood, prevents cracking and preserves the natural sheen. Leave the oil to soak in for 30 minutes and wipe off the excess with a cloth.
Colours and accessories in the kitchen
Most kitchens have a neutral base in white, grey or wood — and that is actually an advantage, because it gives you a blank canvas to work with. Colour comes in through accessories, and even relatively small elements make a surprisingly large difference.
Salt and pepper sets, plates and bowls
Ceramic salt and pepper sets are a good start. They are used daily, they sit on the table or counter, and they come in countless colours and shapes — from fish and citrus fruits to more streamlined, geometric versions. Plates and bowls in glazed ceramic serve a similar purpose: they are functional, but they look great displayed on a shelf or in the middle of the table as a permanent fruit bowl.
Green plants and seasonal colours
Beyond herbs, larger houseplants — a monstera in the corner, a pothos on a tall shelf — can give the kitchen green volume. It is one of the most dynamic colour sources, because the plants actually grow and change. A vase with seasonal flowers or branches is an alternative that requires a little more maintenance, but can be swapped out whenever you want something new.
If you are looking for a comprehensive starting point to give the kitchen a lift, you will find ceramics, pitchers, cups and kitchen accessories in our kitchen collection.
| Element | Effect | Price level | Time required |
|---|---|---|---|
| New knobs (15–25 pcs.) | High — transforms the entire kitchen's look | 500–1,500 kr. | 2–4 hours |
| Ceramic jars (3 pcs.) | Medium — order + aesthetics | 200–600 kr. | 15 minutes |
| Pot covers with herbs | Medium — green, lively and functional | 150–400 kr. | 30 minutes |
| Cutting board for display | Low-medium — warm, organic detail | 150–500 kr. | 5 minutes |
| Ceramic salt and pepper set | Low — small but visible detail | 80–250 kr. | 2 minutes |
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to replace knobs throughout the kitchen?
With 15–25 doors and drawers and knobs at 30–60 kr. each, you typically end up at 500–1,500 kr. for the whole kitchen. It is one of the cheapest renovations you can do, and all it requires is a screwdriver. Remember to check hole diameter and centre-to-centre measurements before ordering.
Can you mix materials in kitchen decor?
Yes — and that is actually what gives a kitchen character. Wood, ceramic, brass and glass complement each other, and the contrast between smooth and rough surfaces creates depth. Stick to an overall colour palette — e.g. warm earth tones or cool blue-grey hues — to avoid it looking cluttered.
Which knobs suit a white kitchen best?
A white kitchen is a neutral starting point that can go in many directions. Brass knobs add warmth and elegance. Black knobs create graphic contrast. Hand-painted ceramic knobs — e.g. with blue motifs or terracotta colours — add personality and an artisanal detail. You can combine two types, e.g. brass on top and ceramic below.
What is the difference between earthenware, stoneware and porcelain?
Earthenware is fired at the lowest temperature (approx. 900–1100°C) and is porous and light. Stoneware is fired at 1200–1280°C, is denser and more durable. Porcelain is fired at up to 1400°C and is the hardest and most translucent. For everyday kitchen use, stoneware is generally the most practical choice.
How do you keep herbs in the kitchen window alive?
Supermarket herbs are typically planted extra densely to appear lush at purchase. Split them into 2–3 separate pots, water them moderately (avoid standing water in the bottom of the pot cover), and ensure at least 4 hours of direct light per day. Trim regularly from the top — this stimulates new growth.
Are open shelves in the kitchen a good idea?
It depends on whether you are prepared to maintain them. Open shelves collect grease and dust faster than closed cabinets and require that the things on them actually look nice. On the other hand, they give the kitchen a visually lighter feel and easy access to the things you use most. Start with one shelf as a test if you like.
Summary
A kitchen with personality does not have to start with a full renovation. The most effective changes happen at the detail level: replace the standard handles with knobs for doors and drawers in brass or ceramic, display the attractive cups on the shelf instead of behind a door, and let the cutting board live on the counter rather than in a drawer. Herbs in stylish pot covers and ceramic storage jars give order and aesthetics at once. Common to all these steps is that they are reversible, relatively inexpensive and create a visible difference from day one.
Explore our selection of kitchen decor and kitchen accessories — from knobs and jars to cups and pitchers.
