Designers Share 6 Favorite Kitchen Photo Styling Props
Enhance your kitchen photography by using objects that add color, texture and warmth
Becky Harris
November 21, 2022
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
A kitchen with clear counters can be a beautiful thing. But potential clients can find photos of unstyled kitchens stark. Staging helps people envision themselves cooking and gathering, and it shows off the kitchen as the heart of the home. Here are a few go-to objects interior designers use when maximizing the appeal of kitchen photos.
1. Fresh Florals
Barbara Milner is not only an interior designer, but also a real estate agent. So photo staging is important to her in two ways: to attract potential clients to her design work and to make a particular home appealing to buyers. Photos often provide the important first impression of a project or property. “Staging is critical to my work,” Milner says. “I spend time marrying the environment with natural elements.” When staging a kitchen, she likes to add touches that “conjure up the feeling of a kitchen lived in and loved.”
“Fresh florals always add a dose of pretty to a kitchen,” Milner says. “When preparing for a photo shoot, I bring a photo of the space to my florist and discuss what type of floral treatment would work well in the space.”
Here, forsythia branches add height and pick up the colors in the Roman shade. Milner notes that as an alternative, the florist can choose new colors that will complement the kitchen’s palette. And don’t forget the vase. “If the florist is not providing the vase, it is important to ask them what the ideal height and diameter of the vase should be for the florals,” Milner says.
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Barbara Milner is not only an interior designer, but also a real estate agent. So photo staging is important to her in two ways: to attract potential clients to her design work and to make a particular home appealing to buyers. Photos often provide the important first impression of a project or property. “Staging is critical to my work,” Milner says. “I spend time marrying the environment with natural elements.” When staging a kitchen, she likes to add touches that “conjure up the feeling of a kitchen lived in and loved.”
“Fresh florals always add a dose of pretty to a kitchen,” Milner says. “When preparing for a photo shoot, I bring a photo of the space to my florist and discuss what type of floral treatment would work well in the space.”
Here, forsythia branches add height and pick up the colors in the Roman shade. Milner notes that as an alternative, the florist can choose new colors that will complement the kitchen’s palette. And don’t forget the vase. “If the florist is not providing the vase, it is important to ask them what the ideal height and diameter of the vase should be for the florals,” Milner says.
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2. Baked Goods
“Including baked goods warms up a photo and brings a kitchen to life,” Milner says. “Accessories like cake stands and serving utensils should complement the aesthetic of the kitchen and are great opportunities to add more style to the space.”
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“Including baked goods warms up a photo and brings a kitchen to life,” Milner says. “Accessories like cake stands and serving utensils should complement the aesthetic of the kitchen and are great opportunities to add more style to the space.”
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3. Fresh Herbs
Having fresh ingredients growing in the kitchen is good staging — people can imagine themselves cooking there and having fresh basil, rosemary or oregano ready for the plucking. “Fresh herbs offer a natural, fuss-free look,” Milner says. “A combination of three herbs in a small decorative planter that suits the style of the kitchen adds a subtle organic touch.”
Having fresh ingredients growing in the kitchen is good staging — people can imagine themselves cooking there and having fresh basil, rosemary or oregano ready for the plucking. “Fresh herbs offer a natural, fuss-free look,” Milner says. “A combination of three herbs in a small decorative planter that suits the style of the kitchen adds a subtle organic touch.”
4. Cooktop Items
“Lately designers have really edited down what they use in kitchens,” kitchen and bath designer Alison Griffin says. “For example, you don’t see as many elaborate place settings as you used to on the kitchen table. I typically like to make sure there is something on the cooktop, whether it’s a colorful La Creuset piece or a teapot.”
“Lately designers have really edited down what they use in kitchens,” kitchen and bath designer Alison Griffin says. “For example, you don’t see as many elaborate place settings as you used to on the kitchen table. I typically like to make sure there is something on the cooktop, whether it’s a colorful La Creuset piece or a teapot.”
5. Cutting Boards
The indie craft movement has brought many great handcrafted cutting board options to the marketplace, and designers have been using these utilitarian items as beautiful design objects. “They add height to a photo and the texture of the wood brings in warmth. Without them, some photos can skew too cold,” interior designer Joni Spear says. Here, she mixed different shapes, sizes and materials along the sink wall and added a large cutting board topped with a loaf of freshly baked bread on the island.
The indie craft movement has brought many great handcrafted cutting board options to the marketplace, and designers have been using these utilitarian items as beautiful design objects. “They add height to a photo and the texture of the wood brings in warmth. Without them, some photos can skew too cold,” interior designer Joni Spear says. Here, she mixed different shapes, sizes and materials along the sink wall and added a large cutting board topped with a loaf of freshly baked bread on the island.
6. Soda Bottles
“I love to use Italian soda bottles, especially the kind with old-style stoppers,” Griffin says. Here, they liven up a beautiful pantry. The Pellegrino bottles up top are also a favorite prop among designers and photo stylists.
Like Milner and Spear, Griffin is a fan of baked goods but notes that they can be dangerous. “We’ve wound up eating all of the cookies after a shoot,” she says with a laugh.
“I love to use Italian soda bottles, especially the kind with old-style stoppers,” Griffin says. Here, they liven up a beautiful pantry. The Pellegrino bottles up top are also a favorite prop among designers and photo stylists.
Like Milner and Spear, Griffin is a fan of baked goods but notes that they can be dangerous. “We’ve wound up eating all of the cookies after a shoot,” she says with a laugh.
Your turn: What are some of your favorite staging items for kitchen photos? Please share in the Comments.
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@studio m | design, yes please! Happy New Year Everyone!
In a modern, large, kitchen with cool, smooth finishes, beautiful utilitarian objects, handmade, natural, or antique serving objects, add warmth, texture, and interest. Etsy is a great source for handmade or antique cutting boards, trays, ceramics, pottery, woven baskets designed to be used. If there's space, and an island has seating, then a handmade tray with a bottle of wine and antique crystal glasses is inviting or, for non imbibers, a beautiful handmade or antique teapot and beautiful cups convey the idea that the kitchen is the place to gather and spend time. A handmade beautiful fruit bowl with seasonal fresh fruits does the same. "Have a peach!" Anywhere on a kichen countertop, if there's room, a cookbook opened to a gorgeous food photo sets a hospitable vibe. A small, antique lamp set in a corner can add cozy light to a kitchen. Or none of the above if counter space is limited. To be avoided is clutter or multiple decor items for the sake of decor.
Great article Becky, I was reading it without knowing, I had a mention!!