Alright, so my kitchen counter. Looked pretty sad, honestly. Christmas was coming up and it just felt… bare. But you know, it’s a kitchen counter. You actually need to use it. Can’t just pile a bunch of junk everywhere like you might in the living room.
First, I thought about maybe getting some of that fake pine garland stuff. Tried draping a small piece along the back near the wall. Looked okay for about five seconds, then it just got in the way when I tried to wipe the counter down. Total pain. Then I thought about lights, maybe some cute little fairy lights. Pulled out a string, plugged it in… nope. The cord looked messy, and finding a spot for the battery pack where it wouldn’t get wet or knocked over? Forget it. Too much hassle for a workspace.
Figuring Out What Actually Works
So I scrapped those ideas. Went back to basics. What do I actually have that’s small and festive? And where can I put it so it’s not constantly in the way? I decided to focus on just one corner, the one that doesn’t get used much for food prep.
Here’s what I actually did, step-by-step:
- Cleared Everything Off: First thing, I took absolutely everything off that section of the counter. Wiped it down properly. Starting fresh felt right.
- Found a Base: I had this old wooden cutting board, not one I use anymore but it looks nice. Put that down in the corner to kind of define the decoration spot. A tray would work too.
- Picked the Stars: Remember those little bottlebrush trees everyone seems to have? I actually had a few packed away. Grabbed three of them, different heights, and stuck them on the board. Instant Christmas vibe, super easy.
- Added Some Natural Bits: Went outside and found a couple of decent-looking pinecones. Just popped them near the trees. Free decoration, right?
- A Touch of Color: Didn’t have vintage Santa mugs, but I did have this one sturdy white mug with a simple red reindeer on it. Put that next to the trees. Looked kinda plain, so I stuck a few spare wooden spoons in it. Practical, kinda? Looks okay anyway.
What I Ditched: I thought about adding some fake berries or maybe a candle. But it started to feel cluttered again. The whole point was to keep it simple so I could still use the kitchen. So, I stopped right there.
And honestly? It looks pretty good now. Just that little corner feels festive. It doesn’t interfere with making coffee or chopping onions. Took maybe 15 minutes once I stopped trying to do too much. Sometimes simple is just better, especially in a room you actually need to function in. It’s not gonna win any magazine awards, but it feels like Christmas in my kitchen, and that’s what I wanted.
