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Creating a kitchen with romance and decorative appeal may seem out of reach if you’ve been perusing magazines or watching interior design shows on HGTV. Such sources give the impression that a trendy and stylish kitchen requires an overhaul of your current setup, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you might be surprised just how charming your kitchen can become using gear you already have. For example, styling cutting boards as decorative accents on your countertops is a brilliant hack to make your kitchen more aesthetic.

To get an elevated kitchen countertop appearance, arrange cutting boards vertically to your countertops. Unlike adding decorative jars and bowls the cutting boards don’t cut into valuable counter space — a big perk if you have limited surface area. The trick also adds a degree of visual interest. In addition to being ridiculously simple to pull off, it’s not permanent, making it ideal if you want a change but are struggling to commit to a bigger project. 

You can integrate a number of shapes, sizes, and materials, placing them against the backsplash in various spots. Create a layered visual by staggering a couple of cutting boards near one another or grouping them with other objects. But the real beauty of this tip is in its ease of execution. You can utilize cutting boards you already own, or purchase some new ones to refresh your space.

If you currently only have functional, unattractive cutting boards, start looking for new ones that can serve as accent pieces on your kitchen countertops. Local home decor stores are a wonderful place to find a variety of options, but there’s always the internet if you’re hoping to score something specific from the comfort of your home. The materials you should choose depend on your decor goals. 

Marble cutting boards are perfect if you’re hoping to achieve a luxe look in your culinary space. Wood is a crowd pleaser, proving a good choice no matter the aesthetic of your kitchen. You can opt for a rustic piece like Naturally Med’s Olive Wood Cutting Board ($34.99 on Amazon) if your kitchen has a cottage feel. One that is more sophisticated, such as this Koville Italian Natural Marble Cutting Board ($34.99), can work well in any kitchen. For a more dynamic option, choose a design with mixed materials, like Azauvc’s Cutting Board with Marble and Natural Wood ($25.99). If you’re looking to pinch pennies, you might even be able to score one of those inexpensive Dollar Tree cutting boards everyone’s obsessing over for an adorable DIY.

This tip is incredibly simple, but there are a few recommendations that can make it work even better for you. Firstly, you’ll want to make sure your cutting boards are firmly placed on your kitchen countertops to prevent slipping, falling, and potentially breaking if they’re made from some form of stone or glass. You can guarantee they’ll stay put by employing nonslip adhesive pads, like TCPENG Clear Rubber Feet, to keep them from sliding out of place. You can affix these dots either on the side of the cutting board that comes in contact with the countertop or the countertop itself. Just remember to read the product description first to ensure that they don’t damage your countertop material or the cutting boards.

While layering cutting boards is one of many ways to decorate your kitchen and make it feel designer, the last thing you want is for dust and crumbs to detract from it. Remember to move the cutting boards every couple of weeks to clean the countertops behind and underneath them. You should also use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to dust and clean the cutting boards’ surfaces to keep them looking spectacular. Further, avoid placing wooden cutting boards too close to your oven range or stovetop, as they’re flammable. Similarly, keep them far from your sink, or standing water may cause them to warp over time. With a small budget and a little bit of effort, your kitchen’s decor can come a long way thanks to this simple tip.