We Asked Designers What Makes a Kitchen Look Empty and We Wish We Knew This Sooner

Few things are worse than a cluttered, overcrowded home, but one of those things could potentially look empty. While no one wants cluttered countertops, some design flaws could be making your kitchen feel emptier than it actually is.

We tapped a few design pros to get their insights on what makes a kitchen feel just a little too empty, as well as some simple tips for how to fix it.

No Visual Anchors

Whether it’s an island, textured barstools, or even a statement overhead light, a kitchen needs visual anchors to feel lived in.

“A kitchen can feel empty when it lacks visual anchors,” says designer Nicole Cella. “Add texture through stylish hand towels draped on oven handles, or patterned runners in front of the sink.”

In a large, open kitchen, this might even mean adding an island.

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Blank Canvases

All-white or all grey kitchens have been popular, but they’re quickly becoming a thing of the past. Blank walls, countertops, and colors can make a kitchen feel much emptier than it actually is.

“A kitchen can feel empty when there are large, expansive blank walls or an island that lacks texture; both drain the room of proper scale,” says designer Jennifer Homeyer. “The key to taking an empty feeling kitchen to a lived-in but uncluttered one is to introduce visual mass with purposeful layered texture.”

Add texture and color to your space in large ways—different textured countertops or an entire cabinet repaint, or small ones.

“Bold hardware and warm lighting help add character, while purposeful open space keeps the space feeling intentional,” Cella says.

Empty Countertops

These blank canvases translate to countertops, too. While you might not want clutter everywhere, a few, purposefully selected appliances or decor pieces will make your kitchen feel much more homey.

“If you drink coffee every day, it’s ok for a coffee maker to be on the counter. If you’re a big fruit eater, keep a bowl of fruit out,” says interior designer Emilie Schiller. “To me, that says ‘this is a space we use,’ and I like to see that.”

Poor Lighting

If you ever spot a design flaw in your home, take a look at the lights you’re using. It might not be the sole issue, but it’s probably not helping, either.

“Poor lighting—such as relying only on one overhead light—also contributes to a flat, under-styled look,” Cella says. “Enhance the lighting by adding warm lights under cabinets, decorative wall sconces, or a small lamp on the counter.”

Homeyer also recommends thinking about task lighting or ambient lighting, like under-cabinet or behind glass cabinet doors.

No Personal Touches

If you live in your home comfortably, there’s no problem with showing that off to your guests.

“An absence of personal touches and everyday items like hand towels, cookbooks, and decorative canisters can also add to the emptiness,” Cella says.

You can combat this by adding photos, art, or simply some items that signal your space is lived-in and used like a fridge magnet. It doesn’t have to clutter your workspace.

“Adding floating shelves to a large blank wall that showcases art or artful ceramics is an excellent way to layer without clutter,” Homeyer says.

No Art

Lastly, if your kitchen contains no art whatsoever, you might want to rethink that choice.

“Treat a kitchen like any other room in the house—if you have a space on a wall or a shelf, adding a piece of art can make the space feel finished,” Schiller says.

All of our experts point to floating shelves for some tasteful decorative elements, or finding space on blank walls you’ve never thought twice about.

“The key is to focus on areas that will naturally benefit from visual interest, without disrupting functionality,” Cella says.