As children growing up on a diet of E. Nesbitt and Charles Dickens novels, one of the images that captured our imagination was that of the cozy Victorian kitchen, especially in the winter. In such tales, there was a roaring fire in the grate, the cook used to bake delicious mince pies, and the children would enjoy a cup of hot milk in the long winter evenings that they whiled away by playing parlor games.

Sadly, the reality for most people was probably much different. There was no central heating in those days, and you would have to sit fairly close to the fireplace for it to make any real difference. Preparing food was much harder then, and although there were plenty of people who were privileged enough to have household staff and enough to eat, there were many more who were starving.

But this welcoming image still persists and even though we don’t have such fantasies about the modern kitchen, which has no fireplace, uniformed maid, scullery, or pantry, we can still create our own warm atmosphere. Today’s small kitchen with its modern, more efficient and less pretty technology can still be a welcoming place.

First of all, we can get some nice accessories, like soft kitchen rugs and pretty china plates that we can hang on the wall in imitation Victorian style. This gives a cute, welcoming look that is very reminiscent of bygone days. Similarly, colored glass jars and bottles can also give a country-style old-fashioned look, as well as being an inexpensive and easy kitchen decoration idea.

Kitchen furnishings also don’t have to be functional and cold-looking. Instead of a plain tablecloth, how about some pretty checked designs? Checked, colorful curtains can also be put up, instead of expressionless blinds. And how about some artistic, colorful wall-hangings, such as pressed flowers or a piece of homemade embroidery? (If your children are learning to sew at school, you can encourage them by putting their finished work on the wall.)

And then there is what you produce in the kitchen. To make your kitchen a cozier place in the winter, you could create some winter soups. There is nothing like coming in from a cold, rainy street after a day at work or school to a hot, steaming bowl of thick pea or lentil soup. For a good smell, as well as a great source of fiber to eat with the soup, make some fresh bread. It is well-known, in fact, that the smell of fresh, baking bread has sold many a home … and for good reason.

If your children eat earlier than you or your partner, don’t serve the meal in the dining room. Put up a small table or arrange chairs at the breakfast counter if you have one, and sit with them in the kitchen at supper times. These kinds of informal meals in the kitchen are the stuff of a happy childhood, and your children’s memories of family suppertime in the winter will always be good ones (and will be far better than Victorian children’s stories).

Author Bio: Janette has made do by having a very small kitchen area after she became married 2 yrs ago. However it is still cozy and functional with lots of kitchen storage. She managed to find some great ideas for small kitchen designs that have helped her create a dream kitchen.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: tips for cozy kitchen,winter kitchen,kitchen,modern kitchen,