5 Kitchen Decorating Rules Designers Never Break

For a kitchen that's as beautiful as it is functional, stick with these five golden design rules from the pros themselves.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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In recent years, kitchens have gone from purely utilitarian spaces to eye-catching design statements. To learn how the pros approach kitchen design, interior designers Jacqueline Gonçalves and Thecla Glueck share the decorating rules they swear by—and never break. These rules include reserving negative space and selecting art thoughtfully, creating a layered lighting design, eliminating visual clutter, aiming for cohesion when styling open shelves, and using panel-ready appliances.

Why it matters

As kitchens have evolved from purely functional spaces to design statements, following these expert-approved decorating rules can help create a kitchen that is both beautiful and highly functional. The rules emphasize creating a calm, intentional, and cohesive space that seamlessly blends style and function.

The details

The five key decorating rules designers never break include: 1) Reserving negative space and selecting art thoughtfully, 2) Creating a layered lighting design, 3) Eliminating visual clutter on kitchen countertops, 4) Aiming for cohesion when styling open shelves, and 5) Using panel-ready appliances to minimize visual clutter. Designers emphasize the importance of intentionality, curating a collected look, and allowing the architecture and design of the space to shine.

  • The article was published on February 21, 2026.

The players

Jacqueline Gonçalves

A Los Angeles-based interior designer and founder of Moksa Studio.

Thecla Glueck

A San Francisco-based designer and founder of Thecla Glueck Design.

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What they’re saying

“Every room needs moments of rest; not every wall needs art, not every surface needs an object.”

— Jacqueline Gonçalves, Interior Designer, Moksa Studio (bhg.com)

“A kitchen should be designed as a living space, not a purely functional cooking space, and as such deserves the same emotional consideration as a living room or even a bedroom.”

— Thecla Glueck, Interior Designer, Thecla Glueck Design (bhg.com)

“Clear counters are calming, and calm is luxurious.”

— Jacqueline Gonçalves, Interior Designer, Moksa Studio (bhg.com)

“To keep the open shelving uncluttered, I try to keep the styling to two to three colors.”

— Thecla Glueck, Interior Designer, Thecla Glueck Design (bhg.com)

The takeaway

By following these five golden rules from interior design experts, homeowners can create a kitchen that is both beautiful and highly functional, seamlessly blending style and practicality in the heart of the home.