One of my most impactful decorating tips is to look for practical ways to incorporate pretty kitchen items into everyday activities. Today I will show you 12 + pretty and practical ways I do just that (affordably!) in my own kitchen (and I will give you as many sources as I can, too!)

But first, it’s Amazon Prime Day! (July 16-17)

This is one of the biggest sales Amazon holds all year, there are SO many good deals!

But don’t feel overwhelmed, I’m here to help! I’m rounding up my favorite Amazon Prime Day sale items HERE in this folder (I’ll continue adding more deals as I find them).

Here are 12 + pretty and practical ways I incorporate pretty kitchen items into everyday activities (affordably!) in my own kitchen:

1. Wood cleaning tools. The process of doing dishes and cleaning isn’t pretty, let’s be honest, but the experience can be more lovely when our tools inspire us! I prefer to buy wood scrub brushes to clean everything from dishes, to the sink, to vegetables. They are pretty on the counter if you like to keep them out (one of these brushes even comes with a little dish!) but also lovely to use and see in a drawer.

2. Coordinated color palette for tools. We recently tossed some old ugly rusty scissors and got these kitchen shears to replace them! Much prettier and sharper and safer, too! Everyday tools in colors that coordinate with my palette make me happy.

We use scissors for so many tasks in the kitchen. I got three pairs so there is always a pair handy to save frustration and so more than one person can use them! We also love these silicone brushes for cooking!

3. Real wood or bamboo drawer inserts. These drawer organizers make the interior of drawers feel so pretty, attractive and organized too!

4. Pretty but practical art. Now this one isn’t a tool, but it can be practical and definitely makes the everyday experience of cleaning and cooking more enjoyable! I treat my kitchen like I would any other room, I want to create an atmosphere I love. I know people worry about putting art in the kitchen, but as long as it has glass or plexiglass it is more practical as it is quite protected! You can also play it safer by using an art print in an affordable frame, rather than an expensive piece of art.

5. Pretty pieces on display. We keep pretty pitchers and mugs on display. I keep secondhand pieces in our little cubbies next to our stove. Not only are they pretty, but they really come in handy. And they are easily washable.

6. Simple joys for daily kitchen rituals. You know I enjoy my morning coffee ritual. I not only love coffee but I love creating an experience. All of my coffee making tools are in this folder and many of the mugs I have are in this folder. Every now and then I treat myself to a new mug. Cheap therapy, I say. I spotted this set of two pretty mugs that made me think of fall! I’m still loving summer but I know I will enjoy these mugs and fall very much.

7. Decant and elevate! Take your olive oils, salt and peppers out of the packaging and put them in pretty containers. We put ours on this lovely little marble tray and this footed faux marble tray to keep them handy, tidy and to protect our counters. We also use one to set our stovetop coffee pot on.

I also love to have colored cooking pots that coordinate with our home and look pretty just sitting on the stovetop, too.

8. Pretty tea towels. I love to have pretty tea towels for our kitchen. Keeping towels pretty is not easy, so I try to keep my “newest pretty towels” separate from our others. The newer ones get to hang on the oven to look pretty and are intended to be used in “less messy” ways. Hanging a pretty tea towel is the final step in cleaning a kitchen and may even inspire you to keep it clean longer :). You’ll find other pretty towels and kitchen items here.

Messy family who insists on using the pretty towels for cleaning? Give them a set of these pretty reusable dish towels to clean anything they want. You can find the reusable dish cloths and other handy cleaning items my Amazon cleaning tool folder here.

9. Baskets. I always love using baskets in a kitchen. Not only do they add texture, but they expand opportunities for function and creating beauty! Everything looks better and tidier in a basket.

I find these lidded baskets to be handy for so many things, including putting plant in it! I have several vintage fisherman’s baskets that I use all the time. I also like to tuck small baskets inside of drawers to corral items, too.

You will find all kinds of basket storage I have or love in this folder for your convenience.

10. Cake plates. I have several cake plates and we rarely have cake. I think they are so pretty! I use them to elevate all kinds of food while entertaining but also plants or various decorative elements or even my essential oil diffuser. This jadeite cake stand is one of my favorites–I love the ruffle trim!

11. Trays and lazy Susans. I always have various trays and lazy Susans on hand. They can be used inside drawers or cabinets and also on the counter to control clutter or even rally pretty items together!

12. Placemats, silicone mats and wood cutting boards and butcher block pieces. One convenient way we keep our counters looking clean and pretty by keeping a variety of pretty placements (I just got these, too) wood butcher block cutting boards and black silicone mats and clear silicone mats handy. We use all of them every day in some way!

The silicone mats are great when we’re doing dishes or have guests over so there is a convenient place to prep food or set dishes (they protect from water rings or stains on the marble and soapstone counters!). The cutting boards are perfect for serving food, too.

If you are shopping the Amazon Prime Sale today and tomorrow, here is my storefront!

My Favorite Prime Day Deals folder is HERE!