A blue ceramic pot, yellow ceramic tray, glass spoons, lobster napkin ring, glass cups and bowls on a table with orange wall background.
Photography, Stacey Brandford. Styling, Jemima Sutherland. Background painted with Farrow & Ball Dutch Orange No. W76.

The whimsical kitchen decor trend we’re loving right now

We’re setting our tables with imperfect (but joyous) colour-and-pattern pairings this season.

Whimsical. That’s the vibe currently taking over kitchen decor and tabletop design. Delicate patterns and sunny hues that were once relegated to the kitchens of the 1960’s and ’70s are being reinvented. Take, say, a dash of the micro-florals seen in Little House on the Prairie. Add in pops of colour that say “child’s playroom” more than “dining area.” Finish the space off with strong silhouettes and gleaming chrome. It’s a retro-fuelled aesthetic that is effortlessly chic.

We’re taking this hot whimsical kitchen design trend and incorporating it right into our homes. From polka-dotted egg cups to Christmas tree-shaped bonbon containers, whimsical decor brings a sense of joy and play into your daily life. It aims to put a smile on your face from the moment you walk into the door. That’s what makes it so powerful.

Shop playful picks for a joyful kitchen

A tall silver pitcher with a squiggle-shaped handle.

Squiggle Pitcher

Sophie Lou Jacobsen

Have you ever seen a more stylish way to serve drinks? Made from mirror-polished stainless steel, it features a unique softly waving handle fashioned after a ribbon. Fill up with your drink of choice or use it as a statement decorative vase.

Price: $195.00

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Six borosilicate two-toned glass ice cream spoons.

Multi-coloured Glass Ice Cream Spoons

Zara Home

Perfect for bringing some colourful retro energy to your at-home ice cream nights. These two-tone contrast ice cream spoons are made from borosilicate glass. Each pack comes with six, perfect for sharing a pint with your friends and family.

Price: $35.90 for pack of 6

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Amber-coloured Oli glass wine glass.

Oli Wine Glass

Ferm Living

Mouthblown with 50% recycled glass, this unique drinking vessel has mesmerizing bubbles in the surface. The Copenhagen-based brand hoped designed the Oli wine glass to fit effortlessly in your hand for everyday living.

Price: $41.95

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Top view of a red ceramic oval trivet.

Deluxe Oval Trivet

Le Creuset

Now presenting: an elegant way to serve your casseroles and stews right at the table. This gorgeous enamelled cast iron trivet will protect your countertops from direct heat, and doubles as a stylish accent piece.

Price: $140.00

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Two brown eggs in white glass egg cups with yellow 3D dots.

Pomponette Egg Cups

Maison Balzac

Cheekily decorated with golden yellow droplets, these egg cups will help you start your day with a smile. It is handblown with 100% Borosilicate glass. The Australian brand, Maison Balzac, is known for their cheerful tableware and decor.

Price: $130.00 for set of 2

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A yellow square napkin with a floral pattern and pink striped border.

Camelia Yellow Napkins, Set of 2

Baa Bazaar

Made from 100% cotton in India, these dainty reusable napkins will be the perfect addition to any tablescape this Spring. They feature a bright floral hand block print with a pink-striped outer edge.

Price: $30.00

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Two clear glass cups with a lace detail along the edge.

Coco Cup Set

Sophie Lou Jacobsen

Shaped like little trophies and crafted with a dainty lace edge, using these cups will have you feeling like a king. Allow them to be a throne for your boiled eggs in the morning, an extra-special shot glass or a micro salt cellar by your stove.

Price: $210 for set of 2

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A butter yellow stoneware baking dish.

Stoneware Baking Dish Oven Tray

Muji

We love this darling baking dish, which comes in a trendy butter yellow colour. The rounded edges gives it an extra-cute charm. This size is perfect for making smaller servings of lasagna, baked pasta, stews and more.

Price: $18.90

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White Christmas tree-shaped bonbon container with a red diamond pattern and a gold topper.

Delight Bonbon Container

Alessi

Designed by Nika Zupanc, this playful candy jar certainly lives up to its name. It is a subtle re-interpretation of a Christmas tree; from the organic shape to festive colour palette. Unusual, extravagant and offers the perfect touch of whimsy to your tablescape.

Price: €80.00

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A blue Le Creuset rice pot with tab handles and a silver knob on lid.

Rice Pot

Le Creuset

This enamelled cast iron pot is a playful and practical tool for making rice, couscous, quinoa, risotto and more. The steam vents on the stoneware lid prevent boil-overs, and the ergonomic handles allows for it to easily transfer from stovetop to tabletop.

Price: $269.00

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Stunning Ginori 3 tier serving stand is an excellent luxury gift

Oriente Italiano 3-Tier Serving Stand

Ginori

Part of the Ginori 1735 Oriente Italiano collection, the Iris blue 3-tier porcelain stand features gold threading and the iconic carnation motif. Perfect for displaying savory bites or small desserts, it adds stylish dimension to entertaining and comes in a luxury box for gifting. Made in Italy.

Price: $1029.00

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tiny cocktail charms that are perfect gifts under $20

Whimsical Cocktail Charms

Anthropologie

Anthropologie does not disappoint with their sets of quirky cocktail charms. From wiener dogs and martinis to to rhinestone pretzels and hamburgers, there’s a memorable pair of cocktail charmss for everyone.

Price: $16.00 set of 2

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four linen sardine-shaped cocktail napkins great gift

Sardine Cocktail Napkin Set

Piecework

Still loving the sardine trend? Bring it to your giftee’s table or bar cart with this adorable napkin set. Made
from 100 percent linen, the fishy items are great to serve with snacks or as conversation-starting coasters. Also fun: The four-piece set is boxed in packaging that resembles a fish tin.

Price: $64.00

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blue and white striped platter - mafalda

Mafalda Oval Platter

Maison Madison

An elegant 100% ceramic earthenware platter from the NYC design studio who says “every meal is an occasion for ‘the good plates’ and tableware collections are handed down from one generation to the next. Made in Portugal.

Price: $90.00 USD

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A knife with a swirled rainbow plastic handle on a rainbow knife magnet.

Rainbow Knife Magnet

Fredericks and Mae

This brand is widely known for their colourful confetti cutting boards, which are made with food-safe recycled plastic and upcycled waste from solid-colour cutting board production. This snazzy knife magnet is made of the same materials and spans 12 inches.

Price: $75.00

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A double walled espresso cup in green and gray, with a bump near the bottom.

Bump Espresso Cup Set

Tom Dixon

From the famed British luxury design brand comes these eccentric and minimalist espresso cups. They are double walled in two different colours for a unique contrast, and handcrafted from premium borosilicate glass.

Price: $155.00 for set of 4

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A close-up shot of two glass espresso cups under the spout of an espresso machine.

Bon Bon Espresso Cup

Helle Mardahl

This delightful espresso cup features a glossy candy-like sphere as the handle. Each piece from the cult-favourite designer Helle Mardahl is hand-blown and unique, made in bright colours and fun shapes.

Price: $280.00 for one

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Large Budino Cake Candle

Cereria Introna

With perfectly piped decorations and topped with sugary fruit, this showstopper of a candle will elevate any tablescape. It is just as elegant and indulgent as the classic Italian custard-like treat it is named after.

Price: $173

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More kitchen decor inspiration

Looking to change up your kitchen? Explore more stories from ELLE Gourmet:

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