"A room should never allow the eye to settle in one place. It should smile at you and create fantasy", says interior designer Juan Montoya. The kitchen is no exception!
Appealing kitchen wall colours and kitchen decor will not only elevate your mood but also express your personality. Unfortunately, many consider the kitchen a space predominantly for practical tasks, forgetting the benefits of adding style and design.
If you have space on your kitchen walls that is crying out for something beautiful to fill it, find inspiration from my kitchen wall decor ideas. It's time to upgrade your kitchen's interior design, one wall at a time!
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1. Kitchen Shelf Decor
Image credit: pinterest.com
There are many ways that you can decorate your kitchen shelves to make them aesthetically pleasing. You can either go with a theme that corresponds to the rest of the space or simply mix and match different kitchen accessories, creating a unique look.
Another way to utilise open shelving is to use them for storage space and display practical items that can be used in your cooking space, whether that be for baking, cooking or prep work. That is what has been done in the example above, they have also mixed in artwork and decorative items to add a more homely feel.
Alternative Decoration Ideas
Kitchen shelves are a versatile option, and as an alternative to the uses already discussed, you may want to opt for a rustic theme, filling your shelves with mason jars, vintage metal containers and wooden signs.
If you have a more traditional and practical country cottage-style kitchen or cooking space, fill one shelf with cookbooks, another with vases filled with fresh flowers, and maybe a third with family photos to make the display more personal.
2. Kitchen Wall Hangings
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Are you a person who loves to style your blank walls in unconventional ways? If so, use your creative side with these other kitchen wall decor ideas and kitchen wall hangings. Canvases and metal wall signs are not the only things that can be hung on your kitchen wall.
When it comes to wall decoration ideas, wall hangings are classed as anything that attaches or hangs onto your kitchen walls. Whether that be wooden letters spelling out related words, a cute sign made of reclaimed timber, or even some hanging planters.
Whatever you use as wall hangings or kitchen signs, be sure that the art pieces or wall decorations form a coherent theme that tie in with the rest of the room. If you're creative, you could make some of the elements yourself. A quick search on Pinterest will bring up many great kitchen sign ideas that will make your design far more personal.
My kitchen wall hanging picks...
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3. Kitchen Wall Tile Pattern
Image credit: pinterest.co.uk
A wall tile pattern can liven up the look of any kitchen wall decor and kitchen counter space. Tiles are still a very popular choice for kitchen backsplashes or an accent wall as they are durable and can easily be wiped clean after food splashes. There is no shortage of styles and patterns to choose from either.
An ever-popular tile pattern is herringbone. This pattern is created by setting tiles in a zigzag pattern. It’s a classic look that can be adapted to any style of kitchen. If you want something a little more modern, try a geometric tile pattern. This can be as simple as setting square tiles in a diagonal pattern or getting creative with different shapes and sizes of mismatched tiles.
Consider Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tiles come in all sorts of colours and shapes and are particularly versatile, due to the wide array of different sizes and materials, like glass and marble.
If you have a modern kitchen and want to keep up with the latest trends and styles, there are always more and more modern materials being incorporated into kitchen backsplashes, some of the most popular ones being painted glass, stainless steel and printed laminate.
4. Kitchen Word Art for Your Walls
We continue our quest for the best kitchen wall ideas with something you might already be familiar with. It can be in the form of stickers, metal or wooden wall art, canvas, or framed prints. Yes, you guessed it. I'm talking about kitchen word art.
The great thing about this type of wall decor is that it works with any theme and is very versatile. It doesn't matter if you have a modern open kitchen and living space or a more traditional kitchen space.
What Word Art is Available?
Whether it's funny sayings, inspirational wall quotes, or simply a design that suits your character and personality, you can find word art that fits your needs.
In addition to the wall sticker idea I referred to, you can find many predesigned canvas or card prints and fully personalised designs. These often incorporate names, dates, relevant words, and important dates. These are the ultimate in fully personalised word art.
Whatever kitchen wall decor ideas you go for to fill your wall space, to get the most out of your kitchen word art, take your time to find words that mean something special to you and the rest of your family.
5. Kitchen Blackboard Wall
Image credit: pinterest.com
Creating a kitchen blackboard wall is super simple and is a very cost-effective way of decorating an entire bare wall. Simply purchase a tin of chalkboard paint and cover any wall of your choice. This type of paint can be found at most hardware stores and online.
Blackboard paint allows you to write on any wall space to which it is applied, with traditional chalk or chalk pens. You can then erase it with a chalk rubber or damp cloth when you're done.
Use Your Blackboard Wall to Get Organised
A kitchen blackboard wall can bring some much-needed organisational relief to a kitchen. Use it to jot down shopping lists, recipe ingredients, or even to-do lists.
If your kitchen is short on counter space, a blackboard wall can also be a great place to write preparation notes for cooking, meal planning, jotting down recipe instructions and cooking timings. You can then easily refer to them while you cook.
A chalkboard wall is also a fun element to add to your kitchen decor, that the whole family can get involved with and use for messaging each other. If you don't want to have a whole wall or section of wall painted with blackboard paint, another option is to use chalkboard wall stickers. A great non-messy alternative!
6. Coffee Wall Art For The Kitchen
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Are you a coffee addict, or at least a coffee lover? If so, consider giving coffee a special place on your kitchen walls. And by special place, I don't only mean in a fancy container or cup, but on the wall!
Coffee wall art comes in all different forms, sizes and colours. You can once again have it as metal wall plaques, a coffee wall sticker, canvas print, word art, and even painting.
To be honest, the sky is the limit with these types of kitchen wall decor ideas. Whichever type of coffee art you choose, make sure you're clear on whether you want to make coffee your main theme, or simply treat it as a nice element that blends with your overall kitchen design.
7. Kitchen Wall Signs
Image credit: amazon.co.uk
More coffee wall decor pieces we love...
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8. Metal Kitchen Wall Art
Image credit: amazon.co.uk
Do you have any favourite wall sayings, a special symbol, or a beautiful image that you'd like to see in pride of place on your kitchen walls? Maybe something that inspires you? All of these could be achieved by using a metal kitchen sign.
What about this eye-catching metal kitchen sign above, how cool would it look illuminated on your kitchen wall? There are many online companies that not only sell specific words, phrases and images but also allow you to request a custom design.
One practical advantage of metal art is that you can easily move it around the house when you want a change. They don't require any specialised mounting attachments and can usually be fixed using simple hooks or screws.
To get the best effect, I advise placing your metal wall art in an uncluttered area and choosing a contrasting colour from your wall. To make your art pop, find a piece that incorporates a neon light, this will make it stand out and fully showcase the piece itself.
More metal wall decor...
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9. Kitchen Sticker Wall Art
My list of beautiful kitchen wall decor ideas continues with sticker art. I don't mean the kind of stickers you decorate a laptop or smartphone with, but the ones specifically designed to create stunning kitchen wall art. Wall stickers are available in pretty much any size and colour that you can imagine and depict an endless array of images, quotes and personalised designs.
The final look is similar to that of metal art, but they are far cheaper, available with more custom options and are generally far more detailed and refined. The secret is to choose a design that matches the style and period of your kitchen space. For a modern space, you may want to be bold and more colourful with what you choose. Whereas a period setting requires more muted colours and a traditional style, whether that be with the fonts used or the design itself.
10. Black And White Kitchen Prints
If you're not sure which colours work together, it's very hard to go wrong with contrasting artwork such as these black and white kitchen prints. Following the 'less is more' principle, black and white prints can be stylish, creative, and easy to fit into any kitchen theme.
This form of wall art can be purchased both individually or as an arrangement of framed prints, depicting images and/or word art and quotes.
Prints with either bold black text on a white background or vice-versa can offer your kitchen a nice touch of class and elegance but with simplicity at its heart.
More black & white kitchen art options...
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11. Kitchen Cutlery Wall Art
Image credit: Etsy
When you think of the word 'kitchen', cutlery is certainly something that is brought to mind. Yet so few people think that these elements can work as pieces of art. The simplest way of achieving this is to purchase a knife fork and spoon wall sticker. You can find these in a range of colours and sizes to match or complement your decor.
Alternatively, you can buy oversized kitchen utensils in the form of large metal sculptures. This can look particularly stunning if you find the right piece.
Utilise Your DIY Skills
A cheaper, more creative option is to use your DIY skills and place real cutlery items into a chunky frame, then simply hang it on your kitchen wall. The good thing about this type of decoration is that it can create a beautiful effect with very little effort.
If you have a kitchen that is full of different kinds of wall decor and you're left with awkward, empty spaces why not consider adding cutlery art? Better still, go for the oversized option and make a stunning centrepiece of it.
Other cutlery wall decor products...
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12. Branch Wall Decor
Image credit: pinterest.com
Branch wall decor, like the whimsical display shown above, is a great way to add some natural elements to your kitchen. The wood tones and integrated LED lights add warmth to a space and can help to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
This kitchen wall decor idea is also a great choice for creating a little DIY project for yourself (if you are feeling crafty), as it only requires some reclaimed wood, twigs that can be sourced anywhere, and fairy lights. An easy task for anyone with a small amount of wood-building skills.
13. Kitchen Canvas Art
Image credit: amazon.co.uk
If you have a wide wall surface to cover, maybe consider using canvas art. There are several different ways in which canvases can be used. Whether you decide on one large abstract design or a group of images that are similar in style and colour. Canvases can be very cost-effective and are conveniently sold as ready-to-hang artwork.
Considerations for Layout and Colours
If you go for a large arrangement of canvasses with complex images, make sure that it is the main element on your wall, keeping all other wall decor to a minimum. A simple rule of thumb is that the fewer colours you have in your kitchen, the less difficult it will be to pick the right canvas.
Contrary to this, if the area is already full of other colourful pieces of decor, try selecting a canvas with a toned-down design and more muted colours.
More kitchen wall canvas ideas...
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14. Large Kitchen Wall Art
Image credit: pinterest.com
A great benefit to hanging large kitchen wall art is that it can produce an impressive eye-catching display and bold statement on your kitchen wall decor.
If you have a large, blank wall space in your kitchen, hanging any piece of art can add personality and colour to the room's decor and create the perfect focal point.
What Options Are Available?
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a big impact on your kitchen walls. There are many affordable options out there. For example, a large landscape painting would suit a traditional look, or for a more modern kitchen space, a contemporary abstract piece like the one shown above may be more apt.
Hanging one large piece of kitchen wall decor is also going to be an easier task than many small pieces. You don’t need any special tools or any specific expertise, so anyone can do it. If you ever get tired of the art that you have chosen, simply take it down and replace it with something new, that suits your mood at that time.
15. Modern Wall Art for the Kitchen
Image credit : Dimensiva
If you are looking for framed artwork that is more modern than traditional landscape art for your kitchen walls, try searching for contemporary artists that you like or who are well respected in this field. If money is no object, you may want to splash out on a one-off piece of art, this could also be a great investment for the future.
For a more cost-effective option, many artists will also do a small run of framed art prints of their work, this would be more than half the price of an original and still be a pretty good investment.
Another cheaper option to adorn an empty wall is to purchase kitchen wall prints with the perfect design that fits your needs, then simply purchase a standard frame to go with it. Cheap and stylish! This way, you could even think bigger and create a full gallery wall.
16. Funny Kitchen Wall Art
Why not cheer up your blank kitchen walls with a joke or funny saying that always makes you smile? You can buy (or craft yourself) a canvas print with a funny quote/image or, as previously mentioned, a humorous wooden wall hanging or funny kitchen sticker works just as well.
As you can see there are plenty of options to choose from, so feel free to play around as much as you want. You can find funny kitchen wall decor ideas, such as wall decals, in many online stores. Check out retailers such as Aspect Wall Art (Blatant plug!), Redbubble and Wayfair.
17. Elegant Kitchen Wall Decor
Image credit : Allmodern
For many of us, elegance is a subjective term. Some might consider a minimalist decor elegant, while others prefer the alluring grandeur of a Baroque-style interior. Whatever your taste, most of us associate elegance with harmony, class, and quality.
To create a feeling of elegance on your kitchen wall decor, I suggest keeping it simple and ordered. You could choose a beautiful, unique painting (contemporary or classic, it's up to you), or maybe add open shelving with stylish metal supports, adorned with trailing plants, a hanging herb garden or opulent candles. You could also use specifically made wall-mounted metal planters.
Whatever you decide, it's important to only add valuable elements to your design and avoid clutter. If you don't do this, your elegant kitchen wall decor can quickly become messy and far from the elegant finish you want to achieve.
18. Expose Some Brickwork
Image credit: pinterest.ch
An exposed brick wall not only gives any kitchen a warm and rustic look but also adds texture and visual interest to the entire wall space. Exposed brickwork has been used in homes across the globe since the 19th century and its popularity continues today, due to its unique and industrial charm.
Exposed brick walls are often seen in industrial-style kitchens, but there is no reason for them not to be used in other styles, from contemporary to country chic. To achieve an authentic exposed brick wall look, you'll need an internal brick wall surface that you can reach. You'll then need to remove the existing plaster or drywall and clean off any excess.
The next step is to determine whether you should use mortar between the bricks or leave them rugged for a more ‘distressed’ and rustic look.
19. Create a Plate Wall
Image credit: melanielissackinteriors.com
Although one of the more old-fashioned of my kitchen wall ideas, some homeowners still like to embrace the timeless look of ceramic plates in all shapes and sizes displayed on a wall. A plate wall can bring a unique character to your kitchen and make use of any special china plates that are too special to be used for eating off.
One of the beauties of this type of kitchen wall decor lies in its versatility. You can show off an impressive collection by mixing and matching pretty plates from different eras or countries for an eclectic mix, making your space truly one-of-a-kind. Plus, there’s no need to limit yourself to just one type of material, glassware and cutlery can also be included in the wall display for an extra touch of texture and interest.
20. Display Vintage Portraits
Image credit: hartsholmeprints.com
If you are considering vintage kitchen wall decor ideas, using vintage portraits within your design is a good route to take.
21. Consider Hanging Shelves
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If you are going to have open shelving in your kitchen, you may as well choose a style that is decorative and will suit many design themes, such as the hanging shelves shown in the example above.
22. Utilise Wood Paneling
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23. Bold Wallpaper Feature Wall
Image credit: cocolapinedesign.com
This stunning feature wall, created using a bold floral wallpaper, not only highlights the window wall perfectly but is also a beautiful contrast to the crisp white of the other walls and tiles.
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24. Gallery Wall of Family Photos
Image credit: anchoredinelegance.com
Creating a gallery wall of all your favourite family photos is a simple and effective way to add personality and great memories to your kitchen decor.
25. Create a Vertical Kitchen Herb Garden
Image credit: americanartdecor.com
Create a kitchen herb garden to make practical use of a portion of your kitchen walls, whilst also adding a beautiful natural aroma to the space.
26. Add a Statement Wall Clock
Image credit: 1909kitchens.co.uk
When it comes to kitchen wall ideas, you can't go far wrong hanging a beautiful statement clock.
27. Create A Cubby Display
Image credit: danslelakehouse.com
A cubby is not only a great storage space for any kitchen, but can also be utilised to display other useful and decorative objects.
28. Add Greenery to Floating Shelves
Image credit: nelsonkb.com
The addition of hanging plants on top of the kitchen cabinets and floating shelves in this example, show how adding greenery to your kitchen can give life and colour to the whole space.
29. White Subway Tiles
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30. Display Kitchen Storage Solutions
Image credit: craftsyhacks.com
Having your storage solutions on show not only keeps your ingredients, spices, utensils and even wooden chopping boards on hand but also adds numerous decorative elements to the kitchen wall.
31. Add a Bright Wall Colour
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Selecting one accent wall and painting it a bright contrasting colour, to the rest of the space, is the perfect way to showcase your favourite colour on a plain kitchen wall.
My Final Thoughts
Firstly, think of a theme that suits your space. Do you want it minimalist, elegant, geometric, botanic or vintage? Then pick the main design element which fits within your chosen theme.
Before making or purchasing any type of kitchen decor, pause for a second, and imagine how you want your kitchen to look. If it helps, make rough sketches of design ideas to give yourself a better view of how the finished effect may look.
There's nothing wrong with surfing shops and Pinterest for inspiration, but don't make the mistake of binge-buying 15 pieces of art, only to discover that they don't go together. Purchasing fewer quality pieces for your kitchen walls, over many cheaper ones, is always a safe bet. The pricier items will stand the test of time much better than the cheap alternatives.
I hope that these beautiful kitchen wall decor ideas help you design your wall space and give you some great inspiration to work with.
Author: Matthew Chiappini