How to choose wallpaper for the kitchen

You're not alone if you're unsure how to choose wallpaper for the kitchen. After all, your home’s kitchen is where delicious meals are crafted and warm memories are created— making it a wonderful place where your family and guests can relax, converse, and appreciate the heart of your home is important.

That’s why this article will guide you through the process. Further, we will provide kitchen wallpaper ideas to help you create a memorable and inviting kitchen.

 

Aesthetic considerations when choosing wallpaper for your kitchen

 

The aesthetics of your kitchen wallpaper can significantly influence your space's overall ambiance. The right choice can transform your kitchen into a wonderful area where you can enjoy cooking and dining. This section will cover key factors such as color, lighting, space, architectural elements, furniture coordination, pattern selection, and adherence to style or theme. Each aspect is vital, and understanding how they interact will allow you to create a kitchen that reflects your style and functional needs. 

 

Color

 

Consider the atmosphere you aim to create when selecting colors for your kitchen wallpaper. Bright, energetic colors like yellow and orange can spark a lively environment perfect for bustling breakfast routines. Cooler tones like blue and green can create a serene, relaxing space for unwinding with an evening meal. Additionally, certain colors may influence our appetites. Reds and oranges, known to stimulate hunger, are excellent for a kitchen where delicious meals are relished, while blues and purples add a sophisticated touch to spaces designed for gourmet cooking or wine tastings. Lastly, always coordinate your wallpaper color with your kitchen's existing color scheme for a cohesive look.

 

Lighting Consideration

 

Column - Gold - Scandinavian Surface

Lighting significantly affects how your wallpaper will appear in your kitchen. Natural light tends to enhance lighter colors and make them appear brighter, while artificial lighting can drastically alter the perceived color of your wallpaper. Almost any color or pattern will work well if your kitchen enjoys much natural light. Choose lighter or more reflective wallpapers for kitchens with less natural light to help brighten the space. Consider the positioning of your kitchen's light sources and how shadows might interact with the texture and patterns of your chosen wallpaper.

 

Space and patterns

 

When choosing wallpaper patterns for a kitchen, you need to consider the size and layout of the space. Lighter colors and vertical stripes can make a smaller kitchen appear larger and taller, giving the illusion of expanded space. Conversely, if you have a large kitchen, you have the freedom to experiment with darker hues and bold patterns without overwhelming the space. 

Remember, you can also use wallpaper on the ceilings to change the perception of the room's height. For instance, wallpaper with a small, repetitive pattern can make a high ceiling feel less towering, creating a cozier atmosphere. Use wallpaper strategically to manipulate the perceived dimensions and create a more comfortable and visually interesting kitchen space.

 

Architectural elements and materials

 

The architectural elements and materials of your kitchen should inform your wallpaper choice. For example, if you have a kitchen with rustic wooden cabinets or natural stone countertops, consider wallpaper with a natural or organic design to harmonize with these elements. Kitchens with modern, sleek lines and materials like stainless steel or high-gloss finishes could benefit from geometric patterns or minimalist styles. Wallpaper can also serve to highlight particular architectural features, such as an accent wall or a distinctive window, by using a contrasting color or pattern.

 

Furniture coordination

 

Your kitchen's furniture and fittings, such as cabinets, countertops, kitchen islands, chairs, and tables, should all be considered when choosing your wallpaper. Ensure the colors and patterns of your wallpaper harmonize with these elements rather than clash. For instance, if your cabinets are vibrant, you may want to choose a neutral or subtly patterned wallpaper to avoid overwhelming the space. Alternatively, if your furniture and appliances are sleek and modern, a bold, geometric wallpaper can add a dynamic element to your kitchen's design.

 

Adherence to style or theme

 

Consider aligning the theme of your kitchen with your overall home decor. For example, consider wallpapers with wood-inspired designs if your home has a rustic farmhouse style. If you're searching for specific kitchen design ideas, interior designers often recommend a Scandinavian theme, which can perfectly match subtle, neutral-toned wallpapers; an industrial style, which pairs well with wallpapers showcasing grungy textures, metallic finishes, or concrete and brick patterns; and traditional themes, suiting elegant damask or floral wallpapers. Nevertheless, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to selecting themes for your kitchen. In the end, it should reflect your personal style.

No matter what color, pattern, motif, or style you want, whether you need to complement the architectural elements, interior design theme, or furniture— there's a perfect fit for you in Photowall’s range. Its expansive wallpaper collection comprises 30,000 designs, ready to match any style, ambiance, or look you want to create in your kitchen.

 

Practical considerations when choosing wallpaper for your kitchen

Choosing the right wall mural for your kitchen is not only about aesthetics but also about practicality and functionality. In this section, we will explore some key considerations you must consider when selecting kitchen wallpaper: ease of cleaning, installation, removal, and easy wallpaper calculation.

 

Easy to clean

Given the kitchen's unique conditions, such as exposure to fumes, spills, and the occasional use of cleaning products, it's crucial to opt for a high-quality, easy-to-clean wallpaper. In areas around cabinetry, shelves, dry bars, and dining spaces, Photowall's non-woven wallpapers are a practical choice, as they can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Furthermore, if you opt for their premium wallpapers, you'll enjoy an added advantage: they are not only resistant to scrapes but are also compatible with cleaning products, making them more suitable for some kitchen areas. For comprehensive information on how to clean your wallpaper, visit here.

 

Easy to install and remove

The kitchen can also be a place exposed to socializing and celebrating. As such, its look and ambiance need to adapt to varying moods and occasions. Installing and removing wallpapers easily allows you to keep your kitchen ambiance in sync with your evolving lifestyle and preferences. Photowall caters to this aspect by offering the easiest wallpaper types to install and remove: non-woven and self-adhesive, with the latter being ideal in areas less exposed to excessive moisture. They also deliver sequentially labeled strips, making your kitchen transformation a breeze. For a detailed guide on wallpaper installation, check here: How to install wallpaper. If you also need to know how to wallpaper over tiles, a common wall surface in some kitchens, this is your ultimate guide: How to wallpaper over tiles

 

Simple wallpaper calculation

Calculating wallpaper requirements can be complex and time-consuming, involving understanding roll dimensions, accounting for pattern repeats, and estimating the number of strips. Missteps can lead to wallpaper excess or shortage. Additionally, the alcoves, sinks, built-in appliances, and potentially irregular wall shapes in your kitchen can complicate the wallpaper calculation process.

Photowall simplifies this process. Just provide your wall's dimensions, select your preferred design, and crop your motif according to your preference. Photowall will then create a wallpaper that fits your kitchen's unique specifications, ensuring you have a more accurate amount of wallpaper. Learn more about calculating your wallpaper needs here: How much wallpaper do I need

 

How to use wallpaper in your kitchen: Interior tips & kitchen wallpaper ideas

 

The tips in this section will suggest interior ideas for your kitchen makeover, encouraging a blend of creativity, functionality, and style. This is perfect for homeowners or DIY enthusiasts looking for additional inspiration for their kitchen interior decorating journey.

● Wallpaper cabinetry and shelves: Built-ins like cabinets and shelves provide an ideal space for integrating wallpapers into your kitchen's decor. By wallpapering these features, you add depth and an element of surprise to your kitchen space. For DIY projects like this, peel-and-stick wallpapers are an excellent choice; they are the easiest to apply and can be easily adjusted too.

● Coordinate wallpaper with accessories: To further enhance the visual appeal of your kitchen, consider pairing your wallpaper with accessories. For instance, if you've chosen a botanical wallpaper, enhance that natural feel by including plants and herbs in your decor. Similarly, vintage kitchenware or antique pieces can complement retro-patterned wallpaper nicely.

● Achieve the tile or marble effect with wallpaper: Tiles and marbles can impart a luxurious touch to your kitchen but often come with burdensome installation, regular grout cleaning, and susceptibility to chipping. If you admire their aesthetic but want to bypass these challenges, explore Photowall's diverse marble and tile-inspired wallpaper collection. They offer a realistic, elegant look without the hassle of intricate maintenance. More than tiles and marbles, more surface and texture-inspired designs that exude authenticity are available in Photowall’s surface and textures collection.

● Define kitchen zones with wallpaper: If you're feeling adventurous and if your kitchen has multiple areas, you can experiment with mixing and matching different wallpapers in the same room to create distinct visual spaces. For example, you may select a sophisticated pattern for the dry bar area, a playful design for a breakfast nook, and a more formal motif near the dining space. This way, you can add character to each section of the kitchen.

 

Common mistakes when choosing wallpaper for kitchens

 

When it comes to dressing up your kitchen with wallpapers, take note of the common missteps homeowners often make and tips to prevent them:

● Installing wallpaper in direct contact with heat and water sources: Regardless of your wallpaper type, consider where it will be installed in your kitchen. This is because heat and water can cause wallpaper to warp, bubble, or peel. Even vinyl wallpapers aren’t completely immune to high heat. As such, it's advisable to install wallpaper in areas away from the sink, dishwasher, and stovetop. In case you need help with peeling wallpapers, air bubbles, and other common issues, check here: How to fix wallpaper seams

● Choosing textured designs that are hard to clean: Kitchens are spaces where spills and splatters are commonplace. Choosing wallpaper with textured surfaces can result in dirt, dust, or food particles getting trapped, making cleaning a hassle. Avoid wallpapers with hard-to-reach crevices that could pose cleaning difficulties in a kitchen setting. Instead, opt for smooth or easily wipeable surfaces that can be effortlessly maintained. Here’s a guide on how to clean wallpaper.

● Overlooking stain concealment in wallpaper design: For kitchens prone to spills or messes, particularly those with children, selecting light-colored wallpapers might tend to highlight stains, while wallpapers with darker hues or intricate patterns can effectively camouflage spills or stains, making your kitchen wallpaper more practical for daily use. 

● Overlooking room harmony: Choosing a wallpaper that clashes with your kitchen’s existing color scheme, furniture style, or decorative elements can disrupt the room's harmony. Always consider how your wallpaper choice will blend with the existing decor.

In conclusion, selecting wallpaper for your kitchen is an exciting opportunity to express your style and enhance the functionality of the space. By understanding the aesthetic and practical considerations when choosing kitchen wallpaper, learning some kitchen ideas, and avoiding common mistakes— anyone can ensure a cohesive and inviting kitchen environment.