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Decorating kitchen walls with pictures


20 Easy Kitchen Wall Decor Ideas From Designer Rooms

Wall decor isn't necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when designing a kitchen, but just because it isn't as functional as, say, the oven or sink doesn't mean that it's not a crucial element to a happy gathering and cooking space. Though storage and natural light take precedence on the walls, there are lots of ways to get thrifty with kitchen wall decor. That's why we rounded up our favorite examples. Once you see the 20 designer kitchens with stylish and creative artwork ideas ahead, you'll want to prioritize decorating the walls, stat.

1

Veggie Still Life Collection

DeVol Kitchens

With a natural stone backsplash and then separating shelf, the artwork, sconces, and figurines are safely displayed above the splash zone in this deVOL kitchen. A pop of verdant green paint contrasts with the deep marine blue-green cabinets peeking out in the bottom right corner. When you're not sure what kind of art you want in the kitchen, you can always count on a produce theme.

2

Chalk Board

Alec Hemer

In this kitchen designed by Kim Dempster and Erin Martin, one cabinet is covered in chalk paint for notes and reminders, but also serves as a canvas for creative expression!

3

Hanging Pots (And Pigs!)

Annie Schlechter

Forced to keep your pots and pans out in the open due to limited storage space? All the more reason to invest in good cookware that also happens to be pretty. In this kitchen by Sheila Bridges, the hanging cookware is further beautified by contrasting artwork and a shimmering blue wallpaper (those cast irons pigs are cute, too!).

4

Statement Ceramics and Glassware

Arent & Pyke

In this kitchen designed by Arent & Pyke, decorative objects and thoughtfully curated barware on the exposed shelves brings depth and intrigue to the wall. If you like a collected, eclectic feel, zellige tiles and a hodgepodge mix of artwork and objects are a good route to take.

5

High Hung Art

AMY NEUNSINGER

Sure, the kitchen might be small, but where there's a wall there's a way. In fact, even a few extra inches of wall space will do if you have a ladder. The bright wall art in this kitchen by Commune Design is proof.

6

A Mirror

JESSICA SAMPLE

Designer Dee Murphy added a custom brass shelf between the Hellman range and the hood to perch knick-knacks and a mirror that makes the room look bigger. She mentioned that it's not nearly as high-maintenance to keep clean as you'd think, either.

7

Asymmetrical Floating Shelf Display

Arent & Pyke

Ultra sleek cement flooring, stainless steel counters and backsplash, and a gray stone island get a dose of warmth from the red stools and wood surfaces, but the wall decor really brings that final polish in this kitchen by Arent & Pyke. Since it only sits on a small section of the wall, the floating shelf stays aligned with the minimalist look. Plus, the asymmetry is undeniably cool. Plus, plus: The painting almost looks like a still life of the actual room.

8

A Cubby Display

Heidi Caillier Design

If your kitchen wall is lined with windows, consider adding a pretty treatment that doesn't totally block the light, like cafe curtains. This will bring in more personal style even if you have limited empty wall space to hang items. And, if you keep your shelving exposed, you can display a small piece of artwork behind plating, as Heidi Caillier did here. This keeps it safe from splashes, too.

9

Mirrored Tiles

LAURE JOLIET

Disco dance for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Yes, please. This kitchen designed by ETC. etera for L.A.'s Firehouse Hotel features a mirrored tile backsplash that contrasts nicely with the casual wicker stools. A metallic sconce and contemporary artwork elevate it even further.

10

Art In Lieu of Uppers

JARED KUZIA

Designer Karen Swanson limited the number of cabinet uppers she installed in this English countryside-inspired kitchen, explaining that, "so many people want to blanket the wall in cabinets, but that can make a kitchen feel heavy and claustrophobic." Instead, she chose slim glass-fronted storage columns lined in matte oak to highlight dishware, which also ended up freeing up wall space for sizeable artwork and more dispersal of natural light. A colorful tile backsplash also doubles as wall decor.

11

Shrunken Art

Read McKendree

A tiny framed nautical painting above the cabinets is a sweet little surprise. Since the uppers cover almost the entire wall in this coastal kitchen designed by Kevin Isbell, the glass enclosures get a little fun with the patterned fabric lining.

12

Oversized Modern

Romanek Design Studio

One large-scale statement piece will do the trick, as exemplified in this contemporary California kitchen by Romanek Design Studio. The inky backdrop is a nod to the modern steel-framed windows while the greens speak to the lush view beyond. If you're working with a similarly light and airy space, consider a similar choice in artwork.

13

Location-Specific Pieces

Julian Wass

Designer Gary McBournie used Benjamin Moore's Covington Blue to evoke the 1930s and '40s, "something out of an old Bette Davis film," he says. And since this kitchen is by the water, he chose nautical artwork that speaks to the environment.

14

Smartly Scaled Artwork

deVol Kitchens

Reclaimed wood shelving adds contrast—and necessary storage in this deVOL kitchen. The prettiest items are displayed on the exposed wall-to-wall shelves and cubbies so the less attractive essentials can be tucked away in the cabinets and the rest of the wall is elongated by a landscape painting that makes the room feel wider.

15

Painted Brick and Tiny Frames

Heidi Caillier Design

Heidi Caillier painted the cabinets an icy blue hue and the brick walls white for a brighter aesthetic and then secured a small piece of artwork to bring some moody depth. The brass hardware and fixtures speak to the gilt frame.

16

Leaning Frames and Accessories

paul raeside

A glossy finish on these cabinets bounces light back into the room and a small elevated shelf between the cabinets and wall-to-wall windows allows for decorative freedom. Andrew Flesher leaned an antique still life and then added a candelabra and plant for an extra punch.

17

A Clock

Thayer Photographs Inc

Scott Meacham Wood utilized all available wall space in this tiny kitchen. A trio of three-dimensional objects frame the archway and a clock brings old-world charm.

18

Artful Backsplash

deVol Kitchens

When you don't want to overdo it with wall decor, call on tiles to double as artwork. In this deVOL kitchen, the unique abstract backsplash functions as decor and is easy to clean. Take it a step further with a statement paint color.

19

Plate Wall

Anna Spiro Design

Create a gallery wall of plates, Anna Spiro did here. Not only does it allow you to display your collection of family heirlooms or unused but pretty dinnerware, but they're also easy to wipe down while most other artwork doesn't give you that option. (See how to hang a plate wall here).

20

Statement Lights

Tamsin Johnson Interiors

A wall sculpture on the adjoining hallway wall as well as two small pieces in the actual kitchen do the trick here. When you're worried about damaging art or simply don't have the wall space, lean on sculptural lighting for a fun kitchen accent. Tamsin Johnson opted for a pretty wall sconce right above that back right corner art.

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

44 Creative Kitchen Wall Decor Ideas to Try

By

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/09/22

Becca Brendler for MStarr Design

When it comes to picking artwork for the home, most people focus on their main gathering spaces first. But once the living room, family room, and even the hallway are filled with beautiful pieces galore, you're not off the hook quite yet. After all, don't forget that artwork can truly shine in any room of the house! And this means that it's critical that you don't forget to display it in the kitchen, too.

While the kitchen is a largely functional space. it's also a highly trafficked one and is a place where friends and family frequently gather, meaning that it deserves a little bit of love. If you're going to spend mornings and evenings prepping dishes for the family and loading and unloading the dishwasher, you deserve to do so in a space that's aesthetically pleasing to you. Due to tiled backsplashes and large appliances, you may not necessarily have a ton of usable wall space available for framed pieces, but that's ok. A little art goes a long way, after all.

Note that artwork that hangs in the kitchen doesn't have to be food or drink related by any means. Sure, you can feel free to go that route if you're so inclined, but generally, the art pieces that you may be eyeing for other spots in the house will likely look just as great in your cooking space. Love vibrant colors? Great! Have a penchant for portraits? Bring it on. Below, we've rounded up 44 kitchens featuring fun art choices that will help you get inspired as you tackle your own space.

10 ways to decorate the walls in the kitchen + 40 photos

Every housewife dreams of making her kitchen not only comfortable and functional, but also cozy and unique. And if the funds do not allow you to order a unique designer renovation with a personal design project and furniture made especially for you, you can diversify a typical kitchen interior with a simple wall decor. In this article, we will tell you how to decorate the walls in the kitchen with your own hands, without resorting to the help of professionals.

Before moving on to decorating the walls, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

Method 1. Paintings

This is perhaps one of the easiest and, one might say, classic ways to decorate walls. You can decorate a kitchen made in any style with paintings, only the plot of the paintings plays a role here. So, nature views are suitable for a traditional-style kitchen, and abstraction for a modern kitchen.

When choosing the size of the picture, you should be guided by the following principle: the ideal width of the picture = wall size x 0.57. If you want to create a composition of paintings, treat them as one object. Pictures should be placed at a distance of at least 5 cm from each other. The ideal height from the floor is 145 cm. However, if you place pictures above the dining area, you should hang them a little lower, as you will look at them while sitting.

Method 2. Photos

Properly selected photos can be an excellent interior decoration. You can place photos on the walls with frames, like paintings, or without them. You can also create compositions, figures or panels from photographs. Here are some examples of decorating walls with photographs.

Method 3. Decorative plates

This type of decor is ideal for a traditional style kitchen - country, Provence, classic, etc. You can use any plates and saucers you like. The main thing is that they would echo the interior of the kitchen as a whole and harmonize with each other.

You can start looking for the right plates among old grandmother's dishes and continue at the flea market. If you travel often, bring plates with the names of cities and countries from your trips, or ask your friends and acquaintances about it.

Plates can be attached to the wall using liquid nails. If the plates have special fasteners, then you can cling them to nails or dowels.

Decorative plates can be placed on the wall symmetrically, with the formation of a figure or randomly. The main thing is that in general it looks harmonious.

Method 4: Decorative stickers

Decorative stickers are more suitable for modern style kitchens, but can also be used to decorate traditional kitchens. A big plus of decorative stickers is that their choice is huge. You can choose from hundreds of ready-made options, and if you still didn't find what you were looking for, you can order a custom-designed sticker.

For those who are thrifty, there is also a budget option - to make a sticker yourself. To do this, you need to buy a self-adhesive film (arokal) in a hardware store, find a suitable pattern, transfer it to the film and cut it out.

The process of applying a sticker to a wall requires some skill and accuracy (especially a lot), but in general, with a little effort, this mission is quite doable.

When choosing a sticker as a decor for the kitchen walls, remember that the sticker can only be stuck on a flat, smooth surface. Therefore, if the walls of your kitchen are covered with embossed wallpaper, this type of decor will not suit you.

Method 5. Photo wallpaper

We already wrote about the advantages of photo wallpaper in our article "How to choose wallpaper for a small kitchen". Now we repeat that for small rooms, murals serve as a faithful assistant. They help to visually expand the space, and also serve as decoration for the walls. The main thing is to choose the right color scheme and wallpaper pattern.

Method 6. Panel

You can create a panel with your own hands from improvised materials using your imagination, as well as ideas from the Internet. The simplest panel can be made from the remnants of wallpaper. To do this, you need to choose a small piece of wallpaper of interesting colors, give it the desired shape (square, rhombus, circle, etc.) and stick it on the wall. Such a panel can also be decorated with a frame or a border.

Method 7. Stencil

A variety of designs, patterns or ornaments can be applied to the wall with a stencil. You can buy a stencil or make your own. Basically, this method of decoration is suitable for walls painted with paint, but it is also suitable for decorating wallpaper for painting.

Method 8. Frames

If you can't decide which painting or photograph to hang on the wall, stop the pain of choice and decorate your kitchen walls with empty frames. Well-chosen, harmonizing frames look stylish and creative. The principle of placing empty frames on the wall is the same as for paintings.

Method 9. Clock

The easiest way to decorate your kitchen walls is to hang a clock. The decor in the form of a clock has a double benefit - it decorates the walls and you will always know what time it is. Today in stores you can find a large selection of kitchen-themed watches, they are also available in all colors, shapes and sizes.

Kitchen utensils hung on the walls can add the necessary color and authenticity to the room. Everything can be used - spoons, forks, graters, cutting boards and much more.

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12 tips for choosing, photo examples

Most people spend a significant part of their time in the kitchen: cooking, breakfast and dinner, and sometimes gatherings with friends. Naturally, everyone wants the room to be as comfortable and beautiful as possible.

Pictures can be a real decoration of your kitchen.

Of course, without a good repair it will not be possible to achieve a feeling of comfort. However, do not forget that the interior of the kitchen is largely made by little things: decor, dishes, clocks and, of course, a picture.

Add coziness to your kitchen.

The latter are perhaps the most popular kitchen decoration. Let's figure out how to choose a picture that matches the interior of the kitchen and what to look for.

Contents

Advantages of painting in the kitchen

It is important to understand that landscapes and still lifes do not only play an important aesthetic role. Their functionality is much wider than it might seem at first glance.

Paintings are not only decoration.

Sometimes pictures can :

However, in order to achieve such results, it is necessary to choose the right painting. We are sure that with our advice you will not have any problems!

The right picture will complement the image.

Tip 1. Don't forget to match the style

First of all, you must adhere to a single design concept for the design of the kitchen. If the room is decorated in style, the romantic landscape will not be too in theme. And vice versa, bright impressionism is unlikely to find a place in the kitchen in style

Make sure the painting matches your style.

Therefore, carefully select a picture so that it matches the overall interior.

By the way: Many people, focusing on the plot of the canvas, forget about its design. It's about the frame. We also recommend choosing it individually, so that it harmonizes with the rest of the kitchen elements.

Ideally, the selected picture should complement the kitchen, organically fitting into the interior. So think carefully about your choice.

Tip 2. Create smart compositions

Of course, one large canvas can be a real decoration of a room. However, do not forget that such a solution is not suitable for all types of interior and not for every room configuration. For example, in a small kitchen, a massive picture is unlikely to be appropriate.

Classical paintings would look strange here. But the posters - that's it!

And styles such as country and shabby chic welcome a lot of small decorations, designed in the same spirit. However, you can’t just hang pictures in a chaotic manner - you need to create a composition.

Nuance: An exception is allowed if you have selected many small photos or pictures in the same frame. In this case, a little "mess" is even welcome.

In general, remember that your gallery should have a unifying element - color, semantic load, general style of the picture. In addition, the frames should be similar to each other.

Abstraction is a win-win.

If you are not sure of your talent as an art historian, you can purchase a ready-made set or several triptychs by one author.

Tip 3. Work with the shape

In this case, we are talking about the shape of the frame. If you prefer classic or minimalist solutions, try a win-win move: hang paintings on the walls that match their shape. That is, rectangular and oval for a rectangular wall, square and round for a square one.

A frame that matches the shape of the wall - a classic option.

However, if you are creating a composition, you can experiment with a random selection of different shapes. However, in this case, it is necessary to carefully monitor the semantic community so as not to destroy harmony.

Play with shapes and sizes.

Thinking through the composition, do not immediately place pictures on the wall. Lay them out on the floor to see the result. Perhaps something needs to be changed. Then stick sheets of paper to the wall with sticky tape that match the size and shape of your paintings. Only after that, if everything suits you, you can proceed directly to the placement of the frames.

Complex calculations can be replaced by one picture of an unexpected shape.

Tip 4: Keep proportions

The recommendation may seem obvious, but many people forget about it when they see a painting they like. Massive paintings are not suitable for a small kitchen - it is better to select 2-3 small drawings in neat frames here.

A few small paintings and the kitchen looks amazing.

And vice versa. If you have a spacious room, a small picture can simply get lost in space. Therefore, carefully compare the sizes.

Exception - if the kitchen is overloaded with other details.

Oddly enough, the same advice can be applied to the plot of the paintings. You may be a fan of marine art, but you will agree that the replica of the Ninth Wave will look strange in a 9x12 frame. Therefore, use common sense and find those paintings that suit your kitchen.

Landscapes - a neutral option for everything.

Tip 5. The Laws of Vertical and Horizontal

Improper placement of a painting can destroy the balance of your room and make it disproportionate. Therefore, you should be careful with the placement of pictures. If she is alone, everything is much easier. However, if you want to hang a composition of several elements, you will have to act taking into account the laws of geometry.

Do not forget about the geometry of the room.

Visually outline for yourself the center of the picture, which will remain in the center of the plot and hang the rest of the drawings along the vertical or horizontal axis from it. This is a versatile composition that is well suited for both modern and for.

Good placement example.

At the same time, keep in mind that the correct approach in this matter will help you visually improve the perception of the room.

For example, horizontal placement is well suited for a small kitchen with high ceilings. Thus, you will be able to smooth out the disproportion in dimensions. Conversely, vertical placement will help you make the room look taller.

Don't know where to hang a picture and are afraid to get confused? Put it on the fridge!

Tip 6. Think about lighting

Even the most beautiful painting will be lost if hung in a dark corner. In addition, the lines of the picture may be distorted due to the play of light and shadow. Therefore, it is important to consider how you will cover your paintings.

Proper lighting is the key to success.

First of all, think about how the light from the already installed lighting fixtures will fall. Perhaps after that you will have to come up with a new place for the picture.

A good move is to install special thin horizontal lamps, which can often be seen in museums. Of course, we do not encourage you to buy expensive equipment. However, its imitation will play a good service: the picture will be correctly illuminated from above, so all its beauty will be revealed.

Such lighting reveals the beauty of the picture.

By the way: Don't forget about natural light. Most paints, including oils and watercolors, do not tolerate direct sunlight. The colors fade and a kind of patina can go over the pattern, which will not decorate it. Therefore, never hang pictures in front of a window.

In addition, oil paintings should not be hung directly next to heating lamps - even if the painting is processed using special technologies, constant heating will have a bad effect on the durability of colors.

Hang pictures a short distance from the stove if they are not heat resistant.

The type of picture also depends on the lighting. For example, if the room itself is dark, not too lit, it is better to refuse miniatures with a lot of details - without lighting, they simply cannot be seen.

Advice 7. Decide on the height

Since the main value of paintings in the kitchen is aesthetic, most often designers recommend hanging them directly at eye level. An exception is the dining table, where the canvases can be placed a little lower or a little higher. However, do not forget that in the latter case, it is important to make sure that none of the people getting up will cling to the picture, especially if there are protruding elements on the frame.

Proper height is important for a painting.

There are other nuances that we recommend paying attention to :

In general, we advise you to evaluate the result before hanging a picture - the design of your kitchen plays a big role, so the general recommendations may be slightly adjusted depending on the interior.

Maintain horizon.

Tip 8. Mirror Placement

A popular design technique is to place an art gallery in front of the headset, mirroring the apron. Here, too, there are rules that you will have to follow if you want the kitchen to look beautiful and harmonious.

Take care of a straight line.

In this case, the row should be very clear, so you have to work with a construction meter. At the same time, it is not necessary to select paintings clearly in the size of the apron in order to ensure symmetry. There are several other ways to give your kitchen a beautiful and stylish look:

Tip 9. Think about how to fit large paintings

Sometimes you want to hang a large canvas or fresco in the kitchen. In this case, it is very important that the surroundings of the painting be as simple as possible - plain wall decoration, not too pretentious furniture.

The larger the picture, the more demanding the rules.

If you ordered a full-wall printed canvas, the rest of the surfaces must have an even, neutral color. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting too pretentious lurid cuisine.

Such a picture needs careful planning.

By the way: In this case, it is not at all necessary to buy expensive wallpapers. It is quite possible to get by with photo wallpaper, the care of which is many times easier than for paintings.

Tip 10: Remember safety

Never hang pictures directly over a gas stove - the slightest spark can be enough to set the canvas on fire. The exception is glazed paintings in a glass frame. However, make sure the glass is fireproof.

Anyway, the frame in the kitchen is almost a must-have.

Even glazed pictures in wooden frames should not be hung next to the sink. Gradually, the frame will swell and deform from the constant influence of moisture. And there is no talk of ordinary ones - it won’t even take a month for the picture to deteriorate.

Tip 11. Use common sense

Of course, you are free to furnish your home however you like. However, images for the kitchen should still be selected with caution. It is unlikely that Bosch's paintings (we do not belittle their artistic value, but still!) Or illustrations for an anatomical atlas will add appetite to you.

A picture in the kitchen should stimulate appetite, not scare it away.

Landscapes, still lifes, abstraction are considered classics for the kitchen. So choose what you like, but with a little regard.

A neutral image is better than a complex composition.

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