To create a cool and modern wall design in the kitchen, you first need to choose the optimal finishing material and settle on an interesting color. Or an effective combination that will maximize your design concept, highlight all the advantages of the room configuration and, at the same time, neutralize the existing disadvantages. All the nuances of choice and options, as well as fashion trends that are worth paying attention to, will be discussed in this material.
Requirements for finishing materials in the kitchen
- moisture resistance - permanent high humidity should not affect the structure of the material and change its shade;
- fire safety - implies complete resistance to fire or low flammability;
- strength and durability - constant temperature changes should not reduce the performance characteristics of the material, as well as regular thorough washing using powders and other means;
- environmental friendliness - when heated, the material should not release hazardous substances into the air;
- ease of care - you need to avoid glaze on the surface, porous textures that accumulate dust, grease and dirt and are difficult to clean.
Wooden panels
Natural material will give the kitchen additional comfort and warmth. It is recommended to use it in spacious rooms in classic or rustic decoration, away from the cooking area. Wood:
- Has increased flammability;
- Doesn't like water;
- Does not tolerate washing;
- Absorbs odors and grease.
Special impregnations will slightly improve the characteristics of the coating, but even in this case the wood will require too much effort to maintain an attractive appearance.
What color to choose for the walls
The color of the kitchen affects a person’s emotional state: it not only invigorates or calms, but also promotes better appetite. Therefore, when choosing it to decorate the walls in the kitchen, you should abandon controversial and, especially, radical decisions.
To make it easier for you to navigate the characteristics of a particular color used in the design of walls in the kitchen, we have compiled a small but useful table for you.
| Color | Impact |
| Yellow | improves mood; invigorates well in the morning; works great in modern interiors |
| Blue | calms and relaxes; organically complements the Mediterranean style |
| White | creates a neutral environment; is basic and goes well with any other shade |
| Orange | creates an optimistic mood; completely removes stress; works well in modern and fusion styles |
| Green | perfectly pacifies; relieves negative emotions; goes well with classic interiors |
| Black | may cause anxiety; often used in loft and high-tech; requires a contrasting shade in pair |
| Red | energizes; widely used in contemporary art; visually reduces space |
| Grey | completely universal and neutral; brings order to the design |
Color spectrum
There are no special rules for choosing the color scheme of kitchen walls.
A home catering unit will look great with:
- Familiar white shades, increasing the existing volume and giving more light;
- Pastel colors that create warmth and comfort;
- Bright colors that stimulate the appetite and lift your spirits.
The colors of the green spectrum have become popular: mint, meadow, pistachio, and the color of unripe lemon.
In spacious rooms, you can use several colors at once to separate the dining and work areas.
In a small kitchen, a more elegant apron becomes a prominent spot, and all other surfaces are tried to be made just a background for the furniture. Space and tranquility will be provided by a completely monochromatic wall decoration, slightly diluted with a kitchen set.
Modern finishing options
The walls in the kitchen can be covered with more than just wallpaper. There are many more ways to design them. It’s difficult to list everything in one article at once, but we’ll try.
Wallpaper
However, we’ll start with them, because wallpaper in the kitchen is a classic option for wall decoration. If you want the wallpaper you pasted to stay in the kitchen for a long time and not peel off, choose those that have a non-woven or vinyl backing. They can be washed easily. And they don’t fade at all in the sun, safely keeping the print fresh for years.
However, even the most expensive wallpaper has obvious drawbacks: they scratch easily and collect dust and grease on the textured surface. Therefore, get ready for grueling maintenance if you decide to go with this finishing option.
An alternative to conventional wallpaper for decorating walls in the kitchen is glass wallpaper and paintable wallpaper. Preparing the walls is the same as for wallpapering with regular wallpaper. The main advantage is durability, because they can be repainted up to 5-7 times, depending on the manufacturer. An undeniable advantage of fiberglass is that it can be glued in new buildings without fear of shrinkage of the walls. The slightest cracks will be hidden, but the walls will have to be leveled first, almost like before painting. To paint fiberglass in the kitchen, choose a special washable paint; the shade can be absolutely any.
Keep in mind that fiberglass absorbs paint very well, so to apply the 1st layer it is usually diluted with water 1:3. To obtain a uniform shade, you will need to apply 2-3 layers of paint.
Photo wallpaper
A real lifesaver in those moments when the kitchen seems boring, uncomfortable and completely outdated.
As a rule, thematic images are used to add variety to the environment:
- forks, spoons, cups, etc.;
- various dishes;
- fruits and vegetables;
- megacities and architectural structures, etc.
Of the minuses: they require a lot of free space to deploy a full-fledged panel. To admire the painting, it is advisable to leave the kitchen wall free, and for many this is an unaffordable luxury. In addition, photo wallpapers, alas, very often become boring.
Ceramic tile
One would like to call this material for interior decoration ideal. This is a practically indestructible coating that is not afraid of detergents with chemically active components, constant temperature changes, water or fire.
Tiles also have an amazing variety of textures and patterns. You can choose a classic monocolor, but if you wish, create a masterpiece of design art with the help of specific collections.
Tile
Durable, durable and practical, tiles remain the most attractive material for kitchen decoration. She:
- Not afraid of moisture, temperature, cleaning, dirt;
- Does not absorb dust and odors;
- Can be easily washed with plain water and chemicals;
- Has many colors and patterns.
The entire room is rarely tiled; in this case, the kitchen will look too much like a catering establishment. Basically, durable material is used to decorate the cooking area.
If you want to make a very unusual design using a ceramic coating, then choose tiles with patterns. Most often, classic and ethnic interiors are decorated in this unusual way.
The disadvantage of tiles will be their high cost and the requirement to hire professional tilers.
Wall decoration and kitchen style
Another table will help you quickly and clearly understand which finishing material is best combined with a specific design style.
| Material | Style |
| Siding | classic design |
| MDF panels | country, provence, classic |
| Plastic | minimalism, scandi, provence |
| Ceramic tile | any classic, Mediterranean interiors, Provence |
| Porcelain tiles | classic, hi-tech, contemporary, loft |
| Glass | classic, hi-tech |
| Cork | country, Provence, classic style, ethno |
| Decorative rock | loft, hi-tech |
| Brick and clinker | country, loft |
| Wallpapers and photo wallpapers | everywhere appropriate depending on the design or pattern |
| Decorative plaster | Provence, classic designs |
| Painting | scandi, minimalism, hi-tech, ethno |
Dye
The most ancient version of kitchen design will help to decorate the room in a familiar or unusual way.
Dye:
- Feels great in any climate change;
- Retains its attractiveness for a long time;
- Does not require hassle or worries.
If desired, a flat surface can be decorated with patterns or stickers, creating the most unique design. The material is perfect for any design style and any area.
How to design an apron
This zone is primarily required to be practical. Therefore, any attempts to design it must be considered through the prism of healthy pragmatics and ergonomics.
One of the key trends in recent years is segmented patchwork ceramic tiles. It enlivens the space and fits well with all modern designs.
Another current method is massive porcelain tiles measuring 60x120. Covers almost the entire area, creating a harmonious feeling of homogeneous space. The most common options are imitation marble and granite. Less commonly, slabs stylized to look like a concrete base.
The classic “hog” 10x20 and 10x30 appears less and less in interiors.
If we take a break from ceramics, then to decorate the apron you can also consider:
- threw off;
- steel panels;
- mosaic based on stone or glass;
- plastic panels with decoration.
The last option is the most affordable in terms of cost, but is only suitable when you are dealing with an electric stove.
Cork
A nice material is cork, which is made from tree bark and has all the benefits of wood. She:
- Has an attractive appearance;
- Eco-friendly;
- Not susceptible to tree beetles;
- Not afraid of water;
- Does not absorb odors.
The finish is durable and practical, has excellent sound insulation properties, creates a cozy room, but is quite expensive.
Wall decoration above the dining area
Forget about the calendar and paintings - there are much more interesting options for decorating the wall in the kitchen near the dining table.
For example, a wall clock with elegant decoration. What if one of your family members collects them? In this case, you can beautifully place several on the wall at once, making an original composition out of them.
A magnetic whiteboard for notes would also look appropriate when decorating a free wall in the kitchen. You can always leave new drawings or messages to family members on it, thereby creating a sincere atmosphere in the apartment.
If the kitchen is not so large and you don’t want to fill it with cabinets, there is a reason to use open shelves and racks on the wall adjacent to the dining complex. There you can place various necessary items, as well as beautiful decorations and all sorts of useful little things.
A rare, but still interesting option in the design of kitchen walls is a mirror. It reveals itself especially organically in a modest-sized space, as it creates a lasting illusion of its expansion.
Plaster
Simple plaster is once again becoming a popular type of finish and a wonderful addition to any decor. She:
- It does not require special care;
- Not afraid of water and temperature changes;
- Relaxes with odors.
In addition to the usual white and gray plaster, today you can find finishes in almost any color, so that the kitchen space will become quite bright and memorable.
Decorative plaster will create the mood of an ancient castle or an original room decorated in the most unusual way. True, to create such an effect you will need the help of specialists.
Design ideas in the kitchen-living room
The design of walls in a kitchen combined with a living room follows slightly different laws: to create harmony, you need to work on zoning and highlight accent areas.
In order for the walls to act as space dividers, they need to be decorated with different finishing materials. Or use different ornaments and images if the material is the same. Almost always, the division takes place on a functional basis - there are zones for cooking and eating (dining room) and relaxation (hall, living room).
A combination of painted walls and wallpaper is always a winning option.
Or ceramic wall tiles in the dining area + wallpaper or plaster in the living room.
If your interior is decorated in a classic style, try another interesting mix: decorative plaster in the dining room, MDF wall panels in the living room.
Design ideas with photo wallpapers: XXX real interiors in the photo
The scenes that usually decorate the best photo wallpapers for the kitchen create a stunning effect of moving walls and perspective. Suddenly a Parisian street, a Tuscan landscape, and the surface of the sea appear in front of us, creating the illusion of presence. As an option for an original design, you can use the idea of a small French cafe or restaurant on the Loire embankment. Select the desired photo wallpaper, lay tiles on the floor that imitate pavement, select appropriate lamps, a small table, a wrought-iron bench with pillows of different colors or two cozy armchairs - and you are in a cafe. See examples in the photo.
Decor
You can play up an empty wall in the kitchen using various decorative elements. As a rule, the following areas are registered:
- various niches and projections;
- wall near the dining table;
- apron;
- wall adjacent to the entrance to the kitchen.
No one limits your imagination in wall decor. But it can be directed. To do this, we will demonstrate several successful, in our opinion, options.
For example, a composition of saucers and plates on the wall. Firstly, the kitchen theme is followed. Secondly, the elements can be placed in such a way that they will form some kind of figure and express a greater meaning. Of course, for this you need to maintain stylistic unity and adhere to the rules of symmetry.
Mirrors always look impressive. For small kitchens, this is generally a godsend: they not only play well with the lighting, but also help to visually enlarge the space. They can be compiled from small fragments into some kind of conceptual solution.
The theme will also include beautifully designed kitchen utensils. For example, wooden cutting boards. They can be artificially aged and hung on loops. They can be accompanied by rolling pins, frying pans and, in general, everything that in one way or another relates to the topic of cooking.
More options:
- slate board for messages;
- vinyl stickers;
- stylized posters;
- painting with acrylic paints;
- interior letters;
- panel organizer, etc.
Designer tips for choosing photo wallpapers
In order to avoid mistakes in the kitchen design process, you need to study some expert advice.
For a small kitchen
Small kitchens in Khrushchev-era buildings require a careful approach to design. In order to visually enlarge the kitchen, you need to pay attention to wallpaper with a pattern that does not have clear boundaries. Among the large selection of modern color schemes, it is necessary to highlight:
- peach;
- beige;
- coffee with milk;
- matte yellow;
- pale blue.
The pattern on the wallpaper should be small. It is not recommended to use geometric shapes of regular shapes. You can expand the room using this technique - you need to highlight one wall with a bright color, matched to the tone of the furniture.
Using photo wallpaper in the design of a small kitchen
For a spacious room
For spacious rooms, choosing wall coverings is much easier; you must follow the following recommendations:
- wallpaper should be in harmony not only with each other, but also with the furniture;
- the image must be complete, the drawing should not be torn off or distorted, it is better to choose another image;
- to complete the overall design, parts of the wallpaper can be used to decorate the kitchen unit;
- the color of curtains, tablecloths and photo wallpapers should be combined with each other;
- Large images should not be used;
- place the image on the main wall;
- eliminate all objects that may interfere with viewing the drawing.
When decorating a room, you should not overuse pictures and artificial flowers. This combination can be distracting and often ruins the appearance.
Fashion trends
If you do not follow current design trends, it will be very difficult to achieve fashionable design.
Let's try to identify the most noticeable trends in kitchen design:
- red and brown tones - especially if you need to create an accent wall;
- environmental friendliness - MDF and laminate on the wall surface;
- glass and metal - exactly on the apron, and they look organic in any style, even classic;
- antique motifs - appear in the form of decor on certain sections of the walls (columns, bas-reliefs, characteristic images and ornaments;
- greenery - use flowerpots to add more vital energy to the interior.
Plastic panels
Another durable way to create the most unusual kitchen design is to use plastic panels. They can imitate marble, wood, frescoes, fabric or be extremely artificial, which is especially suitable for modern designs.
The advantages of this design are:
- Easy to clean;
- Calm attitude towards moisture, temperature, dirt, aromas;
- Easy installation;
- Low cost.
However, the coverage:
- It is not a very environmentally friendly material;
- It will take up space to create the sheathing;
- Accumulates moisture under the surface and therefore requires regular ventilation.
This type of finishing is especially in demand in spacious rooms designed in minimalist or high-tech style. In this case, choose plain glossy panels that expand the walls of the room and add light.
Niche
A DIY niche where the dining table is placed will help make the wall more expressive and private. The structure can be constructed from gypsum plasterboard sheets and decorated with clinker tiles.
It's even easier to make a niche out of a closet. This is practical because it allows you to store kitchen utensils or workpieces. But this solution is suitable only for large kitchens with an area of more than 9 m².
TV
At home, when decorating any room, it is important to remember functionality and comfort. For example, the cooking process will be more exciting if you place a TV near the kitchen table. It is better if the equipment is fixed on a rotating bracket, then everyone will be comfortable to watch.
For safety reasons, the wall next to the table is the most suitable option, since it is located far from the sink and stove.
Mirror
A mirrored wall always looks fashionable and original. The mirror visually increases the space and can be washed. This is also practical from the point of view that the mirror reflects the stove where something is being prepared: you can monitor the cooking process without getting up from the table.
On a note! It is better to hang on the wall not a simple mirror, but one with a fashionable ornament. For finishing, it is recommended to take mirror tiles or panels.
Wood or its imitation
Wood gives the interior harmony and comfort, dilutes the coldness of light finishes, and makes you attract attention. Sanded barn boards look luxurious and will contrast with a neutral background. The simplest and most economical option is lining, which will add relief to a country-style kitchen.
To imitate wood, decorative panels or laminate boards are suitable, which can continue on the wall, rising from the floor surface. There are also wallpapers with wood prints on sale, but such stylization, of course, will not convey the warmth and luxury of natural wood.
Stone
Stone walls in the kitchen will create an atmosphere of ancient romance or a rough home of Alpine peasants. This effect is achieved due to the area of use of the stone and its shades.
The material can only be used in spacious kitchens and, preferably, only on one wall.
- For a long time, they used stone to decorate the area near the doors and near the stove, without completing the work a little. But today such design is going out of fashion, being replaced by a full-fledged decoration of an accent wall.
- The disadvantages of the stone are its weight, price and massiveness, which visually “eats” part of the available space. Decorative stone can correct this shortcoming, but when choosing this option you should pay special attention to high-quality imitation of natural material.
Liquid wallpaper
Liquid wallpaper can replace plaster. Their additional benefits include:
- Easy to apply (they don’t even require very careful leveling of the walls);
- Creating a seamless surface;
- Ability to close the most inaccessible places;
- High maintainability.
And if necessary, the wallpaper can be removed and applied in another place.
Photo wallpaper
An excellent option for small kitchens is the use of canvases that visually increase the space. If the gaze rests on an empty wall, the room seems smaller, and when it goes “into the depths” of the canvas, the effect is completely opposite.
A fashionable solution is photo wallpaper with the sea. The wall on top of the wallpaper can be covered with impact-resistant glass - this way the image appears deeper and imitates the view from the window.
In order for photo wallpaper to look harmonious and fashionable, the elements on the canvas must be combined with the design of the kitchen - curtains or furniture. Textured canvases look more expensive.
Decorating principles
When creating your own interior design, you decided to decorate the room, but can’t decide on the choice? Dont be upset! Thanks to our tips, you can easily create a custom kitchen interior.
Decorating principles and tips:
- Successful areas for decoration are the partitions between the windows and the area above standing furniture;
- Remember the symmetry of compositions;
- When choosing the number of room decorations, remember the phrase “less is more”;
- All wall decorations must match the interior design;
- Posters and paintings are hung at eye level.
“If there is an object in the room that does not fit the interior, choose a wall decorative element that matches its color.”
Shelf or rack
In small kitchens there is little storage space, so the wall can be made functional. On the shelf it is worth placing items that the owners use: spice jars, coffee, indoor plants, culinary magazines or family photos. Whatever your heart desires is allowed and does not go out of the interior. Or you can place figurines, bottles and original dishes on the shelves, supporting the chosen interior style.
