Wallpaper was once a decorating finish reserved for use in 'dry' rooms, and rarely an item seen on the walls of spaces where we cook or clean. However, advances in technology have made kitchen wallpaper ideas very much a concept to be embraced and enjoyed.
From bold floral prints to timeless stripes, small and subtle patterns to eye-catching graphics there's no end to the styles and designs you can use in your kitchen ideas.
Stick around as we bring you 14 different kitchen wallpaper ideas that prove it's the missing ingredient you didn't even know you needed.
1. Pair flora and fauna with a simple shaker style kitchen
While nothing beats the timeless appeal of a shaker kitchen, you may be looking for ways to infuse some extra character into the heart of your home. Pairing a simple flora and fauna kitchen wallpaper idea in a shade that matches your cabinet colour is a great way of adding a little extra oomph. This Divine Savages Crane Fonda Palm Green Wallpaper is available from Rockett St. George.
"Incorporating wallpaper into a kitchen is a great way to add personality and charm to the space," says Caroline Woolmer, head of design at Lucie Annabel. "If you’re considering patterned wallpaper, delicate florals can give a cottage-core or vintage feel."
Caroline Woolmer heads up design at leading wallpaper company, Lucie Annabel.
2. Stick with stripes for a timeless finish
For an all time classic that never fails to work, stripes are a fail safe option and always worth considering for your kitchen wallpaper ideas. Difficult to paint yourself, and a challenge that will involve rolls of masking tape, spirit levels, laser lines and an extremely steady hand, stripes on wallpaper on the other hand feel infinitely more achievable.
It could also be a quick and easy idea to include when looking for ways to update an existing kitchen. Although we love this pretty peach striped wallpaper, if you have a preference for different kitchen wall colours, get your paint colour matched and follow the advice for painting kitchen cabinets to create a fresh, new long-lasting look.
You can find this Bobbi Beck Eco-Friendly Wide Stripe Ice Cream Pastel Wallpaper online at Debenhams. It's also available in a range of other shades including green, pink, purple and yellow.
3. Add drama with an abstract mural that extends onto your ceiling
For a kitchen wallpaper idea oozing with drama, you can't go wrong with an abstract mural with a patina like finish. Adding an industrial style tone to this kitchen, it's given extra impact with the decision to extend it onto the sloped ceiling.
While it would look equally at home in a modern kitchen idea, we think it's also one that would work well if you're looking for wallpaper that would add a generous serving of contemporary, to an otherwise classical farmhouse kitchen idea.
4. Add geometric swirls to an industrial style kitchen
While some kitchen wallpaper ideas might be used on walls that still feature a tiled splashback or upstand, if you've ever asked how high should my tiled upstand be and are of the opinion that the answer is as low as possible, there's a new kid on the wallpaper block that could work for you.
This bold geometric wallpaper featured is not only a stunning addition to your kitchen walls, but also fully waterproof and able to withstand the heavy duty environment of a kitchen.
Louise Ashdown, Head of Design at West One Bathrooms who stock the new wallpaper explains why it's a must-have if you're keen to incorporate kitchen wallpaper ideas in your home.
“We know that there are brands and collections of wallpaper that have been specifically designed for kitchens (and bathrooms) than tend to be hardwearing. However, even these can suffer in a busy kitchen, especially if used close to the sink and hob area," says Louise.
"Aquabout however have produced a wallpaper that is a little different," she explains. "Designed to withstand being used outside and even in a shower (it is fully waterproof), it also makes the perfect addition to a kitchen. Its fully waterproof nature means it can withstand a much higher level of wear and tear and can be wiped down with minimal fuss. It can also withstand impacts, scratches, and detergents."
Louise is Head of Design at West One Bathrooms, having worked in the industry for over 18 years. At West One Bathrooms, she heads up the design and creative teams, overseeing all the design projects, as well as sourcing the latest products.
5. Pick a pretty floral print for a country kitchen diner
While some kitchen diner ideas may opt for a clean and contemporary feel, country kitchens call out for something a little more warm and inviting, which is where kitchen wallpaper ideas can step up to save the day.
This soft buttery yellow shade of wallpaper with its delicate floral pattern helps turn this kitchen diner idea into something more homely. It pairs perfectly with the cabinets and wooden furniture, and makes the room feel far more like a space to sit and stay, than simply one used for meal prep.
The added bonus of using wallpaper in older properties? It could also help disguise walls that are less than perfect to start with.
Try this spring blossom wallpaper for a similar sunny look in a cottage or farmhouse style kitchen
6. Hang an abstract mountain-inspired mural in a contemporary kitchen
While white kitchens aren't for everyone, we still feel they have a place in kitchen design ideas. It's a little like the reverse of a blank canvas concept where you get to switch around your kitchen decor ideas each time, instead of covering the canvas each time.
But, it's also true that in the wrong setting, white kitchens can also err on the side of clinical making them feel a little too sterile in the heart of the home. The solution? Kitchen wallpaper ideas. Another waterproof wallpaper, this mountain inspired abstract mural in soft shades of green, blue, brown and grey is the perfect antidote to the modern kitchen units, highlighting but softening the sleek white and stainless steel finish.
7. Mix and match your tiles and kitchen wallpaper ideas
Like the maximalism interior design trend? If so, it's a great way to embrace your love for colour and pattern and bring it to your kitchen wallpaper ideas. This vibrant peacock and botanical print brings a sense of fun and frivolousness to this kitchen and sits perfectly against the pink tiles, while wooden worktops and green accessories thrown into the mix all bring their own unique characteristics to the corner of this kitchen.
Looking for something even more out there? "For those embracing a maximalist style, pattern drenching works beautifully on a feature wall, such as behind the island, to create a striking focal point that draws the eye," says Caroline Woolmer. "This bold design choice can add depth and personality, making the kitchen feel vibrant and full of life."
8. No space for wallpaper? Paper your ceiling instead
If you've decided yes is the answer to 'should kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling?', and covered all your available wall space with cabinets or tiles, you still have space for kitchen wallpaper ideas say the experts.
"Everyone’s kitchen is different whether you have a heritage or more contemporary style," says Iona Graham, community and social manager at Graham & Brown. "You can use wallpaper in the kitchen on the walls or even on the ceilings to bring a room to life in a fun way. We like to call this the 5th wall," she explains.
Iona Graham is the Community and Social Manager at Graham & Brown, an interiors brand that has been family run since 1946. As the fourth generation to join the business, she seamlessly combines the brand’s heritage with innovation and technology through compelling storytelling, strong brand engagement, and a keen eye for design.
9. Prefer something more subtle? Add watercolour style artwork to your walls
If you're a fan of Japanese bathroom ideas, there's something about this wallpaper design that also feels slightly oriental. It's as if an artist has painted a watercolour painting directly onto your walls.
Providing the feeling of a view from the kitchen sink – even thought there's no window – it's a kitchen wallpaper idea that adds a stylish finishing touch to this mid-century style kitchen.
10. Turn to the tropics for a feature wall finish
If you've got the beginnings of a potential feature wall in your kitchen layout ideas such as this one, where the high ceilings and gable end wall already provide impact in your kitchen extension, make the most of the architectural detail by choosing this to be the wall for your kitchen wallpaper ideas.
Depending on the look you're trying to achieve, Caroline Woolmer suggests the following.
"Botanical or tropical prints offer a relaxed and playful vibe, particularly in vibrant or natural hues. Mixing and matching patterns can also be a great option," she adds, "with the best results when they complement one another. Pair bold designs with softer, neutral patterns to balance intensity. Applying a striking pattern to a single accent wall while keeping the rest simple creates a harmonious look," she says and it's shown in this design where the tropical mural sits atop a simple kitchen and marble veined splashback.
Gold pendant kitchen island lighting completes the look, adding a touch of glamour to the otherwise subtle finishes and colours of this kitchen.
11. A textured wallpaper will add a subtle finish but give depth to your walls
If you're after something more calming with your kitchen wallpaper ideas, "opt for softer shades like pale blue, sage green or light grey to evoke a serene, minimalist atmosphere," says Caroline Woolmer.
"Subtle textures, like linen or panelling, also bring depth without overwhelming the space," she adds. As an example, the Armando Light Blue Wallpaper from Graham & Brown pictured provides a great backdrop for this blue kitchen, adding detail without being too overpowering.
12. Have some fun with a fun interpretation of toile de Jouy
Toile de Jouy, a term for fabrics bearing images of charming rural and idyllic scenes has been widely used in interior design over the years. Often seen in shades of pink or blue, this grey version instead adds a touch of humour to the concept. Look closely and you'll spot it's animals dressed in clothes, rather than people.
It's a fun and entertaining twist in this wooden kitchen idea that pairs simple oak doors with a stylish marble worktop and splashback, and includes a large butlers kitchen sink idea for a practical finish, with an unexpected edge.
13. Match wallpaper to your window coverings
For a cohesive kitchen interior that embraces the current trend for pattern drenching, kitchen wallpaper ideas are the perfect way to flood your space with a more vibrant finish. But, to make an even greater impact, have your kitchen window coverings made in the same pattern and then contrast in an adjoining area with a more simple pattern but in a matching colourway.
"Decorating is all down to personal preference, but you can do a little bit of everything depending on what works for your taste," suggests Iona Graham. "Our new Concerto Collection is designed to be mixed and matched with each other, with a range of stripes, floral and geometric shapes to bring character and colour to any space. For a bold look you could try pattern drenching the whole space," she says, "or use one wall to create a feature or even match it with complimentary soft furnishings to create a full room look."
14. Pair faux panelling with faux plates for a fun effect
In a busy kitchen, while hanging decorative plates on the wall can be a great way of adding personality to your room, its not always that practical with the risks of being broken – and all the extra cleaning – making it a little less appealing.
The solution? Go all out on the faux front and choose a wallpaper design that features plates but has none of the work or risks involved. Pair with either real or again, faux wall panelled wallpaper in a wipe clean finish and you've got all the feeling of heritage without any of the hard work.
Thinking of other ways to make your kitchen design more unique? Find out if hanging curtains in a kitchen is ever a good idea and make sure you avoid these kitchen layout mistakes so it doesn't become the most talked about room – for all the wrong reasons.
