How to choose wallpaper for kitchen design?

Choosing Tips

Since the kitchen is a place where we perform several tasks at once, high-quality wallpaper should meet several criteria at once. In addition to the style and size of the room, it is important for us to consider resistance to temperature changes and high humidity. Based on my experience and the experience of my colleagues, I decided to compile a list of recommendations that will help you avoid common mistakes.

• Moisture resistance. High humidity and water getting on the walls are an integral part of kitchen life, so refuse paper wallpaper from the outset. You need moisture-resistant and washable wallpaper.
• Easy cleaning. Not only clean water gets on the walls, but also grease, sauces, and drinks. If a stain, for example, from coffee, is absorbed into the surface, you will have to start a new renovation. Therefore, choose canvases that are not afraid of water and cleaning agents.
• Color. Depends not only on your personal preferences, but also on the size of the room. For a small kitchen, take a closer look at light colors, and use dark colors in spacious rooms, or to create an accent wall, for example, behind the dining table.
• Pattern. Patterns are also selected according to the dimensions of the room: small and non-contrasting for small ones, large and contrasting – on the contrary, for spacious ones.
• Combination. Don’t be afraid to use combined finishes. It is not necessary to glue wallpaper near the sink or stove – make an apron from tiles, and the rest of the walls of the kitchen can be pasted with stylish wallpaper.

What types to use?

Such requirements for finishing the walls in the kitchen immediately limit the choice of suitable materials. Of course, you can use absolutely any type of wallpaper, but how long they will last will raise questions. Fortunately, the market offers a huge selection of wallpapers with absolutely different designs that will suit any of your fantasies.

Check out the article about the symbols on wallpaper.

Vinyl

They come with a paper or non-woven base, but the more practical second option is suitable for the kitchen. As for the decorative vinyl layer itself, there is hard, flat (hot stamping) and foamed (textured surface). However, each type of vinyl wallpaper has its own pros and cons:

• It is easier to clean and wash, of course, hard or flat.
• The textured coating of the foamed one is too soft and even a careless movement with a soft cloth can ruin the pattern. But due to their volume, they hide minor imperfections better.

Choose the smoothest, densest vinyl sheets with a wave icon (ideally 3 waves) and a brush – this means that they can be cleaned and washed with detergents.

Non-woven

Non-woven is a moisture-resistant and breathable material. It has no unpleasant smell, is easy to stick to the wall, hides minor surface defects, easily tolerates humidity, temperature changes and ultraviolet rays.

• Don’t be afraid to buy textured white wallpaper for painting, good paint will make it stronger and wiping with a damp cloth will not damage the surface.
• By the way, relief perfectly hides the flaws of poorly prepared walls, which is a big advantage. But dust accumulates in its folds, so you will have to add the item “Wash the walls” to your cleaning calendar.
• Fully non-woven wallpaper is less durable than vinyl wallpaper on a non-woven base – so it is better to choose a vinyl-coated option if you are not going to paint it.

Glass wallpaper

Glass fabric wallpaper is still underestimated. However, the strength properties of the coating are superior to all other types, which makes it indispensable for the kitchen. Just look at their advantages:

• resistant to high humidity, UV rays, temperature changes;
• environmentally friendly, do not emit harmful substances;
• breathable (unlike vinyl);
• do not accumulate dust;
• hypoallergenic;
• fire-resistant.

Glass cloths are produced for painting, or already painted, smooth, or with a fine relief.

The photo shows the finishing of an apron with fiberglass

Which types are better not to use on kitchen?

We have already determined that the kitchen interior is demanding in terms of the choice of wall covering. The following are not suitable here:

• paper (they are not washable, they are afraid of moisture);
• options with a soft relief coating (it is easy to tear off or scratch during cleaning);
• models with a single wave icon (ideal – 1-3 waves + brush, acceptable – 3 waves);
• not resistant to fading (choose with a sun, a plus sign in the sun, two suns).

As for placement in the kitchen interior – super-washable fire-resistant ones are suitable even for an apron, but are not the best option for this area. If you still want to leave the wallpaper between the kitchen cabinets, protect them with transparent skinals.

The photo shows modern stylish dark walls with patterns

How to choose a color?

The color of the wallpaper is no less important than its characteristics. It determines how the kitchen will look as a whole. First, I want to give basic recommendations for choosing a color scheme for wallpaper for the kitchen, and then I will tell you in detail about the most popular solutions.

• The first thing you should pay attention to is the area. For small rooms, it is better to choose light colors: from simple white to airy pastel colors. An excellent solution for tiny kitchens is white wallpaper with small stripes. This solution will allow you to visually adjust the space. For large ones, there are no restrictions.
• Now let’s consider which side the windows face. A warm color scheme is suitable for the north side. For example, milky or peach. And for the southern side – choose a cold one. On hot sunny days, they will create an atmosphere of coolness and fill the interior with freshness.
• Be sure to consider the color of the furniture, floor and walls. The most popular solutions are: contrast and single-color finishing. Contrasting wallpaper is chosen for light furniture in a modern style. And tone on tone is suitable for a neutral palette, so as not to overload the design.

Light wallpaper is universal, it suits most styles and any area. In addition, light colors are not as easily soiled as it may seem: dark shades are even less practical in this regard. A light kitchen looks fresh and gives an opportunity for creativity in decor.

A kitchen with dark wallpaper, for example, black, better suited for larger areas (16-20 sq. m). But even in such an area, you shouldn’t use dark colors everywhere: if the walls are dark, leave the furniture light and add some bright colors to the combination.

Now I will tell you about the most popular and relevant colors in 2024.

And let’s start with the classics – white. Ideal for small areas or kitchens with poor lighting. White trim will fill the room with freshness and give it a neater look. White wallpaper is also good because it can be combined with furniture of different colors. If this is a boring solution for you, you can dilute the finish with wooden inserts or bright decor.

Beige walls will fill the room with coziness and warmth. Usually, this palette is used for classic or rustic styles. Combine them with brown trim and furniture. And gold or copper details are perfect for accents.

Another universal option is gray wallpaper. The interior with them will look elegant and stylish. Gray walls are often used as a neutral background. Gray looks great in modern styles, and is also the basis for the Scandinavian style and loft.

Green wallpaper in the kitchen creates a natural atmosphere. In such a kitchen you do not want to rush – the atmosphere is conducive to relaxation and tranquility. It goes well with wooden furniture, but white or beige accents will look no worse. Light shades are suitable for Scandi or Provence, and dark ones for minimalism and eco-style.

Blue color fills the kitchen with coolness and freshness. An ideal option for those whose windows face south. But studies show that an abundance of blue can reduce appetite. Therefore, try to use it in moderation. Often such wallpapers are glued in classic and Mediterranean styles.

Brown is a symbol of warmth and security. Suitable for classic, rustic and eco styles. A wooden kitchen set will look perfect in such an interior.

Choosing a suitable pattern and design

The color scheme does not necessarily have to be monochrome, the print will enliven the walls and add dynamics to the entire interior. Follow the basic rules when choosing wallpaper with a pattern:

• Proportionality. The smaller the kitchen, the smaller the print. For example, in Khrushchev-era apartments, you can use small flowers and geometry. But for a spacious kitchen-living room, on the contrary, it is worth choosing large monograms.
• Contrast. Colorful patterns reduce the space, so they are suitable for large areas. In small kitchens, give preference to discreet patterns.

The photo shows a combination of 3 textures in wall decoration

As for the pattern itself, the choice is dictated by the chosen style:

• geometric stripes, checkered patterns, zigzags are suitable for modern styles – Scandi, hi-tech, neoclassicism;
• plant patterns (leaves, flowers) will fit into country, Provence, eco;
• monograms and a repeating pattern on a light background will emphasize the richness of the classic and English style.

The texture can also imitate stone, wood, brick and other textures – this technique looks good in loft, eco or scandi.

Photo wallpaper or silk-screen printing with perspective will visually enlarge a small room, add zest to the interior.

How to choose wallpaper for different styles?

Walls are the largest surface of the room, so they set the style direction. In style, they differ in color, texture, print:

For a kitchen in Scandinavian style, not only light plain wallpaper is suitable, but also canvases with minimalistic simple lines. Use any light shades – from white to light blue.

In a classic interior, wallpaper with floral and geometric patterns or elegant ornaments is usually used. Choose silk-screened canvases to organically emphasize your exquisite taste. Choose beige, cream and other warm shades as a background.

A kitchen in the Provence style is an ideal place for canvases with small plant patterns on a light background. The color scheme usually consists of pastel colors. Laconic photo wallpapers with images of lavender fields or French streets are allowed.

Ordinary light monochromatic models with red and black patterns (hieroglyphs, oriental motifs) are used in the oriental interior.

Monochromatic models with imitation of plaster, concrete, wood are suitable for the loft or brick. For lovers of photo wallpapers, you can safely use urban landscapes or original steampunk ideas.

Minimalism usually uses plain wallpaper. Sometimes they can be diluted with simple lines. It is better to choose a neutral color scheme: white, gray, light beige or, on the contrary, brown, graphite. The surface should be smooth and matte.

Modern wallpaper design in the kitchen cannot be described in a couple of phrases: there are plain ones, and with floral and geometric prints.

The photo shows a spacious room with a fireplace

How can you combine wallpaper?

To avoid overloading your kitchen with decor, use two types of wallpaper: plain and patterned. Often manufacturers create collections where you can choose companions that are ideal for each other. If you doubt that you can find suitable options yourself, combine those already invented at the factory.

An accent wall is made in the dining area, opposite the door, or on the side wall. This depends on the geometry of the room and the pattern of the canvases. For example, geometric stripes are glued to a narrow wall to expand the space. Located vertically – visually raise the ceiling. Bright accents are depicted in a narrow long kitchen on the far wall to bring it closer.

The photo shows a decorative border on the wall

Combining wallpaper in the kitchen with other materials requires taking into account an important nuance: processing the joint. For example, special borders are sold for tiles, which help to correctly design the joint. If the joint is at the corner, then no additional decorations are required.

Winning combinations:

• wooden paneling;
• ceramic tiles;
• granite tiles;
• brick;
• paint;
• decorative plaster.

The photo shows the design of walls with paneling

How do they look in the interior of a kitchen-living room?

A combined kitchen does not require washable wallpaper over its entire area, but not everyone can combine different types of coverings beautifully. Therefore, if you are going to decorate the walls with one type of wallpaper, choose those that are suitable for kitchen needs.

The kitchen-living room requires zoning, in which wallpaper can help. Idea: wallpaper for the kitchen and the hall is selected from the same collection, but in different colors. Or they are painted with different shades of paint to separate the halves of the apartment from each other.

However, in a small room it is better not to divide the space – cover the walls with one material, while highlighting, for example, the dining area with the help of canvases with patterns or photo wallpaper.

Main trends of 2024

If you are looking for modern wallpaper ideas for the kitchen that will be relevant in the 2024-2025 season, then you have come to the right place. I have collected for you the hottest trends in wallpaper design to make your kitchen look as modern as possible.

• The desire for reasonable consumption is increasingly absorbing all areas of our lives. Choose natural materials that do not contain toxic impurities. The most popular are cork, bamboo or jute. They are usually denser and more expensive than paper, but they hide imperfections well and look quite expensive.
• Imitation materials remain relevant this season. Use a wood or stone pattern. They will perfectly decorate the area near the dining table.
• Large patterns on wallpaper have become new this year. Abstraction or leaves of fashionable plants are usually chosen. Among them are monstera, palm or ficus. For refined figures, you can choose flower buds.
• For ease of gluing and integrity of the pattern, large-format models are increasingly being purchased. Trying to minimize the number of joints, factories produce canvases 0.7 m or 1.06 m wide.
• More and more often in fashionable interiors I began to notice a combination of canvases, as a result, we got a convenient way of zoning. Here it is important not to overdo it – combine plain canvases with minimalist patterns.