A beautiful kitchen design is certainly the dream of any host or hostess. The finishing of the kitchen is as essential as any other component of the overall design. One aspect of the finishing is the wallpaper. These days, wallpapers come in many varied ranges; from simple wallpapers to ultra-modern washables. You might wonder where to begin with your selection. Worry not, because this article gives you all the tips you will ever need to select the most suitable wallpaper for your kitchen.

Paper Wallpaper – A Tribute to Tradition

Paper wallpaper is perhaps the most popular type of wallpaper. However,it begs the question; does the popularity of paper wallpaper mean it is practical for use in the kitchen?

The charm of paper wallpaper lies in its hypoallergenic and ecological cleanliness. In addition, paper wallpaper is very affordable.

However, this type of wall covering is inferior to others in terms of durability. Additionally, it lacks the feature of moisture resistance, a quality that is extremely important for the kitchen.

Decorating walls with paper wallpaper is also a kind of test, because any slight carelessness can easily ruin the wallpaper!

Nevertheless, despite the many weaknesses of paper wallpaper, it is widely used in the decoration of kitchen walls. If you can’t afford better wallpaper, then by all means use paper wallpaper, but bearing the following tips at the back of your mind:

Paper wallpaper is divided into:

  • Single-layer paper wallpaper, or simplex, which is a paper canvas with a pattern applied on one side. The advantages of such wallpaper are the affordable cost and easy availability. The disadvantages, on the other hand, are quite obvious: fragility and quick wearing out due to the effects of kitchen moisture and heat.
  • Two-layer paper wallpaper, or duplex, which consists of two paper canvases. The use of two paper canvases instead of one increases the wallpaper’s strength and its ability to resist the harsh effects of water and moisture, as well as granting the room better insulation from outside sounds. In addition, double-layer wallpapers acquire texture more effectively, making the design more vivid and of higher quality.
  • There is also the option of foam wallpaper , which is similar to the two-layer wallpaper, except the surface of foam wallpaper is applied with special acrylic polymers on the substrate, which leads to the formation of a relief pattern that is resistant to abrasion and moisture.Foam-paper is also advantageous as it can be cleaned using water, leading to a cleaner kitchen.

Vinyl Wallpaper – Value for Money

The main layer of vinyl wallpaper is made of paper or fabric, on top of which is a coating of polyvinyl chloride, followed by a drawing or embossing.

Vinyl wallpapers are non-toxic, wear and moisture resistant, and resistant to fungi, making them well suited for the kitchen, where heat and humidity abound.

The varieties of vinyl wallpaper are:

  • Foamed wallpaper;
  • Silk screening or compact vinyl.

Non-woven Wallpaper: Convenience and Plenty of Opportunities

The base of non-woven wallpaper includes synthetic fabric fibers and cellulose. The great advantage of these non-woven wallpapers is they don’t shrink when wet or dry. It is important you recognize that when pasting the wallpaper onto the wall, the glue must be applied not on the wallpaper itself, but directly on the walls, which allows for enhanced precision. Recently, non-woven has found popularity as a wallpaper for the bedroom and hall, as well as wallpaper for the hallway and corridor , making it suitable for use in every part of the home!

Non-woven wallpaper is perfect for smoothing cracks and irregularities on the surface of the walls. When used for painting, non-woven wallpaper makes for the perfect canvas for a creative approach in the decoration of kitchen walls!

Acrylic Wallpaper: Affordable Quality

Acrylic wall coverings are often referred to as a variant of foamed vinyl wallpaper. The difference between the two wallpapers is that for acrylic wallpaper, instead of foamed vinyl, acrylic spraying is applied to the base layer, creating a textured pattern on the surface. Thanks to this method of application, acrylic wallpaper can breathe.

The advantages of acrylic wallpaper are plenty, but the key ones are practicality and durability. Resistance to the effects of moisture also makes these wallpapers extremely attractive for those looking for the best finishing options for the kitchen. With this wallpaper, you need not worry much about quick wear and tear.

Unfortunately, acrylic wallpaper is not without flaws. For example, it is rare for this wallpaper to come off beautifully after repainting.

Glass Fiber Wallpaper: Perfect for the Kitchen

Fiberglass, by its structure, resembles fiber clothing. The basis of fiberglass is special glass, which is processed at temperatures above 1000 ° C. As a result of this processing, fibers are formed, and from them, yarn, from which the material is woven. To dye glass fiber, it is recommended that you use latex and water-based paints only.

Inflammability, resistance to moisture and mold, durability, and practicality are all features and, by extension, advantages of fiberglass wallpaper.

Liquid Wallpaper: Flight of Fancy

Liquid wallpaper is a mixture of powdered cotton fibers, bonding glue, mineral chips, cellulose, paint pigments and, in some cases, decorative elements. Liquid wallpaper is applied to the wall in a way that is completely different from the application of regular wallpaper. Before application, the dry mixture is diluted with water, then applied to the walls with a spatula or brush.

Liquid wallpaper perfectly masks surface imperfections and leads to a seamless look. Additionally, liquid wallpaper does not fade in the sun, insulates against heat and sound, is non-toxic and doesn’t accumulate dirt and dust.

Unfortunately, because of its specificity, liquid wallpaper can only be cleaned by dry methods, making their use in regular kitchens rather impractical.

However, if you really want to apply liquid wallpaper in the kitchen, you can apply it on one of the walls, desirably the one that is farthest from the stove and cooking areas as these areas are often the source of heat and moisture in the kitchen.

Types of wallpaper: Making a Choice

If you are dizzied by the over-abundance of information and varieties of wallpaper, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with their prices first, which will help you narrow down your choices more easily.

Classic: Always Fashionable

By choosing a classic style for the kitchen, you create an interior that is resistant to the winds of change and seasonal fashion trends. The classic remains a classic, no matter what, and will be relevant even for decades or centuries to come.

The rules of the classic style dictate that you finish the kitchen with fabric wallpaper. However, such a decision is absolutely impractical for the kitchen! If you are bent on finishing the kitchen with wallpaper, you might as well go with more practical washable wallpaper.

When selecting wallpaper for a classic kitchen, pay attention to bright and unobtrusive colors, perhaps with an unusual pattern. Also perfectly suitable for the kitchen is wallpaper with floral or geometric patterns (vertical stripes, for example, will help to visually enlarge a kitchen with low ceilings).

If your goal is to draw people’s focus on the furniture rather than wallpaper in a classical kitchen, then use plain-colored wallpaper.

“Back to Nature!”:Complementing the Wallpaper in a Modern Home with a Touch of Nature

The modern style goes beyond the classics, bringing bold solutions and non-standard forms into the interior, while adhering to nature by unobtrusively introducing plant elements to complement the wallpaper.

Plant ornaments most harmoniously reflect modern nature décor trends, but you shouldn’t get too carried away, otherwise you risk turning your kitchen into a space that resembles a jungle. The ideal option is a neutral-toned wallpaper accompanied with soft ornaments.

The Charm and Diversity of the East

The use of exotic styles like oriental style in kitchen interior design has recently become increasingly popular. The oriental style suggests harmony and simplicity.

Ideally, the decoration of kitchen walls in the Oriental style is done using fabric wallpaper or bamboo panels, but as already stated earlier in this article, such coatings quickly become useless if used in the kitchen.

As an alternative, you can introduce an oriental flavor to the kitchen interior by using wallpaper imitating bamboo panels or just restrict yourself to characteristic oriental ornaments.

NB: Contrary to popular belief, Oriental style colors are not limited to red, burgundy and their shades. Be creative!

Provence: The Freshness of Lavender Fields

The beautiful Provence style , which originated from French villages, is not limited to just the lavender color scheme. Mustard, olive, sand and wheat are the main colors reflected in this style. Vertical stripes, cells and flowers, on the other hand, are the main patterns of the style.

Yet another great solution for Provence style kitchens is wallpaper with the effect of cracked plaster or old barn boards.

Country Style: Coziness in your Kitchen

No style can create an atmosphere of warmth better than the country style. Due to the style’s preference for natural materials and overall naturalness, you can create a truly cozy kitchen, where you can pass evenings cooking for friends and family.

The color palette of the country style implies natural motifs, devoid of bright accents and glaring contrasts.

When it comes to ornaments, the rules are similar to those of Provence. Flowers, stripes and cells are the most used patterns, whereas the primary colors for country style are gray, dark green, olive, white, blue, black, burgundy and yellow.

Hi-tech: The Future is Here

Minimalism, technicality and simplicity are the three rules on which this ultra-modern style rests.High-tech style does not accept the luxury and pretentiousness of classics or coziness of country style.

High-tech wallpaper should ideally be simple or spot a design that imitates a concrete floor or brick wall. The basic tones are also implied in the very character of the style – these are light tones, mostly in cold shades, including white and gray.

The Lightness and Simplicity of White Kitchens

Kitchens designed in white are a popular and stylish classic. In addition, the white color is an ideal background for other shades, allowing you to easily forge bright color accents and bring zest to the interior.

In addition to other advantages, white visually increases the space of a small kitchen!

The Allure of Yellow

Depending on the selected shade, yellow can create completely different mood nuances in the kitchen! Golden yellow brings a bit of luxury into the interior, whereas canary-colored oozes strength and cheerfulness, and honey creates a feeling of warmth and comfort.

Yellow stimulates the appetite, making it even more perfect for the kitchen.

Orange Wallpaper

The color of ripe oranges is certainly able to energize in the morning! However, remember that orange shades in the kitchen should be used to a minimal, otherwise the room will be too flashy.

Base colors like black, white and gray, as well as olive and cherry are perfectly combined with orange.

Red: Brighten your Kitchen

Using red in the decoration of kitchen walls is very tricky since the color reduces the space visually, and is, therefore unsuited for finishing large kitchens or even tiny ones. As a compromise, you can highlight one of the walls using red wallpaper, for instance, the one along which the kitchen is located. In this case, the facades of the cabinets should be in neutral shades.

A Corner of Summer Freshness in Green Tones

When choosing wallpaper with a shade of green, it is necessary to take into account the size of the kitchen. Dark tones are suitable for a large and spacious kitchen, but a small kitchen needs light green wallpaper.

Lighting plays an important role in the decor of a kitchen in green tones.Only a properly selected light can fully bring out the beauty of the green shades!

Dreamy Blue Wallpaper

Blue is not a popular color for kitchens. The reason is obvious; many people fear blue will bring down the energy of the kitchen.

Nevertheless, the color has recently started gaining popularity in the kitchen. This color is indispensable for those with tiny kitchens, because blue is perfect at increasing the visual space.

Totally Dull Gray

Gray is the undoubted leader in the decoration of styles like loft , hi-tech, minimalism and modernism. Due to the many varieties of shades, from cold to warm, gray is able to create a beautiful background for creative experiments!

Wall Murals

When choosing photo wallpapers for the kitchen, take into account all the specifics of the room, then focus on moisture and wear-resistant samples. You can install photo wallpaper both at the dining and working areas.

Zoning Space by Combining Wallpaper

Combining wallpaper in the kitchen is a great way to add accents and zone the space. When selecting combined wallpaper, you need to consider these rules:

  • The combined wallpaper ought to be of the same quality. Materials must additionally be from one segment, differing only in texture and color.
  • Bright colors are best combined with neutral ones.
  • Geometric patterns perfectly interact with abstract patterns.
  • Floral ornaments perfectly complement floral patterns and textures.

Tiny Kitchen? No Problem!

Even the wallpaper for a small kitchen can play with a mixture of different colors, transforming a functional space into an attractive one, with the right choice of texture and color solutions.

The main advice to note: Avoid dark and heavy tones in decoration, giving preference to light colors like white, gray, blue and light green, and your kitchen will certainly become one of your favorite spaces in the home!

Kitchen and Living room: Combine and Share

For some homes, the kitchen comes combined with the living room, whereas for others, on the contrary, the owners choose to merge the two rooms into one to create a more functional area with a spacious dining room.

Regardless, such living rooms and kitchens should be separated into two distinct zones but spot harmonized styles. All these can be achieved using combined wallpaper, which was addressed in more detail earlier in the article. The photos below illustrate how wallpaper is used in kitchen-living rooms:

DIY Decoration

Decorating the walls of the kitchen with wallpaper is no different from using wallpaper in any other room; the only exceptions being certain types of wallpaper can’t be used in kitchens due to the heat and moisture. Naturally, the nuances dictate the type of wallpaper you choose.

If you are now convinced that your kitchen requires wallpaper, take note of these processes that go into applying wallpaper:

  • Preparation of walls, including the removal of old wallpaper, putty of existing cracks and wall cleaning with sandpaper (if necessary).
  • For the pasting process, it is necessary to prepare a roller for applying glue to the walls, a brush for applying glue to the wallpaper, a brush for smoothing the wallpaper and glue and damp cloths to remove excess glue.
  • Thick wallpapers should be glued end-to-end, whereas thin wallpapers should be overlapped.
  • Cutting cloth is better with a small margin in length.

Wallpaper for the Kitchen: Ideas Trending in 2019

In 2019, natural and ethnic motifs have become immensely popular. In addition, use of combined wallpaper in the interior is increasingly popularized. Among other important trends are floral and forest motifs, wallpaper with maps, and 3D wallpaper.

More fashionable trends are presented in the following photo catalog: