10 Ways to Spice up Your Kitchen with Wallpaper

• Projectnursery.com, $248 for 18 8” X 10” decals

Florals may seem like an obvious pattern, but it’s anything but boring when you go big, blue, and bold. This Urban Walls Water and Ink design is feminine, but not too girly. Carry the color theme throughout the kitchen with navy dinnerware and complementary pops of yellow.

• Anthropologie.com, $136 for 27’ X 27” a roll

Avoid hanging wallpaper near a stove or sink, where it’s likely to get cruddy. Instead, create a focal point behind a simple breakfast table with a pattern that will make you smile. This Merci Flag wallpaper that is as playful as it is chic—and it might just awaken your inner Francophile chef.

• Chasingpaper.com, $40 for a 23” X 46” panel

Chasing Paper’s Chalkboard Panels can actually be written on, so this wallpaper comes in handy for quick grocery lists, memos for the fam, or even as a growth chart! To find the ideal spot for a wall covering, use blue painter’s tape to test the pattern out in a few spots before committing.

• Jcpenney.com, $79 for a 20.5"x18' roll

Dress up open shelves with this whimsical Ambience pattern. The gray coloring means you can match it with just about anything; the peel-and-stick formula ensures you can hang with ease and remove when needed. If possible, hang the wallpaper before installing the shelves.

• Etsy.com, $67.65 for a 35” X 75” roll

The dining room is an excellent space to play with prints. A botanical pattern, like RollNRoll’s Wildflower Wallpaper, is fresh when paired with distressed furnishings, mix-and-matched patterns, and contemporary shapes.

• Quadrostyle.com, $49.95 for a 28” X 48” roll

Working with a tiny, all-white kitchen, and a small budget? Step it up without breaking the bank with a cleverly placed ZigZag removable wallpaper under the breakfast bar. The black-and-white graphic print retains the clean feel of the white kitchen and makes the space feel more styled. Just remember: If wallpaper goes anywhere near the food (or feet!), opt for a vinyl material, which will be less likely to fade as you scrub it clean.  

• Chasingpaper.com, $40 for a 2’ X 4’ panel

Wholesome, country house patterns are sweet in a kitchen. To keep the space from looking dowdy, pair the Perfect Plaid with minimalist surfaces and look for a design that has a little something extra, such as the the hand-painted, wavy quality in this model.

• Wayfair.com, $64.99 for a 32.8’ X 20.8” roll

Marbled wallpaper is one of those trends that’s ripe with lasting power. This Mineral Deposit print is just defined enough to add interest, while not overwhelming the eye; the metallic shimmer makes a kitchen appear instantly glam. When working on bigger projects like this would require, we recommend hiring reinforcements—yes, like a professional.

• Tempaper.com, $125 for a 20.5” X 11yd roll

Textured wallpapers—like grasscloth and embossed styles—are beautiful for big walls, but the delicate materials don’t fare well in high-traffic, humid areas. Instead, go for a soft pattern that seems tactile. Tempaper’s Birchy Bark option will tie together an open kitchen and dining area to make the entire space cohesive even if you mix up the rest of the decor.

• Grahamandbrown.com, $120 for a 20.47” X 32.80’ roll

If you want to cover a big wall, study the colors in your kitchen and find a graphic print with several of the dominant hues. This retro-cool, Carnival Green wallpaper lives in harmony with metallic chairs, a creamy paint, and fresh greenery. Bigger wallpaper projects increase the chances of bubbles. If you see some, don’t fret. They will usually go away when the paper settles; but if they don’t, try puncturing the area with a small pin and then smooth out with a wallpaper smoother.