12 Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas That Will Add Charm To Your Home

Even if you just use your kitchen to heat up frozen meals, there's no reason why you shouldn't create a cute space. And if it's a gathering spot for your family and friends, you cook delicacies regularly, or work at the island more often than not, dialing up its charisma is extra important. For a full remodel you might have to spend anywhere between $14,500 to $41,500. If you aren't prepared to shell out such a significant sum, why not use wallpaper to prettify the room? Wallpaper in the kitchen can add charm, coziness, and character — helping you turn what might feel like a sterile or builder-grade space into one with ambiance and personality. 

Besides being budget-friendly, wallpapers are available in a massive range of hues, patterns, and textures, opening up endless design possibilities. Before you set your heart on a pattern, be sure to get samples since online pictures aren't always a perfect color match. Moreover, pick a material that's scrubbable, durable, and can withstand heat and humidity, like vinyl. Unsure how to go about choosing a charming roll? To get your creative juices flowing, we spoke exclusively to four experts and inquired about the best wallpaper ideas for creating a beautifully cozy kitchen, along with ways you can incorporate them in your home.

Tiles are the most common option for kitchen backsplashes, but you can expect to shell out around $800 for a 25-square-foot area. With wallpaper, you can mimic the look of tile for less, and enjoy extra design flexibility by choosing a peel-and-stick option. Elizabeth Rees, co-founder of Chasing Paper, a premium wall coverings company, tells House Digest exclusively, "Tile-patterned wallpaper is an excellent way to bring the charm of real tiles to a kitchen without the commitment or cost of actual tile installation."

This option is ideal for design lovers who aren't ready for the commitment that comes with choosing real tiles and want to experiment with unique looks, as well as renters. Rees recommends, "To ensure you're adding charm, opt for classic tile prints that offer a bit of whimsy, such as colorful flourishes or tones that remind you of cottagecore. A few that I recommend are the Porto, and Farmhouse Tile prints." For an enchanting finish, she suggests, "To make these patterns work, try creating a faux backsplash (ensure they are made of a waterproof or wipeable finish for this option), or try the floor-to-ceiling tile trend. If the tile print skews neutral, pair with bright, color-drenched cabinets; on the other hand, pair bold tile prints and colors with rustic or antique wooden elements."

Using wallpaper to showcase an accent wall is a great way to give your kitchen a new look and lend it an interesting personality. Better yet, it's budget- and renter-friendly (if you get a peel-and-stick variety). But to give the room dimension and naturally draw the eye, picking the right wall is important. The goal is to choose a wall that accentuates a feature, plays up an architectural element, or naturally attracts attention.

"Choose a prominent or standalone area of a wall, such as the island or a coffee bar area, and add a bold, patterned wallpaper," advises Rees. Providing you choose a durable heat- and moisture-resistant wallpaper (that's non-woven and has been fire-tested), you can even use it on the wall behind your range, which is often an automatic focal point. In a galley kitchen, papering the far wall can help accentuate the length and distract from the narrow width.

Besides choosing which wall you want to highlight, you've also got to pick a pattern. Because an accent wall confines the design to one surface (instead of wrapping around the room) feel free to opt for slightly bolder motifs. Rees advises, "To add to the unique charm a feature wall offers, consider a wallpaper print that includes a fun print such as hand-drawn cocktails, or colorful geometrical shapes." 

Not ready to commit to a full feature wall? Rees has a clever trick up her sleeve. She suggests, "Line the inside of open cabinets or glass-front cabinetry with wallpaper for an additive pop of color and pattern."

Courtney Batten, NCIDQ-certified interior designer and principal at Paige Studio, a Dallas-based interior design studio that specializes in historic home renovations, agrees. In fact, she recommends wallpapering the back of cabinets even if you have ones with solid doors. She tells House Digest in an exclusive interview, "This will add an unexpected pop of color and pattern when you open your cabinets, perfect for creating charming little surprises." 

For this idea, feel free to choose a vibrant wallpaper. Rees says, "I recommend selecting a print that offers a collage of items, as this draws you in and adds personality to an area that may otherwise go unnoticed." Alternatively, providing they aren't glass, you can opt to wallpaper the back of your cabinet doors instead (they're a bit easier to reach). 

If your breakfast nook feels like a few random pieces of furniture floating in a corner of your kitchen, this idea is for you. Wallpaper can help to ground the area and create a charming space that feels intentional. "Enveloping a breakfast nook in wallpaper creates a sense of cozy, and makes what typically can be a sterile space feel warm and inviting," explains Rees. Besides adding a little charisma to your nook, wallpaper will visually separate it from the rest of your kitchen and living area if you have an open floor plan.

That being said, the best breakfast nook ideas to take your kitchen to the next level all have one thing in common, and that's harmony with the rest of the room. While the nook should stand out as a designated area, the colors in your wallpaper need to play well with the rest of the space, as well as any accents in the nook. Rees suggests, "To round out the design, choose accents that compliment a color in the wallpaper print to create a cohesive corner." If you're working with a tight budget, a cheap way to achieve this could be to give any nearby window trim a fresh coat of paint or update the curtains or blinds. Complementary rugs and plants can go a long way, too. Finally, pay attention to the nook's dimensions before picking out your wallpaper design. This is because a large space can benefit from bigger prints and vice versa.

Although bold patterns and maximalist designs are currently ruling the wallpaper trend charts, they can be a bit much for those who like soothing and calm options. If this sounds like you, you don't have to jump on the metallic or saturated wallpaper bandwagon just because. Instead, go with neutral patterns and tones. They'll enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen walls without detracting attention from the rest of the decor. Plus, neutral wallpapers create a calm atmosphere and will add timeless charm to your space. Worried the simple designs will turn boring over time? Rees has a solution for you. She says, "If bold prints feel overwhelming, opt for a textured wallpaper in neutral tones or with a neutral print." 

Once deemed as dated, textured wallpaper is making a modern comeback. Choose subtle low-contrast prints, including stripes, geometric shapes, floral designs, fun landmark prints, or plaids, that capture your fancy. To increase interest through texture, Rees advises that "using a substrate that offers a finish such as grasscloth, linen-look, or features an embossed design will add depth without dominating the space."

Colorful crockery and vintage appliances can look stunning in a kitchen, but too many vintage-style elements could make your space feel like a time capsule. If you own a fair amount of retro kitchenware and want to tastefully balance old and new, lean on contemporary wallpapers. Rees explains, suggesting, "Pair a sleek, contemporary wallpaper with rustic or vintage kitchen elements to add a touch of charm while allowing the space to still feel modern." In other words, determine the color and pattern that'd look great against your cherry red refrigerator, old-school toaster, range, or rustic finishes.

For a seamless matrimony of the old and the new, Rees advises, "To further the feel, select chic appliances for use and display antique kitchen items to play with the juxtaposition a bit more." And you can also take cues from your existing appliances, even if they have a modern look. If you're trying to tone down the stark feel of slick-looking gadgets, going in the opposite direction and using a retro-style wallpaper can also work well, as illustrated above. 

Changing your kitchen's decor based on the seasons is one of the best ways to keep things fresh and interesting year-round. Besides swapping in new decor, you can also play around with matching your wallpaper to the season. Rees is a proponent of the idea and says, "Take advantage of the removable aspect of peel-and-stick wallpaper, and change up your kitchen decor depending on the season!" Of course, if you're looking to cover all of the walls in your kitchen, applying new wallpaper every season might not be feasible. However, if you choose to just wallpaper a very small backsplash — say in a studio apartment, a compact recess, or by a coffee station — a few square feet of peel-and-stick wallpaper for the area won't require a big budget or take long to install.

Not sure how to go about the execution of this seasonal idea? Simply turn to nature for inspiration and mimic the fresh, bright, moody, or cozy vibes in your kitchen. "For example, incorporate a warm, floral design full of bright colors for the spring and summer, and then swap to a cooler-toned, moody print for the fall and winter," suggests Rees. DIY the wallpaper installation to save costs and use removable wallpapers, like the autumnal design pictured above (Ruth's Garden by Chasing Paper), JiffDiff's Farm Floral Self-Adhesive Roll from Amazon, or the Mirth Studio Mimi Quilted Floral Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper from Anthropology – both pretty options, suitable for summer.

Ceilings are getting a bold makeover with a stunning design trend: wallpaper. Wallpaper can create the illusion of a higher ceiling and add lots of interest to a space. According to Rees, "A patterned ceiling can be especially charming and unexpected." Batten is a big fan of this idea as well. She, too, recommends wallpapering the ceiling, saying, "The often overlooked fifth wall can bring drama and charm to your kitchen. I love bringing wallpaper to the ceiling because it will give your kitchen a unique and bespoke feel." When selecting a design, choose a light-hued roll with delicate patterns to make your room look bigger and brighter than it is. But if you're yearning for a moody space, dark shades might work, too.

Don't want to play up the ceiling? Using wallpaper in unexpected places is a trend you can embrace to emphasize other architectural details, too. For instance, Rees says you can "use wallpaper to enhance features like a soffit or island base." You could also use wallpaper to border your ceiling or highlight things like archways, recesses, niches, window seats, etc. Wallpapering these areas is sure to add charm, and is more cost-effective than doing all the walls as it uses fewer rolls.

To ramp up the disarming, inviting factor to the max, look for traditional, quaint designs. If you've got fond memories of your grandma's kitchen and want to bring the magic to your own space, embrace vintage wallpaper patterns. Batten mentions, "Classic vintage wallpaper patterns are making a comeback and are an instant way to up the charm in your kitchen — I'm currently loving classic toile designs, paisleys, and groovy retro florals." The detailed, old-world prints and irresistible hues will make the space pop and create an inviting environment.

Stripes, gingham, and small-scale checkers are some further examples of vintage designs you can leverage to invoke nostalgia. Or, "opt for classic motifs like toile, damask, or Victorian florals to instill timeless charm," suggests Rees. "To tie the space together, pair the wallpaper print with vintage elements such as an antique dining chair for an authentic look," adds Rees. If you want to add something funky, tulip tables and Panton chairs work, too. While you can find and buy genuine vintage wallpaper, going this route is probably not ideal for the kitchen. First, you want something that's wipeable, and second, you don't want to accidentally ruin an irreplaceable roll with food splatters or airborne cooking grease. As the maximalist trend goes mainstream, it's now relatively easy to find reproductions of charmingly old-fashioned patterns, such as this Floret design from Chasing Paper. And something like this gray Spinney Toile Wallpaper from Chesapeake on Amazon could be an ideal neutral pick if you're looking to create a soothing space. 

If you want your kitchen to be a cozy space that celebrates the joys of a simple rural life, embrace cottagecore decor. Rooted in nature, it draws inspiration from countryside elements and gives you ample opportunity to infuse warmth and a touch of whimsy into your space. Hoping to bring the magic of cottagecore to your urban kitchen? Go with a floral or botanical wallpaper. "Botanical, cottagecore-inspired prints are another great way to ensure your kitchen is charming," explains Rees.

The best color scheme will depend on the feeling you're going for. For instance, if you want the wallpaper to blend with the rest of your decor and not stand out, choose a roll in soft pastels, faded, earthy, or muted shades. On the other hand, if you're a fan of the dramatic and want the wallpaper to be the focal point of your kitchen, don't be afraid to browse bolder selections. A fun starting point could be to try to emulate the natural world around your imaginary (or real!) cottage. For an inviting overall color palette, Rees suggests, "Select a print featuring greenery such as Fresh Cut or a wallpaper depicting a floral pattern repeat such as Cosmo Block Print, and pair them with warm neutrals in the kitchen to amp up the cozy cottage feel." Wood elements or exposed brick can also make a homely pairing. "To further add charm, add the wallpaper to every wall in the space, and try butcher block counters to add a farmhouse feel," suggests Rees.

Kitchens can be the perfect place to let your quirky personality shine, and Martin Boonzaayer, CEO of The Trusted Home Buyer, has the perfect solution. He tells House Digest in an exclusive interview, "If you've got kids or just want your kitchen to feel a little more playful, why not bring some fun into the design? Wallpapers with motifs of fruits, vegetables, herbs, or quirky illustrations can make cooking and dining feel like an enjoyable experience."

Food-themed wallpapers run the gamut from delightfully kitschy, to alluring retro motifs (think red cherries), cartoon-like designs, tastefully executed watercolor fruits, and more. "Imagine a wallpaper featuring bright lemons or little sprigs of mint scattered across the walls. It adds a touch of whimsy and personality, and suddenly, your kitchen is not just a place to cook — it's a fun space to be in," Boonzaayer elaborates. And since this idea is all about designing a lively space, you don't have to necessarily stick to fruits, veggies, or herbs. Designs featuring foods like donuts, pizzas, tacos, cheese, baked goods, and more, work equally well.

To maintain a grocery list, most people jot down the food items they need to buy on their next trip. But it can be a hassle to keep track of the numerous Post-It notes on your refrigerator. Under such circumstances, consider using chalkboard wallpaper (which can be less hassle to remove than chalkboard paint) in your kitchen. Explaining the reasoning behind this idea, Kyle Bazylo, realtor and CEO of Selling South Winnipeg, tells House Digest in an exclusive interview, "I've noticed peel-and-stick chalkboard or corkboard wallpaper adds both charm and function. Using it in a kitchen corner or behind a desk nook lets families write notes, meal plans, or grocery lists while keeping the space looking stylish."

Apply the chalkboard wallpaper on a wall for a moody effect in your big kitchen or a small strip beside your cabinets or even on your appliances if the space is limited. Decorate the black canvas with colorful chalks, designs, your favorite recipes, and inspirational quotes while leaving some room for a to-do list. "It's practical but feels high-end when paired with the right framing or trim," observes Bazylo.