How to Redesign a Kitchen Using Wallpaper

When you’re looking at different kitchen redesign options, one thing you may not think about is wallpaper. You’ll probably look at countertops first, then appliances, especially if you don’t have matching ones already. Next, you’ll look at flooring, maybe even a tile backsplash, but you may not have considered adding wallpaper to your kitchen. In our humble opinion, this is a missed opportunity as there are many fabulous ways to redesign a kitchen using wallpaper.

Wallpaper has changed a lot since the 90s, when it was used as borders in bathrooms or floor to ceiling in your grandmother’s living room. Today it's used as accent walls, backsplashes, and printed on peel and stick materials for easy removal if you change your mind in a couple of years. The key to wallpaper is knowing when and how to use it. Luckily, if you’re looking at a kitchen reno, we’ve got you covered with how to redesign a kitchen using wallpaper.

Of course, every kitchen is a little different, as is everyone’s style, so we’ll cover a handful of different ways to use wallpaper in the hopes it'll inspire your own kitchen renovation.

Use wallpaper as a backsplash instead of tile.

That’s right, who said you have to use basic tile in a backsplash? Backsplashes are very important in kitchens, but in many cases tile can be extremely expensive. If you use wallpaper instead, you’ll be able to install it quickly and more easily than tile. Plus, if you choose a peel and stick wallpaper any future kitchen renovations will be a breeze thanks to how simple these papers are to remove.

Use it behind open shelving.

Open shelves are a beautiful way to lighten up your kitchen area and give it a modern touch, but you can take it up a notch if you use wallpaper behind the open shelving for an added pop of contemporary appeal. Choose a bold wallpaper, maybe something geometric to really make that area pop. Then, add your matching dish sets arranged elegantly, and you have a beautiful display that perfectly stores your dishes.

Create an accent wall.

Just like you can do in any other room, using wallpaper as an accent wall for a focal point is a great option to add a pop of color and texture to your kitchen. Accent walls can go anywhere really, so perhaps you want to put the accent wall in your dine-in area or would rather put it on the wall that separates the kitchen from the other rooms in the house. No matter where you put it, this is a small statement that will add a touch of color and style to the room.

Wallpaper your refrigerator.

This one is definitely a bit more eclectic than some of the others but is perfect if you want to add a pop to your kitchen. You can take your refrigerator from boring to beautiful with a little wallpaper or contact paper. This is especially good if you have an older refrigerator or one that is scuffed up and you want to give it a makeover without purchasing a brand-new appliance.

Put wallpaper in the pantry.

Let’s face it, the pantry doesn’t get enough credit. It houses all of our snacks and food, but we barely pay it any attention. Give it a total makeover by adding wallpaper to it. It’s a small corner of the kitchen that you can really bring to life. Add a custom door to finish it off for a really elegant touch.

Add wallpaper to the inside of cabinets.

That’s right, the wallpaper doesn’t have to be super obvious, put it inside your cupboards to brighten them up. This is an especially good idea if you happen to have glass doors on your cabinets, so you can easily see through to the bright pops of wallpaper.

Any of these suggestions are great ways to add a touch of wallpaper to your kitchen, without going overboard. Instead, these are tasteful opportunities to add pops of color, pattern, and texture where needed.

Products shown: Alpine - Avalanche Wallpaper and Portofino - Grey Wallpaper