How to decorate the walls in the kitchen: an overview of materials

Since it combines style and functionality, the kitchen is frequently referred to as the center of the house. This area can be made to feel both comfortable and useful by decorating the walls, which can also set the mood for the entire space.

Selecting the ideal material for your kitchen walls can be both thrilling and intimidating due to the large range of options available. There is a material that can realize your vision, whether it be a sleek, modern appearance or a homey, rustic feel.

An overview of common kitchen wall decoration materials is given in this article, along with information on their advantages and things to take into account when choosing the right one for your area.

Material Features
Ceramic Tiles Durable, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture.
Vinyl Wallpaper Water-resistant, affordable, and available in various designs.
Paint Easy to apply, customizable in color, and moisture-resistant with the right finish.
Glass Panels Sleek, modern look, easy to clean, and highly resistant to stains.
Wood Panels Warm, natural appearance, can be treated for moisture resistance.

What you need to know about kitchen decoration

Even if your kitchen is furnished with the strongest and most advanced appliances, the hostile atmosphere will still exist there. Here are the various cooking food odors that ineluctably cling to the walls, as well as the persistent humidity brought on by the frequent temperature fluctuations.

The kitchen is regarded as a challenging space to renovate since there are many considerations to make when deciding how to decorate the walls. Thankfully, progress never stops, and new materials that successfully withstand all adverse effects are introduced into the construction market nearly every day. However, it’s important to balance business and pleasure, and the repair must not only meet quality standards but also meet aesthetic requirements.

Although the task is challenging, it is actually quite doable. In the next section, we will discuss the most common finishing materials (see Kitchen finishing materials: selecting the best option). Since it is obviously impossible to cover every option for kitchen wall finishing in one article, we will concentrate on the cost category since, for many, this is the deciding factor when selecting building and finishing materials.

Selecting materials for kitchen wall décor necessitates striking a balance between longevity, fashion, and ease of upkeep. This post will walk you through a variety of options, from traditional tiles to contemporary wallpaper, to help you find the ideal solution for the functional and aesthetic requirements of your kitchen.

Wallpaper in the kitchen

Wallpaper is like, well, what could be more comfortable and familiar? Painting was the only option available to the older generation. While such renovations can hardly be considered original, people always want new and different things.

The paper that was once affixed to walls is no longer the same as modern wallpaper; new production techniques and technologies have made it possible for the coating to be completely cleaned with detergents in addition to being wiped down with a slightly damp cloth—a feature that is especially useful in the kitchen. After all, odors and dirt cannot be completely avoided, and getting rid of them without using chemicals can be extremely challenging, even for the most frugal and meticulous housewife.

There is a huge selection of modern wallpaper available; it is created by combining different materials to achieve the highest possible quality. However, not every one of them works well in the kitchen. So how can one choose wisely?

Let’s examine some of the most pertinent instances of applying wallpaper to complete a kitchen wall:

  • Vinyl wallpaper. We deliberately started our list with them, since, when choosing what is best to finish the walls in the kitchen, vinyl seems to be the most preferable material. Such wallpaper can be safely washed and they do not absorb odors at all. Moreover, the dense structure of vinyl wallpaper allows you to decorate even working walls with them, that is, those that are close to the stove.
  • Non-woven wallpaper. Fabric wallpaper is less preferable for the kitchen, since it is not very resistant to moisture and odors. Fortunately, modern manufacturers have taken care of this and have released special vinyl-based wallpapers that have a denser structure and can be wiped and cleaned.
  • Cork wallpaper. Wallpapers based on tree bark are especially popular among people who value naturalness in finishing materials. Cork easily tolerates water procedures and is resistant to temperature changes, and its only drawback is its relatively high price.

  • Metallic wallpaper. Such a coating is not afraid of anything at all, and if it were not for the high price, they could be given the title of the best finishing material for aggressive rooms. Metallic wallpapers are easy to clean and resistant to chemical solvents, which allows you to remove even the most serious dirt from their surface.
  • Liquid wallpaper. The cheapest and easiest finishing option. In itself, liquid wallpaper is a very weak coating, it is afraid of water, and quickly accumulates foreign odors, but some decorators go for a trick, and cover them with an additional layer of varnish, which completely changes their quality characteristics.

Crucial! If vinyl wallpaper was your first choice for finishing the kitchen walls, make sure to choose a coating that has microperforation. These wallpapers feature invisible holes that allow the coating to breathe, releasing steam from condensation buildup beneath the surface.

As you can see, there is a huge selection of wallpaper options, all of which are appropriate for kitchen repairs. Each has advantages and disadvantages of their own, and the decision you make will rely on your preferences and financial situation.

Since many people appreciate the naturalness of wallpaper, they tend to favor options that were made without the use of synthetic materials. However, keep in mind that entirely natural coatings are extremely delicate and need extra care. In this instance, the word "synthetics" shouldn’t scare you because it’s meant to simplify life and improve the stability and durability of materials.

If we were to make any recommendations, we would suggest vinyl because it is completely fearless and doesn’t need any extra protective coatings. This type of finishing is not only long-lasting but also, crucially, retains its aesthetic appeal over time.

Counseling! The process of adhering vinyl wallpaper differs slightly from that of simple paper wallpaper due to its weight. In this case, the wall and the canvas both need to have glue applied to them.

Wall panels in the kitchen

You can use wall panels in addition to wallpaper when deciding what kind of material to use to decorate the kitchen walls. This idea is quite broad and encompasses various materials that are connected by the way they are installed.

Every wall panel is put in place atop a unique lathing and is joined to every other panel via tongue-and-groove technology. The primary benefit is that you won’t have to redo the entire room’s renovation because you can easily restore it if needed by changing just one or a few segments.

Counseling! Installing wall panels by hand is quite simple, and you don’t need any prior building or repair experience. You can safely get down to business after reading the comprehensive instructions on our website.

MDF

Contemporary material composed of wood chips and organic glue. MDF panels have a decorative surface and a dense base. Wide-format printing and pressing are used to apply a textured pattern that resembles stone, wood, or other natural materials to the panel surface.

This material’s primary drawback is its poor resistance to mechanical harm. It is nearly hard to fix scratches on its easily scratched surface. The only trick is to use a permanent marker that coordinates with the color scheme to mask it.

Nonetheless, the inexpensive cost is another noteworthy benefit. MDF panel repairs are slightly more expensive than wallpapering, and can be even less expensive if you use pricey cork or metallized wallpaper. Regarding panel maintenance, it’s best to select a specific type of moisture-resistant MDF for the kitchen that has a drop symbol on the packaging.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is a synthetic material with technical properties similar to plastic. You can safely declare PVC panels to be the best option when it comes to wall decoration in the kitchen.

Most importantly, they are incredibly affordable. They also don’t deteriorate with time or lose their aesthetic appeal, and they are unafraid of water and chemical detergents. Yes, this is the most affordable and long-lasting method of making repairs. What are the possible outcomes for plastic? Very little.

Among the drawbacks, the low aesthetic component is most noticeable because, even with a pattern applied to their surface, the panels still have a plastic appearance and cannot match the attractiveness of MDF panels.

Counseling! Take care of the kitchen wall’s protection before you finish it. Plastic forms a vapor-impenetrable barrier, but it can eventually grow mold or mildew. For this reason, deep penetration impregnations or primers must be applied to the wall surface.

Wooden lining

What homemaker doesn’t imagine having a natural wood-decorated kitchen? Such rooms always exude a unique feeling of coziness and warmth. Such a kitchen makes you want to stay put and inspires you to try new culinary adventures.

Naturally, there’s no denying the beauty of real wood, but we also can’t ignore the quality aspects, which are the ones that are negatively impacted by the lining. The truth is that wood absorbs water into itself and deforms, losing its original shape, when it comes into contact with it.

In this case, smells are just as problematic, and if the lining becomes completely covered in them, removal will become impossible. In this case, adding a layer of impregnation and varnish to the material is the only way to protect it.

The material will be protected from the growth of mold by impregnation, and the shape of the panel will be maintained and odors will not be absorbed by the transparent varnish. Regretfully, you will have to let go of the vapor permeability and environmental friendliness; however, the external attractiveness will not only endure after such treatment, but will actually become more prominent.

Painting

Only thirty years ago, people had no options whatsoever when it came to decorating the walls in their kitchens. The only paints available on the shelves of construction stores were water-dispersion whitewash and oil paint with the label PF-115, in addition to paper wallpaper.

The two materials are not even close to meeting the criteria for perfection. Oil paint creates a tight seal around the walls, preventing steam and condensation from rising to the surface, while dispersion whitewash fades quickly and is easily removed with water.

Thankfully, things have changed over time, and paint is now considered a type of wall decoration in kitchens. The range has doubled and the quality has improved noticeably. However, with so much variety, it can be very simple to become confused, particularly if you don’t deal with painting work on a daily basis.

Paints vary not only in color and application technique but also in the primary binder component, which has a direct bearing on the paint’s quality attributes, stability, and durability.

  • Acrylic. Paint based on natural resins and water dispersion. Easy to clean and can come into contact with any surface. Acrylic paints are one of the most common, and in many ways their price plays a role here, which is several times lower than that of competitors.
  • Alkyd. Synthetic paint with excellent quality characteristics. Belongs to the category of washable paints, and easily tolerates contact with strong chemical-based detergents.
  • Silicate. Paint in which the main binding component is liquid glass. It has high vapor permeability and adhesion to any surface. Silicate paint is not afraid of any impacts, and can last for decades, even without proper care of the surface.
  • Silicone. Synthetic paint created on the basis of natural rubber. Its main advantage can be considered durability and stability, but at the same time there is a significant disadvantage, namely, silicone paint does not have vapor permeability.

As you can see, there is an extensive selection of paints available, all of which are appropriate for kitchen makeovers. In this case, your financial situation will determine your decision completely. The best material is one based on acrylic if the budget has tight restrictions.

Such paint is easily cleaned and sits perfectly on the surface. Silicate paint is a great option if money is not an issue, and you won’t have to worry about remodeling your kitchen for a long time.

One of the most significant rooms in your house is the kitchen, so decorating the walls there is a great opportunity to add personality. There is a material to fit every need, taste, and budget thanks to the large selection.

Choosing the right material can make your kitchen a space where functionality and aesthetics meet, whether you prefer the clean look of tiles, the coziness of wood, or the practicality of washable paint.

When choosing materials, take into account your cooking preferences, lifestyle, and desired ambiance. Your kitchen walls can withstand the daily rigors of cooking and cleaning while also contributing to the overall beauty of your home if you make thoughtful design decisions.

Video on the topic

HOW TO MAKE A BUDGET KITCHEN VISUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE. 12 SECRETS OF KITCHEN DESIGN

NEVER BUY THIS FOR THE KITCHEN! #199

What to decorate the walls in the kitchen with? Decorative plaster, wallpaper, painting, panels which is better pros and cons

DO NOT BUY WHITE KITCHENS IN 2025! – 5 kitchen interior trends

A find for budget renovation, wall panels made of duropolymer

🏠 Wall design in the kitchen: types of decoration, ideas

7 BEST options for finishing WALLS🔥TRENDS 2025!

What interior style do you like the most?
Share to friends
Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

Rate author
Vash-Variant.com
Add a comment