32 kitchen wall ideas to elevate the heart of your home
Kitchen wall ideas are vast and varied. You may be surprised at the scope of options available.
Although a large proportion of your kitchen walls might be taken up with wall-hung cabinets, there’s plenty of potential for those bare walls.
So, what to do and where to start if you’re left with unused vertical space in your kitchen?
From simple DIY shelf hacks to choosing the right paint colour, it’s time to embrace some creative ideas to transform your kitchen walls.
Whether you prefer sleek, modern design or country styling, no stone has been left unturned in this ultimate guide to kitchen wall ideas.
Kitchen wall ideas
Ideas for kitchen walls can be decorative, including eye-catching wallpaper, bold colour, or fabulous artwork. But they can also be practical, with stylish shelving ideas and clever wall storage solutions to upscale your kitchen.
Of course, so many kitchen wall ideas marry both style and function perfectly. Think shiny mosaic splashbacks to protect your walls or cool industrial racking to hang pots and pans.
Whether you’re planning a new kitchen or fancy a few decorative ‘tweakments’, in this article we cover all the kitchen wall options, providing plenty of inspiration for:
- Kitchen wall tiles
- Kitchen wall decor
- Kitchen wall colours
- Kitchen wall shelves
- Kitchen wall storage
For help bringing your ideas to life, contact a recommended kitchen designer, equipped with all the skills, knowledge, and design experience to achieve your dream kitchen.
Kitchen wall tiles ideas
Picking the best kitchen wall tile ideas for your space will completely transform the look and functionality of your kitchen.
Wall tiles can add colour, pattern, and texture to your kitchen design. They’re also practical, helping to protect your walls around the notoriously messy sink and hob area.
Today’s choices are endless – from classic Metro tiles with a contrasting grout to sheets of eye-catching mosaics.
Ready for some inspiration? We’ve picked some of our favourite kitchen wall tiles ideas, below.
1. Make it metallic
Add the Midas touch to your kitchen with metallic mosaic tiles. Tiling just a small area or splashback in warm gold, copper, or bronze will elevate the plainest kitchen.
2. Be bold with kitchen wall tiles ideas
If you want to inject a fun and playful element into your kitchen, these rainbow bright tiles will do the trick. Like modern art for the wall, the geometric tiles certainly create a focal point in this monochrome kitchen.
3. You can’t go wrong with a classic Metro tile
We don’t think we’ll ever tire of a classic Metro tile – they’ll certainly never be a kitchen model regret. Update the trend with a contrasting grout or choose a smart pastel subway tile, such as cool mint green or blush pink.
4. Go green with a mosaic splashback
Mini mosaic tiles have been around for thousands of years. However, modern-day versions are ready-supplied in sheet format so you don’t have to intricately lay individual mosaics.
Why not colour-drench your kitchen by choosing the same colour tiles as your cabinets? It’s a smart way to create a contemporary twist on these much-loved mosaics and go all out on your favourite colour.
5. Introduce Moroccan-style kitchen wall tiles ideas
Patterned Moroccan-style tiles are really popular right now, adding a ‘vacation-at-home’ mood to your kitchen.
This homeowner has used the earthy tones and intricate pattern to breathe new life into a simple white kitchen. White cabinets are a good way to increase the sense of space in a small kitchen. Find more small kitchen ideas on a budget here.
To help with measuring up, ordering, and fitting your kitchen wall tiles, contact a recommended kitchen tiler to deliver an expert finish.
Kitchen wall decor ideas
Today’s kitchen isn’t just a place for cooking. It’s also a meeting point for relaxing, entertaining, eating and catching up on homework.
Consequently, kitchen wall decor ideas are a great way to bring pattern, print, texture and personality to the space. It’s time to have fun!
6. Wow with wallpaper
Wallpaper can help to add that extra design dimension to your kitchen.
Whether you prefer bold florals, a classic stripe, or a modern geo print, kitchen wallpaper ideas will upgrade a tired kitchen or neutral room.
This open-plan kitchen living space is refreshed and unified by continuing the whimsical paper through every zone.
It’s a good idea to protect walls in the cooking zone with a transparent glass or Perspex splashback. This way you can still see the design but the walls won’t get damaged.
Learn how to hang wallpaper here. Alternatively, find a good painter and decorator to complete the job for you.
7. Use natural accessories for kitchen wall decor ideas
You don’t need to spend a fortune on kitchen wall decor ideas. Fill a blank wall with items foraged from other rooms in the house.
Often, rearranging bits you already own and placing them somewhere new, works wonders.
Try hanging baskets, picture frames, and mirrors for example, and repurpose them for kitchen use. A frame can be reinvented as a menu board while baskets can be filled with herbs.
8. Try portable ladder storage
Slim ladder storage is perfect for redundant kitchen walls especially if you don’t want a more permanent solution. Or if you are renting and don’t want to damage walls with fixed shelves.
Freestanding shelving units offer extra space to stash kitchen kit or display a few decorative objects. You can move the piece around from room to room should storage needs change.
9. Elevate your shelfie for kitchen wall decor ideas
As we mentioned earlier, kitchen wall shelves ideas offer practical solutions, for example, an extra place to store kitchenware and keep worktops clear. But shelving can also be harnessed for decorative opportunities too.
Time to upscale your standard shelf into a shelfie by decorating it with pretty vessels, vases, and plants. Stick to a palette of two or three colours and don’t overstuff the shelves – less is definitely more.
Smile, please…
10. Go for a rustic contrast with bare brick
Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that have the most impact.
This bare brick backdrop offers a rugged contrast to the simple white Shaker units and Belfast sink.
Find out how much it costs to expose a bare brick wall in our blog. Alternatively, hang brick-style wallpaper for a fabulous loft apartment vibe.
11. Make a feature of copper pans
Copper pots and pans might have started life in traditional farmhouse kitchens. However, wall-mounting copper cookware works well in both modern and traditional homes.
The copper creates a luxe accent to your walls and it doubles as an easy way to store your pans when they’re not in use.
12. Wash walls with coloured lighting
Recessed LED lighting installed under wall cabinets will cast a glorious glow over your kitchen walls.
Likewise, integrated lights built into low ceilings will wash walls with a soft, even illumination.
Look out for colour-changing LED downlights so you can instantly change up the colour of your walls at the flick of a switch.
It’s also the perfect design trick in open-plan kitchens if you want a warm background light for sociable evening soirees.
Kitchen disco anyone?
13. Work with wall panelling
MDF wall panelling is smart, durable, and striking for kitchen walls. It’s a type of tough, moisture-resistant wall panelling made from medium-density fibreboard and popular for use in the kitchen.
Use instead of wallpaper for a very considered, upmarket mood and paint in the colour of your choice.
There are so many different design ideas and options for wall panelling. Or you can create your own bespoke panelled feature wall with the help of a skilled carpenter.
Kitchen wall colour ideas
If you’ve chosen a bold, dark or dramatic kitchen cabinet, a neutral wall might be all that’s required.
However, as cream and neutral kitchen furniture continue to dominate, why not have fun with the paint colour on your walls?
Get tips on how to paint a wall like a pro by reading our advice guide. Or hire the expertise of a painter and decorator in your area.
14. Striking monochrome magic
Match black walls to black cabinetry and offset with a panelled white splashback.
15. A warm, marigold hue
Saturate walls with a daring marigold hue. This warm, feel-good colour will offer a virtual colour hug every single day.
16. Soft, sage walls
Soft, sage green walls will instantly instil a calm environment in the kitchen. It’s also the perfect wall colour for your indoor jungle.
17. Fiery red tones
Fiery red walls are dramatic for sure. Block out storage in the same colour for a minimalist take on this powerful shade.
18. Delicate blush pink
Pale pink walls create a beautiful backdrop in the kitchen. Opt for soft marshmallow, plaster, or blush tones for a new neutral you’ll adore.
Fancy giving your kitchen walls a fresh look? Take a look through our leading directory to find experienced local painters and decorators in your area.
Wall shelves kitchen ideas
Utilising walls for shelf storage is a brilliant way to free up floor and worktop space. Let’s dive into some creative kitchen wall shelves ideas that tick both the practical and design boxes.
19. Add a little greenery
Open shelving offers the perfect blend of storage and personal expression, but with your cookware and canisters on display, wall shelves encourage you to be organised and tidy. Incorporating greenery on the shelves will connect your kitchen to the great outdoors for a nature-inspired vibe.
20. Clean and crisp
There’s nothing worse than cluttered wall shelving. Sometimes less really is more. Consider a single, continuous shelf for a laid-back Japandi look. It’s perfect for the minimalist kitchen but remember to keep it clean and clutter-free!
21. Invisible shelving
Floating shelves with invisible brackets and fixings create the illusion of more space. Just check how much weight this type of shelf can carry before you pile on your pottery.
22. Blend your shelving into the background
For a contemporary look, try painting your kitchen wall shelves the same colour as your walls to help them blend into the wall.
23. Rustic shelving
Source old scaffold boards and repurpose them as rustic kitchen shelving. Simply add a pair of standard shelving brackets for an effective DIY design on a budget.
Contact a local handyperson to hang your kitchen wall shelves quickly and efficiently, saving you time and effort.
Kitchen wall storage ideas
There are so many more ways to introduce kitchen wall storage aside from traditional shelving.
Good wall storage is particularly important in a small kitchen where every last utensil, pot and pan needs a home to ensure a smooth-running, clutter-free cooking area. Check out these ideas for inspiration.
24. Industrial revolution
Hang frequently used cookware and utensils on robust metal rails – as seen in this concept – so they’re immediately to hand.
25. A bounty of baskets
Line shelves with decorative baskets and use them to store kitchen linens, dried foods, fruit and veg. Try a smart look with identical baskets or collect a mismatched selection for a more eclectic feel.
26. Kitchen wall hooks
Who said wall hooks need only be for coats and bags? Display your favourite mugs on a row of wall hooks for easy-reach kitchen wall storage ideas. Pretty, practical, and loads of character!
27. A handy pegboard
Kitchen storage requirements change, making a pegboard the ideal solution to suit your needs. Pegboards allow you to swap and reconfigure a medley of items, from pans to utensils, tea towels, and chopping boards. They’re a great cost-effective way to create handy wall storage space.
28. Box shelving
Like a kitchen cabinet without a door, box shelving lets you see all your items at a glance. Spot on for keeping compact kitchens open and light.
29. A traditional peg rail
Not just for hallways, peg rails are a fabulous kitchen wall storage idea for cleaning kit, tea towels, and bags. A little bit Shaker, a little bit chic!
30. A magnetic touch
Wannabe chefs should make a beeline for a wall-mounted magnetic knife rack. All your prized cooking utensils in one, easy-to-reach place. Perfect.
31. Pick n Mix kitchen wall storage
It’s your kitchen – you make the rules. Don’t be afraid to mix and match rails, shelving, hooks, and racks on the same wall. Stick to a simple colour palette to keep the chaos in check.
32. Floor-to-ceiling wall storage
Pantries and larder rooms offer the ultimate kitchen wall storage. Get the look by decanting dried goods into matching glass jars and containers. Storage heaven!
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