Is there anything more daunting than a big, empty wall in your kitchen? It can feel like so much pressure to get it right! But don’t you worry.
Transforming that space is easier than you think. From super practical solutions to beautifully creative touches, we’re going to find the perfect fit for your home.
1. Elevate Your Space with Wallpaper
If you’ve got a blank wall that’s just begging for a creative touch, have you considered using wallpaper to create a stunning accent wall? Today’s wallpapers are available in such bold, brilliant colors.
They often feature intricate patterns and can sport a really large-scale design. Look for a wallpaper that feels right for your kitchen’s style and plays nicely with the other colors already in the room.
When you’re picking out your wallpaper, it’s really important to think about the size of the wall you want to cover. You’ll want to scale the pattern to fit the space perfectly. A small, repeating pattern can look way too busy on a huge wall.
On the other hand, a massive pattern might totally overwhelm a smaller area.
2. Creative Chalkboard Inspiration
I just love chalkboards in a kitchen; they remind me of a simpler time. You can use chalkboard paint to create a dedicated spot for notes, favorite recipes, a running grocery list, or even just some fun doodles. It’s also the perfect way to map out your family’s meals for the week.
When you’re planning your chalkboard, the first thing to decide is how big it should be. Maybe you only have a little nook for a small framed board hung on the wall.
Or, you might have a huge wall that you can transform into a massive chalkboard that’s several feet tall and wide. Whatever space you’re working with, a chalkboard is such a fun and creative touch to add.
3. Practical and Stylish Open Shelves
Are you ready to wave goodbye to your kitchen cabinets? A huge trend in modern kitchen design is to remove all the upper cabinets and put in open shelves instead. This creates an illusion that your kitchen is much bigger than it really is.
If you’re not quite ready to go all-in on this trend, I don’t blame you. Open shelves mean your things can get dusty and greasy, and you lose the ability to hide away any clutter.
As an alternative, why not just add a single open shelving unit to your kitchen? If you have a bare wall, you could place a shelving rack there. Then you can use it for extra storage or as a spot to display your favorite items.
4. Embrace Rustic Charm
If you are all about that rustic or farmhouse style, then your decor should definitely match that vibe. These kinds of finishing touches add the perfect elements to give your kitchen an authentic feeling.
Instead of looking like you just bought a bunch of “rustic-feeling” items from a big box store, your kitchen will feature pieces that actually are rustic.
Consider a vintage butcher block table. It doesn’t have to be for prepping food. You could use it as a beautiful display piece for a bowl of fresh fruit or a vase of freshly cut flowers.
My advice is to skip the cliche signs at home decor shops. Instead, take a trip to a rural antique store and find a real sign.
5. Timeless Appeal
Getting out the door on time can be such a rush in the morning. If you’ve got the wall space for it, hanging a clock can be a lifesaver. This is a brilliant idea for anyone who is always running a little late.
You could go for a large, traditional face with big hands. Or, you could choose something a bit more modern, like a digital display that shows you other key information, too.
Hang your clock somewhere prominent and easy to glance at, like over the stove, the sink, or a countertop. If you have an exceptionally large wall, you could even find a clock that’s big enough to be a statement piece all on its own.
6. Creative Framed Kitchen Wall Decor Ideas
Putting your art in a frame under glass makes it so much easier to look after and keep clean. This is a super important detail in your kitchen, where splatters and messes are just a part of daily life.
The very last thing you want is to hang a beautiful canvas piece on your wall, only for it to get splattered with grease that you can’t clean off.
Once your decor is framed, it’s time to decide how to hang it. You could go with one or two huge pieces that command an entire wall on their own. Or, you could pick out several smaller pieces and put together a gallery wall-style art display.
7. Unique Ways to Use Cutting Boards
If you’re a passionate cook, it’s totally possible you have a whole collection of cutting boards. No judgment from me; I totally get needing the right board for the right task.
So why not show off your collection by hanging your cutting boards on an empty wall? This not only frees up cabinet space but also gives you a perfectly themed decor design for your kitchen.
You don’t have to limit yourself to just cutting boards, either. If you have a collection of other cool kitchen tools, you could hang those instead. Just try to arrange them in a way that feels visually balanced. You could line them up perfectly or go for a more scattered, eclectic design.
8. Add Vintage Flair
So often, people mix up vintage and rustic. That isn’t quite right. While you can definitely have a kitchen that’s both vintage and rustic, you can also have one that’s vintage and mid-century, French provincial, or even Victorian-inspired.
When you’re picking out your vintage kitchen wall decor, think about the specific theme you want to create. It’s a good idea to try not to mix too many different design themes, otherwise you might end up with a confusing and cluttered kitchen that’s missing a clear identity.
9. Stylish Gallery Inspiration
Get really creative with your kitchen decorations. Try mixing some of the different elements we’ve talked about to create a truly one-of-a-kind gallery display.
You could have paintings, framed prints, a small chalkboard, a little shelf with a plant, some inspirational words, a cutting board, kitchen tools, or even some bins.
Arrange your chosen pieces to create what seems like a random collection but is actually a thoughtfully planned display. It should have a nice visual balance with the items you include. It should also fit the scale and size of the wall just right.
10. Inviting Hanging Wall Paintings
Hanging a painting is such a great way to add color and style to your kitchen. Whether it’s a tiny little painting or a massive, large-scale one, this unique kind of art is guaranteed to make a statement. So it’s time to say goodbye to those plain white walls and hang up a painting.
When you’re choosing your painting, search for one with a color palette that will complement your kitchen. It should also blend in with your kitchen’s overall style. An abstract piece would look beautiful in a minimalist or modern kitchen.
A realistic piece will feel perfectly at home in a classic or traditional kitchen. And your farmhouse or rustic kitchen would look lovely with a painterly piece.
11. Showcase Display Shelves
Don’t feel like you have to stick to just a single floating shelf. You can create a really beautiful display in your kitchen by mounting a larger rack or organizational system.
You could have a wall shelf that features a hanging bar or hooks underneath it, or try a large bar that has hanging baskets and shelves attached.
When you’re putting your display together, think about scale and symmetry. The size of your rack should work with the amount of space you have on your wall. You don’t want it to be so wide that it sticks out too far from the wall.
12. Functional Organizer Shelves
Do you find yourself needing just a tiny bit more storage space? What about a spot where you can keep things that you use every single day? A floating shelf is the perfect addition to a kitchen wall.
You can have one or two wall shelves mounted above your counter or on another empty wall.
Use your shelf to organize your spices or to hold your dishes and glassware. Since these shelves are open, it’s a good idea to create a display that’s visually pleasing. Mix some decorative pieces in with your functional items.
Choose pretty jars for your spices. Arrange your flatware and glasses in tidy stacks or neat lines.
