Decorating your kitchen with beautiful and creative artworks can completely transform the space. From modern abstract pieces to rustic vintage signs, there are endless possibilities when looking for kitchen wall art ideas. Choosing artwork that reflects your personal style will give your cooking space a unique flair.
Tips for Selecting Kitchen Artwork
When selecting artwork for your kitchen, there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Consider the color scheme – Choose pieces that complement your existing kitchen color palette. Warm metal tones or vibrant pops of color will stand out against neutral walls.
- Measure the space – Take measurements so you can find properly sized artworks for the wall space. Oversized pieces can overwhelm a small kitchen.
- Look for meaningful designs – Opt for kitchen art that has personal significance through cultural symbols, favorite foods or cherished locations.
- See it in place – Imagine how the artwork will look once it’s installed. View a photo of the piece in a similar kitchen setting.
- Evaluate the material – Kitchens tend to have more wear and tear. Select durable artworks made of metal, wood or high-quality prints.
- Include lighting – Properly illuminate wall art with pendant lights or accent lighting. This showcases the work and adds ambiance.
Creative Kitchen Artwork Ideas
Infusing your cooking space with art you feel passionate about will make time spent there even more enjoyable. From DIY projects to curated collections, here are some creative ways to decorate kitchen walls:
Vintage Signage
Rustic charm comes alive in a kitchen decorated with antique signage. Look for old tin advertisements, metal shop signs or specialized license plates to proudly display. Intersperse these vintage pieces with cute café-style chalkboard menus.
Framed Recipe Pages
Sentimental value shines through in framed recipe cards and cookbook pages. Choose time-honored family recipes handwritten on note cards. Or, tear pages from a worn vintage cookbook and frame your favorite dishes. Arrange them in an artful collage for a personalized focal point.
Stylish Subway Tiles
Subway tiles are a versatile backdrop that pairs well with any kitchen style. Opt for handmade ceramic tiles in cheerful colors or patterns. Or, choose sleek glass subway tiles with metal inlays for contemporary appeal. Accent with wall stencils or decals of herbs, fruits or measuring spoons.
Rustic Wood Boards
A skillfully handcrafted wood cutting board makes a fantastic decorative piece. Hang lightweight charcuterie and cheese boards to adorn the wall beside wine refrigerators. For a homey feel, mount sturdy butcher block slabs engraved with “Eat, Drink, Be Merry”.
Painted Canvas Art
Add a pop of color with custom artwork like hand-painted canvases. Florals, fruits and scenery depicting Tuscan landscapes or Parisian cafés make great choices. For shabby chic style, upcycle the backs of old kitchen chairs into painted scenes.
Framed Photos
Black and white photos of markets, vineyards or cooking scenes have an atmospheric vibe. For family kitchens, frame candid shots of loved ones laughing, baking cookies or enjoying meals around the table. Arrange uniform frames cohesively for maximum visual impact.
Sculptural Lighting
Unique lighting doubles as art. Hammered metal pendants, ceramic fruit lamps or rustic wagon wheel fixtures make great focal points. For contemporary style, hang minimalist Edison bulbs in wire cages or cylindrical sconces in sleek matte black.
Mirrored Backsplash
Reflective surfaces open up small kitchens and reflect more light. A large mirrored wall panel or full mirrored backsplash adds eye-catching shine. Etch or bevel the mirror for added texture. Accent with sconces and downlighting to amplify the glow.
Chalkboard Wall
A full chalkboard wall facilitates menu planning, grocery lists and family communication. Use high-gloss boards trimmed in wood frames for a polished look. Display framed chalk-art nearby for a cohesive theme. Change up the doodles periodically to keep it fresh.
Wall Murals
Adhesive wall murals showcase panoramic views that expand the feel of a kitchen. Choose sweeping vistas of Italian vineyards at sunset, Mediterranean seascapes or European city streets. For a playful touch, opt for oversized botanical designs, cascading melons and lemons or heaping bowls of fruit.
Inspiring Types of Kitchen Wall Art
Kitchen wall art sets the tone for the entire room. Cleverly curated pieces turn cooking spaces into captivating galleries. Here are some inspiring types of artwork for kitchen decoration:
Modern Abstract Art
Bold abstract paintings, prints and photography embrace non-objective designs. Angular compositions in vivid hues make dynamic statements. Try groupings of abstract framed art prints for salon-style arrangements. Monochromatic schemes in shades of blue create serene, contemporary displays.
Still Life Paintings
Lifelike still life art brings warmth to kitchen walls. Detailed oil paintings of abundantly overflowing fruit bowls are eye-catching. Watercolors in muted tones of lemons, pears and plums have a soothing ambiance. Classic still life imagery ties in beautifully with French country or cottage decor.
Graphic Metal Signs
For an industrial edge, hang blackened steel or distressed metal signs. Vintage advertising reproductions, cheeky kitchen wares motifs and minimalist silhouettes make a strong visual impact. Incorporate modern amenities like magnetic knife strips, pot racks and open shelving to carry the sleek metal and wood elements throughout the space.
Quirky Sculpture Art
Show your personality by peppering walls with unique three-dimensional art. Mount patinated bronze roosters, ornamental measuring spoons or miniature dangling pot racks. Groupings of colorful enameled pots and pans make an artsy mixed media display.
Botanical Prints & Drawings
Vivid graphic botanical prints energize kitchen walls with organic appeal. Frame exotic citrus illustrations or classical botanical drawings on parchment paper. For textural intrigue, organize a collage of dried and pressed plants and herbs in shadow boxes.
Wine Prints & Signs
Celebrate your enthusiasm for wine with prints of rolling vineyards, antique wine labels or still life drawings of opened bottles with grapes and cheeses. Letterpress corkboard menus, funny wine quotes and custom family labels personalize the space for oenophiles.
Nostalgic Signs & Tins
Unlock fond memories of beloved bakeries, corner markets and ice cream parlors with their vintage logos and signage. Seek out retro designs from classic brands like Coca-Cola, Cadbury and Betty Crocker. Mix in old fruit crate labels, tin advertising signs and candy wrappers for a blast from the past.
Displaying Kitchen Wall Art
After selecting amazing kitchen artwork, properly installing and showcasing the pieces creates a cohesive look. Here are some tips for aesthetically displaying kitchen wall art:
Optimal Height
Install artwork about 60-66 inches above the ground for ideal visibility. This standard eye level placement lets you enjoy the pieces as you cook and socialize. For particularly tall walls, you can go slightly higher, up to 78 inches. Just make sure it’s not pushed too close to the ceiling.
Thoughtful Groupings
Start by identifying your focal area, then build out complementary groupings. Layer in a thought-provoking painting or print as the anchor piece, balanced with sculptures, photos and mixed media. Maintain 2-4 inches between frame edges for clean lines.
Proper Lighting
Illuminate artwork with pendant lighting, picture lights or well-placed recessed cans. Avoid glare that washes out the work. Warm light enhances richness. Wall sconces casting upward glow are ideal for shine without shadows.
Symmetry & Flow
Visually balance asymmetric pieces like a large painting or shelf by flanking with two smaller items. Maintain a consistent flow around sinks or stoves. For island layouts, create a focal point on each surrounding wall. Repeat frames, colors or materials to tie the look together.
Floating Wall Ledges
Increasing display space with floating ledges adds dimension. Stagger attached ledges at varying heights for stacked artwork groupings. Or, stretch long continuous ledges around the room to circumvent clutter on countertops.
Set the Scene
Make artworks the starting point, then layer in accent decor. Paintings of lemons set the tone for textiles with bright citrus motifs. Vintage French signs cue the use of antique bakeware displays. Let artwork guide your nuanced design details.
Answering Common Questions About Kitchen Artwork
Decorating with art may feel daunting for kitchen spaces. These answers help clarify some common questions that arise:
What are good kitchen wall art ideas for rental units?
For rented spaces, opt for lightweight pieces like prints, tapestries, mirrors or photography. Avoid heavy items requiring holes. Use command strips instead of nails. Lean framed art against ledges or shelves rather than directly hanging.
How do you arrange art in an open concept kitchen?
With sightlines across continuous space, anchor each area with a focal point that draws the eye. Float matching frames down hallways to unify. Near seating spaces, add engaging abstracts. Above cooking zones, hang food-inspired or cookbook prints fitted to the cabinetry layout.
Should kitchen art match décor or personal style?
Ideally, it harmonizes with both. Select favorite pieces that also coordinate with the room’s palette and textures. For instance, still life fruit paintings suit French country kitchens in soft blues. Strike a balance between decor continuity and self-expression.
What types of art suit country kitchen style?
Rustic farmhouse motifs like roosters, milk cans, quilts or floral wreaths capture bucolic charm. Handmade touches like framed embroidery samplers or antique washboards have down-home appeal. Soft pastel prints of apples and wildflowers complement the welcoming country aesthetic.
How do you mix high and low cost art in kitchens?
Inexpensive prints make great fillers between higher end pieces. Groupings with framed photos, kids’ art, and digitally printed canvases prevent expensive oil paintings or metal sculptures from feeling overly formal. The eclectic mix shows off your playful personality.
Final Thoughts on Kitchen Artwork Ideas
Creative kitchen art transforms sterile walls into captivating, art gallery-worthy spaces brimming with inspiration. When thoughtfully curated, artwork sets the stylish tone for the entire room. Tailor wall décor to your tastes and cooking design scheme. Choose meaningful pieces that spark joy while prepping, eating and entertaining within the heart of the home. Let art reflect what nourishes your soul. Whether you gravitate toward calming landscape paintings, lively abstract prints or kitschy vintage signs, the artwork possibilities are endless.
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