Here’s How to Update Your Kitchen with Wallpaper
Available in seemingly endless patterns, colours and finishes, wallpaper is a home kitchen designer’s dream – however, many people tend to veer away from the wide range of options in favour of simpler paint jobs.
Design thinking
As we mentioned, there’s a huge array of options when it comes to what your wallpaper will look like. You could buy rolls off the shelf from reputable interiors stores, or you could commission a local designer to create a custom design just for you.
One of the trickiest things about wallpaper is that it can stand out too much, and draw the eye away from other elements of your design. To counteract this, choose wallpaper in subtler colours and patterns, and match your wallpaper’s colour scheme to your wider home design for a sense of cohesion. Having a consistent theme throughout means your walls won’t get too busy, leaving you space to enjoy other parts of your room.
Durability
Wallpaper designed for kitchens should be durable, and you can find different finishes that will protect it from steam and splashes. As kitchens can get much dirtier than other places in the house, it’s important to look for finishes like vinyl and polyethylene, which are waterproofed and easily wiped clean.
For your kitchen, avoid getting textured, embossed or intricately detailed wallpaper, as the crevasses can harbour mould or cooking odours when hung in the kitchen.
Choose your location wisely
There are some areas in the kitchen where wallpaper works best, and just above the stove probably isn’t one of them. That’s because the stove is a haven for moisture, which can cause the wallpaper’s glue to come loose and peel off the wall – even if you use a kitchen-safe finish.
Installation
Installing wallpaper can be tricky, especially if your design is intricate, patterned or detailed. If you have a hard-to-install wallpaper, enlist the help of a professional who can ensure a slick finished product.
If you want to tackle the project yourself, keep in mind that you will need to tend to your walls first: this involves cleaning and scouring them, filling in any cracks or holes left behind by nails and screws, and applying primer. When you’re done, it’s always a good idea to run over the edges with a sealant like caulk to prevent water and grease droplets getting under the edges. Be sure to go slowly at each stage of the process, as once each sheet is laid on your wall, it will be impossible to take it off and correct your mistakes.
For advice on the best wallpaper design for your kitchen – or to hire a professional interior designer – contact the team at Apollo Kitchens. We’ll be able to provide you best-practice tips for updating your kitchen through renovation.
Header image source: Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
