Introduction
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It’s a space where we gather, cook, eat, and spend quality time with loved ones. Infusing your kitchen with art is a wonderful way to elevate this essential room and make it even more inviting.
As experts in kitchen design and decor, we often recommend incorporating art into kitchen spaces. Artwork not only enhances the aesthetic of the room, but it also reflects the homeowner’s personality and passions. From Canvas Prints to sculpture pieces, art brings visual interest, color, and charm into any kitchen.
In this article, we will provide expert tips and advice for infusing your kitchen with art. We’ll cover how to select pieces that fit your style, optimal placement, tips for displaying art in the kitchen, and even DIY art project ideas. Our goal is to inspire you to view your kitchen as a blank canvas ready to be embellished with beautiful works of art.
How to Choose Artwork for Your Kitchen
When selecting art for the kitchen, the options are endless. Paintings, prints, photography, mixed media, found object art, repurposed items – anything goes! Consider the following factors when choosing pieces to display in your cook space:
Reflect Your Tastes
Choose artwork that aligns with your personal tastes and kitchen decor style. For a rustic kitchen, vintage botanical prints, still life paintings featuring fruit, or even polished wood sculptural pieces can look lovely. In a modern kitchen, abstract art, geometric patterns, and contemporary photography tend to complement the sleek style well.
Consider the Colors
Take a look at your kitchen’s current color palette – cabinets, countertops, backsplash, etc. Select artwork in colors that coordinate with or accent your existing scheme. Complementary or contrasting hues can make the art pop.
Mind the Medium
While any type of art can potentially work in a kitchen, some mediums are better suited than others. Paintings, prints, and photography reproduced on canvas or metal prints withstand heat, grease splatters, and moisture better than paper or wood. Sculptural ceramics, glasswork, and metalwork also make durable choices.
Measure the Wall Space
Pay attention to the existing wall space when choosing pieces. Oversized art can overwhelm a small kitchen, while a single tiny print might get lost on a large blank wall. Choose scale and quantity wisely.
Choose Meaningful Themes
Opt for artwork that has personal significance and brings you joy when viewing it daily. Botanical themes, food themes, family photos, favorite places, inspirational quotes, or even whimsical and funny pieces are great options.
Prime Placement for Kitchen Artwork
When displaying art in your kitchen, placement is key to creating an aesthetically pleasing look. Avoid simply sticking art wherever there happens to be space. Thoughtfully curate the arrangement.
Art Over Appliances
Hanging artwork above kitchen appliances helps disguise unsightly vent hoods and magnet-covered refrigerators. Float matching pieces above ranges, ovens, dishwashers, etc. for a streamlined look.
Arrange Around Seating
Use art to accentuate dinning and breakfast nook areas. Cluster pieces above, beside, or behind kitchen tables and seating. This helps frame these important gathering spots.
Line the Wall Behind the Sink
The often boring wall space behind kitchen sinks offers great real estate for displaying artwork. Try a magnetic board with removable prints, a floating shelf with rotating sculptures or baskets, or an evenly spaced line of same-sized framed photos.
In Unexpected Places
Don’t limit yourself to wall space when adding art. Kitchen cabinets, refrigerator doors, pendant lighting, and window frames all provide opportunities to showcase artwork in surprising places. Get creative!
At Eye Level
For art to have maximum visual impact, hang pieces at eye level, generally about 57-60 inches from the floor to the center of the work. Positioning art too high gives it a disconnected, out-of-reach feeling.
Smart Ways to Display Kitchen Artwork
From DIY projects to professionally installed display systems, numerous options exist for stylishly showcasing kitchen art. Consider the following effective approaches:
Magnetic Chalkboard Paint
For a custom look, paint a wall or section of wall with magnetic chalkboard paint. This provides a functional surface for securing art, notes, and more using magnets. Use chalk to periodically freshen up the background.
Picture Frame Gallery
Create a coordinated gallery wall of framed prints and photos. Opt for same-sized frames in identical colors. Arrange the pieces in an aesthetically pleasing layout – symmetrical, diagonal, clusters, grids, etc.
Floating Shelves
Install floating shelves at varying heights to display both art and decorative objects together. Try shelves above the stove for cookbooks, plants, and ceramic pieces. Or shelves on a blank wall to alternate framed prints with baskets of fruit.
Rail Display Systems
Rail systems with hooks or clips allow you to easily swap out the artwork. Many systems let you adjust height and positioning. Use alongside kitchen cabinets to display prints, photos, matted artwork, or kitchen linens.
Reusable Vinyl Wall Decals
Vinyl wall decals (stickers) offer affordable, non-permanent options for showcasing kitchen art. Floral designs, food graphics, inspirational quotes – options abound! Peel and re-stick in new arrangements anytime.
Sliding Track Picture Hanging Systems
Track systems with cables or sliding hooks let you change up the artwork while keeping holes in walls to a minimum. Hang a series of prints, photos, canvases, or decorative plates in the kitchen. Easily slide pieces along for a new look!
Repurposed Plate Wall
Make use of old china, ceramic plates, or commemorative platters by arranging them into a decorative plate wall display above cabinets or shelving. A coat of paint unifies mismatched collections.
Cabinet Door Galleries
Take advantage of cabinet door fronts and panels to exhibit art prints, photos, original paintings, collages, marker sketches, etc. This transforms boring cabinets into functional art spaces.
Clever DIY Kitchen Art Projects
For affordability and customization, DIY art projects allow you to uniqueness your kitchen creatively. Try these fun, achievable ideas:
Paint Canvas Prints with Favorite Recipes
Recreate your top secret family recipes into art pieces! Paint or use printable transfers to artfully transcribe treasured recipes onto small canvas prints. Hang in the kitchen to both display and preserve.
Frame Collections of Spices or Dried Botanicals
For free organic art supplies, look no further than your spice racks and pantries. Arrange collections of glass jars filled with spices, herbs, beans, lentils, or other pantry items in shadowboxes or multi-opening frames. Display on walls or in open shelves with glass fronts.
Press and Frame Botanicals from Your Garden
Preserve bits of your garden forever by pressing and framing leaves, ferns, flowers, etc. Arrangement pressed botanicals on a backing, sandwich between two glass panes in a frame. For added depth, use 3D box-style frames.
Make Paint Chip Artwork Collages
Gather free paint chip sample cards from your local hardware store. Cut into small pieces and arrange into eye-catching collages depicting food, kitchenware, flowers, or abstract designs. Glue down on canvas or thick cardstock before framing.
Upcycle Old China into Wall Mosaics
Give broken bits of old china or shattered ceramic plates new life in wall art mosaics. Apply colored grout between shards arranged into motifs before sealing and hanging. Add depth by using plate fragments, tile pieces, and glass in varying shapes and colors.
Create Photo Magnets for the Fridge
Display favorite family snapshots and art pieces on your fridge! Print digital photos or color copies of kids’ artwork onto magnetic sheets designed for inkjet printers. Cut out and stick these custom magnets on your stainless steel refrigerator.
With a bit of planning and creativity, it’s easy to fill your kitchen with art and visual interest. Enjoy the process of selecting meaningful pieces that make this essential room even more welcoming. Don’t be afraid to try unique display solutions or even DIY projects. Our expert tips will help you infuse kitchen walls and shelves with artful charm!
FAQs About Adding Art to Your Kitchen
What types of art work best in kitchens?
Durable mediums like paintings, prints, photographs, ceramic pieces, and metal wall sculptures tend to hold up best in kitchens. Avoid more delicate paper or fabric-based art that could degrade from moisture, grease, or humidity.
How do I arrange art in my small kitchen?
In a small kitchen, opt for one or two medium or small sized pieces of art. Arrange together on one wall or space pieces apart to fill empty spots dispersed throughout the kitchen. Avoid large or overpowering pieces.
Should I hang art above the kitchen sink?
The wall space above the kitchen sink provides great real estate for hanging art. Just take care to choose pieces in a material, like metal or ceramic, that can withstand moisture and avoid paper or canvas that could warp.
What is the best way to hang art on kitchen cabinets?
For hanging lightweight art prints or photos directly on cabinet fronts, removable adhesive squares work well to secure pieces without damaging cabinets. Some cabinet surfaces may also allow for small nails or hooks.
How can I inexpensively add art to my rental kitchen?
For renters, stick to non-damaging options like removable vinyl wall decals, magnetic boards with print sets, reusable chalkboard surfaces, and art clips or rail systems that don’t require nails.
Final Thoughts
The heart of your home deserves special attention. Take the time to thoughtfully infuse your kitchen with artwork and decor that reflects the tastes, loves, and personality of you and your family. Let this essential space inspire you daily with its beauty, color, and visual appeal. With proper selection and display, the artwork you choose can elevate both the form and function of your kitchen. Our expert tips equip you with the knowledge needed to artfully embellish this cherished room. Approach your kitchen walls, cabinets, and shelves as a blank canvas waiting to be filled with meaning and life.
