7 Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas to Instantly Spice Up That Subway Tile

speckled blue wallpaper and stovetop with cookware on it
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GENEVIEVE GARRUPPO

Well put wallpaper just about anywherepowder rooms, ceilings, even on the tops of bar cartsbut, for some reason, the kitchen has seemed off-limits. Why? Some will argue that it wont last in a place thats prone to moisture and food splatter. But as we learned from designer Kate Hamilton Gray, who covered her rental walls with Rebecca Atwoods Dotted Leaves print, mildew is a non-issue if you give your paper a coat of water-resistant varnish and youre quick with a dish towel.I have the same attitude toward wallpaper as I do marble: Even though its this pristine thing, it should be a part of your life, says Hamilton Gray.

Florals reign supreme in Hamilton Grays space, but any kind of pattern can flatter even the saddest of kitchen areas. We found just the right spacesseven, if youre counting Hamilton Grays breezy blue roomto inspire you to grab a roll and some paste. No more excuses: You can absolutely wallpaper your kitchen.

The Wildflower Wonder

rustic wood cabinets and dark counters and black and green wallppaer
Photography by Mariko Reed

When Joanne Duong Bartels and Luke Bartels left San Franciscos Outer Sunset neighborhood for the Windy City, they brought Californias free-spirited vibes with them. The couples newly renovated Chicago kitchen features a scene of tulips, crocuses, dandelions, and forget-me-notsa design courtesy of the king of botanical illustrations, Josef Frank.

The Sneak Peek of Spring

open shelves with wallpaper floral design and mint and pink plates
Photography by Ezz Wilson

Cant commit to all the walls? The inside of your cupboards is a great place to start. Inspired by rom-com kitchens from the 1990s (think Sleepless in Seattle), Ezz Wilson opted for this pastel floral covering, which iswait for it!totally temporary. And though you could carefully remove your cabinet doors during installation and then screw them back in, keeping the gap open offers a refreshing peekaboo moment.

The Citrus Statement

white galley kitchen with lemon wallpaper
Photography by Melo Drama

If youre hoping to capture the essence of summer (and then hold onto it year-round), look no further than a zesty citrus print. Not only is it decidedly fitting for the kitchen, but its not super overwhelming on a large scale, as stylist Krys Melo proved. She took lemonsand made some seriously sweet lemonade.

The Cabinet Compromise

bar stools overlooking kitchen with pink and blue wallpaper wall
Photography by Robert Peterson

You might not think you have enough surface area to justify wallpaper, but one basic demolition can take care of that. The only real renovation actress Lauren Cohan and designer Brian Patrick Flynn made to her Atlanta apartment was removing the upper cabinets, and it instantly made the room feel more openit also allowed the blossoms to take center stage.

The One-Off Accent

tangerine wallpaper with open shelves and small counter nook
Photography by Katherine Holland

A white wall behind plain open shelves is a blank slate begging to be transformed. Look closely at this space that blogger Autumn Hachey designed for a friend, and youll notice that the tangerine wallpaper isnt one big panel but rather a bunch of individual decals, which she scored for $75 per pack.

The Refined Graffiti

large kitchen island with half the wall in subway tile and the other in orange wallpaper
Photography courtesy of Black Lacquer Design

In this Black Lacquerdesigned space, Kelly Wearstlers trademark pattern brings real attitude to the subway tile. The tall height of the backsplash is definitely crucial in this case, as Wearstlers wall covering is made of grass cloth. Still, it proves that even a little bit of a bright pattern can make a major impact.

See more stories like this:
The Wallpaper Youre About to See Everywhere
Yes, You Can Wallpaper Your Rental
Bright and Unexpected Wallpaper Ideas for the Hallway