Photography by Emily Minton Redfield
From tile floors to marble countertops, hard surfaces are found all over most kitchens. To soften the look, consider using wallpaper, which also lends personality, pattern, and color, says Lee.
Wallpaper, more so than paint, adds dimension, and is less expensive than tile. Lee suggests vinyl and washable wallpapers, which are available in an array of styles from chinoiserie to textures resembling those of leather and wood.
Apply wallpaper to the back wall of a glass-front cabinet or on the walls between open shelves. Be mindful of scale, Lee warns. Take time to determine whether there’s enough wall space for a patterned wallpaper to make visual sense. “If you have small strips of wall around your upper cabinetry, you may want to use a small pattern with a little color, or a textured paper,” she says.
Avoid paperweave wallpaper, which is uncoated, flocked paper with a raised design made of tiny fibers, and hand-painted wallpaper, both of which are porous and will absorb moisture and stains. If you do decide to use a delicate paper, particularly near a sink or stove, “have a sealer, or clear acrylic panels, applied to the paper to add another layer of protection,” Lee says.
Wallpapers are available in various lengths, widths, and repeats. Before making your purchase, ask a professional installer to measure your space. “Measuring is a fairly detailed, complex process with a lot of math involved,” says Lee. Once the paper arrives, have the installer prep and prime the walls before hanging it. Walls must be absolutely smooth and devoid of texture.
The look and feel of wallpaper can turn these rooms into spaces homeowners love. “Wallpaper feels special, intentional, and beautiful,” says Lee. “It elevates the space and the experience of being in your kitchen.”
