Wallpaper in the Kitchen: Is It a No or a Go?

Becky Harris As long as it's specially treated/coated like the paper in the first photo, I say why not? Another look I'm really liking in the kitchen is tiling the whole wall in a way that looks kind of like wallpaper.

scarbowcow I like what a friend did that's along these lines, but perfect for the timid or for renters who aren't allowed to paper or change paint colors. Her kitchen is tiled on all four walls up to about shoulder height (common in this part of Europe) with cabinets up to the ceiling above that. There's no place for wall-paper, but she has two south-facing windows that can get a bit too much sun in full summer. She put in roller shades in a wall-papery daisy print that has a cheerful, surprising brightness in her otherwise earth-toned and neutral kitchen. When she rolls down the shades on a summer afternoon, it's like rolling down a smile. And if she doesn't like it one day, easy enough to change for another pattern or no pattern at all.

I definitely do NOT have the courage required for the second-to-last picture (and I'm afraid I'd get tired of it quickly if I did have the guts to do it). But I could go with a roller shade in that flamboyent floral design, to roll out the wow-factor when I want it and hide it away before it begins to feel like too much.

vealdesign It's possible that the accent wall in photo 5 is actually covered in tile, not paper. I hope this is the case- if so, it is very clever to turn things on their head a bit by putting a traditional Spanish tile up the wall, but not on the floor, in a contemporary kitchen. This tiny kitchen (European location?) is very well done.

Traci Rolz I wouldn't use wallpaper as a backsplash, but rather using it on plain walls to dress up the kitchen.

Wendy Keyes A wallpaper back splash is terrific! The one we chose for our tiny kitchen's remodel, looks like stone and is scrubable (if necessary). Visitors are surprised to learn that it isn't real stone. Using wallpaper allows you to change your colours and decor very economically and can add as much zip to your space as you like.

nmontella The same wallpaper would look great on the matching arch opening at the far end of the kitchen.

dbruna I have wall paper in my kitchen and I highly recommend not doing it. It is pretty, but impractical.

lorirobinson Stenciling would seem to be a better option depending on where it's located in the room. You can use eggshell or satin which is durable and washable, then paint right over it when you've tired of it instead of having to scrape, peal, and repair your sheet rock after ripping it off. I have never removed wallpaper anywhere I've lived that I didn't have to repair the wall underneath, even when proper prep steps were taken upon application. :)

jazzym I guess I have not moved on since when purchasing our home having to remove all of the "personal stamps" (wallpaper) from the previous owner - what a huge messy job!!! Some of it is beautiful but not easily changed back to paint when you sell or just get tired of it!

Kathryn Peltier Design I have to say, I am not a fan of wallpaper in the kitchen. There is so much opportunity to use a great tile (and I, too, like doing the hood wall in a patterned tile), and there is so much going on in a kitchen anyway, that I think wallpaper just "busies" is up too much. I love color and pattern generally, but that pink rose wallpaper would give me am immediate headache!

monkeygirlm The more modern papers look amazing in your kitchen photos. I have to say that I am a pretty messy cook, but I rarely manage to splatter all the walls in my kitchen so I think if you can wipe the paper down, there's no reason not to use it. Our kitchens are becoming so boringly white, the paper punch is really a great idea. It can also be easier to get papers down (different adhesives) now so there's more reason to use them.

Casart Coverings Great examples and comments. What if there was a wallpaper that looked like tile and could be wiped down and removed and reused? There is. We recommend using Faux Glass Mosaic Tile wallcovering on walls beyond the kitchen as well. If you like your base paint color, there is Casart Clear that allows your base paint color to show through as the grout.

ahemmer I just wallpapered the area behind my stove with so 1950s wallpaper, covered with thin replacement glass from a box store, mounted with mirror clips. Guess I'll see how it holds up!

ahemmer Still building (new and salvaged materials), so ignore all of the patching and half-finished things, but here's the wallpaper covered by thin glass. We have such an open plan, that I didn't have a way to naturally stop the wallpaper anywhere...but I really wanted some of it in my kitchen! (Another possibility is tin, still in progress in pic.)

tiger28 i just spent the better part of a week taking down wallpaper in my kitchen --what a nightmare--i had a very bold floral pattern (like the second to last photo) and while i loved it for a couple years i have been sick of it for the last six. i want nothing than plain painted walls now...

sanna63 I think definitely a no.

mysimidog I have had the same wallpaper in two different kitchens and would never give it up. It warms up the space and makes it much more like another room, and not so utilitarian. Sage green background with cabbage roses... Love it. My style follows the magazine Romantic Homes, so it wouldn't be for everybody.

llbecknell In the last photo I would have wrapped the wall paper around into the arch, like tile.

Cheryl D & Company I love wallpaper for kitchens and all rooms. We just did a whole wall in my new showroom that looks like rippling water. Very retro now for today's new hot styles. Would like to see prints from Jack Denst be revived for reprint or inspiration.

D. D. O'Kelley All of these examples are terrific! Of course, wallpaper in the kitchen is a GO. Most wallpaper is vinyl coated and is washable and the heavier vinyls are scrubbable. I have used brick and tile patterned wallpapers as backsplashes for economical alternatives to tile. Wallpaper has changed tremendously over the last 7-10 years. Many companies make "easy up" type papers, eco-friendly papers and peel and stick decals and papers. Any wallpaper is much easier to remove if installed correctly using sizing/primer and the correct paste.

wandm Some of these are nice, but overall, I am not big on wallpaper. Except for grass cloth which I love.

alicefaz I wallpapered my kitchen in a distressed wallpaper that looks like old cracked, stained plaster. I love it!

elisaspence Wallpaper is making a great comeback!

terreelroush yuck!

petersen1 wow to most of them.

Pristine Decor Big NO! Just maybe the Wood Wallpaper.

Barbara Purdy - Purdy & Associates Design Let's face it. When you add wow to a room, be it tile, wallpaper, a splashy counter top or colorful cabinetry, eventually...you will tire of it. Our taste (as well as fashion) are ever evolving, so why not make the most of it and have some fun. Good design will last a long time. Something that adds the right visual weight, adds balance and color or means something to you will not go out of fashion quickly if it is right for the space, your space.

carolwilliamson The rooms are awesome and my husband will be very happy to see wallpaper on the upswing again. He is a painting and papering contractor...one of the best in the Lehigh Valley. I met him in my brother's kitchen 17 years ago. He was on a ladder hanging paper. It was love at first sight. By the way, the wall paper is still on those walls after all these years.

Kim Case Photography Definitely not a fan of the looks but I admire the creativity!

Leslie Jeffers_Marlin Wallpaper works for me in a kitchen. I added photos of my kitchen and sun room. After 5 years or so, I still love how warm the area feels. This house was a cracker box build with nothing but white walls when we moved in. Added all of the trim work, paper and paint along with tile floors, fabrics and new appliances. Still needs a few more upgrades but it's a fun journey!

renodaisy No go. Please be a little more creative and throw the wallpaper in the trash. It may look exciting the day it goes up but a few months later, no so hot:)

Rio Brewster Unless you are going for a period look I would say no on wallpaper. Anywhere.

Usually I don't decorate for resale - but I've never seen wallpaper as positive feature. Laughably awful in most cases. The only ones here that would not send me screaming for door are woods and the neutral william morris one. And those were used in very small doses.

I do like the idea of a bold print on shades though.

Pam Jadwick As an alternative redoing the ceiling drywall, we wallpapered our kitchen ceiling with paintable paper that looks like the old stamped tin pattern. It turned out fabulous!

joa63 Wallpaper used to be very stylish and was used everywhere. I'm now taking down the kitchen wallpaper for resale reasons, (and it was very subdued.) What a job! And what a shame that the fashion "experts" have made it undesirable almost sight unseen.