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Need advice on kitchen with large wall

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

We moved into a much bigger home and im a horrible decorator. I need help with the kitchen and living room but for now…. my kitchen/dining room has a 18 foot long wall and i dont know what to do. Should i try and seperate the eating area from the kitchen or do pictures all the way across? Or some other type of decor? Would you do something above the cabinets or leave it blank? (There is no ledge) And lastly, should the decor kindof match if I did a abstract art in the living room? Any help would be appreciated!! I took pictures from different angles to help get an idea.


Edit: New to this platform so havent figured out if i can reply to each person yet… ao to answer a few questions- There is only about 3 feet from the wall to the countertop, 4 feet from the wall to the edge of the table not including the chair space, and 6 feet from the counter to the table. Yes, it is a hot tub that can be seen in the corner. Both glass are sliding doors but we use only one to go out to the pool area. (As well as another door from living room.)






Comments (48)

  • 5 years ago

    You can do photos or art across that big wall.
    I’d leave the space above the cabinets empty.
    Decor doesn’t have to match. And probably shouldn’t. It should coordinate tho
    :)

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks for the advice. Wondering if it should all be the same size pictures in a row.

  • 5 years ago

    I think your space would look nice with some faux beams, painted white.

    Along with pendant lights over the peninsula, where the sink is.

    I think a longer table, anchored with an area rug would fill the space nicely

  • 5 years ago

    It's hard to tell from the photo how much space there is between the dishwasher and the wall. If it wouldn't impinge on movement through the space and if you need more storage then perhaps some type of sideboard/hutch closer down the wall to the table area.

    I think part of the reason the wall stands out so much is because of its cool gray color when the flooring, cabinets and counters are all warm. A paint color more harmonious with the tans of those fixtures would not be as jarring and eye catching as the gray so that would be the first correction before art or furniture selection. No decor or art on the soffit.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I had thought about putting a hutch but unfortunatley there is only a little over 3 feet between the wall and the edge of the counter. The table is right at 4 feet from the wall but i think that would still be a tight squeeze. Thanks for the suggestions though. :)

  • 5 years ago

    I'd be tempted to do a colorful/cheerful piece of art over where the trashcan is, and then have a hutch of some kind for storage and color to divide the kitchen from the dining area visually. Then you don't need a crazy gallery wall, but maybe just something small between the hutch and door.


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    You could even set it up as a little coffee station!

  • 5 years ago

    A hutch would be great, maybe on the wall but in between the table and island if it wouldn’t make a pinch point with either. Also agree with above that wall paint looks too blue/gray. Go creamy white.

  • 5 years ago

    Unless you plan to demo the kitchen and start over, the gray is the wrong paint color. Re-think that first. If you like them and have stuff to display, and don't mind the maintenance, open shelving could work on that wall.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Just to gather info about your home - how much outdoors do you want to bring inside? green colors, natural... I can almost picture trending tropical leaves.

    Opposite the long wall is that a patio/hot tub?

    Or like this --

    My Houzz: Moody Wall Treatments and Eclectic Style in Austin · More Info


    Danielle Fitzgerald thanked everdebz
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    tossing ideas... sold in other colors

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  • 5 years ago

    Personally, from my computer view, I don't mind the wall color.

  • 5 years ago

    I would keep it simple and just add a very large rectangular piece of art centered on the very large wall. Pick one that brings in all your colors from the kitchen to the dining area.


    I would not add anything else, nothing above the cabinets, just the one piece of art.


    I would not add an area rug under the table. This looks like a very active area off the pool and a table you use every day. Much easier to clean if there is no area rug.


    Please post an after picture, when you decide how to decorate your home.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Lucky I saw your edited initial post -- but anyway... seeing a wonderful amber counter reminds me of this photo and comment about it: "Gray, golden tan and white create a restful and serene bedroom space. I’m loving those gorgeous amber lamps. They look totally elegant surrounded by gray walls."

    A dark dining table, to me makes amber-tan counter even more earthy/ organic - is that your vision?

    If wall has colorful added on it, might be just fine... so pay no attention! ;)

    Do you want posts about colors we think about?

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  • 5 years ago

    I have another one similar -- their neutrals included textured pillows, and sheen of furniture, etc.... Do you like art on tempered glass? probably not enough 'safe space' for it...

    Media Room Glamour · More Info


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    This is small room, stenciled. If you found a way to wallpaper, to stencil, etc... it could 'make a statement' - leaving a few feet of empty drywall around it, on all 4 sides. Hang 3 pieces of contrasting art.


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  • 5 years ago

    If wallpaper could be mounted on ? called posterboard, and framed with wood trim - could place on the wall - the first photo's look is contemporary/ artsy?

    the second photo's pattern is chosen to ? be major focus, with solid sofa....

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  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Say you had a stripey wall like this -- I'm trying to think of shelves or something to add depth, etc.. but there's not much space. I wonder about tiny art shelves randomly hung at stripes...

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  • 5 years ago

    Thanks so much to all the suggestions! I really do like the big art with textile. The grey was the color of the walls when we moved in and honestly loved them at first because ive always had plain white walls. I wondered if the reason it looks so off is because my color of my table is opposite of the counter and cabinets. My living room hasnt been decorated yet either though. I was going to actually post it as well once I figured out something with the kitchen.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I know you didn't ask about wall color, but to my eye that is the thing throwing off the look of your room the most. You can of course add some pretty artwork or a hutch or open shelves to use that space as you need/want. But I'd also consider a better color for the space. The grey isn't bad, but seems much too cool for the warmth of your counter and floor. It has more blue undertones. If you like grey and it works for you, you may consider a grey with green undertones- a warm or taupey grey- look at Valspar's Rocky Cliff or Gilded Linen. Another color that may work is Valspar's Winter in Paris. It is a greyed down pale aqua green. It is cool but still quite neutral.

  • 5 years ago

    thanks for the paint color suggestions. my next question is if I decide to paint, would i need to paint the connecting rooms the same color? I ask because of this wall.. see attached picture. Technically its part of the living room wall.


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I can't determine where that photo was taken...

    What does this mean to you: "color of my table is opposite of the counter and cabinets" ?

    I've seen stenciling, also accent tiles on empty side - maybe for the 1 vertical surface, under counter?

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Gotta gather info into 1 post:

    18' wall

    3' between wall and edge of counter.

    Table is 4' from wall - hutch a tight squeeze.--------------

    ---------- seems the area has little detail/ architecture, so it might not be overdone to place .. maybe 3 same-sized something on wall. And idk but could have 2 or 3 feet empty drywall on sides of it.

  • 5 years ago

    let's imagine your dining set, sorry! under patio cover... to repeat 'cool' of s.steel and paint -- a new set could have contemporary chrome, or satin nickel type.

  • 5 years ago

    Your counter is neither white or black, but medium, and that's ok. Here's a blend idea;

    vidaXL 7 Pieces Solid Acacia and Mango Wood Dining Table Set Kitchen Furniture · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    The photo was taken from my sink facing the living room.. back was toward the large wall.


    I meant that table legs are a dark brown and the cabinets are light brown… the table top is a dark brown and black granite and the kitchen counter is a light brown granite. Im thinking maybe a lighter table would look more cohesive. i would love if there was a way to turn my current table into a fire pit for the backyard or repurpose it in some way.


    I have so much that needs to be done its a bit overwhelming since I am horrible at decorating. I love my new home and am extremely grateful but its stressful because im so confused about several rooms.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Browns aren't necessarily incompatible. It's good if less less dark dining set could make it more cohesive like you said. I can't tell if there is sufficient lighting [cause set looks drab].

    I'm not pro either. :) but your creative idea to repurpose granite is fab... maybe a coffee table... They say, "every room can have a bit of black." somehow cut to the size?! ... or you might pursue outdoor use.... why not..

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Many say that paint color is chosen last because there are endless colors. Sunlight into the room matters, to be considered during choice of color palette...and what's use of the room, and night lighting. Does the open area seem dark even during day? Painting seems ahead of time.

  • 5 years ago

    I had one thought pop into my head when I saw your wall: ”What a lovely room. Too bad somebody painted it gray.”

    If you decide to paint, paint over ALL the gray. Your house is done in warm tones and that gray is exactly opposite.

  • 5 years ago

    Place grey background on gray wall, and choose color that's also good with beige/tan, and you're ok. These citrus group of colors goes with floor...


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  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    https://www.houzz.com/magazine/color-combos-gray-and-beige-stsetivw-vs~678152

    Houzz is great resource - "gray and beige - See how the artwork ties both neutrals together." It's not as common, and it's understated.


    dakota · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    I should have probably turned the light on in the pictures. They were taken about an hour before sunset and it was cloudy so not a ton of light that day but otherwise its normally pretty light.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Top is black, but the pattern includes a brown, yes? Possibly the chairs need a lightening - are chair covers an idea?

  • 5 years ago

    A large hutch or bar

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    With current set, and lively art -- counter stools gotta have color ?!


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  • 5 years ago

    One piece of art. Something you like to look at.


  • 5 years ago

    ive never used covers before but wouldn’t mind to try it.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Does your home have leather and textures, etc. Maybe this organic look? 1st quite dark...


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  • 5 years ago

    Easy set of neutrals, and looks like a nice place. The tallest one is 40" -

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  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Obviously, I have time to do this. Your bowl- platter on table - if you want a simple, contemporary, you could hang 3 of these 'sister pieces' -

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  • 5 years ago

    My living room has red/brown leather furniture. But in my kitchen, just thr leather chairs. Still trying to decide for the living room as well. lol

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Gallery wall - a mix of shapes and sizes:

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  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Might make sense to start direction for LR also - to bring colors together? - accessories, art, etc. Nice to be able to move them from room to room sometimes.

  • 5 years ago

    I don't think you need to paint the living room and kitchen walls the same color. You can probably switch colors at the inside corner depending on the balance of the rooms and if the two colors flow nicely together.