We live in a time of great technological change. Almost every object or service has been redesigned, and retooled thanks to scientific and technological development and made better. This revolution has encompassed the entire spectrum of human existence, including the arsenal in the hands of interior decorators. The humble wallpaper is no exception, with new material and processes producing models with characteristics once unthinkable. Kitchen and bathrooms used to be no go areas for cellulose-based wall coverings. Vapour, fumes, water droplets of food in the air would wreak havoc on its delicate surface. This is no longer the case as a new generation of vinyl-coated wallpapers is now able to withstand almost anything you can throw at them. They are resistant to humidity, are robust and can be wiped clean with a sponge. For this reason, these the special vinyl-coated wallpapers can be used not only on walls but also on ceilings and all kinds of objects, even in household appliances.
The kitchen has often been seen as a utilitarian, practical space, where things get done, with little care for its look, besides the standard furniture one expects to find there. Luckily, this is set to change.
Available on the market are vinyl-coated wallpapers with gastronomic motifs and phrases that are associated with food and that will not only give a fresh and different touch to the kitchen, but will also stimulate your desire to cook and experiment.
Choosing a kitchen wallpaper
These vinyl-coated wallpapers boast extraordinary designs, that will allow you to give not only depth and colour to the walls, but also create a space in the kitchen made to measure. One of the big advantages is that, in order to create a sense of change, you don’t have to invest big bucks to redesign the kitchen from scratch. The right wallpaper design allows for a beautifully decorated kitchen, swapping your monotonous and boring walls for fun and motivating images.
There is a plethora of designs available, some reproducing food, other in imitation of materials such as wood or tiles, or design with abstract motives and inspirational quotes. Vinyl wallpaper can help to change the perception of your kitchen, adding depth and breadth if it is small, but if on the contrary is very wide and you want to give a touch of warmth, there are also special designs for it.
If you decide for a wallpaper, the first thing you should do is to look at your existing furniture and pick a colour from its palette that would complement it. It doesn’t need to be the same colour, sometime a break is useful to create contrast, but it should not be a clash. After all you are going to spend a lot of time in this room and you need colour harmony.
In modern kitchen redesign projects, it is very common nowadays to choose a feature wall to be highlighted it with wallpaper, painting the others with a monochromatic colour. This is especially important if you choose a paper model with strong patterns, which will thus become a kind of artwork on the wall. In this case, it is advisable that the remaining walls are painted with a colour tone that matches that of the kitchen furniture you have chosen. If you prefer something more sober instead, then the choice can be extended to two or more walls. Obviously, the characteristics of the kitchen itself -size, light, ceiling height…- play a key role.
For example, if the kitchen has several windows or windows, hollows or rounded walls, maybe you should consider a more suitable alternative for that wall, as it will not benefit from all the advantages that a kitchen wallpaper can have. It is always better to choose a wall free of elements so that the wallpaper motif you have chosen looks better.
What to take into consideration?
There are a few points you want to take into consideration before starting:
- Which wallpaper to choose for the kitchen?
As we said before, not all wallpapers are suitable for a wet environment like the kitchen. Make sure you pick one that is coated with vinyl
- Choose quality
Don’t be tempted in saving a few bucks by buying a cheap model in a discount shop. It is the wall you will be facing for years to come, make sure it reflects quality. Also you don’t want to have to redecorate next year because a cheap wallpaper colour is fading quickly.
- Check if it’s easily washable
Kitchen wallpapers should be rated for cleanability. Make sure the one you pick can be easily cleaned with a wed spond and a mild detergent.
- Pick the right glue
If you are installing it yourself, make sure you buy the appropriate glue. Non all pasting glues are the same. It is therefore always a good idea to buy the one recommended by the company that sells you the wallpaper you desire.
Fortunately, there are now countless models sealed by a vinyl coating that prevents moisture and allows the wallpaper to be cleaned simply with a damp cloth. The new wallpapers, designed exclusively for kitchens, are capable of resisting both humidity and heat, so they can also be used near the hotplate. Have fun redecorating.
