Room Design
Kitchen Design
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Updated on 07/31/23
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When it comes to picking artwork for the home, most people focus on their main gathering spaces first. But once the living room, family room, and even the hallway are filled with beautiful pieces galore, you're not off the hook quite yet. After all, don't forget that artwork can truly shine in any room of the house! And this means that it's critical that you don't forget to display it in the kitchen, too.
While the kitchen is a largely functional space. it's also a highly trafficked one and is a place where friends and family frequently gather, meaning that it deserves a little bit of love. If you're going to spend mornings and evenings prepping dishes for the family and loading and unloading the dishwasher, you deserve to do so in a space that's aesthetically pleasing to you. Due to tiled backsplashes and large appliances, you may not necessarily have a ton of usable wall space available for framed pieces, but that's ok. A little art goes a long way, after all.
Note that artwork that hangs in the kitchen doesn't have to be food or drink related by any means. Sure, you can feel free to go that route if you're so inclined, but generally, the art pieces that you may be eyeing for other spots in the house will likely look just as great in your cooking space. Love vibrant colors? Great! Have a penchant for portraits? Bring it on. Below, we've rounded up 44 kitchens featuring fun art choices that will help you get inspired as you tackle your own space.
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Grab Those Plates
Plates are perfect to hang in the kitchen—decorative ones, that is! You don't want any old piece of dinnerware to be displayed on the wall, but if you're a collector or even recently inherited a beautiful set of china from a relative, consider featuring it prominently in your dining space as art.
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Go Splitsies
Make a visually engaging statement by displaying two split canvases that form a complete picture. This nautical image blends with the soothing off white walls perfectly. A triptych would also look lovely on a wall like this one.
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Display a Set of Prints
Maybe you're struggling with how to best fill a large, open wall space. If you happen to own a collection of prints that need to be displayed as a group, this is an excellent spot for them. Stick with coordinating frames and mats for a cohesive look.
Tip
If you're looking to save some cash, you don't need to shell out the big bucks for one-of-a-kind prints—framed pages from an old book or digital downloads can also look fantastic when placed in matching inexpensive picture frames.
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Mount a Mirror
Whether hung horizontally or vertically, a mirror will invite more sunlight into your kitchen and help the space appear larger. Go modern or vintage, just make the style you choose complements your overall kitchen design.
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Focus on the Fam
The kitchen is likely where your family spends the most time all together—so why not honor your loved ones in the form of a little gallery wall that features some of your precious moments together? Focus on your immediate crew or honor relatives living far away—you can feel like you're all gathered around the dinner table together!
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Pick a Theme
If you're unsure about the type of artwork you'd like to showcase in your kitchen, see if a common theme stands out among your pieces. Maybe you own a lot of artwork that features natural elements, or maybe you have a thing for vintage portraits. Here, landscape art adds lots of calm and color to this kitchen.
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Gather Together
Cluster cutting boards together on the wall, using nails to hang them. These pieces won't take up precious storage space, and they look pretty cool all grouped together! We give this an A-plus for being pretty and practical.
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Take a Trip
Celebrate your love for travel without leaving your own home. Pick a print that represents a favorite destination and allow it to do the talking, like this oversized piece of Empire State Building artwork does here.
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Or Reflect on a Journey
Alternatively, honor a favorite memory from a past trip by printing out a photograph you took while traveling and giving it a special place to shine in your kitchen. Utilizing your own is a wonderful way to tackle a blank wall and save money in the process.
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Go Bold
Craving some more color in the kitchen? A bold canvas is the way to go. Purchase one from an artist you love, or if you're feeling crafty, you can even grab some paint and go the DIY route.
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Spell It Out
Hang a sign on the wall that adds a bit of whimsy to your kitchen. Food related phrases like "eat" or "coffee" can be a bit overdone, but we love this vintage looking hotel sign hanging in the kitchen hallway.
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Try a Combo
We've already highlighted framed photos and plates as separate decor options above, but there's no reason that you can't opt for some of each! This fun half circle plate display adds lots of dimension.
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Pick Something Yummy
Make your love of certain foods known by choosing artwork that features drool-worthy meals. This combination has an ideal mix of sweet and savory choices, if you ask us!
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Think Petite
A petite art piece can look stunning above the oven, as we see in this space. We're all about unexpected design elements, and this definitely fits the bill. Just be sure it's not an original work that could be harmed by smoke and splattering oil.
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Hang Shelves
If you crave extra storage, opt to hang shelves that can be styled with trinkets galore. There's no reason that your favorite kitchen accessories can't double as art, after all.
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Think Abstract
Abstract art goes well with so many decor styles, whether your aesthetic leans modern, eclectic, or somewhere in between. This piece stands out in a mostly neutral kitchen.
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Show Off Your Smalls
Kitchen artwork doesn't necessarily need to be large to make an impact. If you have a few small pieces that are just begging to be hung up, consider grouping them together to better fill a wall. Don't worry whether frame shapes or colors differ—the look will be more collected that way.
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Combine Colors
If your kitchen features a few different dominant shades, look for artwork that features both of them. These beachy scenes touch on the copper from the light fixtures as well as the calming blue from the island.
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Make a Mural
Invite a new hue into your kitchen in the form of a painted arch or geometric mural, then tie things together with artwork that also features that shade. Here, green is a major go!
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Go Black and White
Black and white photographs of your little ones can easily be swapped out as they grow, making this another sweet, affordable art choice.
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Say Yes to Saturated
If your kitchen features saturated tones, let your artwork reflect that. A muted floral piece looks wonderful in this moody kitchen.
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Embrace Nature
Landscape art pieces are always a popular choice for the kitchen. Who doesn't want to stare at soothing scenery while cooking, after all?
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Grab Your Spoon
Basic pieces like kitchen utensils can definitely be made to look artful if they're hung intentionally and are aesthetically pleasing. In this space, gold serving utensils pop against marble walls.
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Install a Gallery Wall
While we most often see gallery walls in living rooms, they're A-ok to include in your kitchen design, too. This kitchen space spills over into an entertaining area, and the gallery wall can therefore be appreciated by people sitting in either space.
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Lean With It
Don't be shy about leaning artwork rather than hanging it up. Not every kitchen features walls that are easy to nail into, after all. Cluster a few frames together as seen here so that the setup looks intentional.
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Prop It Up
If your walls aren't nail-friendly but leaning art isn't quite your style, try a miniature easel. This one looks ultra sophisticated and can easily be moved around if you worry about damage while you're cooking.
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Get Quirky
Bring on the quirky art pieces if that's what you're feeling! You never know, a thrifted portrait above your dining table could lead to some pretty interesting dinner party conversation. We love the large gallery wall across the way from the table, too.
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Add a Portrait Light
Hang a portrait light above a special piece (or two) that's worthy of some extra attention. Bonus: It'll add a cool, museum-like quality to your space, too.
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Make It Mod
A modern black and white abstract piece is the perfect finishing touch to this sleek kitchen space. Just keep anything super luxe away from your food prep area—you don't want any tomato sauce splatters ending up on the canvas!
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Break Out the Baskets
Thin baskets and round trays look pretty on the walls and add textural interest, and they can easily be taken down and used as serving trays when it's time to entertain guests.
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Paint a Portrait
Or purchase one—we won't judge! Add a bit of intrigue and mystery to your kitchen table by hanging a picture of a face that stands out to you.
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Install a Photo Ledge
If you're someone who likes to redecorate and switch around your artwork frequently, hang a photo ledge and use that to display your frames of the moment. This makes it easy to transport artwork from room to room if you wish.
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Frame a Recipe
Go on, get a little sentimental! If you have a favorite family recipe that you'd like to feature in your space, pop the handwritten note card into a frame for all to admire. This is a great way to honor a relative whose cooking you always appreciated growing up.
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Paint an Accent Wall
Painting an accent wall will add tons of vibrance to your kitchen on its own. But if you're looking to go the extra mile, jazz it up with an arrangement of pretty plates. Don't hesitate to opt for another bold hue.
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Think Round
A round mirror adds interest above this oven space and reflects beautiful artwork in the background to boot.
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Be Neon
What's more fun that a neon light? This one has a sweet little message and fits perfectly between kitchen cabinets.
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Embrace Neutrals
Artwork doesn't need to be bold and bright to add style, though. If neutrals are more your thing, this setup is a great place to look for inspo.
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Double Up
Celebrate a love for neon signs by hanging one up and then opting for a neon sign inspired print to hang below. After all, you can't have too much of a good thing, right?
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Be Electric
Keep the retro kitchen theme going with artwork that is all about having fun. This trio of prints is full of electric hues.
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Honor Your Kiddos
Kids' drawings deserve lots of love, too! Create a wall full of little ones' masterpieces, like we see in this kitchen. Children will be oh so proud to see their hard work on display.
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Throw It Back
Throw it back to the good old days with a vintage soda fountain sign that will make you want to kick back with a rootbeer float.
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Be Cheeky
Your kitchen definitely deserves a bit of light-hearted artwork if that's your thing. This sign will make you–and guests—giggle.
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Catch the Travel Bug
Hang prints from favorite travel destinations in your kitchen for when you're experiencing a bit of wanderlust.
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Feature a Funny Face
Hang just one portrait or a whole wall of them—they're always bound to add tons of charisma to any room.