Decisions over kitchen paint colors or kitchen wallpaper ideas can often feel like they’ll make-or-break your entire space. Whether you’re gut renovating or just looking to update tired walls, the right kitchen paint and wallpaper ideas can instantly breathe new life into your kitchen.
The stakes might feel high, but don’t worry. The process of choosing kitchen paint colors or wallpaper can be less daunting than it sounds. First, your search will be so much easier if you hone in on a few color families — or specific wallpaper motifs — that you like so you can start imagining certain picks on your walls. That’s where sampling comes in, and you won’t have to go at this decorating phase alone, either.
DesignShop's convenient sampling platform allows you to explore kitchen paint ideas and wallpaper at the same time so you can find your perfect look in just a few steps. Before you get to sampling, though, these tips can help guide you towards something that will feel fresh and special in your cook space.
What Are the Perfect Wall Colors for a Kitchen?
When you’re looking for a high-impact and relatively low-lift way to transform a room, paint remains one of the most popular and versatile design tools that’s available. Selecting the right shade and finish, though, takes more than just picking your favorite color. You’ll want to think about how you want to feel in the kitchen as well as what kind of natural lighting the space gets and how that quality may shift during the day along with the sun. The perfect wall color for your kitchen essentially comes down to marrying what you gravitate towards on the color wheel with the lighting situation and the other design elements in the room.
Never judge a color by how it looks on a screen — you’ll want to sample it directly in your space and keep the rest of these guidelines in mind during your search.
Consider your lighting sources. Natural light brings out the vibrancy in any given hue, while artificial light can cast warmer or cooler tones. Always examine any paint colors you’re sampling under both types of lighting situations, especially if you’re one for using overhead lights during the day versus just at night.
Test before committing. Always test your top choices on the wall and observe how they look at different times of day, again to factor in how natural and artificial light will impact the color. Our Samplize Peel & Stick samples use real paint so you can have the utmost confidence in your final color choice, without dealing with messy sample paint pots .
Consider existing elements like cabinetry, flooring, and countertops. Your paint should either complement or subtly contrast these features—not clash with them.
Choose the right finish. In kitchens, satin or semi-gloss finishes are ideal. They’re durable, easy to wipe down, and resist stains better than matte alternatives.
Follow these principles, and your kitchen paint ideas will reflect both your personality and the practical needs of a busy cooking space.
Is Wallpaper or Paint Better for a Kitchen?
This one comes down to personal preference. Wallpaper in kitchens is no longer off-limits or seen as dated in the least. In fact, wallpaper is one of the most exciting ways to add character, pattern, and dimension to a space.
But before you go all in on a bold print or a given wallpaper material (think: grasscloth, vinyl, etc.), it’s important to think about where and how the wallpaper will be used. This will help you determine which wallpaper is most appropriate for kitchens. The good news is you have several options, each with their own set of pros and cons:
Vinyl and scrubbable wallpapers are a must for high-traffic areas. These materials are water-resistant, grease-resistant, and easy to clean—perfect for near stoves and sinks.
Textured vinyl wallpaper offers a high-end look while remaining practical. You can find designs that mimic a variety of materials without the delicate upkeep.
Porous or fabric-based wallpapers should be avoided near heat sources and in wet areas. These styles may discolor or peel over time, and they’re much harder to maintain.
Other Kitchen Paint Ideas
Your walls aren’t the only part of your kitchen that could use some help from a paintbrush. You can also paint the kitchen’s trim, ceiling, doors, and even inside a walk-in pantry (Bonus: All of these smaller paint jobs go well with wallpaper). But you may get the biggest return on your time and energy with a larger project, painting your kitchen cabinets.
What Color Should You Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Ask any designer this question, and the resounding answer will be absolutely—painting kitchen cabinets is one of the most transformative, budget-friendly updates you can make in a home. If your cabinetry is in good structural shape but looks dated or dull, a fresh coat of paint can make it look brand new.
If you’re wondering what colors are both timeless and stylish, these top paint colors for kitchen cabinets are a good place to start your search.
Deep Olive Green – Green has been having a major moment in interiors, thanks to the way it subtly references nature and reads almost like a neutral. Earthy and modern, olive green adds warmth in a space and pairs beautifully with brass hardware.
Dusty Blue-Grey – A calming tone like dusty blue-grey blends seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary kitchens and grounds a space with its soft, relaxing quality
Soft Clay or Terracotta – Terracotta paint adds an earthy, Mediterranean feel that's perfect for organic-look kitchens or Spanish style architecture.
Charcoal Black – Matte or satin black paint is still going strong, especially when contrasted with lighter walls or countertops. The resulting look is a very high-end designer kitchen look.
Warm White or Cream – For a timeless, fresh appeal, warm whites remain a top pick—especially when accented with natural wood or rattan textures.
Choose Paint and Wallpaper Samples from DesignShop
Still feeling unsure about which direction you want to go in your kitchen: Paint or wallpaper — or both? Explore DesignShop’s kitchen paint ideas and more to find the perfect paint or wallpaper for your kitchen so you’ll have a space that functions well and looks just as good.