Kitchen decor: 135 photos of design in a modern style + interesting design ideas

What is decor

First, let's look at dictionaries.

Decor (from the Latin decoro - decency, compatibility) is a combination of elements that make up the external design of the interior.
And if we consider the French language, the word “decor” means “decoration”.

Active decor is associated with the very form and purpose of the structure. Passive decor is items brought in for decoration.

Kitchen decor, where to start

Before we start offering options and ideas for kitchen decor, let’s figure out where the decor can be used and look at photos of kitchen decor.

Conventionally, the kitchen can be divided for decoration purposes:

Active decor that extends to the kitchen walls, kitchen units, lighting, windows.
Passive decor, decorations brought into the kitchen, which can be located almost anywhere in the kitchen: on the walls, table, window sill, etc.

Before you start choosing decor you should:

Listen to yourself, to your household, listen to their ideas for kitchen decor.
Look through fashion magazines, study current design trends.
Determine the style of the kitchen.

If everything is clear with the first two points, then the style of the kitchen can dictate what decorative elements can, and sometimes need to be, added to it.

This rule applies especially strongly to the decor of the kitchen-living room.

From a design point of view, each interior style has its own decorative elements.

For example, a kitchen in the Provence style, light, slightly aged, asks to bring in jugs, pots, decorative dishes with Provencal patterns and herbs.
A kitchen in a modern style is functional and with an unusual combination of colors requires metallic-colored accessories, unusually shaped accessories, posters, and modern paintings.
A classic-style kitchen should contain porcelain dishes, flowers, various little things made of wood, mirrors, clocks, panels with still lifes.
Loft style requires glass jars and metal utensils.
Country style includes clay vases, wicker baskets, and chair cushions.

And such a style of kitchen decor as minimalism generally does not tolerate an abundance of accessories and decorative elements. A couple of glass vases will be enough.

Details

Decoration Materials

The impression of the room will be formed largely on the basis of what finishing materials are used, because this is the first thing that will catch the eye.

Please note that the best style for decorating a kitchen on a low budget would be minimalism, Scandinavian and loft. Simplicity in decor and finishing, the absence of any unnecessary things, is ideal for renovating a room for which a limited amount of funds has been allocated.

Floor

The most common and inexpensive floor covering is linoleum.

This is no accident, since this material has many advantages:
Durability - for example, linoleum of class No. 32 and No. 33 will last from 8 to 17 years.
Wear resistance and strength – the coating is resistant to mechanical damage and will not deform or be damaged when sharp or heavy objects fall. Perfect for apartments with pets.
Easy to maintain - linoleum coating is very easy to clean even from strong pollutants, such as red wine and beet juice.
High rate of sound and thermal insulation. there is no need to lay a heated floor under linoleum, and during operation it has proven itself to be a silent material.
A huge selection of textures and colors - many types of linoleum are currently available that can imitate the texture of stone, wood, tile or marble.
Simplicity of installation work - you can even lay linoleum with your own hands, and dismantling such a covering is also very simple.

It is interesting that the cost of linoleum will vary from 170 to 830 rubles, but for kitchens it is better to give preference to coatings whose price category is not lower than 390 rubles per 1 m2.

But, nevertheless, the coating also has certain disadvantages that should also be taken into account - the possibility of dents if heavy furniture is placed, the risk of deformation if installation is carried out on an uneven floor surface (this can lead to a decrease in service life).

Please note that modern linoleum flooring has no odor and does not wear down a couple of years after installation, but it does lead to mold appearing in the room if everything was laid in accordance with the technology.

Ceiling

So, to make a kitchen cheaply with your own hands, let’s look at some of the most inexpensive methods for finishing the ceiling:

Whitewashing (slaked lime or chalk). This option was the most popular in Soviet times, and still remains so even today. Although rarely does anyone whitewash ceilings these days, this option is the simplest and also the cheapest to implement, so you shouldn’t dismiss it.

It is not difficult to renew the whitewash, and this gives a good exchange of air. But the coating still has many disadvantages - it cannot be washed, it needs to be renewed frequently, it has poor resistance to temperature changes and changes in humidity levels, and it highlights the defects of an uneven surface.

If the ceiling was whitewashed with chalk, then the coating should be renewed with the same material; the same can be said about slaked lime. The two materials cannot be mixed!

Coloring. This option is more modern and practical. The coating in the form of water-based paint can be applied independently, especially since it is quite resistant to temperature and moisture, and the ceiling painted with this paint can be washed. However, there are also disadvantages - a short period of operation, the need to re-paint, even if cracks in the canvas occur in one place.
Wallpapering. This option is modern and inexpensive for finishing the ceiling. Wallpaper for the ceiling surface is not difficult to paste yourself; they can be washed and even replaced locally if damaged. But there are also disadvantages - the material is unsuitable if you are flooded by neighbors from above, a low level of resistance to moisture and temperature (there is a possibility that the material will diverge at the joints).

Important! For the kitchen, it is better to choose washable vinyl wallpaper, since if it gets dirty, you can wash it with soapy water or soap.

Patterned wallpaper that goes into the ceiling looks very bold, but for a budget option it is better to use plain colors.

Walls

How to cheaply renovate an apartment? The kitchen is a place where there is a high level of humidity, temperature changes, and there is a high probability of surface contamination with soot and grease. For this reason, you should choose the highest quality materials available to you for wall decoration.

Please note that painting or wallpapering walls can dramatically change the appearance and overall feel of a room. Even the usual white color helps make a room lighter, more spacious, and neater.

Wallpaper. The cheapest type of wallpaper is paper, but you should not be tempted by them because of their low cost, since they will be impractical for kitchens, and after a short period of time they will need to be updated, and this will be a waste of time and money. The best option would be to buy washable vinyl wallpaper, which is very durable, vapor-permeable, durable, easy to care for and can be painted.

Interestingly, there are even paper wallpapers on sale that have a special impregnation, due to which the service life is increased to 4 years. But keep in mind that they fade greatly from sunlight, and also quickly lose their previously presentable appearance.
To decorate the wall surface, it is recommended to choose discreet wallpaper with floral patterns. For the main wall decoration, you can choose a simple monochromatic option, and the area near the dining table can be emphasized using a strip of wallpaper with ornaments, as shown in the photo. Also, when choosing wallpaper, you should pay attention to the marking designation.

Dye. Painting walls in the kitchen is a relatively inexpensive, aesthetic, practical and durable finishing option. Acrylic wall paint will create a vapor-permeable, moisture-resistant coating that is extremely easy to care for. However, it is worth considering that if there are cracks and defects on the wall more than 0.2 cm thick, the paint will not be able to cover them, but will only emphasize them.

Painting the walls itself will not cost much, even on a budget, but preliminary work (such as leveling) can cost a huge amount. You can apply a design, ornament or pattern to a plain background, thereby making an original decoration for the room. To apply the design accurately and accurately, you should use stencils.

Apron

You can finish an apron cheaper using three main methods:

PVC film is an excellent solution as a temporary option. Among the advantages of the material are low cost, a large selection of colors and textures, and the ability to perform independent installation. However, if possible, the film should be replaced with more reliable and practical materials for decorating the work area.
PVC panels - in addition to the low cost of the material, there are many other advantages. Such panels are easy to maintain, resistant to moisture, able to withstand temperature changes, and durable. However, it is worth noting that they are not very resistant to mechanical damage and are also easy to scratch.
MDF panels - panels of this type will produce a moisture-resistant, durable coating for decorating a work area with a beautiful appearance. If necessary, the material can be easily replaced.

But there is a significant drawback, and this is the flammability of the material. For this reason, it is very important that the distance to the wall be maintained, and it is even better to use the material in kitchens with an electric stove, or give preference to fireproof materials, for example, finishing the wall with a sheet of stainless steel.

Kitchen decor ideas

Wall decor in the kitchen is the most common design technique.

In accordance with the style of the kitchen, the walls can be decorated with:

Wallpaper. Paper, vinyl, non-woven, acrylic. We will not talk in detail about the advantages of this or that type of wallpaper. The choice of color and pattern depends on the overall design of the kitchen.

Among the types of wallpaper, special attention should be paid to photo wallpapers with interesting large images and 3D wallpapers with a volumetric effect. Such wallpaper can become a very interesting element of the kitchen and stylish decor.

Stucco or decorative plaster. A very common and interesting element of wall decor in the kitchen. Stucco molding will look very interesting in a classic-style kitchen.
Vinyl stickers. Lately this has been a very common decorative technique. Moreover, you can stick this kitchen decor on the wall with your own hands. Motivational inscriptions or inscriptions on a kitchen theme will look very stylish. The variety of vinyl stickers gives you wide scope for realizing your ideas.
Chalk slates. They came into fashion relatively recently. The biggest advantage of this decor is that you can change the image many times. First, decorate the space with one picture, after some time the old picture is erased and a new one is drawn. Thus, you can not only draw pictures, but also write messages, create a daily routine and much more.

Pots from dishes

You cannot use old cracked dishes for their intended purpose - pathogenic bacteria accumulate in the chips and it is impossible to get rid of them. If you have a favorite cup or teapot that you don’t want to throw away, decorate an empty windowsill with it, planting an unpretentious plant or edible greens inside.

Kitchen set

Facades. Can become a decoration for the kitchen. Beautiful wood, original decorative films on the facades made of chipboard and MDF, chalk boards inside on the facade drawers. They give freedom of imagination and build the design of the entire kitchen.
Apron. You can use many materials to design an apron. There are tiles, stone, transparent glass that can cover ordinary wallpaper, laminate, decorative glass, MDF, PVC with various patterns, the list can be endless.

What options are in demand?

The following models are especially popular on the market: rectangular, corner and standard structures.

When square meters are not enough for large-scale work, the listed kitchens will be optimal for a narrow and cramped space.

Lighting

Decorative lamps. Decorative lamps will add coziness, make an accent or create a romantic atmosphere if you turn off the main lighting.
Backlight. LED lighting of interesting areas in the kitchen is also a decorative element. You can highlight a beautiful apron, or use lighting to create the effect of a floating ceiling or table.
Ceiling chandeliers and lamps. Interesting lamps are acceptable in modern style kitchens. Rich and chic chandeliers will complement classic or rococo style kitchens. Basket style lamps are suitable for country or Provence style. A variety of lamp designs allows you to choose them for any interior.

Slate surfaces

Designate a section of the wall or purchase a large photo frame to create a chalk board for writing on. Even a piece of plywood will do: you just need to sand it and apply the compound. On the board you can write menus like in a cafe, notes and wishes.

Making slate paint is very simple: you will need black acrylic enamel and a little dry building mixture - plaster or tile grout. Mix the ingredients well and cover the surface in two layers.

Window

Curtains. They can be completely diverse and can be divided into the following types:

Curtain length: short and long;
Types of curtains: curtains, Roman blinds, blinds, roller blinds;
Curtain material: tulle, organza, cotton, etc.
Curtain decor: lambrequins, drapes, etc.

Color solution: plain curtains, with a pattern, color combination.

Dishes

You can also practice your painting skills on boring white plates. This creativity is available to everyone - both experienced and novice decorators. Use the dotting technique to create the embossed effect in the form of ornaments, ready-made templates and acrylic paint, or ceramic markers.

Before painting, the surface must be wiped with alcohol, and the finished product should be secured with aerosol varnish.

Passive decor in the kitchen

Passive decor is kitchen decor that is easy to do with your own hands.

Mirrors will add airiness and a feeling of additional space to the kitchen.
Shelves are a great way to add decor to your kitchen. You can place jars of cereals, decorative plates, vases, baskets and much more on them.
Watch. A variety of designs and ideas to suit any design style.
Posters, panels, paintings. Must fit into the overall style of the kitchen. At the same time, they will be an excellent accent and a place to attract glances.
Flowers. A delight for the eyes, freshness and tenderness, and these are the sensations that kitchen decor with flowers will give. After all, almost every woman loves flowers. They can be artificial or live. In stylish pots or in beautiful bouquets standing in vases.
Wall decoration. Imagine an original wall decorated with different plates or voluminous flowers, decorative saucers or wooden cutting boards. The decor can be completely different.
Textile. It is present in the kitchen in completely different places: tablecloths, napkins, chair covers, pillowcases and other textile elements - all this can complement the kitchen decor and add the necessary accents.
Figurines, pots, decorative plates. These seemingly small items can be the finishing touch to your kitchen decor, giving you comfort and pleasing to the eye.

Style and design

Design of a stylish kitchen photo
For a modern kitchen, innovative materials are used, finishing work using glass, plastic and metal. Natural wood has always remained unrivaled.

Even in the limited space of a Khrushchev kitchen, an experienced designer manages to create a stylish room.

Referred to as a traditional epochal image, a stylish wooden kitchen whose design is perfectly combined with modern household appliances is capable of taking on a modern look. Thanks to noble wood, the kitchen space is filled with the cozy warmth of a home.

The furniture in a stylish modern kitchen is selected in strict geometric shapes. The ergonomic U-shaped arrangement of the furniture set promotes comfortable movement in space, even within small rooms. Modern built-in household appliances are visually hidden in special niches and do not clutter up the space.