The Zero Stress Guide to Kitchens

Decorating your kitchen

Top tips

• Choose paint and wallpaper designed for use in kitchens
• Keep units neutral and introduce colour on walls
• Light colours brighten a kitchen that lacks natural daylight

Once you have decided on the flooring, cabinets and worktops you need to choose wall coverings – usually tiles and paint, sometimes wallpaper.

Splashbacks will usually be comprised of tiles unless you have gone down the stainless steel, glass or Corian route. Similarly, tiles are the usual choice behind hobs and worktops. The choice is phenomenal in terms of colour and you will also have plenty of options regarding size and texture. Remember to use – or to specify, if you’re in the fortunate position of having someone to do the work for you – grout that is resistant to heat, dirt and water.

Paint is the cheapest and fastest way to transform your kitchen, with wallpaper more expensive but offering greater opportunity to express your individuality. Always be sure to choose paint and wallpaper that are designed for kitchen use as they will be more resistant to humidity as well as easier to clean.

As a general rule it makes sense to keep permanent fixtures like cabinets a fairly neutral tone and introduce contrasting colours on the walls. You can always refresh the room with a lick of paint – it is easier and cheaper to change the wall colour than the units!

If your kitchen lacks natural daylight keep wall colours light and add those vital splashes of colour with accessories instead.