No matter how much you like a certain wallpaper, putting it in your new kitchen may be a mistake. The same is true of fabric. If you use any type of paint, wallpaper or fabric that doesn't clean easily, everyday wear and tear may ruin your investment.
Even if you are meticulous at cleaning, steam, dust, grime and grease can accumulate in a kitchen. Moisture can trap mold, mildew and germs. Newer wallpaper, wallpaper glues and fabrics are designed to withstand the heat of a kitchen, and some come with a product called "mildewcide." Make sure as you design your kitchen that you build in enough ventilation to prevent as much potential damage to your decor as you can.
Before choosing wallpaper, paint or fabric, take a close look at adjoining rooms. Your kitchen decor patterns should not clash with any rooms in sight. If there are differing patterns, match the color. Or pick a color that runs through all the rooms and pulls them all together. Busy and bold prints make a large room seem more comfortable.
Most people combine patterned wallpaper with more traditional kitchen decor and cabinetry. Light colors make a room look bigger; dark ones bring the walls in toward the middle. By choosing wallpaper in a kitchen that matches a tablecloth or chair coverings in the eat-in area, you can create better design flow in both areas.
