Decorating the space above the dining table is an important and even necessary process. Without decor, the dining set can look orphaned and dull, while the right accessories will transform it. This article explores how to stylishly, modernly, and affordably decorate the wall in the dining area.
General Rules
Any wall decor is at eye level, so it immediately attracts attention. Therefore, it’s essential to choose it with special care.
Here are some general principles to remember:
- Decorations should be proportional to the room’s dimensions. Too large in a small space will look cumbersome, too small will get lost.
- The brighter the contrast between the finish and what’s on the wall, the more it draws attention to the room’s real dimensions. Therefore, in a small kitchen or living room, it’s better to avoid overly contrasting decor.
- Vertical lines visually stretch the walls upwards, horizontal lines downwards. Use this to create a sense of a higher ceiling or visually adjust proportions.
- All hanging items must be securely fixed to avoid falling onto the table.
- Decorations should fit into the overall concept and echo in color or shape with other interior elements, especially if you decide to decorate the wall with your own hands.
Kitchen or Living Room
How to decorate the wall above the table depends on where it is.
Not always is the dining set placed where cooking happens: often, the small area does not allow it, or there’s a preference to gather at the table in the general living room.
Here are some nuances to consider depending on where the wall you will decorate is located:
- The kitchen is a room with high humidity. In addition to this, the cooking zone constantly experiences temperature fluctuations and quickly gets dirty. So, decorations should be suitable for these conditions. That means, at a minimum, they should be made of moisture-resistant materials that are easy to clean.
- The second point is rational use of space. If the kitchen is critically short of space, it’s better to choose functional decor for the dining area.
- In the living room, you can pay more attention to aesthetics. Decorations will help visually emphasize the area and set accents. For this room, any accessories and decorating methods that match the overall style are suitable.
Decor Ideas
There are various ways to decorate the wall above the dining table. Here are the simplest and most universal ones.
Paintings and Posters
Let’s start with the classics. Paintings and posters are the first things that come to mind when thinking about how to decorate the wall in the kitchen above the table. And there are different ways to compose them.
One Item
The most common mistakes are choosing the wrong size of the image and incorrect placement. These are easy to avoid.
The size of the painting should be at least half the length of the table (measure when it is folded, if it’s foldable). Then it will look harmonious and not stand out from the overall style. But remember that in small rooms, small paintings are still better as they don’t distort the room’s proportions. However, there are intentional design decisions: for example, decorating a small room with a very large work to achieve such a shift.
Large images are better appreciated from a distance. So, if you like a large work, consider the size of the kitchen. It’s also easy to determine the place: the most comfortable is slightly above eye level. To estimate how the picture will look on the wall, take a sheet of paper and cut a piece of the size you need. Attach it to the surface and carefully secure it.
There are almost no rules for choosing an image! See how appropriate it will be in this interior. For example, the classic style hardly accepts abstraction, while in Scandinavian, it’s better to play realism with an unusual frame or a couple more images on the same theme. If space allows, add live plants. You can put a vase for bouquets in the same color scheme or a planter on the floor.
To avoid damaging the finish, use adhesive strips. This is a simple and safe method of attachment without drilling.
Two or Three Paintings
This is a good option for both small and large kitchens. Only the size of the paintings and the distance between them change. You can choose a ready-made diptych or triptych, or different images.
When placing them, consider that if arranged horizontally, they will widen the room, and vertically, they will elongate it. Also, don’t forget about a unifying element: the canvases should be of the same size, in similar frames, or at least have a unified theme, so the entire composition looks cohesive.
Gallery
A favorite technique in Scandinavian, contemporary, and eclectic styles is to have multiple paintings that together form a gallery.
What’s important to consider:
- The drawings can be united by a theme: for example, you can collect various still lifes. Or by color — this is more challenging but very effective.
- It’s not necessary to frame images in identical baguettes, but this should be considered in the context of your interior. In more relaxed rooms, different frames look great.
- It’s better not to mix drawings and photographs. Try to stick to one technique: for example, only collect graphics or paintings.
- It’s easiest to design a wall when you already have a set of images. Then you can estimate their size and plan the composition. If you’re just starting your collection, before hanging a poster or picture on the wall, definitely consider how it will look in that spot.
- It’s simpler to create a symmetrical composition or one from images of the same size. However, an asymmetrical arrangement will add dynamism and movement to the room.
Mirror Above the Table on the Wall
This option is not for the superstitious, but it looks fresh and unusual. Suitable for decorating the wall both in the kitchen and in the living room.
Besides the aesthetic component, there’s a practical aspect: in small rooms, a reflective surface can visually enlarge the space. However, the mirror can also be symbolic, then all attention will be focused on its design.
If you’re not afraid of such a technique, use not only the classic round model in a frame, but also, for example, a mosaic or panel. If you want to hang a mirror close to the cooking surface, pay attention to heat-resistant glass: it withstands high temperatures. And in such a case, consider that it will need frequent cleaning and wiping from traces of grease and food.
A whole mirrored wall from floor to ceiling can transform a small room. For example, as done in this mini-studio project.
Shelves
If you love functional decor or don’t have much space, you can decorate the wall in the kitchen above the table with open shelves.
They fit almost any interior, but it’s important to choose them in the right style. And to make them look stylish and neat, just follow a few rules:
- If you want to place various cereals, salt, and pepper on the shelves, choose identical containers for storage — this adds coziness and style.
- Instead of regular shelves, you can use hooks or, for example, a cute box to store scissors, knives, and other tools.
- On the shelves, you can also arrange paintings — an option for those who want to periodically change the location of the works.
- Don’t be afraid to combine shelves with other decor, clocks, or, for example, posters. Such a combination looks great.
Clocks
Another classic way to decorate the wall above the dining table is to hang a clock. Both beautiful and practical.
And to make it look modern, choose minimalist models without special decorations. The size of the clock face depends on the area of the room and the wall itself. The larger it is, the bigger the clock can be. If the accessory is large and accentuates itself, it won’t require any additional decorations.
Plates
Perhaps one of the most charming approaches. Plates are becoming relevant decor again, with the difference being that they are now true elements of interior design, rather than just tourist souvenirs.
- The plates can be different colors, shapes, and sizes. However, in this case, they must be executed in a unified style. For example, Baroque porcelain will not blend well with bamboo.
- An interesting technique in minimalism aesthetics is to paint plates in the color of the walls. Then their silhouettes will only slightly stand out against the background.
- Plates can be fixed directly to the wall, using shelves, or even a hanging cabinet. The latter option is the simplest as you can change the decor at your discretion.
Finishes
Finally, the decoration of the wall can be not only traditional decor but also an unusual accent finish.
Suitable options include:
- Textured decorative plaster with a rough relief.
- Wallpapers with bright patterns or thematic panels.
- Lettering or stencil color painting.
- Authentic or decorative brickwork.
- Wall panels that mimic natural materials (wood, marble, onyx, stone).
If the dining set is located in the living room, you can choose such finishes based solely on aesthetic considerations. However, for the kitchen, the moisture resistance and easy maintenance of the materials are important. For example, paper and textile wallpapers will definitely not be suitable. Instead, you can use washable non-woven or fiberglass wallpapers for painting.
Leave feedback about this