Create a kitchen feature wall for your interior design

A feature wall in your new kitchen may just be the thing you’re missing from your interior design. Read our tips on how to include a decorative wall design to maximise the space – the best kitchen products in your home will look even better.

Feature walls in kitchens often invite strong reactions - they either appeal or they don't. From designer Megan Longin's perspective, they occupy a niche in complementing kitchen design. "The more minimal the design, the less colour I use," she says. "Good architecture speaks for itself. Colour can be used to emphasise the architecture or add interest - sometimes it can also make an average design great."

Designing your kitchen makeover

So how do you decide which wall in the kitchen to feature? "Usually it's the most dominating wall - the first one you see in the space," says Megan. But it's not as easy as just picking the biggest one. "People don't always agree on which wall has maximum impact, and every room is different.”
"For example, if you have a long, narrow kitchen, choose the longest wall as a feature will make the space feel even longer and narrower."

Choosing the right kitchen colours

There's no guarantee that a feature wall will work in your kitchen, but if you can trust interior designer instinct and experience, success is likely. "If you're afraid of using colour, natural textures and tones can be grouped instead," Megan suggests. "This has the same effect as a single bold colour and is often more interesting."
It's essential to tie in a kitchen feature wall with other colours in your home. "It's always the intention of the designer to integrate the colour scheme," Megan says. "If your kitchen adjoins another room, it's wise to use a colour consultant who'll provide an overall scheme."

Painting surfaces with the same textures

In her work, Megan introduces many different textures and tones within two colours. "Vertical surfaces can be played up in one colour with horizontal surfaces in another," she explains. "I suggest colour according to what clients have in mind, what they want from the space and what sort of aesthetic they're after, for example, contemporary or traditional. I also get hints from what the client is wearing!"

Using the right materials on the kitchen feature wall

Paint, wallpaper, fabric, natural timbers and laminates can all be used for kitchen feature walls, but keep in mind that specific heat clearances apply for wallpaper behind cooktops. New acrylic materials that look like a glass splashback can give a reflective nature to the wall, and wall panelling in glass, timber or fabric is becoming a popular alternative to slab colour.
However tempting, don't pick up a magazine to decide on your kitchen feature wall colour. Enlist the help of a professional and judge each room on its own merits in terms of structure, lighting and surrounding colour.

Contact an interior designer and discuss ways to create your kitchen feature wall: