Picture of LaTonya Yvette’s kitchen by Nina Barry
Do you place art in your kitchen? I’ve generally seen the room as practical — I go in, I cook, I’m out of there! — but lately, I’ve been yearning for a cozier vibe. Sticking a family photo above the sink or setting a watercolor beside the toaster seems like an easy way to brighten the area, don’t you think? Take a look at these eight methods to display art in a kitchen…
Attaching paintings to doors — and placing artwork or tiles on top — offers a lived-in and layered feel to a home. “When you own a lot of pictures, you have to begin hanging them anywhere possible,” states Wendy Coggins in Minneapolis. (Also, how cool is that champagne cork collection?)
A themed gallery wall provides a fun project in progress. “The moment I hung my first pear, it was like a magnet,” says author Catherine Newman. “Now people send me pear photos and postcards and illustrations. The collection grew organically.”
Turning cookbooks to show their covers makes kitchen shelves visually attractive. “Our biggest marriage disagreements come from me acquiring cookbooks when our shelves are already overflowing,” laughs author Adam Roberts. “But if I buy many cookbooks, he acquires many records, so it’s kind of tit for tat.”
If your kitchen lacks windows, introduce nature with landscape artworks, like designer Holly Waterfield does in her 575-square-foot Brooklyn family home.
You might also display children’s creations. “My kids began sketching self-portraits in kindergarten,” says Holly. “It’s incredible how the sketches illustrate how their features altered over the years. When Emmy reached middle school, I noticed,‘Oh, now she has high cheekbones.’ And when Bodhi was an infant, he had enamel hypoplasia, causing his initial baby teeth to come in entirely yellow and brown. Thus, in his kindergarten self-portrait, he drew these yellow, bumpy teeth! He wasn’t shy about them whatsoever.”
Alex Mill’s creative director Somsack Sikhounmuong placed a sweet Hugo Guinness linocut.
And our friend Erika Veurink in Brooklyn showcases an intriguing picture of her grandfather: “He used to race cars, and when I saw this photo in his garage, I persuaded him to give it to me so I could make prints for my sister and me.” Now I’m encouraged to search through old family photos.
Where do you prefer to display art in your home?
P.S. Numerous additional home tours, like a book lover’s paradise and a nod to Black joy; plus, beautiful seaweed art.
(Minnesota door pictures by Wing Ho. Pear gallery photo by Lyndsay Hannah. Adam Roberts’s cookbook shelves by Julia Robbs. Holly images and Somsack image by Kate S. Jordan. Open shelving image by Mallory Fletchall. Kitchen cabinet and art above the stove images, alongside Erika Veurink’s racecar photo, by Christine Han.)
**How to Exhibit Art in Your Kitchen: 8 Inventive Techniques**
The kitchen is often regarded as the heart of the home, a place where culinary imagination flourishes. However, it can also be a space for creative expression. Exhibiting art in your kitchen can boost its visual appeal and create a welcoming atmosphere. Here are eight inventive techniques to feature art in your kitchen:
1. **Gallery Wall**: Turn a blank wall into a gallery by arranging a compilation of framed artworks. Mix different sizes and styles for a lively display. Use matching frames or a consistent color scheme for harmony.
2. **Open Shelving**: Feature art in your kitchen by placing small sculptures, framed prints, or decorative plates on open shelves. This approach allows for easy swapping of pieces for a new look.
3. **Above Cabinets**: Use the area above your cabinets to showcase larger art pieces or a collection of smaller works. This often ignored spot can become a highlight with the appropriate artwork.
4. **Backsplash Art**: Consider utilizing art as a backsplash. Select durable materials like tile or glass with artistic elements. This not only shields your walls but also introduces a unique visual aspect to your kitchen.
5. **Magnetic Art**: If you own a stainless steel fridge, use magnets to display art. This offers easy rotation of pieces and can include everything from children’s art to professional prints.
6. **Art on Easels**: Place small easels on countertops or islands to show framed art or canvases. This method is adaptable and allows for simple changes in your art display.
7. **Hanging Art from Pot Racks**: If you have a pot rack, think about hanging lightweight art pieces from it. This unconventional method adds a playful touch and incorporates art into your kitchen’s functional aspects.
8. **Window Sill Displays**: Use window sills to display small sculptures or framed artwork. The natural light will emphasize the art, creating a dynamic display as the light varies throughout the day.
When showcasing art in your kitchen, consider the materials and finishes to ensure they can endure the environment’s humidity and temperature variations. Choose pieces that resonate with your personal taste and complement your kitchen’s design. With these inventive techniques, you can transform your kitchen into a space that nurtures both body and soul.
