There’s something undeniably charming about a kitchen infused with with character, warmth, and personality by thoughtfully chosen art pieces.
In fact, the right artwork can make all the difference in turning your kitchen from a sterile and utilitarian workspace, into a room that feels curated, inviting, and deeply personal.
But how do you display art in a kitchen without it feeling cluttered—or worse, impractical? This is a question I got a lot after launching my Free Vintage Kitchen Art Collection.
So from vintage paintings propped casually against a backsplash, to framed art prints tucked into open shelving, I wanted to create a few renderings that showcase some of my favorite ways to bring art into the heart of your home as kitchen decor.
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1. Sit Artwork Directly On The Countertop
For a relaxed, casual feel, simply place a framed oil painting or art print directly on your countertop and lean it against the backsplash. So quick, so easy, so cute.
Pro Tip: This is also a great way to hide outlets in your kitchen!
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Get a similar look with this square matted picture frame or this large gilt frame.
2. Rest Framed Art on an Easel or Plate Stand
For a more elevated way to display art directly on a kitchen countertop (both literally and figuratively) , try placing a small framed piece of art up on a plate stand or art easel. (Cookbook stands can work well for this purpose too!)
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Get a similar look with this gold metal picture easel or this small wood art easel. I also love this large tabletop painting easel and this small adjustable easel that comes in gold or black!
3. Create A Clustered Collection or Entire Kitchen Gallery Wall
Curate a group of your favorite art pieces, that tie together visually, and hang them together on the wall. This can be as simple as clustering a group of two or three small pieces together, or be as ambitious as crafting something that will fill an entire wall in your kitchen.
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Recreate the look of the three frame cluster shown here with three of these natural oak matted picture frames. Or you can quickly get the look of a collected vintage frame gallery wall with this set of frames, or by purchasing a collection of these professional quality vintage inspired frames.
4. Set Art On Open Shelving
Use open shelving or an art ledge to display framed prints, or even a DIY canvas oil painting you can display frameless, alongside your plates, glasses and other functional kitchen items.
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I love these museum quality solid wood gilt picture frames for getting an authentic antique art look. And these burl wood frames would make such a statement on a shelf!
5. Decorate Behind The Kitchen Range
Nearly every kitchen has one big blank spot, and that’s on the wall behind the kitchen range. (Unless you are one of the blessed few who has a pot filler back there.) Why not give that empty space above your stove some personality with a little kitchen wall art?
Pro Tip: Make sure whatever you hang up behind your kitchen stove is wipeable and will hold up to grease splatters.
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For a more modern large scale frame, you can’t go wrong with something like this. If you’re looking for a more vintage frame to place art in above your stove, I love this one!
6. Hang Art from A Brass Kitchen Rail
A traditional brass kitchen rail doesn’t just have to be for pots and utensils! You can also hang framed art from it right alongside your other various kitchen tools!
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This simple brass kitchen pot rack would work perfectly to hang art on behind a stove. But I love that this one is a bit more vintage inspired and much longer!
7. Use Oversized Art To Make A Statement
A single, large art moment can create a bold, sophisticated focal point for a kitchen and provide a huge dose of personality for minimal cost and effort.
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For art this large, your best bet is going to be either custom framing, or getting handy with some trim moulding like this from the hardware store and making your own over-sized frame.
Since the art is so large, glass this big is going to be very heavy, I recommend trying to get your print made on canvas at a local print shop so you don’t have to use glass in your frame and then just stapling it to the back of your oversized frame. That way you can avoid needing glass.
8. Give Your Kitchen Sink A View
If your kitchen isn’t blessed with a window to stare out while doing dishes, then you can cozy up your cleaning time by hanging one of your favorite pieces of art there!
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Frames like this one or this museum quality one will give some authentic vintage vibes to your artwork.
9. Place Petite Framed Art in Small Nooks
A personal favorite of mine is to hang more petite pieces of art in small nooks in a kitchen to help bring a moment of joy to, what can often feel like, an overlooked space in a room.
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A small gilt vintage inspired frame like this one or antique wood one are perfect for adding to a wall under your cabinets. And you can use this inexpensive picture wire along with a simple small brass frame to get the look of the other inspo image.
10. Art On…. A Window?
Stay with me on this one. If your kitchen gets a good about of light because you are blessed with a lot of windows, but not a lot of blank wall space for hanging pictures, try hanging a small framed print from one of your windows for an unexpected pop of art in the room.
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My favorite way to hang art on glass is by using command hooks like these. These clear ones I found look great as well! Just make sure you clean the glass well before attaching the hooks and wait the full 24hrs after applying your adhesive picture hook before hanging your art so it has time to bond properly to the glass!
Want more kitchen decorating ideas? I rounded up some of my favorite kitchen art ideas here on Pinterest too! Be sure and give my account a follow as well while you’re over there!
Fall in love with one of the pieces of art in the renderings I created for this post? You can download and print the high res version of all the kitchen art you see featured here in my Free Kitchen Art Gallery where I rounded up all the best art for kitchen walls!
*AI Notice: The example renderings generated for this post were created by me with the help of AI
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To help you create the perfect kitchen gallery wall, here are a few tools and supplies I love! From frames to hanging hardware, these will make decorating your kitchen walls a breeze.
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