
DESIGN PROBLEM – NO COLOR IN THE KITCHEN
Everyone loves storage in the kitchen. Consequently, there is often cabinetry galore. However, to avoid a haphazard feel the cabinets should be limited to two colors (or wood tones) at most. But with a Global vibe to our home, I wanted to ensure that there was color incorporated into the kitchen as well.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR KITCHEN DECOR
Between the cabinets, counters, and appliances, kitchens are all hard surfaces. Therefore, I knew that I needed to use fabrics to add warmth and color. Moreover, I like having the flexibility of changing accent colors for the seasons. This meant that the color would come in the form of DIY décor. Finally, with very limited open wall space, I needed to make sure it was incorporated into a prime viewing spot.
MY UPCYCLED SOLUTION FOR KITCHEN DECOR
Our built-in kitchen table bench was the perfect location to add some colorful DIY décor. As a partial wall between the kitchen and living room, it provided a focal point in the room. Further, it is a place that should stay clear of any cooking grime on the fabric. Previously, I had covered simple wood frames that I assembled from 1x2s with different fabrics to mount photos for some master bedroom décor. For an even quicker DIY, I used thrift store picture frames for the kitchen. By covering the backs of the frames which are always flat, it didn’t matter if the front moulding styles were different between the frames.
For more of a family feel, I opted for painting a heartfelt quote onto the fabric to personalize the space. I didn’t want to leave painting the letters to chance, so I purchased stickers that I could arrange on the fabric to then trace and paint.

Obviously, I used fabrics in colors that fit my whole house color scheme (get access to the Style Library for details). Better yet, I used that exact same fabric to make wire basket liners for an open storage unit in the kitchen as well as this quick-attach DIY foyer bench patchwork cushion.
Patchwork cushion from fabric scraps
GLAM STYLE FABRIC WORD ART DECOR
This DIY wall décor is all about the choice of fabric and style of lettering. Going from Global to Glam style means fabric that is a bit more neutral than what I chose for our kitchen. Moreover, fabric with a bit of sheen adds a sophisticated feel. Just be sure to use an appropriate paint (not an affiliate) as regular acrylic may not bond well. As well, you may want to consider gluing this type of fabric rather than stapling it to the back of the frames to avoid potential runs in the fabric. Finally, letter stencils come in a variety of fancy fonts – or you can even print off your own DIY stencil letters on simple cardstock to cut out with a craft (
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