You work around them. Think about the lifespan of the two…in 20 years from now, which is most likely to be replaced? You wouldn’t want to remove the cabinets to then remove the paper, and you wouldn’t want to tear the paper from behind attached cabinets.

Always leave cabinets in place. More cuts of course, but doable.

Never heard of taking cabinets down. Even a new build would finish cabinetry before papering.

Personally, I might wallpaper a wall in or near kitchen but grease build ups from cooking would stop me from papering. I have papered a large 1900 home myself but not the kitchen. If you are sure you must paper, consider a stencil approach or paintbrush technique instead. Check out YouTube videos for options. Easier than wallpaper and less expensive but labor intensive.

Circled back to hear if Flo suggested not papering above cabinetry. A good vinyl wall paper can be easier to wipe down than a painted surface especially where grease is concerned. The only room I would never paper is a full bathroom. The humidity fights the glue keeping i on the wall.

Thanks so much for all of your comments! I will check out the stenciling and paintbrush effects videos before making the wallpaper decision. May be a good option, as I’d been looking at some chalky ”plaster effect” papers. I want some subtle pattern or texture in the kitchen as a change from the acres of drywall in house (10’ ceilings, weird layout, and 2-story great room & foyer).

I would paper the powder room and foyer before doing the kitchen.

What we have done before is to paint the wall the color you want, then for the second coat use a straw dust broom dipped in the paint and made circular and half circular shapes all over the wall. It added texture.

Instead of plaster effect paper, why not just plaster the walls? Artstar Baltimore is a local (to me, probably not you) decorative painter, and their plaster walls, which they do a lot of, are amazing. Your town might have a similar artist.

Why don't you show the house. ?

Might be many more ways to create interest than paper OR faux finishes: )

Even if you're seven feet tall, you live at eye level.

Hi @JAN MOYER. I've been imagining your voice in my head as I consider my kitchen. The imaginary Jan has told me repeatedly that my kitchen doesn't exist in ISOLATION from the other rooms!!! (not sure I have capitalization/punctuation emphasis right). So you've been helping me without knowing it.

It's been a year since we finished remodeling the kitchen and my second-guessing-of-choices phase is almost over. I'm not posting pictures to protect my own sanity.

There are lots of plain- ish options in the commercial wallcovering market that are washable or even bleach cleanable so even more durable than paint. I would consider that for a kitchen. My stairwell is bleach cleanable and looks like silk.

If wallpaper is what you want in the kitchen, I'd steer clear of the cabinet walls. See these photos for inspiration:

Bohemian Condo · More Info

Bold Contemporary Mansion · More Info

A Duplex Finds the Light for First-time Renovators (SWEETEN project · More Info

Note that these photos show tile backsplashes and the wallpaper is hung elsewhere.

I've been looking at the "Chalk" series from Borastepeter and they're making me swoon. https://www.wallpaperdirect.com/us/collections/bor-stapeter/chalk/2781

I tried to find examples of paper above kitchen cabinets but only found 3-4, so gave up. What I noticed though was how it seemed to bring the ceiling down visually and cabinets feeling a bit more squat.

Have you considered filling the space in (if you can match the cabinets) and I think it will be a much nicer look.

If you do decide to paper, don’t take down the cabinets…not needed and a huge job. Maybe look into peel and stick wallpaper as it could be easier given the location.

IMO I would not want to draw attention to thta space above the cabinets I do not even like anything up there ever. Isee nothing awesome about the papers you show so why not just paint the wall a different color if you want to high light that space .IMO without seeing your space this cannot be answered

Show YOUR space. I too see nothing about which to become excited in those papers, so perhaps show YOUR current situation. Jepegs, below?

If you are looking at plains anyway, look at WolfGordon or Phillip Jeffrey vinyls.

Thanks so much for your responses! As much as I respect the expertise here, I know myself too well to post pictures. I would fixate on critique of our previous choices, and that wouldn’t be productive for me.