'Think of art as an integral part of the room rather than an afterthought' – deVOL's creative director shares her expert tips on choosing the perfect artwork for your kitchen

Artwork in a kitchen brings character and a welcoming appeal this more functional room can often lack. And the art (and frames) you choose can help tie your design together.

While it's an impactful decor element to add to your kitchen, choosing the right pieces isn't always easy. It not only has to feel at home in your space, but appeal to your tastes, too.

And who better to learn from than the team at deVOL kitchens – whose recent Instagram post featuring their New York showroom proves how effective the right artwork can be in a kitchen. Here, creative director Helen Parker tells H&G everything there is to know about introducing kitchen art.

'Over the last decade artwork in kitchens has become more and more popular and acceptable. There was a time when a kitchen was a functional utilitarian room and there was no place for artwork, wallpaper, or textiles,' says Helen.

But nowadays, as our kitchens become social hubs, often incorporating dining and living spaces, creating a more cozy, styled space is increasingly important. And art is the perfect addition.

'The change began with people opening up the spaces in their homes to incorporate living and dining. This meant that living decor became a part of the kitchen, the rooms were sociable and therefore they needed to look less kitchen-y,' she explains.

'This change has led to people appreciating their kitchens as comfortable, social, and beautiful rooms that flow into the rest of their homes. The artwork has become a focal point, almost a necessity. It adds personality and style to a room that was once a total contrast to the rest of the home. Now even in small kitchens with no dining, a piece of art is almost de rigueur!'

The deVOL showroom in New York is a striking example of how the right artwork can elevate a kitchen scheme. The moody, dramatic color scheme is beautifully complemented by works in the same style and framed with striking gold frames. The reason it works so well is because the art chosen is an inspiration point for the rest of the kitchen's design.

'I was very keen to make the New York showroom exciting, colorful, and unique. I had several artists whose work I loved from following them on Instagram, so I decided to dedicate rooms to their work,' Helen explains.

Well-chosen artwork in each of the showrooms not only helps to create a cohesive color palette but also sets the tone for the design and creates the right personality for each kitchen.

'It really helped with my decision-making on colors and styling throughout the showrooms. The work was all original and different and it gave each showroom a character of its own, something which really helped with distinguishing each space and each furniture range,' adds Helen.

'Smart, classic still life images and old masters style fit beautifully in the formal Classic showroom. The romantic rich portraits added a moody atmosphere and real personality to the dining area.'

The New York showroom isn't the only design that embraces complimentary artwork. In one of the UK spaces, a completely different style of art promotes a more rustic, countryside-appropriate kitchen design.

'The more contemporary still-life paintings in the Sebastian Cox showroom were more rustic and worked so well with simple cabinets and brick walls,' she adds.

While choosing art for a kitchen might feel like a difficult choice, you can really take the same approach as you would if you were picking art for a living room or a bedroom.

'Try to use the art to show your style and taste. Spend time picking something easy to live with and creates a talking point. I think people often just stick a picture up without much thought, it's easy and quick to bang a nail in the wall, but it should be given more thought,' says Helen.

'I tend to choose a picture as my starting point for a room. It gives me direction, and color inspiration and becomes part of the kitchen in an important way. Art can be expensive, or a lucky find at a vintage fair, either way, it should be special, and speak to you, so you know you can live with it every day and not tire of it.'

Her biggest piece of advice is to make choosing art for your kitchen a priority and the basis for your design, rather than using it as a final finishing touch. This approach ensures every element of the room feels cohesive and well thought out.

'Think of art as an integral part of the room rather than an afterthought, take your time, it will make all the difference to your finished room.'

Art is more important in your kitchen design than a simple finishing touch. It should not only appeal to your tastes but feel part of your scheme – as if it is a part of the fabric of the room. So, whether your space is rustic, industrial, traditional, or a minimalist design, the right artwork is the piece your kitchen has been missing.