Kitchens and dining rooms are the heart of the home — where meals are shared, life is lived, and meaningful conversations happen. I love the idea of surrounding these spaces with not only function, but beauty. Vintage artwork brings charm, character, and a sense of story to these hardworking areas. Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite ways to incorporate vintage art into kitchens and dining rooms — whether you're working with a blank wall or just want to make a small moment feel special.
1. Prop a Framed Print on Your Counter or Shelf
You don’t always need a nail and hammer — leaning art casually against a backsplash or on a shelf adds instant character. Look for smaller pieces with a bit of age or patina. A landscape or still life (especially fruit, florals, or vessels) feels right at home in a kitchen.
📍 Tip: Use a vintage frame to make even a small print feel one-of-a-kind.
2. Make Use of Narrow or “Awkward” Walls
That skinny wall next to the pantry? Perfect for a pair of vertically stacked prints. These overlooked spaces are ideal for creating unexpected beauty.
📍 Try a pair of vintage botanicals, or a soft pastoral landscape to add depth and visual interest.
3. Mix Art Into Your Open Shelving
In a Nancy Meyers–style kitchen (my personal go to for inspiration), shelves aren’t just for dishes. Tuck a small vintage oil painting or giclée print in between stacked plates or glassware. It softens the space and creates that lived-in, layered look.
4. Use Art to Anchor a Dining Space
If you have a dining nook or small eating area, hang a larger-scale piece of art above the table to anchor the space. Vintage portraits, still lifes, or moody landscapes can all work beautifully.
📍 Even a grouping of three smaller prints can have the same effect when styled as a gallery moment.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Hang Art Low
One of my favourite ways to style vintage art in a dining room is by hanging it lower than you might expect — above a sideboard, layered with a table lamp and candle holders, or even above a bench. It creates intimacy and feels unexpected in the best way.
Some Additional Inspiration (all available in our print shop!)...
Adding little touches of vintage warmth through artwork really helps transform utilitarian spaces into soulful ones — and that’s what I’m always after in design. Whether you’re styling a formal dining room or a cozy kitchen corner, art can be the finishing layer that brings it all together.
💡 Complete the Look
Here are a few pieces that work beautifully in kitchens and dining rooms:
