Showstopping Wallpaper Design Ideas to Liven Up Your Walls
Say goodbye to boring walls.
A perfectly decorated room can still fall flat if bland walls are leaving more to be desired. Instantly elevate your space and tie furnishings together with the perfect wallpaper pattern. Achieve countless aesthetics and color palettes with these brilliant wallpaper design ideas.
Tip!
Before you choose a pattern make sure you know everything you need to know about installing wallpaper with our Wallpapering 101 guide, and make the perfect choice by knowing Everything You Need to Know About Wallpaper Types..
1. Dare to Add Drama With Bold Botanicals
Delicate, feminine spaces typically come to mind when we think of floral wallpapers. However, it is possible to create bold eye-catching spaces with the right floral wallpaper patterns. Choose darker warm tones and large blooms for a floral or botanical wallpaper design that is sure to make a big impact on any modern or traditional space.
Embrace a glam or ultra-modern aesthetic with sharp geometric print wallpapers. Choose a print with a combination of various shapes and patterns to draw the eye to the wall and position gilded accented furniture in front of it. Stick to black and white or neutral colors to create contrast and make your furniture and decor pop.
Utilize abstract patterned wallpaper with asymmetrical shapes and bright colors to spark joy for all who enter the room. This type of wallpaper pairs best with ultramodern furniture and decor and fits well with a dopamine-decor aesthetic. Layer on an abstract gallery wall with a mix of colorful wall art and wall accents.
Damask is a tried and true pattern for elegant traditional-style rooms. This ornate pattern can help elevate a modern room for the perfect transitional-style space as well. This pattern is welcome in nearly any type of room, whether bedrooms, living rooms, foyers, and dining rooms. Choose neutral colors for a light airy look or darker hues for a bold traditional look.
Try subtle stripes for a sweet, classic, and welcoming look. Use long lines to create space-defying illusions – use vertical stripes to make ceilings appear higher and more grand, and horizontal lines to make rooms look wider and more spacious.
Add wild style to any room with animal print wallpaper. Choose classic animal prints like cheetah, leopard, or snake print for a classic glam look, or create a cowgirl glam look with a cow print accent wall. Limit super bold animal prints like zebra or tiger stripes to smaller rooms or just one accent wall to avoid overwhelming your space.
Get the rustic charm of wood panel or shiplap without the cost or work of installation. Use a horizontal wood-paneled wallpaper to create a rustic cabin look or warm vertical wood paneling for retro vibes. If you want to create a coastal cottage look, choose a white shiplap–patterned wallpaper. Make this installation even easier with peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Plaid patterns are a staple in cozy spaces. You can easily create a rustic warm welcome with a plaid-patterned wallpaper in deep warm hues, or keep things light and modern with a pastel plaid or sweet gingham. Create a comforting alcove for your bed by applying a light neutral plaid wallpaper as an accent wall – pair it with neutral modern bedding and furnishings for a serene space.
Rely on rounded geometric patterns that lean towards abstract for the perfect mid-century modern wallpaper design. Stick with warm colors like browns and oranges, and look for pops of colors like blue and green to make a mid-century modern statement. Pair with a mix of rounded and sharp modern furnishings for the perfect blended look.
Save sweet delicate floral wall patterns for pretty country homes. These serene patterns compliment farmhouse furniture and also pair well with french country homes. Stick to light colors and neutrals to get a true farmhouse look. Elevate your farmhouse feel by pairing your farmhouse wallpaper with a half-paneled wall painted in a complementary muted color.
Tie together your coastal-themed room with wallpaper patterned with shells, coral, sea creatures, or waves. These patterns are perfect for your beach home or for transporting you from your bedroom to a serene oceanside escape. Choose neutral or light colors to pair well with coastal materials like rattan and wicker.
Butterflies are symbols of beauty and joy, so why not incorporate them into your home design. Choosing butterfly-patterned wallpaper is an easy way to harness this good energy. Choose wallpaper with solid colors and subtle butterfly designs or light backgrounds with butterflies as pops of color. This kind of wallpaper gives you the opportunity to play with colors in your furniture and decor as well.
Bring nature into your home with tropical- and jungle-themed wallpaper. Choose patterns of palms and jungle greens or go for subtle line-drawn patterns depicting large elegant leaves. Choose a single wall to create an eye-catching jungle mural or cover a small room such as a bathroom or foyer with refreshing tropical botanicals.
Foster a calming energy in your baby’s nursery with wildlife-patterned wallpaper depicting storybook animals like rabbits, owls, and birds. Choose pastel colors like sage green, baby pink, or powder blue to enhance the calming effect for you and your infant. These pair well with traditional nursery furniture in neutral colors.
Spark imagination in your child's bedroom or playroom by choosing a creative wallpaper pattern. Choose a starry space-themed wallpaper for your future astronaut, unicorn- or mermaid-themed wallpaper for daydreamers, or sports-themed wallpaper for your after-school athlete. Let your child choose their own wallpaper as a way of expressing themselves and to let their personality shine through in their favorite space. Choose peelable or strippable wallpaper to make it easy to remove when they’re ready for a change.
Tip!
Remove wallpaper like a pro with help from our guide: How to Remove Wallpaper
Add a hint of glam to any modern, retro, or traditional space with a metallic-accented wallpaper. Florals, geometric shapes, or stripes with gold or silver foil create an eye-catching aesthetic. Wallpaper an alcove or accent wall to create a focal point that draws the eye to the center of the room or a piece of furniture or artwork that you want to highlight.
