How to Spruce Up Your Rooms with Pretty Wallpaper When You’re on a Budget

Wallpaper can be expensive, but fortunately you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy its beauty in your home. Rather than paper an entire room, consider these options for adding pretty wallpaper patterns to smaller areas.

craftsman dining room with wallpaperPhoto by Sarah Greenman

Above, one-third of the wall displays a graphic wallpaper design. The lower half is adorned with board and batten. In the dining room below, The walls are painted below a simple chair rail while the upper two-thirds are papered. Chair rails are super easy to install so this could be a viable option. 

pretty wallpaper above chair rail in dining roomPhoto by Landy Plante Interiors

 

Rooms with a lot of windows require less wallpaper, so it’s a bonus if your house has plenty of windows. Of course, that means you have more cutting to do when hanging the paper. I love the dining room below with the trim painted black. 

black and white modern farmhouse dining roomPhoto by Lavette’s Home Style

 

If you prefer softer rooms, there are plenty of pretty wallpaper patterns that will create the look you want. 

light and airy wallpapered sitting roomPhoto by Glenna Stone Interior Design

 

The top portion of this blue and white living room features a pretty floral print which matches the arm chair. The only problem with wallpaper is that there are so many beautiful patterns from which to choose. Before peel and stick paper (which I’ve never used), you’d either apply paste to the paper or you’d wet it if it came pre-pasted. 

living room with board and batten and blue and white wallpaperPhoto by Milners of Leyburn

 

My dad had a collection of wallpaper boards and tools when he owned a decorating business. He gave all his equipment to me. I papered several rooms in my current home, then later removed it and painted the rooms when wallpaper went out of style. I still have my dad’s wallpaper boards and tools (even his tool belt) and plan to paper the bathroom once the plumbing is updated.

traditional colonial living roomPhoto by

 

Create wallpaper panels in a room for a unique look. The panels were created using thin strips of molding to create rectangles. This is probably the least expensive way to add paper to interior spaces. 

english style bedroomPhoto by Holly Phillips @ The English Room

 

You don’t have to add paper above a chair rail like this Scandinavian style bedroom. You could paper below and apply paint above. Keep in mind how much furniture is in the room though, since it will cover the papered area.

Scandinavian style bedroom with pretty wallpaperPhoto by Wallpaperdirect UK

 

This cute boy’s room enjoys a bit of plaid paper wrapping the top of the wall. Is anyone else concerned about the unattended baby on the changing table? I didn’t notice him at first. I’m sure mom was just out of the camera shot when the photo was snapped.

boys room in red, white, and bluePhoto by Kelly Rogers Interiors

 

This cute pale green and white paper features a farm scene. Bead board is also fairly easy to install if you want to create a similar look in your home. 

green and white vintage bathroom with bead board and wallpaperPhoto by Julia Chasman Design

 

William Morris paper, as seen below, is rich in craftsman style and is highly popular right now.

william morris wallpaper in rustic bathroomPhoto by Jon Eady Photographer LLC

 

Use wallpaper to add a shot of color to the upper portion of a wall. This gorgeous bathroom feels like spring.

Garden inspired wallpapered bathroomPhoto by SHOPHOUSE

 

Are you a fan of wallpaper? I love the ideas in these rooms that show how to use it in a more economical way.

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7 Comments

  1. All of these are beautiful. I am really liking the new wallpaper resurgence. Love that dining room with the gingham chair covers and stripe curtains. I could totally copy that!

  2. I love each and every one of the spaces you shared. Such great inspiration and each one beautiful in its own right. I,too, am glad to see wallpaper make a decor resurgence. It makes me feel less crazy for keeping some up in my kitchen and bath areas. I say, do what you LOVE and it will always be “in style.”

  3. Oh my gosh! I love your site and usually don’t leave comments, but boy was I taken aback when you mentioned the baby on the changing table!! I am sure mom was just out of sight!

  4. I do love wallpaper in little areas, it’s so much prettier today than it was 10-15 years ago. I have been thinking about papering a small area, these are some great ideas, thanks.