How to Use Wallpaper in the Home: Style and Statement

Wallpaper is having a major comeback, and with today’s beautiful patterns and easy-to-install options, it’s no wonder decorators and homeowners are embracing it again, including myself. I’ve been obsessing over wallpaper for quite a while now and have decided to wallpaper my living room! If you’ve been craving it too, see how to use wallpaper throughout your home to create spaces that feel welcoming and uniquely yours.

Photo by Case Architects & Remodelers

 

Start with One Focal Wall

If you’re new to wallpaper and the thought of adding it to your home seems overwhelming, begin with a single feature wall. This approach delivers impact without overwhelming the room. Behind a bed, sofa or inside an architectural nook, a statement gives you color and pattern without a lot of work.. Choose patterns that complement your existing décor—think botanical prints for a calm, nature-inspired look; geometrics for modern spaces; or textured grasscloth for subtle luxury.

Photo by Hillside Manor Decor

 

The warm colors of this small bedroom wrap you in a cozy hug. The wallpaper adds to the depth of the space even though it’s relegated to one wall.

Photo by Emily Pueringer Design Studio

 

Embrace Small Spaces

Powder rooms, mudrooms, laundry nooks, and butler’s pantries are perfect places to experiment. Smaller areas can handle bolder patterns and richer color because the enclosed footprint creates a jewel-box effect. Small patterns, on the other hand, create a cozy cottage vibe.

Photo by Whittney Parkinson Design

 

Add Texture for Warmth

Wallpaper isn’t just about pattern it can also be a tactile experience. Textured options like grasscloth, linen-look weaves, cork, and embossed papers instantly soften a room. My brothers had grasscloth in their bedroom when we were growing up. I used to pick at the pieces of grass, much to my mother’s dismay.

Photo by Casabella Interiors

 

Use Wallpaper on the Ceiling

For a designer-approved twist, try something different in your home. The ceiling is often an overlooked surface, and wallpapering it adds drama and intention. Try a soft, cloud-like pattern in a bedroom for a dreamy feel, a metallic geometric in a dining room for glam, or a simple stripe in a kids’ room to playfully energize the space. Or how about birds flying overhead?

Photo by

 

Highlight Architectural Features

Wallpaper beautifully enhances built-ins, the back of bookcases, fireplace surrounds, or the interior of a framed archway. These subtle touches create custom detail without overwhelming the room. In older homes, wallpaper can help celebrate original millwork and add depth to otherwise plain surfaces. Rather than paper the entire hallway, as seen below, just the little window nook is papered, calling attention to this cozy retreat.

Photo by JH Builders

 

Create a Cohesive Story

When wallpapering a room, consider how the pattern and color fit in the rest of your home, especially if there’s a line of sight from one room to the next. Your choices don’t have to match, be playful when mixing patterns and color. Each space will feel distinct, yet the whole home reads as harmonious and intentional. Below, a floral paper in the hallway pairs beautifully with the grasscloth in the living room.

Photo by Tim Barber Architects

 

Don’t Forget Removable Wallpaper

Don’t think you can’t use wallpaper if you rent your home. Peel-and-stick wallpaper offers style without commitment since it’s easily removed. I’ve never used it myself, but plan to order it for my living room, as opposed to the pre-pasted paper that I’m used to. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Photo by Milners of Leyburn

 

I think wallpaper is an excellent way to express your creativity and personal style in a way that paint doesn’t. Not to mention, it can eliminate the need for a lot of wall art. Embrace it with confidence! You might be surprised by how transformative a single wall can be.