On the other end of the wallpaper spectrum, Grandma might have been influenced by the 1980’s- an era when wallpaper meant a repeating pattern of red cherry or purple lilac prints in the kitchen, thinly striped wallpaper in the bathroom that always seems to be peeling and of course a ceiling border for the babies room, a repeating pattern of pink teddy bears and blue race cars against the jagged edge of a popcorn ceiling.
But in all seriousness, wallpaper in today’s context can be cool and is not just for Grandma’s. It adds personality, or more specifically your personality to the space, and is an easy way to create drama and interest. That does not mean you can pick just any wallpaper and it will work. Thought must go into where and how you want to use it.
Some Tips For Choosing Your Next Wallpaper
Think About Humidity
Hotels always seem to have wallpaper in their bathrooms and I always think to myself, why? Visually it is nice, but with steamy showers comes moisture and with moisture comes maintenance. No matter how durable the wallpaper material, the steam from hot showers over and over will have its way. That’s why I always think about humidy when choosing what rooms to decorate with wallcoverings.
Half bathrooms can be a much better alternative to full bathrooms, as the steam showers are eliminated. Using wallpaper next to doors or windows that will be regularly open should also be given consideration, as heat and humidity from the outdoors can have similar effects.
Start with a Small Space
One of my favorite spaces to wallpaper is the closet. Yes, the closet. Think guest room closet with a suitcase print or your daughter’s bedroom closet with a bold wallpaper stripe in her favorite color.
Ready to take it to the next level, consider wallpapering an entire room. Maybe that means a bold wallcovering in your office to brighten your day, or a classic pattern for above the dining room wainscotting. Wallpaper almost always pairs well with wall paneling and chair rails.
Consider the Trim
It is easy to look at wallpaper samples and think how they will work with your favorite duvet or with the furnishings in the room, but what sometimes is forgotten is how the wallpaper will look against the current wood trim. Most houses have white painted wood trim and some sort of color on the walls. That is the tried-and-true formula.
When adding wallpaper in place of paint, the paper may not work against the starkness of the white trim. Often painting the trim in a beige, green or gray leaning color will help the wallpaper blend into its environment and can take the edge off of a bolder print, making it feel a bit more subtle and elevated vs just being there to be bold.
Don’t Forget the Light Switch and Outlet Covers
One of my favorite ways to elevate a wallpapered space is to have the plastic outlet covers wallpapered to match. The wallpaper installer can match the pattern on the wall for a cohesive and high-end look.
Hire a Professional
Some jobs are best handled by specialists, and this is one of them. A good wallpaper hanging contractor will make quick work of most any pattern, knowing how and where to start so that patterns feel consistent and seams are minimized.
So… You Have Picked The Room That You Want to Wallpaper, Now What?
I encourage you to visit your local paint & wallpaper store and look through their wallpaper sample books. I can remember doing this with my parents as a child of the 80’s, and many times as an adult, both personally and professionally.
I think this is still a great way to start your search, particularly if you can find a locally owned and operated shop. It is an amazing resource to have shops like these at the ready, and the best way to ensure continued access is to support them with our business.
I also like going to the local shop because you can touch the papers and get a better understanding of the materials available. Wallpaper is about pattern, but it is also about texture, and paper varies greatly from thin and smooth to thick and textured.
Classic Doesn’t Have to Mean Tradition.
One of my favorite examples is Phillip Jeffries’ Maritime Stripes (10005). It takes one of interior design’s oldest and most timeless patterns, stripes, and reimagines them with subtle texture and movement. The paper is made of grasscloth, and the result is a room that feels tailored yet fun and a little bit coastal all at the same time.
A bold take on botanicals
I think a good botanical wallpaper needs to have an artistic vs. a manufactured feel, giving preference to those that are hand-made. I also really like it when flowers are used in bold repeating patterns to create drama. Chasing Paper’s Cosmo Block Print has this energy, being a hand-crafted paper, and by using bold colors and a simple flower pattern to make a statement.
Cause a scene
In addition to wallpaper with repeating patterns, there are a growing number of papers available which turn your walls into a mural. The mural can be traditional- picture an illustrated scene from history, or it can be artistic, such as a painters interpretation of a garden or a coastal scene. The Blossom Chinoiserie Wall Mural from Anthropologie is a favorite….I would love to use this to transform someone’s ordinary entryway into something extraordinary!
Let’s see your wallpaper pictures!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wallpaper still in style?
Yes. Today’s wallpaper options go well beyond the patterns many people associate with older homes. Wallpaper can add color, texture, pattern, and personality to a room, with options ranging from subtle grasscloth and classic stripes to bold botanical prints and full-wall murals.
What rooms are best for wallpaper?
Wallpaper can work in bedrooms, dining rooms, offices, entryways, powder rooms, closets, and other living spaces. The right location depends on the wallpaper material, the design of the room, and environmental factors such as moisture and humidity.
Can you put wallpaper in a bathroom?
Wallpaper can work well in a powder room or half bathroom where there is less moisture. Full bathrooms with showers require more consideration because repeated exposure to steam and humidity can affect wallpaper over time.
Should you wallpaper an entire room or just one wall?
Either can work. A smaller space, closet, or single wall can be a good place to experiment with a stronger pattern. Wallpapering an entire room can create a more immersive look, particularly when the pattern works well with the trim, millwork, furnishings, and other finishes in the space.
Does wallpaper work with wainscoting or wall paneling?
Yes. Wallpaper can pair particularly well with wainscoting, chair rails, and other wall paneling. Using wallpaper above painted millwork can introduce pattern while allowing the architectural details of the room to remain part of the design.
Should trim color match wallpaper?
It doesn’t necessarily need to match, but trim color should be considered when selecting wallpaper. Bright white trim can create a strong contrast with certain patterns. In some rooms, a softer beige, green, gray, or another complementary trim color can help the wallpaper feel more connected to the overall space.
Should wallpaper be professionally installed?
For many projects, professional installation is worth considering. An experienced wallpaper installer knows how to position repeating patterns, minimize visible seams, work around doors and windows, and create a cleaner finished appearance.
