For months, I've been seeking out ways to add character to my new-build rental apartment. The glaringly white walls really dominate the space, and despite my best efforts to incorporate heritage-coded decor details and other charming touches, my apartment still resembles a white box.

Wallpaper seemed like the obvious solution to help enhance my space, but considering the apartment's status as a rental, I had to steer clear of the paste-applied styles I really wanted – like Lulu and Georgia's Brubeck Wallpaper or Anthropologie's Sweet Clover Wallpaper. However, I have found the perfect alternatives to nail the look renter-friendly (and with much more ease) at Target.

Hidden within the pages of Threshold's new arrivals for fall are several peel-and-stick wallpaper styles that are perfect for renters like me who want to easily and effectively bring character into their homes. With everything from ditsy florals and sleek stripes to time-worn toiles, these patterns tap into classic design trends, transforming those boring blank walls in an instant. The best part? Each roll starts at just $35.

I have my eyes on the Floral Column Textured Russet Brown Peel and Stick Wallpaper – an enduring print that I think will look perfect in my small entryway – there are so many more styles to love from this collection. Find the one that speaks to you below.

Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

Wallpaper, thankfully, is no longer the design choice you inherit and immediately start budgeting to remove. It has shaken off its reputation for fussy florals, shiny finishes, and glue-induced regret, and returned as one of the most versatile – and surprisingly sophisticated – tools in a designer’s arsenal.

Let’s be clear: this is not your parents’ wallpaper. There are no borders marching around the ceiling line, no overly symmetrical bouquets, no inexplicable fruit. What we have now is quieter, more textural, and far more self-aware. Wallpaper ideas today don’t beg for attention – it earns it.

What’s changed most isn’t just the patterns, but how and where wallpaper is used. Walls, at this point, are almost the obvious choice. The more interesting approach is to use it in ways that feel unexpected – even a little clever. It’s less about covering a room and more about introducing moments of detail that make a space feel layered and intentional.

Take kitchen cabinetry, for example. It’s not typically where you’d expect wallpaper to appear, which is precisely why it works. Cane inset cabinet doors have become a favorite for adding warmth and texture, breaking up the monotony of flat-front cabinetry. But back that cane with a subtle wallpaper – something tonal and soft, perhaps even a grasscloth – and you introduce a depth that feels entirely bespoke. It draws the eye in without overwhelming the space. Suddenly, the kitchen isn’t just functional; it has nuance. It has personality. It suggests that someone went a step further – and that step mattered.

This idea of subtle layering is where wallpaper really comes into its own, and nowhere is that more evident than with grasscloth. If wallpaper has an introvert, this is it. Grasscloth doesn’t rely on bold pattern or color to make its case. Instead, it offers texture – rich, organic, and quietly luxurious. It catches the light in a way flat paint never can, shifting throughout the day and giving walls a sense of movement without any obvious design.

For those who insist they ‘don’t like wallpaper,’ grasscloth is usually the exception. It brings warmth to a space without adding visual noise. Bedrooms feel softer, hallways feel more intentional, and even the most minimal interiors gain a quiet sense of depth. It’s the design equivalent of a well-tailored neutral – effortless on the surface, but doing a surprising amount of work behind the scenes.

Mural ideas, too, have undergone a much-needed evolution. The word can still prompt a bit of hesitation, conjuring images of oversized, overly literal scenes that dominate a room and leave little to the imagination. But today’s murals are far more restrained. They lean into atmosphere rather than narrative. Think soft landscapes that recede into the background, abstract washes of color, or tonal compositions that read like large-scale artwork. These murals don’t shout; they hum. In a dining room, they create intimacy. In a bedroom, they feel expansive yet calming. The best examples blur the line between wall treatment and art, giving a room presence without tipping into theatrics.

And that’s really the through line with modern wallpaper – it’s about restraint. Even when used boldly, there’s an underlying sense of control. It’s less about covering every surface and more about choosing the right moment. A ceiling, for instance, is often overlooked but can completely transform a room when treated with a subtle paper. The back of a bookshelf, the interior of a closet, the panels of millwork – these are the places where wallpaper feels fresh, considered, and quietly impactful.

There’s also something to be said for the tactile quality wallpaper brings. In an age when so many interiors lean toward sleek minimalism, texture becomes essential. Wallpaper softens hard lines, adds depth to flat planes, and introduces a human element that can sometimes get lost in overly polished spaces. It invites you to look more closely – to notice the details, the subtle shifts, the way light plays across a surface.

Of course, with all this freedom comes a degree of restraint. Not every surface needs wallpaper, and not every wallpaper needs to be the focal point. The most successful applications tend to feel considered rather than impulsive. A good rule of thumb: if it’s the first thing you notice – and the only thing you remember – it may be doing too much.

But when it’s done well, wallpaper has the ability to transform a space in a way that feels both immediate and lasting. It can make a new home feel lived-in or give an older space a renewed sense of relevance without stripping away its character. It bridges the gap between architecture and decoration, sitting comfortably in both worlds.

So no, wallpaper isn’t making a comeback – it has already arrived, quietly, and made itself indispensable. It’s more refined, more adaptable, and far less interested in showing off than it once was. Which is, perhaps, exactly why it works so well.

In the end, wallpaper today is less about trend and more about texture, mood, and thoughtful detail. It’s about knowing where to add interest and where to hold back. And when that balance is right, the result isn’t just a well-decorated room – it’s a space that feels complete.

Whenever a new design lands from interior designer Shea McGee, I'm quick to pay attention. So, when she shared the elegant dining room in her latest project, I was (as always) in awe of the design, but I couldn't take my eyes off one thing in particular – the timeless wallpaper.

Proving that dining room wallpaper ideas can bring beautiful character to a space without being too overpowering, Shea's chosen floral design (MH Fabric - Juniper from Acres) quietly sings in the background yet works effortlessly to bring the whole design together.

Shea manages to create a soft, yet striking space with one clever design choice, enriching the room with that signature lived-in charm we all aspire to have. Let's delve deeper into the formula.

Featured in Shea's latest project, The Gable House, despite being an open-plan space that connects to the kitchen, the wallpaper zones the dining room, giving it its own sense of identity. Not to mention, it creates the illusion of more height, making the space feel grander and more impactful.

Shea explains, 'We carried softness into the space by doing wallpaper on all the walls. We don't have room for a lot of furniture, and so I love wallpaper to give that interest for us.' Edging far from a traditional dining room, Shea has been clever in choosing an intricate print in a muted colorway, which brings some much-needed contrast without overwhelming the room, only adding to its soft, tranquil vibe.

When I first laid eyes on the dining room, I was struck by its serene quality. From the delicate drapes to the whimsical tableware, the space has been layered with soft touches that come together in harmony. 'We did drapes around all the windows. I can see that it helps fill out and give some nice softness and layers. We have our Romany chair from McGee & Co as well as these great Slipcovered Chairs.'

Let's not forget the power of the pale palette. Although the dining room edges on the smaller side, Shea has been wise to decorate with neutrals. The soft creams, whites, and pale blues open up the space, creating the illusion of more space and airiness. It's the perfect palette to balance the intricacy of the wallpaper.

Shop the look

There's no denying that Shea's dining room is effortlessly elegant. The wallpaper frames the space beautifully, creating a subtle sense of sophistication. However, with some timeless furniture and tableware, it's more than possible to recreate Shea's vintage-inspired look.

The dining room in The Gable House is breathtakingly serene, but there's no denying that the wallpaper is what brings it all together. It's ornate up close, but from afar, it's the perfect subtle flourish that contrasts against the paler accents and rustic furniture.

Although traditionally considered a classic wall covering, I used to think of paint or wallpaper before even considering grasscloth. That changed the moment I saw one impeccably styled room adorned in the material – I immediately wanted the same effect in my own space.

I like to think I’m familiar with most wallpaper ideas, yet when I first spotted grasscloth in the home of one of my favorite interior designers, I was captivated. Its appeal lies not only in the subtle texture it brings but also in the sense of refinement it adds, acting as a finishing touch that unifies and elevates a room.

It’s no wonder interior designers adore grasscloth. From serene bedrooms to heritage-style living rooms, this material imparts enduring elegance and effortless sophistication. Here are seven reasons why designers continue to favor this traditional wall covering.

1. It frames architecture

Fusing traditional and modern elements, this living room features elegant pale blue grasscloth walls. The subtle hue adds just the right touch of color, giving the space an airy, light-filled quality that harmonizes beautifully with both antique and contemporary furniture.

Interior designer Kerri Pilchik shares her approach to the design: 'For this living room, I wanted to create large monochromatic planes to make the room feel more expansive. I used similar shades of blue for the millwork and draperies, but wanted the walls to have added texture, so I installed grasscloth wallpaper.'

A favorite among wallpaper designers, grasscloth brings depth and dimension to the living room color scheme without relying on a pattern. Kerri explains: 'I use grasscloth when I want color and texture without a busy pattern. Its natural variation and texture feel warmer and more interesting than paint. One thing to note for clients is that the seams are always visible due to the nature of the material, and the color can vary. A skilled installer will know how to position the panels so that an entire wall isn’t darker in one area than another.'

2. It enriches

Grasscloth is a living room wallpaper idea that's perfect if you're looking for a timeless richness and warmth. In this vibrant living room, grasscloth covers the walls entirely. Instead of panelling sections, the designer of the space opted for a bold forest green color to create presence, drama, and richness, emphasising the impressive scale of the space.

Paired with the colorful accents, the deep green fabric is the perfect room color that quietly frames and provides warmth without detracting from the furniture and decor. 'Nothing adds warmth to a room like grasscloth,' explains interior designer Kim Scordo. 'The texture and rich color that grasscloth holds make it an easy choice for those spaces that may lack architectural details. Grasscloth does a job that paint just cannot do.'

Kim adds, 'The beauty of grasscloth is that introducing other colors or textures is easy. You have your base color to build off of in your grasscloth.'

3. It changes with the light

A wallpaper trend that never feels dated, grasscloth is celebrated for its versatility – its appearance subtly shifting with the light throughout the day.

Interior designer Rosanna Bossom explains: ‘We use grasscloth for its natural texture and timeless look. It brings a depth that flat paint or printed wallpaper simply can’t achieve. The seams are part of its charm; embracing these small imperfections is what gives each installation its unique character. One of my favorite aspects is how the texture transforms as the light changes. Always view a large sample in the space, because the color and weave can look completely different depending on the lighting.’

For homes leaning toward the traditional, grasscloth offers a heritage-inspired alternative to country wallpaper ideas. In the bedroom designed by Rosanna (pictured above), the wallpaper feels perfectly warm, adding depth and luminosity that allow the antique furnishings to take center stage.

4. It's the perfect backdrop

Grasscloth is impactful when left bare or paired with art and wall decor. While a wall decorated with art is usually enough, sometimes a striking, brightly colored fabric is just what a display needs to come together.

Interior designer Stella Weatherall explains, 'Grasscloth is a great backdrop for hanging pictures and for layering with patterned fabrics.' Explaining the process behind the design (above), Stella adds, 'This is a basement bedroom with not a huge amount of direct sunlight, so rather than trying to make it light with paint, I decided to use a grass cloth. I find the texture gives that enveloping and cocoon-like feel, and the richness of this particular deep red grass cloth adds so much warmth.'

Sharing her picture hanging tips, Stella adds, 'Tip for hanging – make sure your hanger centres the grass cloth panels and seams on each wall. The seams are visible, so if they are off centre, it can be quite jarring when you come to picture hanging as nothing lines up!'

5. It's versatile

The biggest reason I haven’t painted my walls is that grasscloth brings a warmth that paint simply cannot. Available in a variety of shades, its textured weave enriches a room, gently framing the space while still allowing furniture and décor to shine.

Like wallpaper, grasscloth comes in many colors and patterns, making it a versatile way to decorate a home according to your interior design style.

Interior designer Meghan Eisenberg explains: ‘Grasscloth is so subtle, there are really no rules. It allows you to play with pattern and color freely, and you can go more minimal or more traditional depending on your preference.’

Meghan adds, ‘I see grasscloth as a step up from painted walls. It’s a way to add color without painting walls, but with more depth and texture than paint. Grasscloth can dress up a space (like in this photo) with abaca silk, or create a more casual feel using a typical grasscloth.’

7. It doesn't compete

Of course, you want your wallpaper to be noticed, but not so much that it overwhelms the room. This is where grasscloth excels.

Explaining the design choices behind the traditional dining room pictured above, interior designer Anne Pulliam says: ‘The room is next to a foyer that has a large-scale wallpaper. We wanted to choose something that didn’t compete, but could still add texture, depth, and sophistication.’

Anne adds: ‘Grasscloth brings warmth, texture, and depth, making it an excellent way to elevate a space. Pair it with smooth finishes, layered lighting, and bold-framed artwork to balance the natural weave. Keep in mind that seams and color variation are part of its charm, and it’s best suited for dry areas where its delicate, handmade quality can shine.’

My favorite grasscloth picks

Whether you're looking for the perfect hallway wallpaper idea or you want to add depth to your bedroom, grasscloth is an unbeatable choice that quietly elevates any room it's used in.