18 stylish wallpaper ideas that will help you fall back in love with every room of your home

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from decorating (and redecorating) my home, it’s that wallpaper shouldn’t be overlooked. While paint has long been the go-to for a quick refresh, I recently started experimenting with wallpaper ideas – and it's brought my rooms to life.

Whether it’s a moody floral mural in a powder room or a subtle stripe in the hallway, the right wallpaper can completely transform how a room feels. The huge choice of patterns and colors out there means there are decorating ideas to complement every room, whatever its style and whatever your taste.

From classic florals and cool stripes to unexpected spots like ceilings and wardrobes, there are so many creative wallpaper ideas to consider for every room in your home. Here I’m sharing the tips, trends, and design lessons I’ve picked up, plus some expert advice from the experts to help you make wallpaper work, no matter your style or square footage.

18 wallpaper ideas for every room of your home

Whether you're working with a compact room or an expansive open-plan space, wallpaper offers endless potential to transform your home. From delicate textures to bold wallpaper trends, it's a powerful design tool that can define a room, add warmth, and reflect your personal style.

And as these 18 ideas show, sometimes all it takes is a few rolls to give your walls a fresh new perspective.

1. Make a statement on entry

The entryway sets the tone for your entire home, so why not make it unforgettable? I've used a lovely striped wallpaper in my own entryway to create an impact the second you walk in and, because entryways are a transitional space and often fairly small, they’re the perfect spot to experiment without the commitment of an entire room.

Interior designer Nina Campbell says: 'Decorating an entryway is a lot of fun. It is a small space, so you can be as wild as you like. I like to treat it like an exquisite jewelry box and paint the walls a wonderful color or put up a pretty hallway wallpaper.'

'Wallpaper has become such a unique way to add a big personality to a smaller vignette, such as an entryway. It allows for a focal point while also integrating additional textures, colors, and patterns into the space,' agrees Leslie Murphy, owner and creative director at Murphy Maude Interiors.

2. Pattern drench a small space

Use textiles and wallpaper to bring coziness to a small room. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in decorating is that small spaces don’t always need to be minimal, and they’re often the best places to be bold.

Wallpapering all four walls with the same pattern can create a rich, cocooning effect that transforms a bijou room into a statement.

In this comforting under-stairs space, designer Beata Heuman has gone all in with powder room wall decor and treads covered in her own design cotton linen, which is paper-backed so that it can be applied like regular wallpaper. A crisp white vintage cotton curtain under the basin continues the textile journey and delivers a visual rest from the floor-to-ceiling pattern.

‘A large-scale print works beautifully in smaller rooms and occasional spaces such as bathrooms, where it can allow for bolder choices to be made to create great impact,’ says Ann Grafton, creative and managing director of GP & J Baker.

3. Don't forget the fifth wall

Ceiling wallpaper ideas can create a beautiful statement, especially when used on every wall in the space. It’s an impactful move that works particularly well in rooms where you want to draw the eye upward, like this attic room seen above.

Kailee Blalock, interior designer at House of Hive, says: 'Applying wallpaper to the ceiling is one of the boldest and most captivating moves a designer can make. It draws the eye upward, adding drama, pattern, or texture in a place most people overlook. In a bedroom or dining room, a moody floral or starry print can create an intimate, cocoon-like effect. In a powder room, a metallic or high-gloss wallpaper on the ceiling can reflect light and add an unexpected element. It’s especially powerful in rooms with crown molding or detailed trim, which act as a natural frame for the pattern above.'

‘Don’t just think of wallpaper for your four walls – have fun and think outside the box,' adds Patrick O’Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball. 'For a dramatic design statement, apply striped wallpaper to the ceiling as well as the walls.’

4. Test out the pattern with an accent wall

For those hesitant to commit to an entire room of wallpaper, an accent wall offers the perfect middle ground. It allows for experimentation with bold color, pattern, or texture, without overwhelming the space.

'Wallpaper patterns are always going to be dependent on personal taste; not every pattern is for everyone,' advises designer Kathy Kuo. 'I recommend testing out your wallpaper on a single accent wall first before doing an entire room. In many cases, an accent wall will feel like enough, and you'll get a nice sense of artful contrast in your space.'

Behind a bed, sofa, or dining table, a single wallpapered wall can act as a visual anchor and bring an instant sense of style and structure to the room. You can also try out an accent ceiling if you're feeling a little brave.

5. Wrap the room in a mural

For a dramatic way to elevate your space, think wall mural ideas. They are right on trend for the year ahead, look stunning, and some panels, such as those by de Gournay, can even be removed to take with you when you move house.

A full-room mural creates a continuous visual story that feels immersive and refined. From romantic landscapes to abstract brushstrokes or chinoiserie scenes, murals can instantly transport a room into another world.

Gary Evans, marketing director at Andrew Martin, adds: 'We've seen a significant rise in wallpaper sales, with monthly figures up 32% since 2023. This growth has been largely driven by increasing demand for bold mural styles and art-inspired designs, and the upward trend for wallpaper has continued into the first quarter of 2025, with sales up 19% compared to the same period last year.'

6. Create the illusion of height with stripes

Decorating with stripes is one of the oldest interior tricks in the book. Stripes are a timeless wallpaper print, but they also serve a practical design function – especially in rooms that feel a little short on height.

Vertical stripes naturally draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of taller ceilings and adding a subtle sense of grandeur. Even in compact spaces like entryways or bathrooms, they can bring structure and lift without overpowering the room.

You can also try stripe drenching, as designer Mark D Sikes has achieved above, and match the textiles in the room to your walls for even more impact.

7. Complement your paint choices and wallpaper

Wallpaper doesn’t exist in isolation – it looks its best when thoughtfully integrated with the surrounding elements in the room, including your paintwork.

Coordinating your wallpaper with painted woodwork, ceilings, or trim helps the entire scheme feel intentional and elevated. Whether it’s a tonal match or a bold contrast, the relationship between wallpaper and paint can make or break a space.

For your ceiling, if you are adverse to wallpapering it, try to match the background hue of the paint for a more seamless transition. Nothing makes a wallpaper feel less intentional than a stark white ceiling.

8. Combine with panelling for a subtler look

Combining wallpaper with paneling ideas allows you to control the amount of pattern in the room. It breaks up large expanses of print and adds depth, while still letting the print shine. And, it is also pretty practical.

‘To protect wallpaper in high traffic areas, it is a good idea to use some paneling on the lower half of the room, which should be painted in the darker tone of the wallpaper,’ suggests Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball.

‘Alternatively, a dado rail can be used, with the wall below it again painted in the darkest tone of the wallpaper in washable Modern Emulsion. Strongly colored wallpaper used on the interior of cupboards or dressers also adds a fantastic extra element in these spaces and will be more protected,’ she adds.

9. Embrace chintz with charming florals

There’s something timeless and comforting about floral wallpaper, especially when it channels some vintage-inspired charm. In fact, I'd go as far as to say most people immediately think of floral room decor when they imagine wallpaper designs.

Delicate, hand-drawn floral patterns bring softness, warmth, and a touch of nostalgia to any room. And they're incredibly versatile – they can be traditional, modern, bold, or subtle, depending on scale and color palette.

If you're a fan of the cottagecore trend or nostalgic Grandmillennial decor, floral wallpaper works beautifully to add life and personality without feeling overly fussy.

10. Add print to the inside of a cabinet

One of the most clever and unexpected ways to introduce a pattern is by lining the inside of cabinets, cupboards, or even drawers. This adds a pop of interest every time the door is opened and elevates storage from purely functional to beautifully designed.

'I'm a huge wallpaper enthusiast, and so the challenge for me is to rein it in to avoid visual overstimulation between the rooms I'm designing,' says designer Bethany Adams. 'Still, I can't help from try to sneak a little color and pattern in wherever I can, such as on the back of a built-in or cabinet.'

Kailee from House of Hive also suggests adding some wallpaper to a small coat closet. 'Wallpapering the interior of a closet may seem like an indulgent detail – but it’s exactly these moments of surprise that make a home feel considered and personal. It’s a great opportunity to experiment with bolder prints or colors you might hesitate to use in a larger area.'

11. Use playful prints in a nursery

Nursery rooms and children's rooms are the perfect space to experiment with wallpaper that sparks imagination and joy. Playful prints like ditsy florals, whimsical animals, or storybook-inspired patterns can create a nurturing and engaging environment for little ones.

'For our daughter Margot’s nursery [seen above], I wanted to welcome her to the world by surrounding her with nods to the incredible beauty found in nature (like the peacock dancing across her chinoiserie wallpaper), says interior designer Paloma Contreras. 'My goal was to create a beautiful, peaceful space that would grow with her over the years. I knew that I didn't want a pink room or anything too juvenile. We hung a new French-inspired chandelier in the room and added a vintage floor lamp with a bamboo motif that I bought in Paris a few years earlier.'

Whether you lean into vintage kids' room ideas like Paloma or go a little more playful, soft pastels, shapes, and patterns that tell a story can inspire curiosity while providing a cozy backdrop for play and rest.

12. Add softness to a bathroom

Bathroom wallpaper ideas are often overlooked due to homeowners' worries about damp and water. But you can make a serious splash in your bathroom with a little pattern and print, you just need to shop wisely.

Given the obvious moisture levels in bathrooms, it's sensible to opt for wallpapers best suited for wet environments. Look for materials that are mold and mildew-resistant, with a vinyl coating or scrubbable finish to ensure your chosen design stands the test of time without compromising on style.

You can also try adding a coat of Polyvine Decorator's Dead Flat Varnish from Amazon, which I've 'painted' over the wallpaper in my hallway to minus damage in such a high-traffic area, and it works exceptionally well to seal and protect the paper.

Alexandra Azat, founder of Plaster & Patina and designer of the space above adds: 'We love wallpaper in a bathroom. Not only does it warm it right up, but it gives us a break from the usually cold finishes that exist in bathrooms.'

13. Match the print to soft furnishings in the space

Pattern drenching or coordinating your wallpaper print with the curtains, cushions, or upholstery creates a sense of harmony that feels intentional and totally chic.

Repeating a motif or tone from the wallpaper in your soft furnishings helps tie the room together visually and creates the same enveloping and cozy effect as color drenching with paint achieves.

‘Pattern matching is always difficult between ceilings and walls, so we used a braid to line the edges, which means you don’t read if the pattern matching is slightly off,’ advises Sarah Peake, founder of Studio Peake, who created this statement nook bed for a client's guest room. ‘We used the same trick on the edge of the blind by using a green linen contrast border.’

14. Add character to the kitchen

If you want to add character and warmth to your scheme, kitchen wallpaper ideas are a wonderful way to add an unexpected punch of pattern.

Being the heart of the home, kitchens are busy, bustling areas. As a result, you can really have some fun with your wallpaper, matching the energy levels with a fun print or pattern. Plus, a standout wallpaper creates a visual focal point in the room, steering the eye away from all the practical but not overly pretty gadgets on countertops, as designer Rita Konig so beautifully demonstrates in this charming kitchen filled with pattern.

Since kitchens can be messy, with food and oil splattering on a busy stove, choose the type of wallpaper carefully. Vinyl wallpapers and waterproof and wipeable wallcoverings are available, from country wallpaper ideas for kitchens to more modern designs, and you can also pair paper with a tall kitchen backsplash to avoid the main splash zone.

15. Upgrade your wardrobe with patterned panels

Whether applied to the interior of a wardrobe, the back of open shelving, or to the outer doors, it’s a small detail that can have a big design impact. It’s especially effective in bedrooms or dressing rooms, where a little flair goes a long way in making the space feel special.

‘We love lining closets and particularly open dressing room joinery in fabric to add interest and softness to what can be a large mass of cabinetry,' says Nicholas Cox of Ham Interiors. We often go for a simple stripe or small-scale, simple pattern fabric in complementary tones to the rest of the bedroom scheme.’

Choose a print that complements your room’s palette, or go bold with something playful and unexpected inside. Peel-and-stick options make this an easy DIY update, and it’s a great way to repurpose leftover wallpaper from larger projects without waste.

16. Create contrast with opposite colors

Pairing contrasting colors between your wallpaper and room decor is a punchy move. Opposites on the color wheel, like burnt orange and powder blue, or forest green and soft pink, can create high-impact spaces that still feel balanced when executed thoughtfully.

Designed by Beata Heuman, the above space demonstrates how to use one color across three pieces in the room by using varying shades. This adds depth and energy, but has also been cleverly designed to create harmony with each piece speaking to another.

‘We were creating a cozy place to watch telly, but we also wanted the scheme to have some theater, and so the idea of the canopy sofa was born,’ says Beata. ‘Being pretty over the top as an idea, we kept the colors simple and calming. There is a small yellow contrast braid around the arm, but otherwise it's all different shades of blue, so it looks quite relaxed all things considered.’

17. Choose relaxing prints for the bedroom

Bedrooms and wallpaper are a classic pairing. Opt for neutral and pastel shades for ultimate relaxation.

When planning bedroom wallpaper ideas, keep things as restful as possible, so don’t choose too small a repeat, or it will be distracting. Similarly, steer away from enlivening colors like yellows and reds, as they will be too stimulating to allow for a good night’s rest.

For prints, think soft florals, delicate botanicals, painterly washes, or tonal geometrics in muted shades like sage, blush, dusky blue, or warm neutrals. Avoid overly busy patterns or high-contrast colors and instead focus on texture and tone to create quiet visual interest.

18. Use texture in the living room

‘From entertaining to relaxing, and quite possibly working in, the living room tends to be the most widely used space within the home,’ notes Cole & Son's design director Carley Bean. ‘It’s therefore important to choose a design and color palette that creates an inviting, versatile space.’

When choosing living room wallpaper ideas for your main lounge, snug, or family room, it’s important to consider how often you will be in the space. You don’t want a pattern that will overwhelm or a color that you will quickly get tired of.

However, that's not to say that pattern is to be steered away from. Choose a medium-sized repeat and shades that flow well with the furniture, or look for something warm and textured like grasscloth wallpaper.

Is wallpaper on trend for 2025?

Yes, wallpaper is very much in style in 2025 and is, in fact, fast growing in popularity. Designers are embracing it in both bold and subtle ways, using it to add texture, color, and personality to every room. From murals and playful prints to tactile grasscloths and classic florals, wallpaper is being used not just as an accent but as a defining feature of a space. And with so many peel-and-stick and durable options available, wallpaper is more accessible and versatile than ever.

Do I have to wallpaper every wall?

Where once feature walls were very much in fashion, now wallpapering every wall is more on trend. If you know how to wallpaper, you will know that you can use it on all four walls to very quickly transform a plain space. However, it is always worth knowing that removing wallpaper can be difficult and costly, so you will want to be entirely sure that you have made the right choice before papering all four walls.