Wallpaper Inspirations - How to Transform Your Home Decor

Whoever takes an interest in interior decorating will have noticed just how prevalent the use of wallpaper has been over the last few years. What was once regarded as retro, rather garish or tacky, now has a versatile appeal that's making a comeback. The colours and patterns available are now tailored to suit all tastes and aesthetics, offering something for everyone within an almost limitless variety of styles.

Moreover, while installing wallpaper was once a tricky task, it’s now beyond easy to hang and remove at will, courtesy of peel-and-stick products. The latter makes this option especially interesting for tenants or homeowners who like to switch it up, often refreshing their home decor.

Still not convinced? Here are great examples that may just change your mind.

Wallpaper Ideas for Every Room in Your House

1. A floral look featuring contrasting wallpapers

Source : Mindwell Design

Hanging different types of wallpaper around your house is a bold and daring move, yet one that will without a doubt significantly impact your home decor. If everything blends together perfectly, it’ll add depth and texture to your walls, creating a unique look that will visually define your space.

2. A wallpapered living room ceiling

A wallpaper-clad ceiling, now that’s a clever way to revamp your home with a dash of creativity! If you’d rather head a more subtle route in terms of home decor, picking a stunning and original pattern to complement the room’s colour scheme will draw your guests’ eyes upward, giving the impression that the room is bigger, and more spacious than it actually is. 

3. Wallpaper used to define a home office space or closet

Most people have, at some point in their lives, lived in an apartment with a strange layout, one with odd corners or built-in shelving that doesn’t serve a specific purpose. In the following article: 10 Home Office Ideas: Selecting the Perfect Setup for Your Needs, we shared two simple and clever ways to set up a home office in a tucked-away corner, such as an unused closet.

Why not use the same trick, and wallpaper the area? By using wallpaper to enhance the back of a bookcase, closet, or wall corner to transform a storage space as seen in the photo above, you’re essentially adding value to what would otherwise be an overlooked space.

4. A cozy room with a wallpaper mural

Source : Adesign maison

Your bedroom should be a space dedicated to relaxation and comfort, hence, the selected decor and colour scheme will significantly impact both states of mind. By opting for an organic pattern or light-hued and minimalist wallpaper for your bedroom, whether used as an accent wall, on all walls, or ceiling, you’ll retain that sought-after relaxing bedroom atmosphere.

Choose soft, muted shades of grey, pink, blue, green, or yellow. If you’re more of a fan of bright colours, make sure to create the right balance to avoid disturbing your senses. You can also offset a bright colour scheme with black, white, or brown surfaces.

5. A wallpapered bathroom, making for a unique water closet

Source : Canadian Constructor Creations Inc.

This trick is all the more effective if you have a very small bathroom. By adding a fun, eye-catching wallpaper, you’re ensuring the space looks bigger and brighter, while still as elegant as ever!

Complete the look with bathroom accessories, such as hooks, table bars, and new cabinet pulls, to match the wallpaper.

6. Showcase your entryway, courtesy of modern wallpaper

The first thing your guests will feast their eyes on when entering your home is your entryway or mudroom. As such, creating a meticulously designed and inviting entryway will leave them stunned and pumped to see the rest of your house.

Are you a fan of a bold, eclectic aesthetic? Choose wallpaper with eye-catching patterns. For a farmhouse-inspired aesthetic, look for floral wallpaper reminiscent of nature, such as those depicted above. Lastly, if you’d rather showcase a minimalist aesthetic, you’re in luck as there’s a broad range of modern wallpaper designs.

7. A kitchen and dining room that sparks your culinary talents

Source : G&H Cabinetry and Woodworks

Calling all baking and cooking enthusiasts! Given how much time you spend in your kitchen, you’ll surely appreciate cooking in a beautiful space. And, serving your painstakingly well-plated dishes in an inviting dining room isn’t far behind. 

The kitchen and dining room are gathering spaces where relaxation isn’t necessarily the primary focus. As such, you can play around with colours and patterns as much as you want. Here, bright-coloured wallpaper, such as blue, orange, green, purple, and yellow, is more than welcome!

That said, if you prefer a more muted decor, such as that depicted in the images below, with grey, white, or pastel hues, go for it! It’s all a question of personal preferences and needs.

8. Wallpapered stair risers: a quick revamp

Wallpaper spans far more than walls! It can be used on other surfaces, such as furniture, doors, headboards, and stair risers. The latter makes for a visually striking effect, while also rather simple to carry out.

For an appealing result, carefully select the material as each wallpapered section will be cut by a step, which will hinder the pattern’s continuity. Draw inspiration from the pictures above, showcasing flawlessly executed wallpapered risers.

9. Nature-inspired kid’s room: woodland wallpaper

If there’s one area where one can play around freely with the decor, it’s got to be a kid’s bedroom! Even those who prefer a neutral and minimalist aesthetic tend to make their little one’s room an exception. Toddlers love colour and contrasting patterns, as well as comforting and cozy spaces.

Their bedroom is their safety zone where they can rest, and escape after a long day of learning, or play while allowing their imagination to take over. Hence, scenic wallpaper is favoured for kids’ bedrooms since it makes for an enveloping environment, fostering enchanted dreams.

Based on the kid’s interests, one can opt for nature-like patterns—woodland, animals, ocean—vehicles, castles, or famous fictional characters like Babar, the Little Prince, and Mickey Mouse.

10. Patterned and scenic wallpaper to brighten your hallways

When it comes to interior decor, hallways are often overlooked. While our creative energy often centres on common areas like those mentioned above, it’s important not to overlook hallways. Think of them as the veins of your home, guiding movement and connecting spaces. Their decor is just as vital as any other room, contributing to the flow and character of your living space!

What Is the Current Wallpaper Trend for 2025?

Over the next few months, we’re likely to see a lot of textured wallpaper, mural-like wallpaper, and maximalist patterns. Wallpapered accent walls will also take over, narrowing the room's focus down to a single wall.

FAQ About Wallpaper Installation and Designs

How can you create an accent wall with wallpaper? 

You’d rather not wallpaper all four walls? Maybe the concept of an accent wall will appeal to you. An accent wall is a section of a wall that doesn’t showcase the same colour as the other ones, creating a focal point around which to structure the room’s decoration. It can be done by painting the wall in question a different colour or hanging a wall covering like wallpaper.

Scenic wallpaper, which often resembles a mural, is a great way to create an accent wall. You can choose a pattern or design that wildly opposes the other colour features around the room for a striking visual effect (e.g., a black background, picture of a landscape, bright orange pattern).

What are the top wallpaper installation tips?

If you choose the DIY route, and hang wallpaper yourself, note that achieving a flawless result the first time around might be difficult. Start with a small wall section, one where you only need to hang two or three strips of wallpaper, side by side.

As for the type of wallpaper to buy, it really depends on whether you plan to change your wall covering often and if you want to do it yourself. The most user-friendly type is peel-and-stick, but you can also consider pre-pasted wallpaper.

Otherwise, other models should be left in the hands of experts or highly experienced DIYers. 

Who should you hire to hang wallpaper?

Hanging wallpaper can be DIYed, but results are often disappointing if you’re lacking experience. Hence, hiring a wallpaper specialist is prescribed. Companies offering wallpapering services are often marketed as experts in wall covering or finishes.

What kind of wallpaper is timeless?

When selecting a wallpaper pattern, take into account your home's architecture to ensure the design complements its period and retains a timeless appeal. Start by assessing the patterns: while bold florals make a statement, geometric designs often stand the test of time. Additionally, pay attention to the size and colour of the pattern. Larger shapes create a more striking effect, while smaller designs feel subtle and refined. For colour, since trends come and go, opting for neutral or monochromatic tones ensures your wallpaper remains stylish and versatile for years to come.

Where can I buy wallpaper?

Wallpaper can be purchased in-store, such as in department stores, thrift stores, and salvation shops, as well as online, via platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Wayfair, and directly from manufacturers (Sherwin-Williams, York Wallcoverings, etc.).