52 Wallpaper Ideas for Every Room and Style

If you love color and pattern, these wallpaper ideas will help you transform any space.

Neutral dining room with wooden chairs and lighting fixture
Photo:

Ali Harper

Wallpaper is the ultimate way to add a splash of color and pattern to any space. While it’s been all the rage recently, the earliest forms of this decorative wall treatment actually date back all the way to the 16th century. Wallpaper has made a huge comeback in recent years, ushering in a new era of wall decor. From bold large-scale prints that make a dramatic statement to whimsical designs that instantly brighten a room, wallpaper has the power to completely transform a space.

While it can be a costly investment, but there are several ways to use this wall covering on a budget. Create an accent wall, use it in combination with wainscoting, install it in a smaller space, or go with an affordable peel and stick version.

If you’re ready to give your home a stunning makeover that guests will ooh and aah about, wallpaper is the way to do it, and we’re sharing our favorite ideas for inspiration.

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Complementary Colors

Blue, botanical wallpaper in bedroom with orange headboard

David Land

Consider the color of your headboard, sofa, or other large furniture when choosing wallpaper. This cheerful orange upholstered bed stands out against a whimsical blue and white leaf-print wallpaper for an eclectic look. The two complementary colors fill the modern bedroom with a bright burst of energy and the low-sitting bed and nightstand allow the fun pattern to shine.

02 of 52

Hand-Painted Wallpaper Pattern

Black and white wallpaper with white, wood accent wall

Add a big dose of personality with a hand-painted style wallpaper that instantly relaxes a space and ushers in a casual feel. This entryway is a great example of how to pull off a monochrome color palette; use the colors in both pattern and solid form and on multiple room elements, such as the wallpaper, area rug, staircase, and wall hooks in this modern hallway.

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Dining Room Wallpaper

Neutral dining room with wooden chairs and lighting fixture

Ali Harper

A dining room is one of the most commonly wallpapered rooms in a home. It’s often one of the more formal spaces and provides a great opportunity to showcase your personal style. Instead of a traditional chair rail with wallpaper installed above it, put a modern spin on a classic dining room feature with a large-scale abstract paper that extends from floor to ceiling. 

04 of 52

Wallpaper Meets Paint

Entryway with navy paint and gray wallpaper

If you have leftover wallpaper or are trying to keep costs down, instead of installing it on full walls, only use it on the top half or third of a wall and use interior paint on the rest of the wall. Create a clean break and definition between the two with decorative molding or coat hooks such as those used in this warm and welcoming entryway.

05 of 52

Retro Wallpaper Print

banquet table with graphic art, pink wallpaper and blue ceiling beams

Annie Schlechter

A pink wallpaper with a small-scale print sets a sweet tone in this retro-inspired space. It adds just enough color while being neutral enough to allow other bold design elements, such as a canary yellow chair and a navy blue coffered ceiling, to stand out.

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Add a Pop of Pattern

Decorative shelf with neutral wallpaper behind

Adam Albright

Elevate a plain bookshelf or built-in by lining the back with a patterned wallpaper. It’ll instantly give the piece of furniture a custom look and bring in an unexpected splash of color and additional layer of visual interest. 

07 of 52

Wallpaper for White Bathroom

Bathroom with tropical wallpaper

Wallpaper is a great way to pack a ton of style into a small space. This whimsical pineapple-themed wallpaper adds a playful touch to this all-white bathroom and completely transforms what could have been a plain and sterile room into one that’s full of personality. 

08 of 52

Wallpaper the Ceiling

Blue bedroom with chandelier and wallpaper ceiling

Josh Grubbs

Don’t forget about the fifth wall—the ceiling—when considering wallpaper. Instead of going with the traditional option of covering the walls, make a bold design choice and install wallpaper on the ceiling. Add a statement light fixture to draw the eyes up and highlight the paper.

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Traditional Floral Wallpaper

Entryway with blue and pink floral wallpaper and gold lighting fixture

Annie Schlechter

A traditional-style floral wallpaper accented with elegant molding, a brass mirror and ceiling light, and a chartreuse velvet bench come together for a sophisticated interior. A busy wallpaper can easily overwhelm a space, but multiple doors, windows, and tall baseboards and crown molding help break up the pattern with pockets of solid color for visual balance. 

10 of 52

Mix Materials

Wooden shelves with floral wallpaper and pink tile

Kim Cornelison

Create a layered effect by mixing wallpaper, tile, paint, and a natural material such as wood. A dusty pink stacked wall tile brings in a grid pattern while a black wallpaper introduces a contrasting organic pattern in the form of pink and red flowers. A solid colored wall balances out the two and provides a spot for the eye to rest, while the chunky light-toned wood shelves add warmth.

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Wallpaper Accent Wall

Neutral bedroom with wave pattern wallpaper

A neutral-colored wallpaper adds subtle color and pattern to this charming kid’s bedroom. If you want to install wallpaper in your home but are concerned about the pricey investment, instead of covering all the walls, go with an accent wall. It’s a great way to cut down on cost and to make it feel intentional and integrated, pull one of the colors from the paper and use it on the surrounding walls. 

12 of 52

Graphic Wallpaper

Dark green wallpaper with marble countertop

Annie Schlechter

Wallpaper is a great way to infuse a small corner with lots of character. Here, a deep green graphic wallpaper adds both whimsy and depth, juxtaposed with an earthy wood vanity and bright white quartz countertop. Matte black is the perfect metal choice for hardware and lighting in this powder room, as it enhances its modern look and doesn’t distract from the dark wallpaper color.

13 of 52

Botanical Wallpaper

Green and white kitchen with gold accents

Annie Schlechter

A green and white botanical-themed wallpaper enlivens this white kitchen and echoes the colors of a playful lattice backsplash. The fresh and clean color scheme is accented with gold barstools that introduce a shiny metallic element and a minimalist blue semi-flush mount light fixture.

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Tropical Oasis

Sitting room with botanical wallpaper

Katie Charlotte

A stunning leaf-print wallpaper turns this sitting room into a tropical oasis. For a dramatic look, extract one of the darker tones from your chosen wallpaper and pick a matching paint color for the ceiling and trim. It will help frame the room and create a seamless flow within the whole space.

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Modern Wallpaper Idea

Entryway with black doors, geometric wallpaper and staircase banisters

Jay Wilde

Define an architectural feature, such as this small vestibule with an arched opening, by installing wallpaper. The geometric pattern pulls in the black front door color and creates visual separation from the home’s interior, making the tiny area its own space. 

16 of 52

Monochromatic Powder Room

Gray, white and black powder room with sink and mirror

John Bessler

An iconic black and white cloud wallpaper infuses this small powder room with classic sophistication. A marble-topped vanity blends in with the wall covering colors and black baseboards, penny tile on the floor, and wall mirror and sconces bring in contrast and depth of color.

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Pair Bold Wallpaper with Tile

Bathroom with blue and green wallpaper and white subway tile

Brie Williams

A vibrant blue and green wallpaper packs a punch in this small bathroom. Its busyness and high color saturation is balanced out with classic white subway tile that picks up some of the white spots in the paper, ushering in a soothing calm. Use a minimalist sconce and cover a wall mirror with the wallpaper used on the wall for an uninterrupted finish.

18 of 52

Swap Out Tile for Wallpaper

floating shelves with gold accents and dark wallpaper

A dark gray chevron wallpaper provides stark contrast to white countertops and highlights a pair of white floating shelves supported by brass brackets. It mimics a backsplash and is a great alternative to traditional tile for an elevated, designer-inspired look.

19 of 52

Powder Room Wallpaper

Blue and white bathroom wallpaper with gold mirror and marble vanity

Blue and white is a winning combination in this elegant powder room. A large-scale leaf print wallpaper adds pattern and color in a stylish and sophisticated way. When using a bold print, keep the rest of the fixtures—such as the vanity or wall mirror—simple to avoid cluttering the space. 

20 of 52

Soft and Subtle Pattern

Dining room with neutral wallpaper and built-in seating

Edmund Barr

A gray and white star print wallpaper provides a subtle patterned backdrop for this cozy dining room. Its softness prevents it from overpowering the space and contrasts the more visually heavy room features such as the leather banquette or wood dining table. A white drum pendant light picks up the bright tones in the paper and helps lighten the space.

21 of 52

Add Luxury with Wallpaper

Bathroom with arch and gold wallpaper behind the tub

A shimmery gold wallpaper adds a touch of luxury and highlights an alcove housing a modern freestanding tub. The small-scale wallpaper gives the illusion of an old mosaic and its varying shades and detailed nature contrast the simple and streamlined tub for an “old meets new” look. Use wallpaper to draw attention to a key room feature such as this and keep it in the spotlight by going simple with the rest of the colors, finishes, and furniture in the space.

22 of 52

Going Glam

modern home exterior with gray color scheme

Better Homes & Gardens

If these walls were white, the black iron bed frame and ruffled bedding could be construed as farmhouse style. However, the bedroom instantly gets a glam makeover with the patterned wallpaper. The room's neutral color scheme keeps the look mature, and the matching bedside tables provide an extra punch.

23 of 52

The Fifth Wall

doorway through closet with wallpaper ceiling

Kim Cornelison

It's easy to forget about the ceiling. Usually painted white, it fades into a room's background. Not in this closet, however. These homeowners opted to use wallpaper, decorating the ceiling with a gold accent. The geometric design mimics the pattern found in the rug below.

24 of 52

Moody Wallpaper

half bath with bold red and gold wallpaper

Better Homes & Gardens

Using wallpaper for decorating in your half-bath, you hardly have to put any thought into additional decor. Instead, the wallpaper does all the decorating for you! While some people hesitate to use bold colors in small spaces, these homeowners went all-in, and it paid off.

25 of 52

Uplifted Wallpaper Decorating

red graphic wallpaper on retro kitchen ceiling

Better Homes & Gardens

A seemingly simple kitchen gets a punchy accent with a wallpapered ceiling. The red design works because it's repeated with the stove knobs, tea kettle, and visible storage containers. Installing wallpaper on the ceiling isn't easy, but the unique accent wallpaper is worth the work.

26 of 52

Trellis Wallpaper

Hallway wallpaper

Dana Gallagher

Who doesn't love a good trellis wallpaper? The lighter lines and curvy flow of the design in this hallway are a reinterpretation of the classic pattern that gets high marks in our book. Warm wood flooring and substantial white trim ground the pretty wallpaper design.

27 of 52

Living Large

Dining room wallpaper

David Tsay

Repeat after us: Floral wallpaper can be good and floral wallpaper can be bad. This is by far the former. The large-scale pattern is a thoroughly modern wallpaper design with a mix of fanciful flowers and graphic leaves. A gold-and-white color scheme keeps it classy, not tacky.

28 of 52

Wallpapered Greetings

Entryway hall wallpaper

Marty Baldwin

Wallpaper in an entryway equals a bold first impression. And bonus points if it coordinates with your front door color. The gray ogee design encircling the scalloped diamonds in this wallpaper is a mash-up we like to call global geometric, which is fashion-forward but completely livable.

29 of 52

Understated Elegance

Primary bedroom with grey and white wallpaper

Edmund Barr

Bright and bold wallpaper designs might make a splash, but don't discount the power of an understated pattern. In this serene and sophisticated bedroom, a delicate and curvaceous latticelike wallpaper with a dark gray background brings depth to an airy neutral room. Repeating the background color on the trim of the bedding ties the look together.

30 of 52

Kids Bedroom Wallpaper

Childs bedroom

Edmund Barr

Accent great architecture with even better wallpaper. In this boy's bedroom, an abstract nautical wallpaper print emphasizes a lofted, pitched ceiling. The white walls take a step back, giving the paper wall a mural-like presence.

31 of 52

Black and White Bathroom

Black and white bathroom

Emily J. Followill

Talk about showstopping. Even though this design is based on a 17th-century French damask pattern, the wallpaper is fresh and appealing to the 21st-century decorator. The pattern takes on a nature-inspired motif, which juxtaposes the smart black-and-white colorway.

32 of 52

Modern Chinoiserie Wallpaper

Floral bathroom

Edmund Barr

Imagine the surprise guests receive when they open the door to this powder room and see this unique modern Chinoiserie wallpaper. A small bath like this is the perfect place to go bold with a strong pattern. Paired with white fixtures and minimal accessories, the look is polished, not overbearing.

33 of 52

Greek Key Wallpaper

Greek key wallpaper

David Tsay

The eponymous motif has been around since the ancient Greeks built their empire. Today, it's a hot pattern for more than just architecture. Trendy pillows, trims, fabrics, and, you guessed it, wallpapers are all sporting this revived classic. The gray-and-white wallpaper in this bedroom introduces a subtle yet stately pattern.

34 of 52

Plaid Wallpaper

Bathroom with plaid wallpaper

MIchael Partenio

If you think all wallpapers are flowery and frilly, you're mistaken. Plaid wallpaper nods to the trending rustic hunting lodge aesthetic while staying in classic, timeless territory. A rich mahogany finish on the vanity and trim, and marble wainscoting, play up the traditional character, The marble and stone mosaic flooring plays off the plaid wallpaper pattern.

35 of 52

Ingenious Installation

Turquoise living room

Rachel McGinn

Wallpaper design ideas don't just encompass patterns and colors. Installation can be unique and special, too. In this living room, turquoise blue Otomi wallpaper envelops just the fireplace box rather than the room's walls. The global pattern acts as artwork for the mantel and a backdrop for stylish fireplace accessories.

36 of 52

Pattern Mix

Mixed pattern decor

Sarah Dorio

While "don't sweat the small stuff" is a noble life mantra, the small stuff can make a room design sing. Pattern scale is an important consideration, especially with wallpaper decorating. In this feminine space, ikat drapes fill the large-scale pattern role, and wallpaper of a similar scale would have been overwhelming. Instead, sweet spotted wallpaper creates an almost solid-looking backdrop for the drapes and abstract painting.

37 of 52

Removable Wallpaper

master bedroom with soft colors and cherry tree

Better Homes & Gardens

Love the look of wallpaper but fear commitment? Enter temporary wallpaper. Easy to install and completely removable, these here-today-gone-tomorrow wallpaper designs look anything but cheap. This mural-inspired design is from Tempaper's Chinoiserie wallpaper line. And if you're tired of the wallpaper decorating your room in a year, you can remove it and replace it with another style.

38 of 52

Farmhouse Kids Room

birch tree wallpaper and hutch in corner

Better Homes & Gardens

Think country wallpapers only feature chickens and barns? Try again. Here, wallpaper with a birch tree pattern sets a forest scene in this farmhouse children's bedroom. The grayscale color scheme borrows from contemporary wallpaper ideas and juxtaposes the room's rustic design elements.

39 of 52

Not Just for Walls

Dresser wallpaper

Blaine Moats

Despite the name, wallpaper isn't exclusively for walls. The material can give a plain dresser a patterned wake-up call. Self-adhesive wallpapers make the project even easier.

40 of 52

Add Ceiling Decor

Young girl's bedroom

Anthony Masterson

Applying wallpaper to a ceiling may be a little tricky, but the results are stunning and unexpected. Here, a twinkling star pattern caps off a charming girl's bedroom. The sparkling stars complement the shimmery trio of crystal light fixtures above the bed. Want a little more sparkle? Look for glitter wallpaper!

41 of 52

On the Rise

Staircase wallpaper

Edmund Bar

Stair risers have to be one of the most creative places to wallpaper. And mixing it up with two different patterns? Major creativity props. Plus, you don't need a ton of wallpaper, so it's a low-cost update with high impact.

42 of 52

Large-Scale Wallpaper

Wallpaper accent wall

Anthony Masterson

Oversized patterns in wallpaper decorating work well in airy, light-filled rooms as an all-over wallcovering or smaller spaces on a single accent wall. This floral pattern nods to the living room's vintage leanings, but the white-and-acid-yellow motif is fresh and fearless. Keeping other patterns constrained helps the wallpaper shine.

43 of 52

Textured Wallpaper

Living room with textured wallpaper

Joe Schmelzer

Texture gives pattern a run for its money in the wallpaper department. Grasscloth leads the pack as a primo choice for textural wallcoverings. In this living room, the natural material is a soft counterpoint to glam metallics, cool whites, and beiges.

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Try Grasscloth Wallpaper

Bedroom with grasscloth wallpaper

Paul Dyer

And bluer, pinker, and red-er too! We'd be remiss if we failed to mention that grasscloth wallpaper also comes in a rainbow of colors. And when a material packs a double punch (color and texture), we say, "Yes, please!"

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Pretty in Pink

Pink and white bathroom

Edmund Barr

The crisp white surfaces often found in bathrooms lend themselves well to color-plus-white wallpapers. Here, a striking magenta-and-white damask-pattern wallpaper perks up an average bathroom design. Damask is commonly found in Victorian wallpapers, but the design is thoroughly modern in lipstick pink.

46 of 52

Wallpaper for Small Spaces

Small space with horizontal wallpaper

Edmund Barr

Want to make your space feel more expansive? Wallpaper decorating may be your answer. Horizontal stripes keep the eye moving, a trick that makes the area look bigger. Pops of color enliven the gray-and-white wallpaper design, while a white built-in and a comfy gray couch ground the room.

47 of 52

Industrial Wallpaper Ideas

Kids bedroom

Anthony Masterson

Can we say, we're totally jealous of the kid that gets to sleep in this bedroom? In addition to the fabulous industrial decor and fun pops of orange, trendy wood paneling and a flame stitch wallpaper turn up the style quotient on the walls. The colors in the flame stitch wallpaper set the color scheme for the rest of the room for a cohesive design.

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Modern Floral Wallpaper

Entryway floral wallpaper

Adam Albright

This isn't your grandma's floral wallpaper. Instead, the metallic gold-on-white print is abstract enough to be modern but organic enough to maintain a girly feel. Gold and white accents and a few pops of color bring out the playful side of the feminine wallpaper.

49 of 52

Wallpaper Your Built-Ins

Living room bookshelf

Jeff Herr

Can you spy the wallpaper in this space? Hint: It's not on the walls. It's tucked behind a collection of books and accessories on the built-ins. This wallpaper decorating idea proves that wallpaper can still have a place in your life if your look is subtle. The metallic modern leaf print adds a hint of shimmer and pattern to the painted white built-ins and fireplace surround.

50 of 52

Moody and We Like It

Bold powder room

John Bessler

Nothing says drama quite like a large-scale wallpaper in rich colors. But pairing it with moody dark walls in a teeny-tiny powder room? Talk about a triple threat. Pairing the bold walls with white accents and a limed wood vanity brings balance to the room, and the result is an absolute stunner.

51 of 52

Shine On

Bedroom with gold floral wallpaper

Werner Straube

The graphic floral wallpaper with a gold shimmer is only the first right note this bedroom hits. It's a sophisticated backdrop for a symphony of elegant decor. Rich rusty coral silk curtains and a tufted headboard follow the posh theme and simple white bedding keeps it classic. Throw pillows pick up on the color of the curtains.

52 of 52

Subtly Sweet

White bathroom with gold and pink wallpaper

Tria Giovan

The right wallpaper design can bring personality to classically appointed rooms. In this bathroom, blush wallpaper with gold floral motifs turns a primarily white space into a feminine retreat. A similar pink hue on the ceiling merges the walls and ceiling, giving the room a lofty appearance.

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