I normally start a wallpaper article along the lines of “Is wallpaper out of style?”, but I’m going to lay that question to rest. It is very much in style and I don’t think it needs to be asked again! 🙂
Wallpaper trends are constantly evolving, and are now considered (and probably always have been), a vital element of interior design. In earlier decades, wallpaper designs were often limited to repetitive floral patterns or basic stripes.
However, advancements in printing technology and design innovation have expanded the possibilities.
In recent years, we’ve seen a shift towards bold and artistic expressions in wallpaper designs. Geometric patterns, large-scale florals, and abstract prints have become popular, reflecting a broader trend toward personalization and bold interior statements.
Textured wallpapers, including grasscloth and fabric-like surfaces, have added tactile dimensions to walls, offering sensory richness beyond visual appeal.
The emergence of eco-friendly and sustainable wallpaper designs has also marked a significant trend, aligning with global awareness of environmental issues. These wallpapers are made from recycled materials or sustainable sources and are designed with eco-conscious production processes.
As we approach 2024, these trends are expected to diversify further, with an emphasis on individuality, sustainability, and technological innovation, making wallpaper not just a background element but a focal point of interior design.
Wallpaper Trends for 2024
In 2024, wallpaper design trends are characterized by a blend of technological innovation, environmental consciousness, personal expression, and a return to nature, illustrating the wallpaper’s role not just as a background element, but as a central component of interior design expression.
1. Stripes Are Here to Stay
This classic pattern has evolved to fit contemporary spaces, blending traditional elegance with modern flair. Stripes are used to create optical illusions in rooms, making spaces appear larger or ceilings higher.
Stripes were one of the main trends in wallpaper in 2023. However, in 2024 we will see the color palette of stripes expand, incorporating not just monochromatic tones but also vibrant, contrasting hues that can either harmonize with a room’s color scheme or stand out as a focal point.
2. Framed Panels
Wallpaper designs can often be works of art in their own right, so why not highlight the beauty and frame it within paneled walls? Using wallpaper in panels is an innovative and stylish way to incorporate wallpaper into your interior design without committing to covering an entire wall.
There are many ways you can decorate with wallpaper this way. You can use wallpaper panels to highlight architectural features in a room such as applying panels in alcoves, recessed areas, or on either side of a fireplace. This creates a focal point and adds depth to the room’s design. It is one of my favorite trends in wallpaper!
3. Peachy
Pantone’s Color of the Year has been named as Peach Fuzz, described as a warm hue that conveys the importance of nurturing compassion, empathy, and kindness amongst all. This color will also work its way into wallpaper trends.
Peach is a surprisingly versatile color that pairs well with a variety of other colors. It can complement greens, blues, and grays for a soft, natural look, or create a vibrant contrast with deeper shades like navy or burgundy. This versatility makes it suitable for many wallpaper design styles, from contemporary to rustic.
4. Peel and Stick
Not a wallpaper trend as such, but technological advances in wallpaper mean that more people are turning to peel-and-stick wallpaper. It offers several advantages that make it a popular choice for both homeowners and renters.
- Easy to install and remove
- Cost-effective
- Versatile
- No professional installation required
- Temporary or permanent options
- Damage free decorating
- Convenient for small spaces and accent walls
- Ideal for experimentation
- Easy to clean
5. Dramatic and Moody
One of the most popular ways to use dark wallpaper designs is on an accent wall. This approach allows you to add depth and drama without overwhelming the room. Choose a wall that you want to highlight, like behind a bed in a bedroom or a wall in the living area where your eyes naturally rest.
Dark and moody wallpapers can work surprisingly well in small spaces, such as a small downstairs bathroom, hallways, or small studies. In these areas, the bold wallpaper can create a cozy, enveloping feel.
6. Large Murals
The beauty of murals is their ability to create a dramatic scene in a room. Take this Vintage Grove Green wallpaper for example. The mural depicts a verdant, detailed scene of a large, leafy tree with a nuanced green color palette that offers depth and texture to the wall.
The cabinets are sleek and modern in a steel and white tone, contrasting with the classic warmth of the wooden countertop and the wooden floor. Painting the walls in a sage green finishes this kitchen’s look whilst the wallpaper brings it all together.
A mural can serve as a bold statement piece, transforming an otherwise utilitarian space into one that is captivating. If you are looking to decorate with wallpaper, you can’t go wrong with a wall mural!
7. Modern Shades of Pink, Brown, and Beige
2024 is seen as the year of “quiet luxury’, so what better colors than soft and muted pinks, browns, and beiges to bring this trend to life?
To add a little texture to the neutral color palette, look for wallpaper designs with soft patterns, metallic hints, embossed designs, or raised patterns. These add a dimensional quality to the walls, casting subtle shadows and creating highlights that change with the lighting throughout the day.
Flock wallpapers have a velvety, textured surface that can add a luxurious feel to a neutral wallpaper. The texture is not only visible but also tangible.
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8. Artist Designed Wallpaper
Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to be individual in their homes, and what better way than to add bespoke wallpaper created by artists? Wallpaper designs created by artists offer a unique opportunity to bring curated art into your home in a more immersive way.
Artist-designed wallpaper can transform a plain wall into a statement feature. Choose a wall that is a natural focal point, like behind a bed, sofa, or dining area. You can also use the wallpaper in a formal living room or study to create the atmosphere of a private gallery. The artistry of the wallpaper serves as a backdrop for select pieces of furniture and decor.
9. Bathroom Wallpaper
Bathrooms can often be a bit sterile and lacking character, so it is the perfect room to add a bit of wallpaper! I often get asked whether wallpaper works in a bathroom, and as long as you keep it away from the bath or sink, and the room is well-ventilated, it should be fine.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is perfect for the bathroom as it doesn’t require paste or water, making it less messy and more suitable for a bathroom where moisture is a concern.
Also, many peel-and-stick wallpapers are made with vinyl or other water-resistant materials, making them suitable for the humid environment of a bathroom.
10. Accent Wall
I know, I know, I can hear a collective groan from interior designers and home decor writers, but I have always been a fan of the accent wall. Not everyone wants to go bold and add wallpaper to all their walls, and an accent wall is perfect if you want to add a bit of pattern and color, but are nervous about doing it!
Accent walls work best if you continue to add color to the rest of your room, by picking out colors from the wallpaper. The colors in the wallpaper design should harmonize with the colors of your furniture, textiles, and other decor elements.
11. Block Prints
Wallpaper is about making a statement and there are many designs and styles to choose from that will complement your style, with block prints providing a classic and timeless quality. Block prints can have a textured quality that is physically present due to the layering of paint or ink, which adds a dimensional aspect to walls.
The designs can range from intricate and detailed to simple and modern, making block print wallpapers versatile for various interior styles. Many block prints draw on historical or cultural motifs, which can add a layer of narrative and richness to a room’s decor.
13. Whimsy Botanical
Cottagecore is still having a moment and one of its defining features is being whimsical. It often features playful interpretations of plant life, adding a touch of fantasy and charm to a space.
There can be many interpretations of this in trends in wallpaper including:
- Enchanted Forest: Wallpaper depicting a forest scene with stylized trees, fantastical flowers, and hidden creatures like fairies or forest animals.
- Storybook Illustrations: Designs that look like they’ve been lifted from the pages of a classic children’s storybook, with exaggerated blooms and leaves, and perhaps characters interacting with the flora.
- Tropical Fantasy: Lush tropical scenes with exaggerated, oversized leaves and brightly colored exotic flowers, possibly with elements like birds or imaginary animals.
- Garden Party: Imagery of a lively garden scene with a variety of plants, flowers, and garden fauna such as butterflies, bees, and birds, all in a playful layout.
- Surreal Greenhouse: Wallpaper that portrays a greenhouse or conservatory filled with an assortment of unusual and imaginary plants.
12. Modern Heritage
The contemporary take on heritage style melds classic elements with modern sensibilities. This approach features a blend of vintage-inspired floral wallpapers and fabrics, classic wainscoting, and time-honored paint hues, juxtaposed with modern art pieces and current handicrafts.
When selecting wallpaper for a modern heritage design, you should consider classic patterns with a twist including traditional motifs such as florals, and damasks, with updated colors. Ensure that the wallpaper, while modern in its reinterpretation, still harmonizes with other heritage elements in the room to create a cohesive design.
14. Faux Textures
Whilst there are many varieties of deeply embossed wallpapers available, a burgeoning trend is emerging with faux texture designs. These innovative wallpapers are captivating the market by creating the illusion of distinctive surface textures that appear to envelop walls.
Faux-textured wallpaper is currently in vogue, offering homeowners the opportunity to mimic the appearance of texture without committing to permanent materials like fabric, wood, brick, concrete, or paneling.
15. True Blue
With Benjamin Moore naming their color of the year – Blue Nova, and Sherwin Williams naming Upward, blue is set to be big in 2024. These blue tones will have an impact on wallpaper choices this year as we aim to pair them with on-trend colors.
As we look ahead to 2024, wallpaper trends are showcasing a blend of innovative technology, environmental consciousness, and a resurgence of historical and cultural influences. The common thread in 2024’s wallpaper trends is a focus on personalization and creating spaces that reflect individual styles and values.
FAQs
How do I choose wallpaper for a small space?
Consider wallpapers with light colors or subtle patterns to make the space feel larger and more open. Vertical stripes can help to create the illusion of height.
What wallpaper should I choose for a room with lots of light?
Rooms with plenty of natural light can handle darker or more vibrant wallpapers. Natural light tends to soften colors and patterns.
My room is quite dark, what wallpaper design should I go for?
In rooms with limited natural light, opt for lighter and brighter wallpapers to help brighten the space. Reflective or metallic elements in the wallpaper can also help to bounce light around the room.
I want to wallpaper a large room, how do I choose wallpaper?
Large rooms can handle bold patterns and vibrant colors without feeling overwhelming. Consider large-scale geometric patterns, vivid florals, or abstract designs to create a focal point. Unlike smaller spaces where dark colors might make the room feel cramped, larger rooms can comfortably accommodate darker hues. These can add a sense of coziness and luxury to the space.
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I also use Artificial Intelligence Image generators to create some of my images. These are to show you examples of my ideas and inspiration when I cannot produce the real images myself.
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