11 of the Best Wallpapers, According to Designers

Wallpaper, a decorative wall covering, boasts a rich history spanning centuries, originating in 105 B.C.E. with Chinese court official Tsai Lun, who pioneered its creation from natural fibers. Early wallpapers, featuring hand-painted scenes, served as an economical alternative to tapestries, offering insulation and concealing wall imperfections. Over time, advancements in materials and printing techniques led to a broader accessibility and variety of designs, making wallpaper a staple in interior decoration. This article delves into the origins and enduring appeal of 11 iconic wallpaper patterns that have stood the test of time, influencing interior design across different eras and cultures. The Damask pattern, recognized for its symmetrical medallions, is one of the oldest European wallpaper designs, with the earliest surviving piece dating back to 1509. Its ornate motifs, originally woven into luxurious fabrics with precious threads, symbolize sophistication and continue to be favored in formal settings today. Chinoiserie, a European interpretation of East Asian art, emerged in the palaces of European monarchs. This style, featuring elements like pagodas, dragons, and flora, remains a classic in traditional interiors. Toile, short for Toile de Jouy, is a French classic from the 1700s, characterized by repeating pastoral scenes. Contemporary adaptations, such as Sheila Bridges' Harlem Toile de Jouy, offer modern takes on this historical design. Floral wallpaper, while originating in China, became a significant part of British aesthetics during the Rococo and Victorian eras. The advent of color printing and industrialized production made floral patterns widely accessible. Despite a temporary decline during the modernist movement, floral designs have regained popularity, offering diverse styles from abstract to vintage. William Morris's Strawberry Thief, created in 1883, exemplifies the Arts & Crafts movement with its intricate depiction of nature, inspired by his garden. This pattern continues to be reproduced on various home furnishings. Plaid, with its roots in 16th-century Scotland as tartan, gained popularity in America through loggers and the 1990s grunge movement. Today, plaid wallpaper offers a versatile option for rustic and country-style homes. Striped wallpaper, initially associated with outcasts, transformed into a fashionable motif in the 19th century, particularly after Queen Victoria dressed her son in a sailor suit. Coco Chanel further popularized stripes, which now visually expand spaces and suit both contemporary and traditional interiors. The whimsical Zebras pattern by Scalamandré, designed in the 1940s, achieved iconic status through its appearance in films and remains a popular choice for glamorous interiors. Trellis, an architectural pattern inspired by garden structures, dates back to King Louis XIV's Versailles and was adapted into wallpaper by William Morris. This design brings a touch of nature indoors and is available in various modern and traditional forms. The vibrant Banana Leaf pattern, created in 1941 for CW Stockwell textiles, evokes South Pacific jungle landscapes and became a signature of the Beverly Hills Hotel. It is now a favorite for achieving a tropical or regency aesthetic. Finally, the Hexagon pattern, a naturally occurring shape seen in honeycombs, gained prominence as wallpaper in the 1960s through interior decorator David Hicks. Hexagonal prints provide a polished, geometric backdrop for contemporary spaces, with large-scale versions being particularly favored in modern applications. These eleven patterns showcase the evolving role of wallpaper in interior design, blending historical significance with contemporary appeal. #Wallpaper #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #PatternHistory #Damask #Chinoiserie #Toile #FloralWallpaper #WilliamMorris #Plaid #StripedWallpaper #ZebraWallpaper #Trellis #BananaLeaf #Hexagon

The year 2024 saw a resurgence of bold and enthusiastic approaches in designer wallpaper and fabric launches, moving away from the quiet luxury aesthetic. This shift was evident from events like Paris Deco Off, showcasing vibrant palettes and daring colorways. The trends observed included heritage brands reinterpreting archival prints and contemporary labels embracing psychedelic influences. One prominent trend was the celebration of Japanese design principles, known as 'Travels to Japan.' This included homages to wabi-sabi, Japandi fusions, and kanso, which manifested in textiles as love letters to Japan's natural landscapes and artistry. Collections like De Gournay's Byōbu and Fromental's New Gilded Age, with its Kiku Garden and Haiku designs, drew inspiration from the Edo Period and traditional Japanese painting. Designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen referenced Imari porcelain, while Pierre Frey's Soleil Levant collection incorporated ukiyo-e woodblock prints and silk obi patterns. Clarence House's À La Japonaise collection featured prints inspired by ink painting, Nara's deer, and Noh theatrical costumes. The 'After Dark' trend showcased neo-Victorian influences, with British brands like House of Hackney and Soane introducing striking floral prints on dark backgrounds. Soane's Violas and Mabille, for example, presented dynamic large-scale designs. Pierre Frey's Sceaux fabric in Nocturne evoked famille-noire porcelain, and Casamance’s Xalapa offered a tropical feel. Élitis’s Arabesque contributed to this trend with abstract, pulsating shapes, creating an invigorating high-contrast aesthetic. Another theme, 'Day at the Museum,' drew inspiration from art and cultural institutions. S. Harris's Identity collection channeled Abstract Expressionists and Color Field painting. Harlequin’s Onburo wallpaper offered Rothko-like meditative stripes. Breegan Jane's collection for Clarke & Clarke transformed African wildlife into Pop art and painterly fabrics, with Malindi wallpaper featuring graphic repeats reminiscent of Warhol and Nairobi wall covering evoking Monet's waterlilies. Aux Abris’s Woodlands collection featured floral prints in the style of Sonia Delaunay's 1930s drawings. Pierre Frey’s Azuma wall covering depicted furoshiki, with bundles resembling Yayoi Kusama’s gourds. Other art-inspired releases included S. Harris's Cubist print for Georges Braque and Maharam's collaborations with artist Jacob Hashimoto. The 'Acid Trip' trend highlighted designers' embrace of bold, psychedelic colors. Élitis’s Excentrique line and Morris & Co.’s Bedford Park collection reimagined archival prints in vibrant new colorways, such as Strawberry Thief in fuchsia and turquoise. Rubelli's Formafantasma adopted a Lite-Brite palette in the Gardens collection, while Sahco's 2024 collection featured delicate, disparately arranged petals in scintillating cranberry, citron, frothy orange, and turquoise. Dedar’s Jamu Jungle and Déjà Vu Jamais showcased kaleidoscopic labyrinths in vivid hues like flamingo pink. Maharam also planned to introduce Nova by Sander Lak, featuring a pattern that captures the flow and movement of color. 'Woodland Embarking' focused on arboreal themes, with chic tree designs appearing throughout 2024. Sahco’s Art Deco–esque Sariska print, Arte’s Riverbank jacquard, and Aux Abris’s Sheltering Pond mural took inspiration from forests and natural landscapes. Dedar’s Il Giardino In Una Stanza and House of Hackney’s Trees Please print offered magical, storybook-like imagery. Larsen debuted a leaf-like printed fabric as a versatile alternative to palm prints. The 'Stamp of Approval' trend saw brands putting twists on stamped motifs, from delicate florals to bold geometrics. Fermoie’s Ruffle and Rapture & Wright’s Pablo’s Polka were abstract highlights. Textile studio Otea launched offerings inspired by block prints and folk art. Maison Venu, Schuyler Samperton Textiles, Peter Dunham Textiles, and Nina Campbell incorporated pops of color through printed petals, embracing the imperfections of handmade crafts. 'Dialing Up the Charm' featured novelty prints that brought personality to interiors. Nina Campbell’s Dallimore collection for Osborne & Little included the Tudeley fabric with jubilant potted plants. GP&J; Baker’s collaboration with Kit Kemp reimagined archival imagery and included Robina’s Dinner Party with animal-emblazoned plates. Ralph Lauren’s Boatyard print offered a nautical twist, while bows and berries appeared in releases from Schumacher and Molly Mahon. Animal novelty prints continued with Schumacher’s A Country Life collection and Teil Duncan’s whimsical creatures. De Gournay’s Celestial Atlas provided a unique offering with a Zodiac ceiling mural. 'Blue Is the New Neutral' observed the prevalence of dusty, icy cerulean shades as an antidote to electric hues. Ronsard, a tapestry-inspired floral from Quenin 1865, was revived by Lelièvre. The Vale London’s Shaw and Noreen patterns, with hibiscus flowers, epitomized the coastal-grandmother aesthetic. Schumacher and Caroline Lizarraga for Parete created distinctive blue patterns. Flora Soames’s Stockton fabric infused blue into a historic Jacobean-inspired print, and Loro Piana Interiors’ Hebrides offered a deep cerulean herringbone tweed. French blues also appeared in collections from Elliston House and Weitzner. 'Better With Age' explored the English country house aesthetic, featuring moody faded florals and withered roses. Ralph Lauren’s Dorset Garden fabrics included plaids, damasks, and floral prints in muted hues, with Espalier Vintage Rose being reintroduced. Guy Goodfellow, Leah O’Connell Textiles, and Sanderson also presented blossoms on cream and beige grounds. Zak+Fox and Colefax and Fowler gave plaids and stripes a settled-in effect, and Amber Interiors drew inspiration from shibori for her line with Studio Four NYC. Linen grounds were popular for imbuing fabrics with subtle age and lightness. 'To Be a Dragonfly on the Wall' highlighted the enduring charm of dragonfly motifs in novelty prints. Clarence House’s Tonbo print referenced Japanese woodblock prints and folk art, symbolizing victory and agility. Aux Abris’s Kelmscott collection included a kaleidoscopic Dragonfly paper. Harlequin’s Demosille design and Teil Duncan’s Dragonfly Stripe offered modern, candy-colored updates. S. Harris reintroduced Bugskins with colorful embroidered insects on a dark linen-blend ground. Finally, 'Nature-Made' showcased sophisticated textured wall coverings crafted from natural materials. Straw, wood, and other elements were adapted by artisans, leading to experiments in pattern-making. Arte’s Hawaiian-inspired Lanai collection featured hand-crafted rattan and raffia elements. Weitzner and Omexco harnessed natural materials in their Imprint and Intuition collections. Osborne & Little integrated color into wovens using age-old paper-weaving techniques, as seen in the Papyrus wall covering. Phillip Jeffries’ Enchanting Planks created a geometric collage from banana leaves, and CMO Paris’s Sisal Murals offered eye-catching neutral tones and marquetry. These trends collectively represent a dynamic and enthusiastic year in designer wallpaper and fabric, emphasizing diverse cultural inspirations, artistic influences, and a departure from subdued aesthetics. #WallpaperTrends #FabricTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #JapaneseDesign #ArtInspired #ColorTrends #NaturalMaterials #ArchivalPrints #NoveltyPrints

Wallpaper, once dismissed as a relic of past decades, has experienced a significant resurgence in interior design, becoming a versatile tool for adding texture, color, and personality to homes. Designers are now embracing innovative applications of wallpaper beyond traditional wall coverings, utilizing both conventional and peel-and-stick varieties to create unique aesthetic statements. This renewed interest reflects a broader desire among homeowners to infuse their living spaces with intentional design elements and distinctive charm. One emerging trend involves applying wallpaper to furniture. Instead of merely painting or staining old pieces, designers suggest using peel-and-stick wallpaper to cover entire surfaces or specific sections of furniture, such as the exterior panels of a media cabinet or the interior of a glass display case. This technique revitalizes furniture, offering a fresh look and a touch of individuality to otherwise ordinary items. The ease of peel-and-stick options makes this a particularly accessible and appealing DIY project. Another creative application is the use of wallpaper to create faux headboards. By installing a striking wallpaper pattern directly above the bed, homeowners can achieve the visual impact of a traditional headboard, adding dimension and character to the bedroom without the bulk or expense of a physical piece of furniture. These wallpaper headboards can be customized with curved or rectangular shapes and can be further enhanced with wood trim or painted borders for a more defined look. Taking wallpaper to new heights, literally, involves applying it to the ceiling. This unexpected placement transforms the fifth wall into a focal point, injecting vibrancy or texture into a room. To balance a bold ceiling design, interior designers recommend pairing it with walls painted in a complementary neutral color and incorporating a large, neutral light fixture. This approach ensures the wallpaper remains the star, allowing the eyes to rest and appreciate the unique design choice. For those seeking art without the cost of original pieces, framing wallpaper offers an elegant solution. Homeowners can select a wallpaper sample that aligns with their aesthetic and frame it, either in modern clean-lined frames or repurposed vintage frames found at thrift stores. This method allows for the display of wallpaper remnants from other areas of the home, promoting a cohesive design narrative throughout the living space. Custom-made large frames can also turn wallpaper into significant art installations. Hand-painted wallpaper murals provide a luxurious alternative to custom paint jobs, delivering a high-end artistic effect at a more accessible price point. These murals can create an instant accent wall, transforming a room into a sophisticated backdrop. The key is to choose a design that homeowners are genuinely captivated by, ensuring a truly personalized and enjoyable visual experience. Wallpaper is also being used in functional areas like stair risers. Instead of traditional stair runners, peel-and-stick wallpaper can be applied to the vertical face of each step, mimicking the appearance of tiled risers. This adds color and personality to a high-traffic area without being overly bold. Given the frequent contact, it's advisable to select a durable, easy-to-clean wallpaper for this application. Decoupage projects, which involve adhering cutouts of paper to surfaces, are experiencing a comeback with wallpaper. Small items such as trays, bowls, or lamp bases can be personalized by tearing traditional wallpaper into smaller pieces and layering them to create a unique decoupage effect. Mixing complementary wallpaper patterns can further enhance the character and visual interest of these handcrafted items. Finally, built-in bookshelves and nooks present an excellent opportunity for wallpaper integration. Both peel-and-stick and traditional wallpapers can be used to line the back panels of these structures, turning a bland built-in into a functional yet beautiful focal point. Layering framed abstract artwork on the shelves can add another dimension of pattern play, creating visual intrigue within each section. These diverse applications highlight wallpaper's potential to significantly enhance a home's aesthetic appeal and reflect individual style. #WallpaperTrends #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DIYHomeProjects #PeelAndStickWallpaper #FurnitureRevamp #AccentWalls #CreativeDecorating

Wallpaper offers a transformative and impactful method to enhance a room by introducing color, texture, or a bold pattern without requiring extensive renovations. Interior decorator Leah Walder emphasizes wallpaper as an effective way to express personality and add an element of fun to living spaces. To identify top-performing brands, eight popular wallpapers underwent testing for ease of application, aesthetic appeal, durability, and value for money. The testing process involved evaluating the clarity and sharpness of patterns, the material's thickness, and how easily the paper curled or laid flat. Application instructions were closely followed, noting the simplicity of cutting, handling, smoothing out bubbles, and repositioning panels. The alignment of patterns and the cleanup of excess glue were also assessed. After a 24-hour drying period, the wallpapers were subjected to stain tests using crayons, coffee, and barbecue sauce, with subsequent cleaning to evaluate stain removal, color transfer, damage, and fading. The review highlights several categories, including 'Best Animal Print' with Rifle Paper Co. Peacock Wallpaper, praised for its sturdy material, vivid colors, and smooth application, despite visible white edges on darker designs. 'Best Earthy' is awarded to A-Street Prints Cheng Light Brown Woven Grasscloth Wallpaper, noted for its timeless texture and easy pattern matching, although some corners tended to peel and cleaning certain stains proved difficult. The 'Best Floral' category features Fineapple Pair Boho Tropical Wallpaper, lauded for its thickness, wrinkle-free application, and vibrant colors, requiring slight overlapping for seamless design flow. For 'Best Traditional,' Ballard Designs Juliet Floral Wallpaper is recognized for its intricate, clear print and ease of handling during booking and application. However, any misalignment in the delicate pattern was noticeable, and some color stains were challenging to remove completely. The 'Best Contemporary' title goes to Magnolia Home By Joanna Gaines Pick Up Sticks Wallpaper, which, despite initial adhesion challenges and air bubble formation, demonstrated remarkable durability and ease of cleaning. Lastly, 'Best Nautical' is awarded to Joss & Main Faded Denim Blue Nautical Wallpaper, appreciated for its pre-pasted application and water-resistant, stain-resistant properties, although its thick material posed some cutting difficulties around fixtures. When selecting wallpaper, key considerations include design style and pattern scale. Larger patterns create a significant statement, even in small spaces, while smaller geometric patterns or textured papers offer a more subtle effect. Material and thickness are crucial, with vinyl recommended for high-traffic and moisture-prone areas, and grasscloth for a sophisticated look in formal settings. Thicker wallpapers are better at concealing wall imperfections. Application type—peel-and-stick, spray-and-stick, or unpasted—influences installation complexity, with peel-and-stick being the easiest. Understanding pattern repeats (straight, drop, or half-drop) is vital for accurate alignment and minimizing waste. To determine the quantity needed, measure the wall's square footage and divide it by the roll's coverage, always ordering an extra roll for contingencies. Essential tools for application include measuring tape, pencil, straight edge, utility knife, and a smoothing tool. The choice between regular and removable wallpaper depends on the desired permanence and flexibility, with removable options suitable for trendy patterns or renters, and traditional wallpaper ideal for timeless designs and larger areas. #WallpaperSelection #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #WallpaperInstallation #DecoratingTips #HomeImprovement #DIYHomeDecor #DesignTrends