Not your grandmother’s wallpaper! If you told me 20 years ago that wallpaper would be all the rage in 2024 I wouldn’t have believed you. No way would people want to hang borders of galloping horses or water fowl in their dens and family rooms. Or accentuate their kitchen walls with fruit themed wallpapers that quickly became stained with popping grease or dirty, peanut butter covered hands.

No. Wallpaper was supposed to be a thing of the past.

A choice we look back on that makes us question our taste levels and inwardly cringe. I’m sure to not be the only one who has spent countless hours steaming and peeling and scraping off outdated wallpaper. It can be a long, tedious process which is why some people just learned to live with that teddy bear themed wallpaper in their master bedroom!

But all things come around again if we wait long enough and a new generation of designers and innovators start putting their spin on those outdated designs.

Let’s take a peek at wallpaper-reinvented for 2024!

First off, wallpaper isn’t just for your walls anymore. Ceilings are the perfect canvas for an eye grabbing pattern. It can be combined with matching paper on the walls to illicit a super cozy vibe, perfect for reading nooks, a dramatic bedroom or a dark and moody dining room. Leaving walls blank and saving the paper just for the ceiling will certainly bring your eye up and give the illusion of a larger space. Pull a focal color from that paper and add it throughout the rest of the room to tie it all together.

First off, wallpaper isn’t just for your walls anymore.

Ceilings are the perfect canvas for an eye grabbing pattern. It can be combined with matching paper on the walls to illicit a super cozy vibe, perfect for reading nooks, a dramatic bedroom or a dark and moody dining room. Leaving walls blank and saving the paper just for the ceiling will certainly bring your eye up and give the illusion of a larger space. Pull a focal color from that paper and add it throughout the rest of the room to tie it all together.

Wallpaper is also being used in interiors of built in cabinets and elaborate mill work.

A bookshelf or hutch can come to life with the right wallpaper behind the shelves. It’s a more economical way to make a statement as a roll or two is all you really need. Wainscotting is gorgeous on its own but just look how it comes to life with a contrasting wallpaper above it. You may feel more confident using a bolder wallpaper pattern if it is used more sparingly in these smaller areas. You can even ‘frame’ your wallpaper with intentional trim work placement.

Now let’s talk about the wallpaper itself.

First decide if you want traditional wallpaper with the glue back or a less permanent peel and stick wallpaper. If you change your mind a lot and fear the commitment of a glue backed wallpaper then the peel and stick is perfect for you. It is also a great option if you are a renter and cannot make any permanent changes to your space. Once you have decided on your application process then the real fun begins. Selecting the perfect pattern! The options are endless and can be overwhelming if you don’t have a clear idea on what you want. I suggest scrolling Pinterest or your favorite design inspired websites to start narrowing down your vision. Here are a few categories we are seeing over and over again in current design trends.

Stripes!

No surprise here if you’ve been following any of our social media these days. Pin stripes, thick stripes, wavey stripes, rainbow stripes. We love a stripe on the wall mixed with floral fabrics and rounded furniture. They are far from neutral but they can provide a surprisingly neutral backdrop for your other accessories and furniture to shine.

Block prints are really having a comeback both in wallpaper and textiles.

We feel the block prints really give the cottage core vibe. Usually the print is a smaller print with only a few colors so it can be a surprisingly neutral backdrop. We also love the folksy vibe some patterns convey.

Geometric wallpapers can be a subtle backdrop or make a bold statement.

We love them in bright and colors that demand attention. With wallpaper that makes this kind of statement you definitely want to keep your furniture and accessories more minimal. Geometric wallpaper is usually going to be the star of the show.

Whimsical wallpaper draws you in.

There is often a story conveyed in the pattern. This kind of wallpaper is perfect for nurseries, kid’s playrooms or powder rooms. We love that they are full of color and can be the tying element to a very eclectic collection of items.

Mural wallpapers are not for the faint of heart but if you take the risk it will pay off tenfold.

Murals also require careful installation as misalignment will be very apparent so it is best to call in the professionals. Rooms with large walls are usually a must have if you are leaning this way, however never say never to a bathroom mural. Murals feel bespoke and custom which gives a feel of a one-off without the hefty price tag.

Other wallpaper trends are textured or embossed papers. Grass cloth is a great example of a textured wall treatment. We are also seeing wallpaper that is being described as illuminating. These kinds of papers work with the light by including metallic shimmer or gold leaf to catch and reflect light.

One trend that was left in the 80’s and 90’s is the border. We hope this trend stays there! But…I would be curious to see how they could re-imagine the border to fit today’s tastes! Will the teddy bear be back like the ducks? Time will tell!

Not Your Grandmother's Wallpaper