42 Beautiful Wallpaper Ideas To Update Any Room

By Southern Living Editors
Southern Living Editors
42 Beautiful Wallpaper Ideas To Update Any Room

Wallpaper reminds me of the good-ole days at my grandparents’ home. I fondly remember the seashell runner breaking up the striped blue wallpaper in their coastal-themed bathroom that always had a way of instantly transporting me seaside. Paint is out, but shapes and geometric patterns lining your wall is very in. Wallpaper has proven to be the most coveted trend. It’s fairly easy to put up and makes a daring statement in your space. Wallpaper has a way of pulling the room together, easily making it the focal point of the room. Bolder is better in our opinion when it comes to wallpaper. Whether you want to add wallpaper to your room to make a statement or to add texture to your space, it’ll certainly become your favorite place in your home. Bright colors and attractive patterns make wallpaper a mainstay of Southern design. See all the ways it can visually update any room.

01 of 42

Citrus Garden

Briar Farms Powder Room

Brie Williams; Styling: Kendra Surface

There’s nothing like a pop of citrus by the sink to delight guests in a powder room. The way this paper plays with pattern and color is sure to make anyone smile in the mirror on their way out the door.

02 of 42

Moody Florals

Interior of moody living room with floral wallpaper

James Ransom

While most floral wallpapers are bright and cheery, this doesn’t always have to be the case. In this living room, designer Hannah Maple used Cole & Son’s leafy Chiavi Segrete wallpaper to give the space a unique, gothic look.

03 of 42

Classic & Cottagey

Classic & Cottagey
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Get a fresh take on the traditional farmhouse look by topping a feminine small-print paper with a stately antique trumeau mirror and polished sconces.

04 of 42

Floral Nursery

Neutral and natural nursery room

Hector Manuel Sanchez

When it was time to decorate the nursery for her son, designer Catherine Branstetter started with the wallpaper. To keep a neutral but playful look to this room, a ditsy floral pattern was used to make it childlike and stay on theme.

05 of 42

Geometric Accent Wall

Hexagonal pink bedroom with antiques

James Ransom

If your home has a room with a unique wall shape, call attention to it by adding wallpaper. In this room, designer Hannah Maple used an animal print wallpaper that has a similar color palette to the paint in the space. This makes for a unique yet cohesive look that adds drama and flair.

06 of 42

Natural Selection

Lake Wylie Bedroom

Brie Williams Styling: Jennifer Berno Decleene

Wallpaper is the perfect way to bring the outside in. A guest room should serve as an inspired sanctuary for those who stay there, and this wallpaper with green vines turns this room into a tree house inspired space that any guest will love.

07 of 42

Channel Your Travels

Laura Kay Primary Bedroom

HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH

“The goal was to feel like we were waking up in a Parisian hotel every morning,” says Designer Laura Kay, who repurposed the 364-square-foot primary bedroom to create a full suite. “I wanted it to be very clean and neutral with a few patterns,” she notes. A structured brown-and-white-striped wallpaper in the hall leads to the bedroom’s loosely patterned floral wallcovering, spotlighting a dramatic iron canopy bed.

08 of 42

Look Up

Briar Farm Dressing Room

Brie Williams; Styling: Kendra Surface

A beautiful pattern above wainscotting or paneling is the perfect way to draw eyes vertically in any space. Here, a playful green wallpaper adds a punch to a primary dressing room.

09 of 42

Bold Welcome

Entryway with bold wallpaper and bench with gallery wall
The designer chose all black frames to make the entry’s gallery wall feel cohesive.

Hector Manuel Sanchez

In this foyer, Schumacher’s Santa Barbara Ikat paper in Neutral breaks up the surrounding white walls which makes this pass-through area to a standout space. A starburst mirror from Paris, two Museum Bees, and a vintage cobbler’s bench complete this bold entry.

10 of 42

Unexpected Combinations

Unexpected Combinations
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The gold-and-orange toile wallpaper in this formal dining room jazzes up a traditional foundation.

11 of 42

Powder Room Print

Powder Room Print
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A tiny space is the perfect spot for wallpaper that stirs drama with bold color or pattern.

12 of 42

Elegance & Comfort

Elegance & Comfort
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Along with antique furniture, hand-painted wallpaper is a unique Charleston tradition. Pick a classic pattern in a fresh color for a modern twist.

13 of 42

Merry & Bright

Merry & Bright
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The floral-print wallpaper has a fancy hand-painted look but still gives the room an informal feeling.

14 of 42

Pastel Pattern

Pastel Pattern
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Patterned wallpaper brings instant style to small spaces. This bath gets its pretty palette from a medallion print.

15 of 42

Stock the Bar

Allison Allen Atlanta Home Bar

Brian Woodcock; Styling: Page Mullins

The wet bar was a new addition to this home. Designer Allison Allen made the passthrough space a spot to gab over cocktails with fun touches such as Sanderson’s Ishi wallpaper and painted the cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s Buckingham Gardens (545) to mirror the lime green accents in the nearby dining room.

16 of 42

One Wall at a Time

One Wall at a Time
Photo: Jennifer Davick

If you’re afraid of overwhelming the room with a rich pattern, start by covering just one wall – it might be all you need to create the glamorous effect you want.

17 of 42

Youthful & Fun

Youthful & Fun
Photo: Alexandra Rowley

This cheery room was inspired by the graphic floral wallpaper. The pink and green color scheme continue onto the bedding, fabrics, and desk accessories.

18 of 42

Textured Wall

Textured Wall
Photo: Lisa Romerein

“Nail-headed” grass cloth wallpaper envelops the dining room and gives it a glamorous feel.

19 of 42

Layered Prints

Layered Prints
Photo: Tria Giovan

Bird-print curtains and damask wallpaper add a pleasing layer of pattern to this inviting spot.

20 of 42

Classic Motif

Classic Motif
Tria Giovan

Like a good monogram, a classic wallpaper motif can last the test of time and highten the elegance of a room.

21 of 42

Botanical Chic

Botanical Chic
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Dining rooms are prime spots for wallpapering. This flamboyant botanical wallpaper is mirrored in the organic shapes of the chandelier and significantly upgrades the look of the room.

22 of 42

Toned-Down Pattern

Toned-Down Pattern
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

To add instant architectural interest to a boxy room try a toned-down pattern. And you can splurge on something special since you’ll only need to cover a small area.

23 of 42

Colorful Blooms

Colorful Blooms
Photo: Eric Piasecki

A custom-colored de Gournay wallpaper provided the palette for this room, which features blue linen curtains and a green shagreen coffee table.

24 of 42

Matching Set

Matching Set
Photo: Eric Piasecki

Coordinating wallpaper and borders don’t have to be old-fashioned. Keep the rest of the decorations simple, like the metal tub and blue trim, for a more trendy feel.

25 of 42

Floor to Ceiling

Floor to Ceiling
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

If you absolutely love it then run with it. Be daring and cover your guest room with floor to ceiling wallpaper.

26 of 42

Soft & Restful

Soft & Restful
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

If you have a more neutral style pallete, try a larger-scale, muted design with pale hues such as this tone-on-tone lavender geometric paper, which adds interest to the walls without overwhelming.

27 of 42

Tropical & Tailored

Tropical & Tailored
Laurey W. Glenn

Can’t get enough of the tropics? Combine a palm print with handsome brass finishes, strong square shapes, and a touch of wood for a style that’s sophisticated, not beachy.

28 of 42

Dress the Walls

Green and Blue Bathroom with Wallpaper
Laurey W.Glenn

Dress walls in desisive, cheery colors or an intersting pattern to give rooms instant allure. Patterned wallapaper brings texture and warmth to any space.

29 of 42

Punchy & Geometric

Punchy & Geometric
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

If you want a striking wallpaper yet want to keep your features simple, try this bold diamond motif by choosing barely there curtains, simple painted cabinetry, and understated nickel finishes.

30 of 42

Dramatic & Ornate

Dramatic & Ornate
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

If you want a rich, dramatic look try chinoiserie paper. You can further enhance your space by dressing your room in strong, dark decor.

31 of 42

Traditional & Elegant

Traditional & Elegant
Laurey W. Glenn

The wallpaper doesn’t have to be the only prominent feature in the room. This stunning wallpaper complements a dominant green trim.

32 of 42

Geometric & Coastal

Geometric & Coastal
Laurey W. Glenn

A bold, geometric wallpaper in this foyer welcomes guests. It’s Palm Beach locale is paid homage with subtle coastal elements.

33 of 42

Opposites Attract

Opposites Attract
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Amie Corley enriches this space by adding melon-colored curtains to pair with the blue floral wallpaper to create a daring yet livable color palette.

34 of 42

Good as Gold

Good as Gold
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

The prominent gold traces in this wallpaper pairs well with the gold-accented furniture in the room. This style makes for a very cohesive and sophisticated look.

35 of 42

Go Bold or Go Home

Bold Wallpaper
Photo: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Matthew Gleason

This bold wallpaper makes a statement by shining a direct light on this cozy breakfast nook. The key to decorating with striking wallpaper is to add neutral pieces to the room.

36 of 42

Blue Blazer

Blue Blazer
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

It’s easy to see that this shade of blue is the star of the show in this room. This crisp blue wallpaper instantly brightens up the room and further accentuates every item in the room.

37 of 42

Matchy-Matchy

Matchy Matchy
J. Savage Gibson

There’s something about a perfectly matched room that eases the mind. If you love a more uniformed look, try matching your wallpaper with the furniture in the room to create a well-curated room.

38 of 42

A Pop of Red

No. 7 Make a Big Statement in a Small Space
Photo: Eric Piasecki, Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas

If you have a favorite color in mind for your powder room, but don’t want to over-do it; try incorporating your pop of color through a chic design.

39 of 42

Mudroom Masterpiece

15 Mudroom Ideas We're Obsessed With Wallpaper It
Pinterest/Bright Green Door

We can’t get over this picturesque mudroom. If you want a mudroom that your guests will be proud to hang their coat in, try adding wallpaper to the one wall where the hooks hang and the shoes are stored.

40 of 42

Well-Suited Walls

Lindsey Ellis Beatty dining room

LAUREY W. GLENN

This dining room is all about duality. For one, classic design meats beachy coastal cues through elements like the vintage dining table paired with painted rattan chairs. Here, color and pattern also justapose clean, sleek whites. To make the white furnishings really pop, the walls are covered in zippy Netherfield wallpaper from Osborne & Little.

41 of 42

Get Inspired

Lindsey Ellis Beatty bedroom

LAUREY W. GLENN

This primary bedroom’s design began with the bed. The designer then chose a wallpaper and other decor to suit the bed’s lovely lines and gray-beige fabric. To embrace the bed’s neutral coloring, the room is wrapped in Jungle Leaves by York Wallcoverings. For a little oomph, aqua window treatments are also layered with peachy coral and mint green throw pillows.

42 of 42

Pattern And Texture

Lindsey Ellis Beatty bathroom

LAUREY W. GLENN

This small primary bath is infused with major style cred through a combination of natural materials, starting with the printed grass cloth on the walls from Erika M. Powell Textiles. Zellige tile in the tub, terra-cotta on the floor, natural wood on the vanity, and polished brass fixtures add to the charm.

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