50+ Brilliant Ways to Add Wallpaper to Your Space
Take pattern play to a new level with these thoughtful ideas.
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
We’ll be the first to admit that installing wallpaper is a huge undertaking. Not only does the process itself require the utmost attention, but it’s also a big commitment. After all, it’s always possible that you’ll tire of your once-desired repeat a few years later. But if you want to breathe some life into your home in a way that a fresh coat of paint can’t capture, wallpaper can be a design investment worth making. So we searched high and low for the best wallpapered rooms around to give you endless inspiration. Though there’s a broad array of patterns—eye-catching florals and standard stripes, to name two—the rooms here prove that there’s more than one way to apply wallpaper. While many designers have covered all four walls in the same print, others have opted for accent walls or patterns in unconventional places. (The ceiling and the bathroom are just two of our favorites.) And fear not, commitment-phobes: There are a number of peel-and-stick options out there for you, too. Get ready to step outside of your comfort zone with wallpaper that can give your space an attractive new look.
Mural Wallpaper
Why settle for wallpaper with an identical repeat when you can opt for a mural-like arrangement? Designer Laurie Blumenfeld-Russo masters the look with this Calico style.
Willow Harvest Mural, Inquire for Pricing
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Storied Wallpaper
As Gail Davis proves, wallpaper can bring a personal touch to any project. “This room is dedicated to my mother, who is a breast cancer survivor,” she explains. “I designed it with the intent of renewal for anyone going through treatment. The wallpaper spoke to our Senegalese roots and paired well with Benjamin Moore’s First Light, as an homage to breast cancer awareness.”
Panamania Wallpaper, Inquire for Pricing
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Contrasting Wallpaper
Want to take your wallpaper to the next level? Designer Fran Keenan paired this marble-patterned style with bright blue trim.
Onyx Wallpaper, $68
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Neutral Wallpaper
For wallpaper that can withstand the test of time, Stefani Stein kept it simple with a subtle pattern in a neutral palette.
Modern Stone Hand Screened Wallpaper, from $7
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Pared-Back Wallpaper
Just because you want to add wallpaper to your room doesn’t mean it has to be your space’s only “wow” factor. In this dining room, Emilie Munroe painted the ceiling a gorgeous green, thereby turning this insect-inspired wallpaper into a neutral.
Bumble Bee Wallpaper, $265
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Rippled Wallpaper
If stripes and florals feel played out, spice up your space with a rippled design. Lucy Harris gave this idea a cool, retro spin using a teal-and-white palette with matte black accents.
True Blue Marble Wallpaper, $140
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Strategically Placed Storage
New York–based designer Daun Curry brought some style to this bathroom storage space by backing the medicine cabinet in an eye-catching toile.
Zarfa Wallpaper, $259
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Coordinating Wallpaper
If you want to add some drama, do what Bella Mancini did and match the wallpaper to the furniture upholstery.
Aeris Summer Wallpaper, $105
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Stenciled Wallpaper
A dainty, stenciled wallpaper can strike a brilliant balance between subtle and statement. Let Danielle Fennoy of Revamp show you how it’s done.
Pinstripe Floral Black and White, from $25
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Lined Wallpaper
Tired of vertical stripes? The bumpy lined option that GRT Architects chose for this Fort Greene, Brooklyn, townhouse is a dainty yet stylish alternative.
Half Moon Wallpaper, $99
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Deconstructed Wallpaper
Now this is an innovative way to apply wallpaper. Porter Teleo collaborated with Jean-Louis Deniot on a custom pattern for the dressing room of an Upper East Side townhouse, as seen between the molding.
Pétales Wallcovering, Inquire for Pricing
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Modern Toile Wallpaper
If you want your toile wallpaper paper to pop, pair it with colorful wainscoting. This setup from Jenni Yolo masters the look.
Tree Toile, from $40
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Multicolored Wallpaper
Nick Olsen brought a Hollywood spirit to this Cincinnati home with bold pops of color. “I love high style mixed with something ordinary or strange,” he told ELLE Decor. “My style owes heavily to the decorating greats, but I combine elements in a way that feels fresh to me and, hopefully, conveys a sense of humor.”
Cole and Son Prism Multi Colored Wallpaper, $137
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Terrazzo Wallpaper
Terrazzo might be predictable for your countertops or your floors—but on your walls? That’s a completely different story. Architect and design firm IMG incorporates this trendy material into a charming nursery.
Terrazzo Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper, $44
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Mod Wallpaper
Want to take a walk down memory lane? Ghislaine Viñas used this righteously retro wallpaper from Flavor Paper. By sticking to a high-contrast color combo, Viñas gave this room a cool, mod edge.
Alvorada Wallpaper, from $65
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Deconstructed Palm Wallpaper
For a relaxed, beachy vibe without being too literal, try Serena Dugan’s Bahia wallpaper. The designer was inspired by the tropical climes of Brazil.
Bahia Wallpaper, $175
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Floor-to-Ceiling Wallpaper
Want your wallpaper to do double duty? Add a whimsical print to your walls and ceiling à la Dennis Brackeen.
Le Parc Toile, from $7
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Accent Wallpaper
As this living room from Contour Interior Design by Nina Magon proves, a wallpapered accent wall can have the same effect as a large-scale piece of art.
Best Fronds Wallpaper, $58
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Starburst Wallpaper
Instead of adding a backsplash to your home bar, take a cue from designer Traci Connell and opt for a statement-making wallpaper.
Harmony Navy Wallpaper, $120
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Ceiling Wallpaper
Take your design to new heights—literally—by adding some wallpaper overhead. Chicago-based designer Joy Williams masters the look with a coordinating front door and trim.
Yahya Kids Blush Watercolor Wash Wallpaper, $109
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