Modern wallpaper ideas - 10 of the best designs

Looking for innovative wallpaper designs? See the best wallpaper ideas here on housetohome.co.uk

Want to make in impact in your home? The newest way to make a statement is with bold wallpaper. The new season trends will help to add some drama and a touch of glamour to your decor, so be inspired to make over your rooms with one of these modern wallpaper designs.

From chic florals, to retro wallpaper prints and bold graphics, there are so many ways to pack a punch with your interior design this year. So whether you're aspiring to hotel chic in a city apartment, or country calm in a pretty cottage, you can find your new decor inspiration here.

One of the biggest trends of this season is to mix dark drama with some pretty botanical touches. Black wallpaper with a floral or nature-inspired theme will look great teamed with lime green accessories, adding a modern touch to an elegant room. You can create a similar look with one feature wall, opting for a dark grey hue, which will complement an otherwise muted colour scheme.

For something completely different but just as stylish, a white room with a snowy backdrop is still on trend. Printed wallpaper with a forest theme, white or grey sofas and faux fur rugs and throws will set the perfect winter scene that looks warm and inviting all year round.

Use clever wallpaper designs to create the illusion of expensive but stylish exposed brick or woodwork. Or choose wallpaper that is printed with a black and white bookcase, a world map or woodland scene.

Find the right wallpaper and you can create your own work of art in any room. Section off different wallpapers to create a stylish feature wall, or wallpaper a canvas to create a striking focal point, without committing to a permanent feature.

1/19 Decorating with squares

room with wallpaper and yellow arm chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jan Baldwin)

A mix of Seventies-inspired wallpapers in sectioned-off panels create an art gallery feel. The moss-green paint used to divide the papers helps to give definition.

2/19 Winter-inspired living room wallpaper

white room with leather sofa and animal skin rugs

(Image credit: Future PLC/Katya De Grunwald)

Set the perfect winter scene with a snowy backdrop. Curvy white furniture, nature-inspired artwork and sheepskin accessories complete the look in this stunning white living room.

3/19 World map wallpaper

room with white sofa and world map wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

Create a bold feature on the wall behind your sofa with a large map of the world. Continue the colours around the rest of the room by using them in the accessories and cushions.

4/19 Statement wallpaper

room with black wallpaper and green bowl

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

Make an impact in a compact space with strong decor. Use a wallpaper with a bold design to paper all four walls and, for a truly dramatic effect, choose furniture and accessories in a block colour found in the design.

5/19 Contrasting wallpaper

green room with patterned wallpaper and zebra chairs

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mel Yates)

Leafy walls draw the eye up, at once enclosing the space and giving a sense of airiness, making the perfect oasis in which to contrasting print seating.

6/19 Wallpaper mural

white room with wall art and green chairs

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mel Yates)

Love the idea of a feature wall but don't want to cover a whole wall? Wallpaper a canvas and hang it up againt a white backdrop for the perfect focal point without the commitment.

7/19 Shades of grey wallpaper

fireplace and grey chair with tree print wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Raeside)

Grey is the new black this winter - mix and match a variety of grey hues to create a seasonal living room that's anything but dull.

We adore this grey floral wallpaper - very modern chic.

8/19 Bookshelf wallpaper

white and grey room with book print wallpaper and circular mirror

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Massey)

The library-style wallpaper adds pattern and depth to create an edgy feel to this living space.

9/19 Neutral wood-effect wallpaper

living room with neutral sofa and wood effect wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Antony Crolla)

Elegant, wood-effect wallpaper is much easier to hang than real cladding, and subtle enough to decorate a whole room with. The grain pattern draws the eye up, making the ceiling feel higher.

10/19 Metallic wallpaper

yellow room with neutral sofa

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mel Yates)

In an open-plan space, mix plain and patterned wallpapers to help the transition between different areas. Keep these within the same colourways to maintain a cohesive style.

Looking for more living room inspiration? Check out our living room galleries. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest Livingetc news.

11/19 Striking striped wallpaper hallway

black chest of drawers and yellow chair in front of stripe wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Everard)

It's not what you've got, it's how you use it that really counts. Well, at least when it comes to wallpaper... Turn grey stripes around and mix and match directions for an ultra-modern hallway look.

Find similar wallpaper
Wallpaperdirect.co.uk

12/19 Brickwork-effect bathroom wallpaper

bathroom basin in grey room with brick effect wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lu Jeffery)

Is it exposed brickwork? Is it wallpaper? Finally, here's proof that you can have the best of both worlds, in the bathroom at least - perfectly-pointed brick wallpaper without the draft.

Similar wallpaper
Wallpaper and Borders

13/19 Modern country-style floral wallpaper

blue country style hallway

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

Even country style gets a modern makeover with this bold blue chrysanthemum-print wallpaper. Use it to create an eye-catching feature wall in the kitchen.

Wallpaper

The Little Greene Paint Company

14/19 Living room with statement floral wallpaper

room with striped floor and red and white wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Antony Crolla)

Whoever said less is more obviously hadn't seen this rather exotic wallpaper in hot pink. Afterall, why be sublte when you can make a statement?

Wallpaper
Bennison Fabrics

15/19 Cloakroom with bold orange and white wallpaper

cloakroom with bold orange and white wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Luke White)

A taxidermy bird is the focal point in this bold orange and white cloakroom. The children's wallpaper provides a clean, cool and contemporary shot of colour. We love!

16/19 Traditional bedroom with bold feature wall

blue country style hallway

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Luscombe White)

There's something rather enchanting about this traditional-style bedroom. Woodland-themed wallpaper creates a dramatic and intriguing atmosphere... definitely no wall-flowers here.

Woodland wallpaper
Cole & Son

17/19 Rustic hallway with wood-effect wallpaper

pine chest of drawers and postage stamp print mouted on wood effect wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Scott)

Create your very own cosy log cabin with this clever wood-effect wallpaper. Sheepskin rug and roaring log fire not included, but you get the gist...

Wallpaper
Graham & Brown

18/19 Blue living room with geometric wallpaper

blue living room with geometric wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

This mid-century furniture in this living room is pulled together nicely by the flashes of bright blue geometric retro wallpaper. Definitely not for the feint of heart.

Wallpaper
Harlequin

19/19 Dramatic damask wallpaper in black and silver

dramatic damask wallpaper in black and silver

(Image credit: Future PLC/Oliver Gordon)

Here, damask wallpaper is given a thoroughly modern baroque-style makeover with striking results. The black and silver flock definitely up the glam stakes...

Find similar wallpaper at
Graham & Brown

Thea Babington-Stitt
Assistant Editor

Thea Babington-Stitt is the Assistant Editor for Ideal Home. Thea has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles for nearly 10 years. 

She started working on these magazines and websites after graduating from City University London with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors.