Wow wallpaper – 10 decorating ideas

Ideal Home

Wallpaper is a great way of making a statement with your interior and the design can dramatically transform the way a room looks.

Choose the right pattern and dark colours can still feel fun and vibrant, such as a green palm-tree print setting the scene for a tropical modern bedroom.

Small spaces can also be perfect for an intriguing design or pattern – think flamingo or dragon wallpaper designs – you might not consider these bold patterns for your living room, but they could be a quirky choice for the cloakroom.

Another great way to make an impact is with trompe l’oeil wallpaper. While your book collection may have been whittled down in favour of e-books in recent years, with a gorgeous bookcase-print wallpaper, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the traditional look of books in alcoves by the fireplace. Want to create a vintage look? Choose a trompe l’oeil wallpaper depicting vintage suitcases. A luggage theme works well alongside leather pieces such as a trunk and leather sofa. Add quirky accessories such as an oversized wall clock or table lamp to create an authentic feel.

Be inspired by Arts & Crafts designer William Morris and go for one of the archive papers from Morris & Co’s collection. Choose deep rich shades and enhance the look with timeless leather furniture and classic accessories.

Or why not layer up large-scale pattern? This can look effective if you choose patterns from one colour palette, such as soft grey, heather and sage. Alternatively, large-scale wallpaper can breathe new life into a neutral colour scheme. Use on a bedroom feature wall as a backdrop to painted furniture and neutral soft furnishings. Vary the textures, by adding wool throws, or an ottoman upholstered in velvet.

Modern bedroom with palm-tree print wallpaper Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Simon Bevan
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Beautiful ways to decorate with wallpaper

If you've found a beautiful wallpaper design but don’t want decorate a whole room, cover pinboards with the wallpaper and hang as wall art panels. This will create a striking feature above a desk or sideboard.

Tropical wallpapered bedroom
Dark colour doesn't have to give off a sense of foreboding. Here, a deep palm-tree print adds a zesty feel to this cosy bedroom space.

Wallpaper
Cole & Son

Orange dragon design wallpaper in cloakroom Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Luke White
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Cloakroom with dragon wallpaper

Just because a room is small doesn't mean it has to be filled with neutral tones. This orange dragon wallpaper works well with an unusual flamingo wall hanging.

Wallpaper
Paperboy

Hallway with log-themed wallpaper design Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Jon Day
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Hallway with log-themed wallpaper

Want to create a rustic, woodland look in your home? This fun wallpaper stirs up images of log cabins with cosy fires – perfect for warming up your space.

Wallpaper
Andrew Martin

Cabinet covered with a colourful wallpaper design Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Dan Duchars
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Wallpapered cabinet

Want to liven up a simple cabinet? Wallpaper it in a bright, bold print for a drama look. Here a leaf print works well against a painted white wall.

Wallpaper
Hanna Wening at Borastapeter

Living room with bookcase wallpaper in alcove Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Mark Bolton
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Living room with bookcase wallpaper

Not sure what to do with an alcove space? A bookcase-themed wallpaper will breathe new life into the room and add interest to an otherwise dull corner.

Wallpaper
Bodie & Fou

Living room with traditional William Morris wallpaper Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Dominic Blackmore
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Living room with traditional wallpaper

A classic William Morris wallpaper is perfect for creating a timeless look in your home. Choose deep, rich shades for added warmth.

Wallpaper
Morris & Co.

Blue home office with floral wallpaper panels Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: David Brittain
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Home office with wallpapered panels

Love bold wallpaper but not sure about commiting to a whole feature wall? Introduce a bold pattern into your home office or study area with wallpapered pinboards.

Wallpaper
Cole & Son

Colourful living room with leaf-print wallpaper Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Trevor Richards
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Living room with leaf-print wallpaper

Choose large scale prints for a bold, graphic look in the living room. Here, shades of heather, sage green and soft grey create an elegant feel.

Wallpaper
Harlequin

Neutral bedroom with large-scale wallpaper design Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Tom Meadows
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Bold wallpapered bedroom

Neutral colours can be livened up with a bold wallpaper. Here a silver-toned design looks great with white painted furniture and grey bedlinen.

Wallpaper
Cole & Son

Living room with suitcase-theme wallpaper Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Jon Day
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Living room with suitcase wallpaper

Dreaming of a holiday? A luggage-themed wallpaper is perfect for creating a sense of adventure.

Wallpaper
Andrew Martin

Love this? Visit our room ideas section for plenty more inspiring schemes

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