Designer Whinnie Williams reveals her trick to 'immediately look like an interior designer' when decorating a bedroom
It's a bold design hack that will make a big difference to a bedroom


Interior designer and presenter Whinnie Williams is a master at bold bedroom design schemes. Using her trademark vintage-inspired designer style she has transformed a number of bedrooms for shoots and TV shows. She is currently in the process of renovating her own bedroom and let us in on her secret for making a bedroom look like it was decorated by a designer.
The creative director of interior brand Poodle & Blonde and guest designer on Channel 4 Changing Rooms has recently joined Dreams as their interior design expert, sharing the latest trends, expert tips, and innovative ideas to help you create the perfect sanctuary for a restful night’s sleep. In conversation with Ideal Home, she revealed that one of her favourite small bedroom ideas is to wallpaper a ceiling.
Whinnie Williams on her Chloe Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame, from Dreams
'I love wallpapered ceiling. It's such an easy win,' says Whinnie. 'I think you immediately look like an interior designer if you wallpaper a ceiling.'
If the idea of trying out wallpaper ideas on your bedroom ceiling feels far from the easy win that Whinnie says it is, the trick to making it work is all in the design you choose.
'When you're picking a wallpaper, you want it to work from any angle. I think there's nothing worse than when you pick a wallpaper that only works in one direction,' she explains. 'Like the leaves are going the wrong way. I think picking an abstract print is the key, whether that is marble or geometric.'
However, Whinnie does warn that this might be one DIY project you don't want to tackle solo. 'I love people getting stuck in and doing the wallpaper themselves, but ceilings are the hardest. So if you're going to do it yourself, get lots of hands.'
Alternatively, this might be a good occasion to use a peel-and-stick wallpaper, or at the very least a paste-the-paper wallpaper. The last thing you want is to be dealing with messy wallpaper paste drips landing in your hair.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Before you're tempted to play things safe by dipping your toe in with a subtle colour, Whinnie says the trick is to just go for it.
'You can go bold with colour,I wouldn't be shy. You don't have to do a light colour. The wallpaper is such an easy hack: you pick your favourite wallpaper, something that really speaks to you, and then you can use all the colours in that to form the rest of the space,' she points out.
'Be bold, just go for it.'
If ever there was a strong case for wallpapering your ceiling this would be it.
On the Dreams website you can find more bedroom insights and advice in the Inspire section.
Add to basket
Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.
-
Wildlife experts are urging gardeners to add a potato to their bird feeders this spring
If you treat the birds in your garden to this high-calorie treat, they will be flocking to see you again
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Do I need planning permission for windows?
Experts explain the rules for changing your existing frames and adding new openings
By Rebecca Foster
-
8 things you need to know before converting a basement, according to renovation experts
Avoid any disasters when converting an unloved space into a fully functional room with these tips
By Holly Reaney
-
7 ways to store pots and pans in a small kitchen - expert tips for clutter-free cooking
Genius ways of storing cookware in a compact kitchen
By Natasha Brinsmead
-
George Home is selling an air fryer that rivals the coveted Ninja FlexDrawer - it's getting rave reviews from shoppers
The George Home 11L Multi-Drawer Air Fryer has a five-star rating
By Kezia Reynolds
-
5 ways to organise food containers in your kitchen - for clutter-free cupboards that actually close
A ten minute task that provides so much satisfaction
By Holly Cockburn
-
Every homes editor I know owns this Joseph Joseph kitchen essential, and I've finally been persuaded to buy one too
I've never known a washing up bowl have such a cult following
By Rebecca Knight
-
'Dirty kitchens' are the luxury kitchen trend with practical appeal - here's why you need one
It's much more appealing than it sounds
By Holly Cockburn
-
The White Company is embracing Mamma Mia core with its new summer collection - these are the stunning pieces to watch
These sun-soaked styles are not ones to miss
By Kezia Reynolds
-
I wish I'd known these 4 things before I bought my Ninja air fryer – here's how to buy the right one for your home
This is what I'd change if I could do it over again
By Molly Cleary
-
Do acoustic wall panels soundproof a room? Experts reveal what they should really be used for and dispel the biggest myth
This is what acoustic wall panels are actually for and why they don't soundproof a room
By Sara Hesikova