The last few months have seen multiple paint companies and design publications releasing their official paint colors of 2022. However, if you are looking for the biggest interior design trend of the year for your walls, you may find that it’s not paint at all. After decades of ridicule and dismissing it as old-fashioned and out of touch, the design world is fully embracing wallpaper again. Whether this is part of an overall appreciation for nostalgia or an admission that there is no better way to add dramatic color to a room, we can’t say, but wallpaper is definitely having a moment.
Wallpaper first came top prominence in the Victorian era, then saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, before starting to fall in popularity in the mid-1990s. Now new homeowners, perhaps rejecting the neutral tones and sterile designs popular in their childhood homes, are flocking back to wallpaper in droves. This comeback is proving that wallpaper is so much more than the loud floral patterns you remember from days gone by. Modern wallpaper colors and patterns are fresh, hip, and can help you easily incorporate other hot trends into your design palette. Whether you intend to cover one feature wall, or an entire room, you will want to stay on top of the hot new trends in wallcoverings.
The Wallpaper Appeal
Believe it or not, wallpaper was once considered to be a status symbol, but it’s appeal was as much a practical matter as an artistic statement. In the early days, wallpaper provided an extra layer of insulation, and masked imperfections, in addition to adding flare to a home’s walls. During the Victorian era, wallpaper became more of a status symbol, as only the wealthy could afford to paper their walls. Patterns became more ornate as well, reflecting the excess of the time. The desire to paper ones walls was so strong in the early 1900s, that those who could not afford the real thing would even use newspapers rather than allow their walls to go bare.
So why is wallpaper surging in popularity now in our current day and time? Experts hypothesize that this is due to an overall shift away from minimalism, while textures and bright pops of color and pattern are becoming more and more popular. During the Coronavirus pandemic, we spent extended periods of time in our homes, and after a while, many of us found staring at neutral color schemes and white walls was boring and under-stimulating. Many of us also used this time to begin home improvement and design projects, and what better way to spice up a neutral room than with a bold wallpaper print?
What Styles are Popular Now?
The wallpaper styles we are seeing now are nothing like what you remember seeing on the walls of older relatives in neighborhoods during your childhood. The patterns you will find today are fresh and on trend, and undeniably stylish and modern.
- Geometric Patterns – These eye-catching designs can be used to bring energy to a dull interior and add a touch of visual excitement to any room in your home. Try this look out on one wall in a bedroom or den, perhaps behind a solid color headboard or couch.
- Metallics – This wallpaper can add depth and sparkle, while making the interior of your home feel incredibly luxurious. Because of the way it reflects light, metallic wallpaper works like a large wall mirror, making small rooms appear larger and brighter. Papering one wall in a small room with metallic wallpaper is also a fast and easy staging tip if you’re looking to sell your home. Available colors go far beyond the expected silver and gold – metallic versions of most all colors are readily available now that this trend has taken off.
- Faux “Brick” and “Stone” – If you aren’t lucky enough to have an exposed brick or stone wall in your home, you can fake it with today’s wallpaper selections. There are several styles of faux brick wallpaper available, from industrial to more rustic looks. This is a great way to add texture, warmth and character to a small room, like an office or bedroom, or to a larger living or dining room when used on a feature wall. Many varieties of stone and hardwood paneling prints are also available to make your home look as though a major renovation has taken place.
- Eastern Influences – Wallpaper printed to mock hand-painted Indian and Japanese designs allows you to make a beautiful artistic expression for your walls. Popular ideas within this trend include delicate cherry blossoms and vast Himalayan mountain landscape scenes. Use this style in a powder room or guest bedroom, but you will want to limit additional design elements used in the space, and let your wallpaper take center stage.
- Botanicals – Modern floral prints have come a long way, so you don’t need to worry that they will make your home look dated. For example, delicate, romantic flower scenes are no longer the most popular style. Instead, try a wallpaper pattern featuring tree branches, leaves, and even bird nests and butterflies. Unlike small flower prints, a larger botanical scene injects color into a room while looking exciting and dramatic rather than staid and overly austere. Such a scene on a feature wall is also a great way to introduce color as a backdrop to otherwise neutral furnishings.
How to Use Wallpaper in Your Space
Adding wallpaper to your design scheme definitely shouldn’t feel like an all or nothing endeavor. While the trend looks good in any room, you likely don’t want to use it in every room. Wallpapering just one accent wall in your family room or bedroom is enough to change the overall vibe of the space. If you want to start with an even smaller wallpaper job, you can add wallpaper to the inside of built-in bookcases, or the risers on your stair steps. And no matter where you decide to start, thanks to the peel-and-stick varieties on the market today, you can change the look of a room whenever you want, as this is an easy DIY project you can tackle yourself.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also use wallpaper on your ceiling. Start with a smooth, clean surface – which means you will need to get rid of any stippling or popcorn on your ceiling first. And plan your colors and patterns wisely. Darker tones can weight down a room, which is perfectly fine if you’re hoping to make a large room feel cozier. On the other hand, if you want to make a smaller space feel more open and roomy, choose a lighter hue. When it comes to patterns, remember the size rule – smaller rooms need smaller prints. If you are wallpapering a larger room, bring in the big prints.
Tips from the Experts
- Try it Out First – You may have an idea in mind for what color and pattern you want, but sometimes it is difficult to know for sure if your selection will work well where you want it to. Experts recommend buying one roll of wallpaper and pinning it to a wall. Leave it up long enough for you to be able to observe it the morning light, midday sun, and the waning light of the evening to be sure you love the way it looks at all points throughout the day.
- Measure Twice – Wallpaper isn’t always as easy to come by as paint, which can be mixed to order if you find yourself a gallon short. With wallpaper, make sure you have the correct measurements for your room, and allow for the extra paper needed to make sure patterns align correctly. You certainly don’t want to find out you are short one roll of paper only to learn that your style has been discontinued or is now on back order. Experts recommend purchasing at least 15-20% more wallpaper than you think you need based on measurements.
- Line First – Another helpful suggestion from the experts – don’t forget the lining paper if you are using traditional wallpaper, especially if you are covering up a dark paint color. Lining paper can help your wallpaper adhere securely to the wall, while allowing for easier removal when you are next ready to change up the look of your room. It is also a necessity if you want to cover dark paint with a lighter pattern and color, and in protects your walls from damage that can happen from the wallpaper paste.
- Purchase the Right Type – If you are using wallpaper in a bathroom, or around any sink, make sure you are using a type of wallpaper that is appropriate for use in humid environments. Humidity can affect adhesive quality, so you want to be sure to use “splash proof” wallpaper anywhere near a water source.