Yes, interior design and wallpaper trends have changed again, and now wallpaper is back and better than ever. Perhaps you’ve been meaning to get rid if that old dated wallpaper, thinking that the stuff is completely passè. You’ve resigned yourself to having that room with the leopard print wallpaper textured and painted like the rest of the house, and you still can, of course. But if you secretly have a soft spot for pattern, the good news is that wallpaper is back, so you have our hearty blessing to go wallpaper shopping instead.
The new styles are spectacular indeed. Take a look at any design magazine (or our own photo galleries) and you will see some of the most stunning wallpapers you can imagine – including some you won’t even recognize as wallpaper.
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Some wallpaper trends we’re seeing
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Grasscloth
The traditional wallcovering is back, and also more artistic versions, such as with metallic threads woven in, or with a pattern imprinted on it.
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Bold patterns
Gone are the fussy little patterns of the past. Today’s wallpaper designs are bold, eye-catching, and benefit from strong color contrasts and a grand sense of scale. We love them on accent walls or in smaller spaces like accent walls or powder baths.
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Commercial vinyl
Need something that holds up to anything you, your kids, or your pets can throw at it? Try the vinyl-based wallpapers designed for commercial spaces. They might look like grasscloth, linen, silk, or handmade rice paper, but with none of the fragility. These papers are the standard for hotels, restaurants, and offices, where durability and washability is paramount. Got toddlers or pets in the house? No problem! You’d be amazed at how commercial vinyl looks AND feels these days. It no longer looks – dare we say it – “commercial” and plastic-y. Your space will feel like a beautiful high-end home, not a doctor’s waiting room.
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Papers with non-traditional materials
Wallpapers made of cork, metals, glass beads, even wood veneers… so beautiful, they give a space a handcrafted, artisanal vibe. These are like art installations on your walls.
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Wallpaper murals
We’ve installed photo murals of cityscapes, of larger-than-life vintage cars, and more than one oversized floral wallpaper mural. They make the room!
Where should I shop for the latest wallpaper trends?
Finding the right paper can be overwhelming, with thousands of options out there. We’ve updated this article with a comprehensive list of where to buy wallpaper, and written some helpful hints on how to choose wallpaper, especially when you’re shopping online.
As our resident wallpaper guru Peter Moon says, “I’ve been in this business for 35 years, I’ve seen a lot of wallpaper trends come and go, and I’ve never seen more exciting selection.” Wallpapers now are much more elegant and sophisticated, and thus more likely to stand the test of time. While today’s papers are likely to cost more than in decades past, a little can go a long way, especially on an accent wall or in a smaller space that begs for decoration, like a powder bath. (Not to mention ceilings!) A beautiful wallpaper can make almost any space look pulled-together, homey, and well-designed.
