9 Unique Ways To Decorate With Wallpaper In Your Home

Graphic accent

You don’t need to wallpaper an entire room to create a “wow” effect. If you’ve fallen in love with a dramatic design but are worried it will overwhelm your space or your budget, an accent wall is a great way to add big impact without making a big investment. Here’s your chance to use that bold bird or cow print to set the room’s mood and draw the eye to an area you’d like to show off, be it the dining room, an entryway or the wall above the sofa.

wrap around

Feeling adventurous? Go all in and paper an entire room for a fully immersive transformation. Covering multiple walls can bring a look together, adding character while making the room feel cohesive.

art house

What if wallpaper could be your wall art? Bring a touch of whimsy into your home with a panoramic scene or graphic, larger-than-life design. Consider nature-inspired murals in muted tones for a timeless look, but don’t be afraid to go bold with a more artistic composition. For a gallery feel, frame wallpaper as you would a canvas. Bonus? Decorative wood moulding creates a frame effect while adding architectural detail.

half 'n' half

Covering only the lower or upper half of a wall is a clever way to personalize a space without overwhelming it. It’s also perfect for playing with textures and patterns. Be sure to incorporate colours used throughout the room to maintain a sense of harmony. You can even try this half-half approach running vertically.

small room, big impact

Frequently used small spaces like bathrooms deserve just as much attention as the rest of your home. Whether on an accent wall or fully enveloping the room on all four walls (and the ceiling, perhaps?), wallpaper adds colour and character. Dare to try big, bold patterns, highly textured effects or panoramic murals. In a small room, anything goes!

Pro tip: Choose washable or vinyl wallpapers, which are designed to withstand moisture and humidity (unlike traditional untreated papers, which may peel or warp in a bathroom). Although these wallcoverings can tolerate moisture, for peace of mind, consider installing them away from direct water exposure, such as above a backsplash (as shown here), instead of directly above a sink, tub or toilet.

in great detail

Often overlooked, areas like alcoves, niches, recesses and bulkheads hold amazing decorative potential. Instead of hiding these sometimes awkward architectural details by painting them out, highlight them with wallpaper. A well-chosen pattern will turn these once forgotten features into focal points.

on the upside

Known as the “fifth wall,” the ceiling provides a playful opportunity to take your creativity up a notch. Papering the ceiling is a daring choice—one that delights and adds depth. You’ll get the most bang for your buck in a small space like a powder room, but imagine the sense of wonder it can instill in children’s rooms, where soaring birds, cheery floral designs or the magical night sky will bring joy to your little ones’ faces.

in frame

While closet doors tend to be a neglected design element, they provide a perfect canvas for showcasing your creativity. Often, they’re panelled, offering ready-made “frames” for displaying the patterns like pieces of artwork. Wallpaper can even transform a plain interior door into a striking focal point.

LITTLE updates

Wallpaper needn’t be relegated to bigger surfaces like walls, ceilings and doors. Any surface is game, big or small! Tabletops, shelves and drawers (inside and out) can all be refreshed with a strip of paper. This is one of our favourite little decorating tricks for instantly injecting personality into your interiors without doing a full overhaul.