Decorating
How to Choose the Bedroom Wallpaper of Your Dreams
Whether it’s a striking print or a subtle silk, wallpaper can work wonders to transform a bedroom from dull to dreamy
With designers practically falling over themselves to introduce beautiful new patterns, prints and textures, wallpaper is having a heyday at the moment. If you’re wondering how to incorporate it into your bedroom, take a look at these inspiring examples. From beautifully muted silks and subtle patterns to big, bold prints and clever trompe l’oeil, here are some ideas for how to pick bedroom wallpaper that will help to create a sense of calm you’ll be happy to fall asleep with – and wake up to the next morning.
Set the scene
A single feature wall with a striking choice of wallpaper can make a bold statement. This exotic leaf pattern sets the scene for the antiqued white rococo bed, giving the room a colonial feel. In this otherwise monochrome scheme, the wallpaper stands out even more as the only source of colour.
A single feature wall with a striking choice of wallpaper can make a bold statement. This exotic leaf pattern sets the scene for the antiqued white rococo bed, giving the room a colonial feel. In this otherwise monochrome scheme, the wallpaper stands out even more as the only source of colour.
Trick the eye
The dramatic concrete slabs set behind the bed in this airy urban bedroom aren’t actually concrete, but wallpaper. The industrial chic is achieved using trompe l’oeil wallpaper from Pad Home London – an effective and easy way of getting this look. And, with added warmth and smoothness to the touch, it’s a better choice for a bedroom than the real thing.
Discover how to warm up elegant greys
The dramatic concrete slabs set behind the bed in this airy urban bedroom aren’t actually concrete, but wallpaper. The industrial chic is achieved using trompe l’oeil wallpaper from Pad Home London – an effective and easy way of getting this look. And, with added warmth and smoothness to the touch, it’s a better choice for a bedroom than the real thing.
Discover how to warm up elegant greys
Create texture with layering
In this busy but calm bedroom, the wallpaper is a Marthe Armitage oakleaf in a custom grey and the chair is covered in Imperial Trellis by Schumacher. This look is not just about the wallpaper on its own, but how it works with the other patterns and textures in the room. Even the bedspread adds another pattern with its plush finish. The combination of different patterns in a soothingly muted colour palette creates a luxurious sense of layered texture.
In this busy but calm bedroom, the wallpaper is a Marthe Armitage oakleaf in a custom grey and the chair is covered in Imperial Trellis by Schumacher. This look is not just about the wallpaper on its own, but how it works with the other patterns and textures in the room. Even the bedspread adds another pattern with its plush finish. The combination of different patterns in a soothingly muted colour palette creates a luxurious sense of layered texture.
Add a hint of humour
This cool grey wallpaper features a tiny fox motif, repeated across the room. This subtle effect adds a hint of humour to the elegant bedroom, and is picked up more overtly in the plump fox cushions on the bed. The overall effect is quirky yet sophisticated.
This cool grey wallpaper features a tiny fox motif, repeated across the room. This subtle effect adds a hint of humour to the elegant bedroom, and is picked up more overtly in the plump fox cushions on the bed. The overall effect is quirky yet sophisticated.
Echo the fabric of the room
The warm shade of this wallpaper picks up on the stone of the fireplace. Its alphabet print is perfect for a child’s bedroom, yet the colour and style are still in keeping with the period style of the old manor house it’s part of. A great example of how wallpaper can work beautifully to complement the features of the room itself.
The warm shade of this wallpaper picks up on the stone of the fireplace. Its alphabet print is perfect for a child’s bedroom, yet the colour and style are still in keeping with the period style of the old manor house it’s part of. A great example of how wallpaper can work beautifully to complement the features of the room itself.
Use as a subtle backdrop
This ‘barely there’ wallpaper adds a delicate sense of texture without overwhelming this Cornish bedroom. The gentle pattern adds subtle depth without fighting with the view, which is the real star of the show.
See more of the evocative textures and wallpapers that feature in this St Ives holiday home
This ‘barely there’ wallpaper adds a delicate sense of texture without overwhelming this Cornish bedroom. The gentle pattern adds subtle depth without fighting with the view, which is the real star of the show.
See more of the evocative textures and wallpapers that feature in this St Ives holiday home
Celebrate plain and lovely
When people think about wallpaper, patterns are often the first thing that spring to mind. Yet wallpaper in a plain colour, such as this Strata silk from Fromental, can add real depth to a room. The dyed silk is washed with metallic paints and powders, then paper-backed. The brush strokes run horizontally to create a subtle panelled effect.
When people think about wallpaper, patterns are often the first thing that spring to mind. Yet wallpaper in a plain colour, such as this Strata silk from Fromental, can add real depth to a room. The dyed silk is washed with metallic paints and powders, then paper-backed. The brush strokes run horizontally to create a subtle panelled effect.
Be bold with big patterns
A striking wallpaper with a large graphic print can really be the star in a bedroom if it’s chosen carefully. Here, the Katie Ridder Leaf pattern wallpaper echoes the curved lines of the headboard, the antique chair and the Chippendale mirror. The rosy hue of the wallpaper goes beautifully with the tan and wood shades of the furniture, giving the bedroom a classic, considered look despite the bold pattern.
A striking wallpaper with a large graphic print can really be the star in a bedroom if it’s chosen carefully. Here, the Katie Ridder Leaf pattern wallpaper echoes the curved lines of the headboard, the antique chair and the Chippendale mirror. The rosy hue of the wallpaper goes beautifully with the tan and wood shades of the furniture, giving the bedroom a classic, considered look despite the bold pattern.
Tie the colour palette together
The warm golden yellow background and pale blue ginkgo biloba leaf pattern on this wallpaper inform the colour palette in this bedroom. The choice of light and slightly muted contrasting colours – especially the white furniture – keeps the bright wallpaper from being garish.
The warm golden yellow background and pale blue ginkgo biloba leaf pattern on this wallpaper inform the colour palette in this bedroom. The choice of light and slightly muted contrasting colours – especially the white furniture – keeps the bright wallpaper from being garish.
Employ optical illusions
The possibilities of wallpaper are endless now that printing technology has advanced – as you can see, the effect can be photographic. This Brooklyn Tin Tiles wallpaper, from Rockett St George, shows the versatility of modern wallpaper and how it can add a real sense of texture and depth to a bedroom.
The possibilities of wallpaper are endless now that printing technology has advanced – as you can see, the effect can be photographic. This Brooklyn Tin Tiles wallpaper, from Rockett St George, shows the versatility of modern wallpaper and how it can add a real sense of texture and depth to a bedroom.
Play with light
The contrast between the matt black background and glossy circles on this wallpaper really picks up the light in this bedroom – despite the dark colour! The idea of using both gloss and matt textures in a wallpaper offers a clever way of playing with light. The black walls are offset by the crisp white bed linen and seating to add some definition.
The contrast between the matt black background and glossy circles on this wallpaper really picks up the light in this bedroom – despite the dark colour! The idea of using both gloss and matt textures in a wallpaper offers a clever way of playing with light. The black walls are offset by the crisp white bed linen and seating to add some definition.
Mirror metallics
If you love metallics, consider bringing a luxurious touch of gold or copper to the bedroom in your wallpaper. This classic room, in a boutique hotel in Cornwall, has subtle hints of muted gold in the botanically patterned wallpaper that pick up the warm shine of the brass bed.
TELL US…
What’s your dream wallpaper for the bedroom? Share your favourites in the Comments below.
If you love metallics, consider bringing a luxurious touch of gold or copper to the bedroom in your wallpaper. This classic room, in a boutique hotel in Cornwall, has subtle hints of muted gold in the botanically patterned wallpaper that pick up the warm shine of the brass bed.
TELL US…
What’s your dream wallpaper for the bedroom? Share your favourites in the Comments below.
The rich purple walls of this calm but striking bedroom are clad in textured silk by Stereo Wallcoverings. The wallpaper has been teamed with a silky quilted throw and cushions in similar purple shades to create layers of inviting texture, adding interest and a sense of luxury. The overall effect is serene and sophisticated.