Wallpaper has a reputation for being bold and eye-catching, but it can also be subtle and understated. Whether it’s used as an accent wall or to envelop an entire space, it adds dimension, impact and energy to a room.
Click through for 80+ stunning spaces with wow-factor wallpaper!
This cool geometric wallpaper brings a sophisticated edge to this 13-year-old’s bedroom.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home March 2021
Designer: Shirley Meisels
The dramatic dining room in the 2021 Princess Margaret showhome packs a punch with black and white graphic wallpaper.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home May 2021
Designer: Sarah Baeumler
Ali Budd’s design-savvy office features leopard-print wallpaper in the open-concept work area.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home May 2021
Designer: Ali Budd
Both the ceilings and the walls wow with wallpaper in this shared kids’ bedroom. The combination of pattern and color bring a fun and playful vibe to the space.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Ali Budd; Architecture by Anna Voineskos
Another bedroom in the same home features pink and black wallpaper that complements the pretty details of this 7-year-old’s bedroom.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Ali Budd; Architecture by Anna Voineskos
This powder room is a lesson in playing with pattern and contrast. A leopard-print mirror is set against graphic wallpaper and a stone vanity. Even the two-tone soap dispenser brings a hit of contrast.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Ali Budd; Architecture by Anna Voineskos
The wallpaper in this kids room was chosen for its neutral yet playful pattern, which complements the rest of the space.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home June 2021
Designer: Alyssa Moscovitch-Young, Harper Gray Design
Built-in shelves with open backs ensure the punchy blue wallpaper remains the star of the space in this playroom.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Ali Budd; Architecture by Anna Voineskos
An idyllic wall mural from Anewall creates a serene backdrop in this English-inspired bedroom.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home June 2021
Designer: Rosie Daykin
The powder room of the same home maintains the British theme with traditional English-style wallpaper, eclectic art and a vintage chair.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home June 2021
Designer: Rosie Daykin
Traditional wallpaper and brass accents bring an old world feel to this charming kid’s bedroom.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home May 2021
Designer: Hali MacDonald, Architecture by Gren Weis Architect & Associates
Powder rooms are a great space to go bold with wallpaper. An Iconic Beverly Hills Banana Leaf print brings a whimsical feel to this Tulsa bathroom.
Photographer: Laurey Glenn
Designer: Mel Bean Interiors
A soft and understated wallpaper is the perfect backdrop for the other bold elements in designer Nyla Free’s sophisticated dining room.
Photographer: Phil Crozier
Source: House & Home April 2021
Designer: Nyla Free
Designer Corey Damen Jenkins is known for his bold use of color and pattern, as seen in this regal bedroom that features 15-foot-high ceilings with striped wallpaper.
Photographer: Werner Straube
Source: House & Home April 2021
Designer: Corey Damen Jenkins
This eclectic dining room features modern cheetah wallpaper that offers a more subtle design than some traditional animal print styles.
Photographer: Lauren Logan (interiors); Jenny Fu (headshot)
Designer: Maureen Stevens
This cheerful wallpaper brings a pop of color and pattern and distracts from the limited square footage in this tiny powder room.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home April 2021
Designer: Meghan Carter
More is more when it comes to pattern in this bright and charming living room. Designer Tommy Smythe wanted to integrate strong elements like bold floral, wainscotting and striped wallpaper in order to embrace the historic charm of the circa-1790s home.
Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home November 2020
Designer: Tommy Smythe & Lindsay Mens Craig, Sarah Richardson Design
Palm-patterned wallpaper brings a coastal yet glamorous feel to this charming powder room.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home March 2021
Designer: Aránzazu González Bernardo & Michael Fohring, Odami
Designer Carmen René Smith is all about maximalist style, which is highlighted in this bold bedroom that features Ebern Designs Peafowl wallpaper.
Photographer: Meghan Caudill (interiors); Darren Ankenbauer (headshot)
Designer: Carmen René Smith, Aquilo Interiors
In this renovated dining room, designer Allison Willson didn’t make any structural changes but the tonal scenic mural really adds a punch. Setting the banquette makes great use of the space.
Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home June 2020
Designer: Allison Willson
Schumacher’s Birds & Butterflies wallpaper in this bedroom (used often for guests) makes this spot hard to leave. The whimsical airiness is a joyful sight to start the day.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home October 2020
Designer: Gillian Gillies
Kelly Wearstler’s Graffito wallpaper is a well-loved pattern for its bold, artistic strokes. The black background draws the eye and makes the white bedding pop.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home October 2020
Designer: Gillian Gillies
For the Spring 2020 Princess Margaret Showhome , designer Sarah Baeumler introduced a punchy jungle-motif wallpaper in the bar area that suits the teal millwork.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home May 2020
Designer: Sarah Baeumler
Florals can be bossy, according to designer Tommy Smythe , but using striped wallpaper turns down the volume in this Charleston, South Carolina, bedroom. The wallpaper helps camouflage the jib doors as well.
Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home November 2020
Designer: Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig
A contemporary Schumacher wallpaper is a graphic contrast to the ebullient floral bedspread and blinds. The pale lavender theme ties all the patterns together for a lively, young effect.
Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home November 2020
Designer: Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig
The combination of bold floral wallpaper, a mirror framed in a leopard print and a pink onyx vanity might seem overwhelming, but this powder room proves that wildly contrasting pieces can create a whimsical, inviting space.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January 2021
Designer: Ali Budd
Wallpapering an accent wall is an easy way to switch things up in a child’s room, where tastes can change and develop quickly as they grow.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January 2021
Designer: Ali Budd
The plaid wallpaper in this fashionable penthouse ‘s eating area feels like it belongs in a mod London townhouse and ties the whole look together. The colors of the wallpaper are picked up by the mahogany red chairs and gray-blue pleather banquette for a cohesive effect.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Anne Hepfer
Punchy Hermès wallpaper and vibrant pillows are in sync with the principal bedroom’s color scheme.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Anne Hepfer
This East Coast heritage home embraces traditional touches, so it’s no surprise that the classic medallion print looks right at home with bamboo furniture and deep baseboards.
Photographer: Janet Kimber
Source: House & Home July-August 2020
Designer: Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie
A palm print wallpaper in Justina Blakeney’s dining room is layered with one of her favorite portraits. Golden tonal drapes keep the focus on the pattern.
Photographer: Justina Blakeney
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Justina Blakeney
Justina’s own wallpaper adorns her lounge (dubbed Bluhemia) to create an atmospheric effect that matches the lush patterns on the rug and pillows.
Photographer: Justina Blakeney
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Justina Blakeney
This bold entryway may only be three by three feet, but that didn’t stop designer Cynthia Ferguson from taking the plunge with a cherry red color (Lyons Red by Benjamin Moore to be exact). A front door is a great place to take daring design risks!
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Cynthia Ferguson
It’s unusual, but wallpapering a ceiling is a huge statement maker and we love the way the pattern repeats on the toss pillows. “In a small room, repetition is important to keep the patterns from overwhelming,” says Cynthia of her bedroom’s twinning drapery and headboard fabric. Black walls highlight the beautiful architectural detailing and provide a place for the eye to rest.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Cynthia Ferguson
Flocked wallpaper from the 1960s decorates the walls in the morning room of this historic Prince Edward County home, and nods to the space’s authentic, storied past.
Photographer: Johnny C. Y. Lam
Source: House & Home December 2019
A traditional damask wallpaper accents the beautiful heritage details of the dining room, such as the carved mantel and high baseboards.
Photographer: Johnny C. Y. Lam
Source: House & Home December 2019
In this colorful kitchen, the Boråstapeter wallpaper’s floral fern and rhubarb motifs add a joyful exuberance and keep the blue-black cabinets from feeling too heavy.
See more of the cheerful space on H&H TV .
Photographer: Sian Richards
Source: House & Home October 2019
Products: Rabarber wallpaper by Boråstapeter,
paint-paper.co.uk
Designer: Emily Griffin
In this personality-packed Montreal home , a peppy, retro palm front wallpaper accents the office’s mid-century flair.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home June 2019
Products: Wallpaper available through
Empire Papiers Peints & Peintures
Graffiti-esque wallpaper brings an irreverent spin to a home office and adds dynamic energy that ideal for jump-starting creative thinking.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2019
Designer: Jackie Di Cara
In a child’s room, wallpaper can be used to reflect a passion or interest, whether it’s dinosaurs, ships or fairies. This digitally printed wallpaper adorns a feature wall, which is easy to switch up as the child grows and those interests change.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2019
Products: Onszelf wallpaper panels,
justkidswallpaper.com
Designer: Jackie Di Cara
Calgary designer Alanna Dunn coveted this Kelly Wearstler wallpaper, which inspired the blush tones throughout her compact condo . “It’s a luxury product, but because this wall is so small, it wasn’t a huge cost,” she says.
Photographer: Phil Crozier
Source: House & Home December 2019
Products: Graffito II wallpaper in Rosa,
kellywearstler.com
Designer: Alanna Dunn
For those who prefer a more tailored approach, striped wallpaper delivers a crisp, slimming effect: the vertical lines makes the ceiling seem slightly higher. The stripe wallpaper in this London bedroom mimics a “sleeping under a luxe tent” effect for grown ups.
Photographer: Chris Tubbs
Source: House & Home September 2019
Products: Tented Stripe wallpaper,
farrow-ball.com
In The Drake founder Jeff Stober’s weekend retreat in Prince Edward County, a groovy vintage wallpaper’s sunny hues sets a cheery tone, while the curvaceous lines echo the round pendants over the dining table.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home August 2019
An electric Linwood wallpaper makes a feature wall pop in Jeff’s living room and acts as a dynamic backdrop for his collection of artwork.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home August 2019
Products: L.A. Sunset River wallpaper,
linwoodfabric.com
A preppy, geometric wallpaper in this bathroom evokes a fresh garden trellis feeling with a bit of “Palm Beach tennis club” flair.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home June 2019
Products: Circuit Green Modern Ironwork wallpaper,
brewsterwallcovering.com
Designer: Robyn Rider, Robyn Madeline Interiors
In this coastal Connecticut home , Cole & Son’s iconic Nuvolette wallpaper references the changing skies of Long Island Sound.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home May 2019
Products: Nuvolette wallpaper,
cole-and-son.com
Designer: Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig, Sarah Richardson Design
This classic wallpaper references historic hand-painted patterns by Gracie, Zuber and De Gournay. The pale blue ground and ethereal renderings of peonies and exotic birds turn a bedroom into a restful garden.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home April 2019
Designer: Sarah Richardson and Kate Stuart, Sarah Richardson Design
A luscious, fruit-inspired damask wallpaper from Thibault is perfectly fitting in this Nashville dining room by Sarah Richardson Design.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home April 2019
Products: Available through
thibaultdesign.com
Designer: Sarah Richardson and Kate Stuart, Sarah Richardson Design
In this sweet nursery , breezy floral wallpaper ties in the room’s surfside aesthetic when paired with a handwoven macramé light and rattan rocking chair.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home March 2019
Products: Millie wallpaper,
luliewallace.com
Designer: Samantha Sacks
This breezy tie-dye print injects plenty of California cool into a petite powder room.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home March 2019
Products: Wallpaper, Anthropologie
Designer: Samantha Sacks
Cheeky floating sardines — with l iberez les sardines (meaning free the sardines) written underneath — offers a playful punch in this cozy corner.
Photographer: Emma Feil
Source: House & Home April 2018
Products: Sardines wallpaper,
wallshoppe.com
Designer: Clare Vivier
This graphic wallpaper almost resembles chalk on a blackboard, which is a quirky, yet cool feature in this earthy principal bedroom.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home March 2019
Designer: Montana Burnett
Bold floral wallpaper strikes the perfect balance with the entryway’s olive green palette, creating a classic English country vibe.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home April 2018
Products: Tropisk Pink Floral wallpaper,
brewsterwallcovering.com
Designer: Produced by Emma Reddington and Kai Ethier
Whimsical lady bug wall coverings by Villa Nova transform a kids room into an enchanting retreat. An electric pink dresser plays up the colorful bug’s wings.
Photographer: Courtesy of Villa Nova
Source: House & Home December 2018
Products: Ladybug wallpaper,
villanova.com
This striking home ‘s powder room is full of pep thanks to the spiky brass chandelier, gilded mirrored vanity and on-trend cobalt wallpaper with a subtle Escher effect.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home December 2018
Designer: Anne Hepfer
In shop owner Denise Zidel’s colorful home, black grasscloth wallpaper from Schumacher gives this understated bedroom plenty of drama, and provides a luxurious backdrop for an assortment of bowls.
Step inside her cheerful space on HHTV .
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home February 2019
Products: Onna Sisal wallpaper,
fschumacher.com
Designer: Denise Zidel
If there is any room in the house to experiment with eye-catching wallpaper, it’s the powder room. This whimsical print, depicting crashing waves, makes a splash in this small space.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home March 2019
Products: Melville wallpaper,
cole-and-son.com
Designer: Kyla Bidgood & Kris Hageland
In her own home, H&H’s 2018 Designer Of The Year Nam Dang-Mitchell relies on luxe Gracie chinoiserie wallpaper for a romantic touch, that’s updated by contemporary furnishings.
Photographer: Colin Way
Source: House & Home December 2018
Products: Greystone Terrace wallpaper,
gracestudio.com
Designer: Nam Dang-Mitchell
In another example of designer Nam’s love of look-at-me wallpaper, this Circus wallpaper by Cole & Son draws the eye to this handsome mantel in this home office. A tufted armchair and neutral photographs tie in the clean-lined aesthetic.
Photographer: Colin Way
Source: House & Home May 2017
Products: Circus wallpaper,
cole-and-son.com
Designer: Nam Dang-Mitchell
From Italian design house Fornasetti comes a moody wallpaper filled with fruit-laden pomegranates trees, which help bring the outdoors in.
Photographer: Courtesy of Fornasetti
Source: House & Home December 2018
Products: Frutto Proibito wallpaper,
cole-and-son.com
A wasp’s nest and tree trunk are natural counterparts amidst the geometric, artful wall covering. Look closely and you’ll notice the print is actually precisely positioned beetles.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home May 2018
Products: Emeralds wallpaper,
jennifershorto.com
Designer: Produced by Morgan Michener and Stacey Smithers
Bring the rolling hills of the English countryside into your home with this lush wallpaper by Cole & Son.
Photographer: Courtesy of Kravet Canada
Source: House & Home January 2019
Products: Forest wallpaper,
cole-and-son.com
In Toronto boutique Bettencourt Manor , bold patterned wallpaper is artfully layered with vintage offerings, rich texture and statement art.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home November 2018
Products: Dynasty check wallpaper,
bettencourtmanor.com
Oversized, hyper-real florals are a lush counterpoint for black wainscotting in this dramatic dining room: both work to enhance a moody, cocooning effect.
Photographer: Phil Crozier
Source: House & Home June 2018
Products: Dark Floral II Black Saturated wallpaper,
elliecashmandesign.com
Designer: Reena Sotropa and Alanna Dunn, Reena Sotropa In House Design Group
The fronds of Cole & Son’s breezy palm leaf wallpaper pairs perfectly with the tree-lined view outside in this calming country bathroom.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home July 2018
Products: Palm leaves wallpaper,
cole-and-son.com
Designer: Produced by Sally Armstrong
In this European-inspired condo ‘s principal bedroom, velvety handmade wallpaper gives the illusion of marble veining.
Photographer: Tracey Ayton
Source: House & Home November 2018
Products: Nero wallpaper,
flatvernacular.com
Designer: Denisa Nica
An oak leaf-print wallpaper is juxtaposed against an array of curved furniture, for an organic look inspired by nature.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home October 2018
Products: Raphaël wallpaper,
sandbergwallpaper.com
Designer: Produced by Stacey Smithers and Jennifer Koper
Applying wallpaper above a chair rail, wainscotting or a half-tiled wall softens the boldness so it’s less overwhelming in a small bathroom.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home May 2017
Designer: Tamara Taggart
The quilted headboard picks up on the diamond pattern of the wallpaper for a delicate look.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home May 2017
Designer: Tamara Taggart
Guest rooms are the perfect spot to use a bold or dramatic wallpaper, as guests don’t tend to stay for long so they won’t tire of the design. Dark, moody Crescent wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler envelops the room in a rich, cozy feeling.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Atmosphere Interior Design
A monochrome palette adds some edge to the floral wallpaper in this Edinburgh home and leavens the look of dark velvet upholstery.
Photographer: Chris Tubbs
Source: House & Home December 2014
Designer: Samantha Lawrie
Here, a bucolic farm scene — with pastures of horse and sheep, fields of crops and even barns — looks hand-printed and is a twist on traditional pastoral motifs.
A grown-up floral wallpaper is the perfect choice for the bathroom at this Arts and Crafts–style home in Upstate New York — it nods to the heritage style of the home while still feeling fresh and new.
Photographer: John Gruen
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Garrow Kedigian
A super subtle checked wallpaper creates a neutral backdrop for a reproduction of a 19th-century Empire painting.
Photographer: John Gruen
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Garrow Kedigian
The now iconic Zebra wallpaper by Scalamandré is a playful choice for a powder room — and is enhanced by matching embroidered hand towels.
Photographer: John Gruen
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Garrow Kedigian
High-octane orange wallpaper gives a nursery a fresh spin, and the look will age well with time.
Photographer: Colin Way
Source: House & Home July 2017
Products: Thibaut Wallpaper
Designer: Aly Velji
This cottage bathroom brings a little of the outdoors in with a verdant geometrical design that feels like a forest canopy.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Laurence Martocq
With all the white surfaces and fixtures, a bathroom is a great spot to show off a bold wallpaper as it has neutral surfaces that let it breathe. Here, white subway tile acts as a buffer between gutsy wallpaper and illusionary flooring.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home
Designer: Kai Ethier
In design editor Sally Armstrong’s walk-in closet, a painterly wallpaper wraps around the space and in a niche of shelves for a seamless look. Quiet roman blinds and a large mirror let the space breathe.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home April 2016
Designer: Sally Armstrong
In this dining room, an ombré wallpaper makes a subtle statement, which will create the ultimate cocoon for an intimate dinner party.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Shirley Meisels
A wallpaper with a loose, hand-drawn feel gives this bedroom gentle pattern in a soft grey palette. Statement wallpaper in a bedroom can dress up a simple headboard.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2018
Products: Wallpaper by RADform
Designer: Lisa Lev
Highlight a built-in feature, such as a bookcase or a bar, with a wallpaper backing. This subtle medallion print was custom scaled to fit the wall’s dimensions.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Lisa Lev