Plus an innovative way to get the look for your home (without the commitment).
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Murals
This trend has been a long time coming, and I absolutely love it. When done right, a mural is the ultimate way to transport you from a humdrum space to idyllic oasis.
To execute this, I like to go back to tradition: historically, murals were mostly used in dining rooms and bedrooms to achieve maximum impact (although I do see murals in powder rooms that are killer). To decide where to put one in your home, think about which room you want to get that transporting effect. If you entertain frequently, consider your dining room so your guests can enjoy the mural too. If you’re a homebody who likes to sleep in on a rainy Sunday, then your bedroom may be better suited for this.
Because wallpaper can be a big commitment, I’ve been digging the peel-and-stick innovation in the industry. Here are some of my favorite peel-and-stick wallcoverings if you want to get the stylish mural look:
This peel-and-stick mural would be such a pretty addition to a bedroom, nursery, or dining room and could work with traditional or contemporary furniture! While it could work as an accent wall, wrapping this on all of your space’s walls could be really fun.
This is such a tranquil pattern that could also work as an accent wall or wrapping your room. Bonus points for putting it on your ceiling! This one reminds me of the ceiling mural in our hotel room on our Italian honeymoon to Rome and Florence six years ago, so I can say with certainty that this look is pretty timeless. (PS, have you checked out our expert travel guide to Italy yet?)
OK this one is so fun. Imagine this with lots of house plants and layers and layers of colored, textured velvets and leathers and deep, rich wood tones. Can someone please use this and send me pictures so I can live vicariously through you?
Moody and Dramatic
Here’s one I’d like to dedicate to all my fellow drama-llamas out there. This is your moment, my llamas.
This trend is transcending wallpaper and going into countertops (hello, bold veining), wall colors (color is back!), and furniture silhouettes (curvy, low, with natural materials are so in). In this designer’s opinion, choosing one or two elements that lean into this trend can still look timeless in a few years. The key is scaling back on everything else in the space. To me, great taste is just as much what you don’t do as what you do… do (insert Chandler at his job interview here).
Check out these peel-and-stick wallcoverings that bring the drama without commitment of traditional wallpaper!
This black and white, malachite-like pattern is probably my favorite in this entire post!
But this one is a super-close runner-up! Modern, geometric, yet painterly, this wallpaper would be perfect in a foyer or guest bedroom.
Hello, beautiful wallpaper. I’d put this in a powder room, primary bedroom, or formal living room.
In with the Old
Historical patterns featuring illustrations of flora and fauna are huge right now. These bring a tasteful, homey mood into your space and pair really well with both antiques and contemporary furniture. This look will fit a space best that already has some architectural character to it, so lean into curtains, wall moldings, built-in bookcases, and brass or crystal lights. Here are some of my favorite traditional peel-and-stick wallpapers:
This colorful, medium-scale floral wallpaper would be add so much cozyness to a space. It makes me want to curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and my phone a good book.
Toile. Almost as fun to use as it is to say (twahl). This is a pattern I’ve always loved. You can’t go wrong with the classics.
This Fornasetti-esque aquatic pattern would be so cute in bathroom. Get it? Water? Fish? I like it.
Stripes
Stripes are having a moment right now. This is another trend transcending home decor categories and is popping up in accessories, pillows, and rugs, although I’d argue striped upholstery is timeless.
Albeit simple, this look can go from tasteful to dizzying in different applications. If you’re interested in wrapping a space’s walls and ceiling in a stripe, you’ll need to consider the direction of the stripe on the ceiling itself and on any angled planes you may have. To get this look without the (literal) headache, choose a room with a simple rectangular shape. This look is very impactful, so less is more. Here are some of my favorite peel-and-stick striped wallcoverings that won’t give you vertigo:
Go for a low contrast stripe so your wallcovering isn’t overwhelming. This subtle pattern is really nice and understated.
If you want to pump up the volume a little bit more, here’s another great option that works because the stripes are very thin and subtle, avoiding the circus-tent look a wider stripe can cause.
Any other wallpaper fans out there? I love adding wallpaper to my designs, as they’re such a great way to add depth and interest to your palette. Are you redecorating? Find out the only accessory I add to every room.
