Home Home Decor Ideas 35 Beautiful Wallpaper Ideas To Update Any Room By Southern Living Editors Updated on March 3, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Wallpaper reminds me of the good-ole days at my grandparents' home. I fondly remember the seashell runner breaking up the striped blue wallpaper in their coastal-themed bathroom that always had a way of instantly transporting me seaside. Paint is out, but shapes and geometric patterns lining your wall is very in. Wallpaper has proven to be the most coveted trend. It's fairly easy to put up and makes a daring statement in your space. Wallpaper has a way of pulling the room together, easily making it the focal point of the room. Bolder is better in our opinion when it comes to wallpaper. Whether you want to add wallpaper to your room to make a statement or to add texture to your space, it'll certainly become your favorite place in your home. Bright colors and attractive patterns make wallpaper a mainstay of Southern design. See all the ways it can visually update any room. 01 of 35 Classic & Cottagey Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Get a fresh take on the traditional farmhouse look by topping a feminine small-print paper with a stately antique trumeau mirror and polished sconces. 02 of 35 Citrus Garden Brie Williams; Styling: Kendra Surface There's nothing like a pop of citrus by the sink to delight guests in a powder room. The way this paper plays with pattern and color is sure to make anyone smile in the mirror on their way out the door. 03 of 35 Natural Selection Brie Williams Styling: Jennifer Berno Decleene Wallpaper is the perfect way to bring the outside in. A guest room should serve as an inspired sanctuary for those who stay there, and this wallpaper with green vines turns this room into a tree house inspired space that any guest will love. 04 of 35 Channel Your Travels HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH “The goal was to feel like we were waking up in a Parisian hotel every morning,” says Designer Laura Kay, who repurposed the 364-square-foot primary bedroom to create a full suite. “I wanted it to be very clean and neutral with a few patterns,” she notes. A structured brown-and-white-striped wallpaper in the hall leads to the bedroom’s loosely patterned floral wallcovering, spotlighting a dramatic iron canopy bed. 05 of 35 Look Up Brie Williams; Styling: Kendra Surface A beautiful pattern above wainscotting or paneling is the perfect way to draw eyes vertically in any space. Here, a playful green wallpaper adds a punch to a primary dressing room. 06 of 35 Unexpected Combinations Photo: Laurey W. Glenn The gold-and-orange toile wallpaper in this formal dining room jazzes up a traditional foundation. 07 of 35 Powder Room Print Photo: Laurey W. Glenn A tiny space is the perfect spot for wallpaper that stirs drama with bold color or pattern. 08 of 35 Elegance & Comfort Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Along with antique furniture, hand-painted wallpaper is a unique Charleston tradition. Pick a classic pattern in a fresh color for a modern twist. Tour this Room 09 of 35 Merry & Bright Photo: Laurey W. Glenn The floral-print wallpaper has a fancy hand-painted look but still gives the room an informal feeling. 10 of 35 Pastel Pattern Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Patterned wallpaper brings instant style to small spaces. This bath gets its pretty palette from a medallion print. 11 of 35 Stock the Bar Brian Woodcock; Styling: Page Mullins The wet bar was a new addition to this home. Designer Allison Allen made the passthrough space a spot to gab over cocktails with fun touches such as Sanderson’s Ishi wallpaper and painted the cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s Buckingham Gardens (545) to mirror the lime green accents in the nearby dining room. 12 of 35 One Wall at a Time Photo: Jennifer Davick If you're afraid of overwhelming the room with a rich pattern, start by covering just one wall - it might be all you need to create the glamorous effect you want. 13 of 35 Youthful & Fun Photo: Alexandra Rowley This cheery room was inspired by the graphic floral wallpaper. The pink and green color scheme continue onto the bedding, fabrics, and desk accessories. 14 of 35 Textured Wall Photo: Lisa Romerein "Nail-headed" grass cloth wallpaper envelops the dining room and gives it a glamorous feel. 15 of 35 Layered Prints Photo: Tria Giovan Bird-print curtains and damask wallpaper add a pleasing layer of pattern to this inviting spot. Tour this Home 16 of 35 Classic Motif Tria Giovan Like a good monogram, a classic wallpaper motif can last the test of time and highten the elegance of a room. 17 of 35 Botanical Chic Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Dining rooms are prime spots for wallpapering. This flamboyant botanical wallpaper is mirrored in the organic shapes of the chandelier and significantly upgrades the look of the room. 18 of 35 Toned-Down Pattern Photo: Laurey W. Glenn To add instant architectural interest to a boxy room try a toned-down pattern. And you can splurge on something special since you'll only need to cover a small area. 19 of 35 Colorful Blooms Photo: Eric Piasecki A custom-colored de Gournay wallpaper provided the palette for this room, which features blue linen curtains and a green shagreen coffee table. 20 of 35 Matching Set Photo: Eric Piasecki Coordinating wallpaper and borders don't have to be old-fashioned. Keep the rest of the decorations simple, like the metal tub and blue trim, for a more trendy feel. 21 of 35 Floor to Ceiling Photo: Laurey W. Glenn If you absolutely love it then run with it. Be daring and cover your guest room with floor to ceiling wallpaper. 22 of 35 Soft & Restful Photo: Laurey W. Glenn If you have a more neutral style pallete, try a larger-scale, muted design with pale hues such as this tone-on-tone lavender geometric paper, which adds interest to the walls without overwhelming. 23 of 35 Tropical & Tailored Laurey W. Glenn Can't get enough of the tropics? Combine a palm print with handsome brass finishes, strong square shapes, and a touch of wood for a style that's sophisticated, not beachy. 24 of 35 Dress the Walls Laurey W.Glenn Dress walls in desisive, cheery colors or an intersting pattern to give rooms instant allure. Patterned wallapaper brings texture and warmth to any space. 25 of 35 Punchy & Geometric Photo: Laurey W. Glenn If you want a striking wallpaper yet want to keep your features simple, try this bold diamond motif by choosing barely there curtains, simple painted cabinetry, and understated nickel finishes. 26 of 35 Dramatic & Ornate Photo: Laurey W. Glenn If you want a rich, dramatic look try chinoiserie paper. You can further enhance your space by dressing your room in strong, dark decor. 27 of 35 Traditional & Elegant Laurey W. Glenn The wallpaper doesn't have to be the only prominent feature in the room. This stunning wallpaper complements a dominant green trim. 28 of 35 Geometric & Coastal Laurey W. Glenn A bold, geometric wallpaper in this foyer welcomes guests. It's Palm Beach locale is paid homage with subtle coastal elements. 29 of 35 Opposites Attract Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Amie Corley enriches this space by adding melon-colored curtains to pair with the blue floral wallpaper to create a daring yet livable color palette. 30 of 35 Good as Gold Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper The prominent gold traces in this wallpaper pairs well with the gold-accented furniture in the room. This style makes for a very cohesive and sophisticated look. 31 of 35 Go Bold or Go Home Photo: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Matthew Gleason This bold wallpaper makes a statement by shining a direct light on this cozy breakfast nook. The key to decorating with striking wallpaper is to add neutral pieces to the room. Tour this Home 32 of 35 Blue Blazer Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper It's easy to see that this shade of blue is the star of the show in this room. This crisp blue wallpaper instantly brightens up the room and further accentuates every item in the room. 33 of 35 Matchy-Matchy J. Savage Gibson There's something about a perfectly matched room that eases the mind. If you love a more uniformed look, try matching your wallpaper with the furniture in the room to create a well-curated room. 34 of 35 A Pop of Red Photo: Eric Piasecki, Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas If you have a favorite color in mind for your powder room, but don't want to over-do it; try incorporating your pop of color through a chic design. 35 of 35 Mudroom Masterpiece Pinterest/Bright Green Door We can't get over this picturesque mudroom. If you want a mudroom that your guests will be proud to hang their coat in, try adding wallpaper to the one wall where the hooks hang and the shoes are stored. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit