Start by considering the scale of your patterns. Small bedrooms can often feel overwhelmed by large, busy designs. Opt for smaller, more delicate patterns or consider a subtle texture if you want to add visual interest without making the room feel smaller. For larger rooms, you have more freedom to play with bold, large-scale prints or murals. Think about how the pattern will interact with your furniture and other decor elements. A very busy wallpaper might clash with patterned bedding or curtains, so aim for balance. You can always use a bold wallpaper on an accent wall and a more subdued tone or texture on the other walls to prevent the room from feeling too chaotic.
The choice of wallpaper material significantly impacts the look and durability. Vinyl-backed wallpapers are a popular choice for bedrooms because they are durable, washable, and can hide minor imperfections in the walls. This makes them a practical option, especially if you have children or pets. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is another excellent choice for those who like to change their decor frequently or are renting, as it’s easy to apply and remove without damaging the underlying wall. Traditional paste-the-wall or paste-the-paper options offer a vast range of designs and finishes, often with a more luxurious feel, but require more effort and skill to install.
Choosing wallpaper for your bedroom style
For a serene and relaxing atmosphere, consider soft, muted tones and natural motifs. Think light blues, greens, or gentle grays with subtle floral patterns, leafy designs, or abstract watercolor effects. These can create a spa-like retreat. If you prefer a more dramatic and cozy feel, dark, moody colors like deep blues, charcoal grays, or even black, paired with metallic accents or intricate damask patterns, can make a bedroom feel intimate and luxurious. For a minimalist or Scandinavian-inspired bedroom, simple geometric patterns, subtle textures, or even a clean white wallpaper with a very faint pattern can enhance the uncluttered aesthetic.
Consider the overall color palette of your bedroom. The wallpaper should complement your existing furniture, bedding, and flooring. If your furniture is dark, a lighter wallpaper can brighten the space. Conversely, if you have a lot of light-colored furniture, a bolder wallpaper can add depth and personality. Remember that wallpaper is a significant visual element, so it should harmonize with, rather than compete against, your other decor choices.
For those seeking to add unique character, bedroom murals offer a fantastic way to create a statement. Whether it’s a landscape, a cityscape, or an abstract piece, a mural can become the focal point of the room, setting the tone for the entire design. Consider the size and orientation of the mural to best suit your wall space and the room’s layout.
Creative ways to use wallpaper beyond full walls
Wallpaper doesn’t have to cover all four walls. An accent wall is a classic approach, and often the wall behind the bed is the perfect candidate. This allows you to use a bold or intricate pattern to draw attention to the main feature of the bedroom without overwhelming the space. Consider the height of the wall and the placement of your headboard when deciding on the wallpaper design for this area. You can also use wallpaper to highlight architectural features, like a niche, a chimney breast, or even a sloped ceiling in an attic room.
Don’t limit yourself to walls. Wallpaper can be applied to furniture for a custom look. Try lining the back of a bookshelf with a vibrant pattern to add a pop of color visible through the shelves. You can also use wallpaper to cover the surface of a bedside table, a dresser drawer front, or even a headboard. This is a great way to incorporate a pattern on a smaller scale or to give old furniture a new lease on life. Ensure you use a strong adhesive suitable for the material if applying to furniture.
Another creative application is lining drawers or closet interiors. While not immediately visible, opening a drawer to reveal a beautifully patterned interior can be a delightful surprise. This is a small detail that adds a touch of luxury and personality to often-overlooked spaces. For closets, it can make the act of getting dressed a more pleasant experience.
Incorporating wallpaper in small bedrooms
In small bedrooms, the strategic use of wallpaper is key to making the space feel larger and more inviting. Lighter colors and subtle patterns are generally recommended to avoid making the room feel cramped. Vertical stripes can visually elongate the walls, making the ceiling appear higher. Consider using wallpaper with a slightly reflective finish, like a satin or subtle metallic sheen, as this can help bounce light around the room, creating a sense of openness. If you want to use a darker or bolder pattern, consider applying it only to an accent wall, or using it in a way that draws the eye upwards, such as a mural that extends towards the ceiling.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is particularly useful for small spaces where you might want to experiment. You can test a pattern on a small area or change it out seasonally without commitment. For a cohesive look, ensure the wallpaper’s color palette complements the rest of your decor. You can also use wallpaper to define different zones within a small room, for instance, using a different pattern or color in a reading nook or dressing area.
For more ideas on maximizing small spaces, explore accent wall ideas for small bedrooms. These can help you strategically draw attention and create visual interest without making the room feel cluttered.
Wallpaper trends and timeless choices
Current trends in bedroom wallpaper include biophilic designs (incorporating nature), maximalist prints with bold colors and intricate details, and textured wallpapers like grasscloth or linen-look options. Geometric patterns continue to be popular, offering a modern and clean aesthetic. Art deco-inspired designs are also making a comeback, adding a touch of vintage glamour.
However, don’t be afraid to choose a classic. Damask, floral, and toile patterns have stood the test of time for a reason. If you love a particular design, consider its longevity. A timeless pattern in a color scheme that you find consistently appealing can be a better long-term investment than chasing every fleeting trend. Think about how the pattern will look in different lighting conditions throughout the day and how it will age over time.
When choosing, consider the overall feel you want. Do you want something calming and natural, or bold and energetic? The scale and color of the pattern will play a huge role. For instance, bedroom wallpaper design ideas often highlight how scale impacts perception. A large-scale floral might be romantic and airy, while a small, dense floral could feel more traditional or busy.
Installation tips for a professional finish
Proper preparation is crucial. Start by cleaning your walls thoroughly to remove any dust, grease, or old adhesive. Fill any holes or cracks and sand them smooth. If you’re applying wallpaper over existing wallpaper, ensure it’s well-adhered and not peeling; otherwise, you’ll need to remove it. For most wallpapers, you’ll need to apply a primer to seal the wall and ensure good adhesion, especially on newly plastered or painted surfaces. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
When measuring and cutting your wallpaper, use a sharp blade and a straight edge. Overlap the seams slightly when cutting your first strip to ensure it hangs perfectly plumb. Use a level or a plumb bob to draw a perfectly vertical line on the wall to guide your first strip. This is critical, as even a slight angle will be noticeable once the entire wall is covered. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for paste application (whether it’s applied to the paper or the wall) and for the ‘booking’ time – the time the paste needs to sit to become tacky.
When smoothing the wallpaper onto the wall, start from the center and work outwards, using a smoothing tool or a clean brush to eliminate air bubbles and creases. Don’t rush the process. Trim any excess wallpaper at the ceiling and baseboard with a sharp blade. If you encounter stubborn air bubbles after the wallpaper has dried, you can sometimes prick them with a fine needle and gently press the air out.
Don’t neglect decoration beyond the wallpaper
While wallpaper provides a strong foundation for your bedroom’s aesthetic, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The overall success of your bedroom decorating designs relies on how you integrate the wallpaper with other elements. Think about how your lighting will interact with the wallpaper. Ambient lighting can create a soft glow, while task lighting and accent lighting can highlight specific features or textures in the wallpaper. Consider layering textiles like curtains, rugs, and throw pillows to add depth, comfort, and color that complements the wallpaper.
Your furniture choices should also work in harmony with the wallpaper. A sleek, modern wallpaper might pair well with minimalist furniture, while a traditional pattern could complement antique pieces. Bedside tables and lamps are opportunities to introduce smaller decorative elements. Consider a metallic lamp to pick up on any metallic threads in the wallpaper, or a textured vase to echo a pattern’s feel. Even the hardware on your dressers or closet doors can tie into the wallpaper’s style.
Window treatments are another crucial layer. Sheer curtains can soften the look of a bold wallpaper, while heavier drapes can add a sense of luxury. Ensure the color and texture of your curtains don’t clash with the wallpaper. Small decorative items like artwork, mirrors, and plants can further personalize the space and tie everything together. A carefully chosen piece of art can either echo the wallpaper’s theme or provide a contrasting element that adds visual interest.
Consider wallpaper for other rooms too
While this guide focuses on bedrooms, remember that wallpaper can dramatically enhance any room. In a dining room, a bold pattern can create a sophisticated atmosphere. For a home office, a subtle, inspiring design can boost productivity. Even bathrooms can benefit from the right wallpaper; choose moisture-resistant options and explore ideas for decorating a bathroom that survive real use. Kitchens, hallways, and children’s rooms all offer opportunities to inject personality and style with wallpaper. The principles of scale, color, and style apply universally, though material choice might need to adapt to the specific environment.
Customer reviews and what to look for
When selecting wallpaper, don’t underestimate the value of customer reviews. Look for feedback on the ease of installation, the accuracy of the color and pattern representation online, and the durability of the product. Reviews often highlight common issues like seams not matching up or the paper tearing easily, which can save you a lot of frustration. Pay attention to comments about how the wallpaper holds up over time, especially in high-traffic areas or rooms with fluctuating humidity. Genuine customer photos can also provide a realistic preview of how the wallpaper looks in a typical home setting, which is often more helpful than professional product shots.