Wallpaper isn’t confined to formal dining rooms or a single accent wall anymore. Instead, many people are getting creative with how and where they use it. Some of the most successful applications appear in spots that are not traditionally papered, which is precisely what makes the wallpaper stand out in the best of ways.
When you use it with restraint and a clear point of view, wallpaper can turn ordinary surfaces into quiet focal points. Here are some of the unique places in your home where you can incorporate wallpaper:
Built-ins
If you’re lucky enough to have built-ins in your home, they are one of the most effective places to start with wallpaper. That’s because bookcases, shelving, and cabinetry already form a frame you can work with. When you place the wallpaper on the back panels, it feels deliberate rather than decorative. It also adds depth and texture without overwhelming the room.
- What to Use: Tweed-inspired patterns, soft geometrics, and other small-scale designs.
Ceilings
Often called the “fifth wall,” ceilings are another underused opportunity for wallpaper. They are frequently painted and forgotten, yet a carefully chosen wallpaper can change the scale and mood of your room. Try this approach in bedrooms and small dens, where an enveloping feel is desirable. However, you’ll want to keep the rest of the room balanced with quieter walls and upholstery to let the ceiling carry the visual weight, says an interior designer in St. Louis, MO.
- What to Use: Scene-style papers, landscapes, or subtle illustrative designs.
Powder Rooms
A powder room is the perfect spot to really get assertive with wallpaper choice! In the past, homeowners shied away from using wallpaper in small spaces like powder rooms, but when used correctly, it can really work some magic. But trim color is critical here. A considered paint choice for moldings, doors, and any wainscoting sharpens the edges of the room and reinforces the sense that the wallpaper is part of a complete design, not simply decoration.
- What to Use: Consider high-contrast patterns, saturated color, and large-scale prints.
Walk-in Closets
More and more homeowners are choosing to decorate their walk-in closets and give them more personality. Wallpaper makes that task so much easier! In a closet, wallpaper can transform it from a purely functional storage area into an extension of the primary suite. So, if you want it to feel cohesive with your bedroom, choose complementary color schemes and patterns. Even if you go with a contrasting palette from the main area, inside the closet, the pattern should closely align with cabinetry finishes or trim color, so it feels composed and intentional.
- What to Use: A textile-inspired pattern, tweed effect, or tonal motif.
Dens and Small Lounges
If your house has any kind of “man cave” or den, wallpaper is going to be your best friend. These rooms are meant to feel contained, so wallpaper tends to enhance their character rather than diminish their size. Coordinating or slightly deepening the trim color prevents visual fragmentation and allows the pattern to sit comfortably within the confines of the room.
- What to Use: Deeper tones, tactile patterns, or low-contrast scenic designs.
Ultimately, wallpaper offers endless possibilities to personalize every corner of your home. By thoughtfully applying it in unexpected places, you can create spaces that feel both curated and uniquely yours.
