When decorating - or redecorating - your home, wallpaper trends are a wonderful place to start helping you decide what route to go down. The styles, patterns and colourways leading the pack for 2023 are delightfully varied, so you're bound to find your perfect paper.
Decorating using wallpaper ideas has gone through varying periods of popularity over the years, but it's very much having a moment right now. Largely thanks to homeowners becoming braver with decorating choices – our homes are bolder and more expressive.
'Wallpaper is one of the best ways to add a touch of personality to your home,' agrees Chelsea Clark, head of brand at Lust Home. 'You can use it in a variety of ways to create different moods, whether that be full coverage, a statement wall, sectioning off part of an open space, or as art within panelling.'
'Although it may seem more expensive than painting, the use of high-quality materials now used for wallpaper means they are built to last, so you can have the perfect backdrop for years to come without the need for a touch-up.'
Wallpaper trends 2024
We've spoken directly to the experts, and used our extensive knowledge of trends, products and design to bring together the top wallpaper trends that will dominate 2024.
Thea Babington-Stitt is the Assistant Editor for Ideal Home and has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles for nearly 10 years.
Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors. She is passionate about design and is constantly speaking to designers and brands to find out the latest trends in interiors.
1. Modern heritage style
You don't need a drawing room to embrace this trend. Checks are officially back and not just for the festive season. 2024 will see plenty of heritage-inspired patterns from tartan to small-scale traditional patterns that add a cosy feel to any room.
‘Modern Heritage’ is a trend that embodies a nostalgic feeling, characterised by floral wallcoverings, fabrics and furniture,' comments Amelia Calver, research and development manager at the V&A Museum.
'Deeply rooted in English history, traditional heritage patterns – such as stripes, checks, and English chintzes - offer timeless appeal, taking inspiration from iconic eras of design, such as the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods,' adds Chelsea.
2. Large scale prints
'We're seeing a resurgence of one of the oldest decorative treatments, the mural,' says Melanie Adams, Global Manager of Wallpaper Direct. 'These larger scale wallcoverings enable you to set the scene and effortlessly add character and personality to your space.'
'A convenient and cost-effective way to introduce large-scale patterns into the home is by installing a wall mural,' adds Chelsea. 'In addition to providing a unique aesthetic that’s guaranteed to transform any space, wall murals are easier to install than typical wallpaper. Sold with pre-drawn cut lines, as opposed to a continuous roll, they can be installed without the help of a professional.'
3. Peachy tones
Pantone's colour of the year for 2024 is the delectable summery shade 'Peach Fuzz' so we can certainly expect to see plenty of peachy tones extend into wallpaper trends. Pink has been everywhere in recent years, so consider veering towards a shade with peachy undertones for an easy segue into the new palette.
'Peach fuzz, punchy oranges and apricot crush colourways are refreshing and promote wellness within the home and will be a key trend for wallpaper and murals. Consider pairing peachy wallpaper with minty hue paints and textiles or go bold and team with matcha green to establish a fizzy, earthy energy,' recommends designer, Avalana Simpson.
4. New neutrals
In the year of quiet luxury, it's only right that we've seen elements of this style make their way over to wallpaper trends. The biggest pull of quiet luxury is the neutral palette that makes the trend incredibly easy to integrate into your interior, and of course, which makes it look super premium.
'In 2024, modern, muted shades of pink, brown, and beige are set to dominate, offering a contemporary alternative to whites and greys. These tones work well for walls and ceilings, providing a subtle backdrop for more statement pieces, such as furniture and home accessories,' says Chelsea.
'The Early Light Mural in Neutral combines modern neutral hues with a comforting cloud design to provide a subtle, soothing backdrop in spaces that prioritise relaxation, such as bedrooms and sitting rooms.'
5. Ditsy prints
Small scale floral and hand-painted effect wallpapers will be a big hit in 2024. Pinterest's 'Eclectic Grandpa' trend is paving the way in vintage-inspired interiors and the traditional feel of small ditsy prints will make any room, but especially bedrooms, feel perfectly old-school.
'Choose a wallpaper with a small-scale pattern to create an illusion of depth and space. This is particularly effective in cosy home offices where a large-scale pattern might feel overwhelming. By playing with scale, you can make the room feel more open and inviting,' recommends interior and product designer, Siobhan Murphy.
The wallpaper trends continuing from 2023
As much as we love the newest and freshest wallpaper trends, there are a few designs from last year which are still popular. Anyway, remember that what's most important is finding a wallpaper that you and your home love, rather than what the newest design trend is.
These are our favourite trends from 2023 which are going to continue being popular in the year ahead.
1. A retro resurgence
2023 saw a rise in retro wallpapers, and this is expected to continue through to 2024. However, we're expecting it to be bigger and bolder than ever before. Think 70s maximalism both in terms of kitsch patterns and statement colour palettes.
'Homeowners are becoming more and more confident with their styling decisions — opting for characterful designs as opposed to neutral aesthetics. Retro patterns in particular can offer a sense of individuality and personality,' advises Yvonne Drury, Founder of MissPrint.
'The fun colours and playful patterns are good for creating a bold and fun theme in the home, and when used in a small room, like a wallpapered cloakrooms, it can add interest and inject an element of wow factor into the space for your guests to enjoy too!'
2. Beautiful botanics
'The trend for bringing the outside inside shows no signs of going away, and why should it?,' asks Kerry McKenzie, Co-founder, Brand McKenzie. 'Adding a touch of nature instantly brings serenity to busy living spaces.'
'Biophilic design is still a huge trend, bringing the outside in. It's easy to live with and looks amazing mixed with real plants,' adds homeware designer Clarrisa Hulse.
3. The new stripe
'Stripes are back but not as we know them,' explains Chelsea from Lust Home. 'Encouraging moments of mindfulness in the home, the wavy stripe is, quite literally, making waves this year.'
'Associated with water and the ocean, wavy striped patterns evokes feelings of calm and relaxation, making them perfect for bedroom wallpaper and in living spaces.'
4. Move into maximalism
'Maximalism is still very in, and expressing your individuality in particular too, so bold and patterned wallpapers are proving to be hugely popular and are equal opposites to the colour-blocking trend,' says Lorraine Aaron, Founder, Curious Egg.
If you're going to go for a busy print, drenching an entire room in it, ceiling included, will be a way to upgrade the look for 2024.
5. Bathroom wallpaper
Bathroom wallpaper is a wonderful way to add a fun hit of colour and print in a typically neutral and plain area.
'We are going to see a move away from cool greys and sleek whites in the bathroom towards warmer, bolder and more vibrant tones,' says Rebecca from MissPrint.
'The room where you plan to use your wallpaper can affect how it is applied,' adds Kerry from Brand McKenzie. 'For example, if you want to use wallpaper in a bathroom, you should protect it against moisture by sealing it with a coat of clear decorator’s varnish, such as Polyvine.'
'While you don’t necessarily need to use wallpaper specifically designed to resist moisture in your bathroom, you should avoid using it in areas that are obviously wet, such as inside the shower.'
Is wallpaper still in style for 2024?
'Wallpaper is definitely in style for 2023 and beyond,' says Emma from Kelling. 'We’ve seen a huge resurgence in wallpaper and wall murals being including in homes for some time now, and this is unlikely to change! Modern wallpaper designs are beautiful and can really make a statement, whether you go for a floral, geometric, or minimalist design.'
'Also, with the rise in removable wallpapers, it’s becoming less of a commitment as you can easily remove the paper should you get bored - the removable designs are definitely proving most-popular in rentals.'
'Wallpaper is in style now more than ever,' agrees Jamie from Divine Savages. 'With people becoming increasingly braver in their interior choices we’re seeing wallpaper used in more unexpected places - such as on the ceiling.'
'Not only is it guaranteed to create maximum impact but it can completely change the feel of the room, making a simple yet striking, unexpected update.'
How do you choose wallpaper?
'When choosing wallpaper, the first thing to consider is the room where you will be using it,' advises Kerry from Brand McKenzie. 'Is it a bedroom, living room, or bathroom?'
'Each room has different requirements, so choose a wallpaper that suits the room’s needs. For instance, a child’s room or playroom is perfect for a bold, playful design, whereas an adult’s bedroom needs something a little more discrete and soothing.'
'You also need to take the room’s decor into consideration. Make sure the pattern you choose complements your existing fixtures and furnishings. Order samples of your favourite wallpapers. This allows you to see and feel the wallpaper before making a large investment.'
Which wallpaper makes a room look bigger?
'Wallpaper can work in many different ways, for example, in a smaller space, you can trick the eye with a large-scale print to make the space look bigger, whereas a darker room without much natural light can be opened up with lighter colours,' explains Chelsea from Lust Home.
'When selecting the wallpaper trends you want to work with, consider how the colour will affect the feel of your space,' adds Kerry from Brand McKenzie. 'For example, if you have a small room and want to make it feel bigger, choose a light colour.'
'On the other hand, if you want to create a cosy atmosphere that emphasises the small space (which works well in a cloakroom, for instance), opt for a wallpaper with dark colours.'
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