4 unexpected ways to use wallpaper for a stylish look in your home

Once upon a time, wallpapers were hand-painted and used sparingly to elevate formal spaces. But today, there’s no limit to integrating a cheeky floral or leafy tropical, a vibrant abstract or a neutral grasscloth. Place them on stair treads and cupboard doors, or in pantries and powder rooms. Wallpapers are now a staple rather than a complement.

“Wallpaper is such a powerful tool for making a significant impact in your home,” says Dallas-based Ashka Karia Karia Design Studio“Soft, pale patterns can create a calm, serene environment, while bold, vibrant designs can liven up and invigorate a space. They add so much personality, texture, and warmth.”

Nervous about deciding on a print? You’re not alone. “A lot of my clients are initially put off by the idea of ​​wallpaper because they’re worried it will make the space feel too crowded,” Karia says, but the trick is to balance out the details without being too overbearing. Once you’ve nailed that, you can use paper throughout your home. We asked Karia and other North Texas experts for some clever wallpaper ideas.

1. Add some elegance to your bookshelves and cabinets.

“We love wallpapering the backs of bookcases and cabinets,” says Emily Johnston Larkin, founder of EJ Interiors“It provides an interesting texture and a unique look that you can’t achieve with paint. The wallpaper really draws your eye into the cabinetry and makes the built-in look much more personal and special. It also contrasts beautifully with accessories and books.”

Pro tip: Use smaller-scale wallpapers for bookcases and cabinets. “We call them mini prints,” Larkin says. “Animal prints, small florals, or geometric patterns are typical choices for this application. We also like to tie the wallpaper color to the cabinet color so they relate to each other.”

Another bookcase idea — you can use a bookcase to divide a large room and enjoy both sides by adding a peel-and-stick wallpaper-covered pressboard behind it. This suggestion comes from designer Faye Smith in our story. tenant-friendly upgrades.

2. Create something interesting on your ceiling.

“One of our favorite applications is covering ceilings,” says Nicole Arnold. Nicole Arnold Interiors“It’s fun to look up and see unexpected things.”

Karia agrees. “I love a wallpapered ceiling,” she says. “I think it adds so much dimension to a room and gives it a touch of elegance.”

Pro tip: While the look on the right is relatively simple, don’t shy away from bright hues and patterns that make a big impact.

“(The ceiling) is an opportunity to add a bolder pattern or color that might feel too heavy on the walls,” Karia says. Whether it’s a print or a busy pattern that looks like artistic graffiti, a wallpapered ceiling can add surprising, fresh interest to a space.

3. Keep some food in your kitchen.

Statement ceilings can be used beyond your main rooms. For example: a kitchen pantry designed by the team Design by Angeline Guido.

“We decided to use this Beata Heuman wallcovering on the ceiling to draw the eye upward, preventing the bold print from competing directly with the other details in the room,” says the company’s senior designer Holli Esmundo. “There are custom cabinets on nearly every wall of this transitional space, so the ceiling became the perfect canvas for a fun, colorful, and exciting moment.” Don’t have a walk-in pantry? Get this idea for your pantry. You could also choose to create an accent wall or paper between the shelves.

Pro tip: When a client of Larkin’s wanted a creative, custom wine cabinet (you’ll see it at the top of this page), she took the chance to cover the walls and shelf backdrop in a vibrant geometric print. “This look is great for someone who doesn’t want to wallpaper an entire (standard) room,” Larkin says.

4. Create a ‘jewelry box’ using a small space.

“As a firm, we like to create a custom jewel-box feel by adding a bit of drama to certain areas in each home,” says Esmundo.

You may have heard the term jewel box applied to powder bathrooms—Arnold recently styled the term feminine with vibrant floral wallpaper on the walls, a pink ceiling, and a statement crystal chandelier—but you can use the tip in a variety of places. From reading nooks and offices to laundry rooms and closets, wallpaper can make even the smallest spaces feel magical.

“Personally, I’m really excited about a home with more distinct rooms,” Karia says. “It gives me the opportunity to create a different experience in each space.”

Pro tip: Smaller spaces present a great opportunity to go bold with a paper that might otherwise overwhelm a large room. And if you’re opting to wallpaper a bathroom, pay attention to the product’s application. “Full bathrooms can be challenging due to humidity; it’s important to choose the right product that won’t lift off the wall,” Arnold says. “Vinyl options work best and can look incredibly similar to natural textures.”

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