There used to be a time when wallpaper was hand-painted and used sparingly to elevate formal spaces. But these days, there are no limits on integrating a cheeky floral or leafy tropical, a vibrant abstract or neutral grasscloth. Place it on stair risers and closet doors or in pantries and powder baths. Wallpaper is now more of a staple than a supplement.
“Wallpaper is such a powerful tool to make a significant impact in your home,” says Ashka Karia of Dallas-based Karia Design Studio. “Soft, muted patterns can create a calm, serene environment, while bold, vibrant designs can energize and invigorate a space. It adds so much personality, texture and warmth.”
Nervous to commit to a print? You aren’t alone. “So many of my clients are initially put off to the idea of doing wallpaper, because they are worried it will make the space feel too busy,” but it’s all about balancing details that aren’t too loud, Karia says. Once you have that down, you can put paper to work throughout your home. We asked Karia and other North Texas experts for their clever wallpaper ideas.
1. Add some flair to bookcases and cabinets.
“We love wallpapering the backs of bookcases and cabinets,” says Emily Johnston Larkin, founder of EJ Interiors. “It gives an interesting texture and a unique appearance that you can’t get with paint. The wallpaper really draws your eye to the cabinet and makes the built-in look so much more personalized and custom. It also contrasts nicely against the accessories and books.”
Pro tip: For bookcases and cabinets, use smaller-scale wallpapers. “We call them mini prints,” Larkin says. “Animal prints, small florals or geometric patterns are our typical go-tos for this application. We also like to tie in the color of the wallpaper to the color of the cabinet so they relate to each other.”
One more bookcase idea — you can use a bookcase to divide a large room and add pressboard covered in peel-and-stick wallpaper to the back, so you can enjoy both sides. This suggestion comes from designer Faye Smith in our story on renter-friendly upgrades.
2. Create some interest on your ceiling.
“One of our favorite applications is covering ceilings,” says Nicole Arnold of Nicole Arnold Interiors. “The unexpected when looking up is delightful.”
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 at right is relatively subtle, don’t shy away from brights and patterns that make a big statement.
“[The ceiling] is an opportunity to incorporate a bolder pattern or color that might feel too heavy on walls,” Karia says. Whether employing a print with an artful graffiti look or a concentrated pattern, a wallpapered ceiling can draw surprising and fresh attention to a space.
3. Pack some punch in your pantry.
Statement ceilings can be used beyond your main rooms. Case in point: a scullery kitchen designed by the team at Angeline Guido Design.
“We decided to use this Beata Heuman wall covering on the ceiling to draw the eye up, allowing the bold print to not directly compete with the other details in the room,” says Holli Esmundo, the firm’s senior designer. “This pass-through transitional space has custom cabinetry on almost every wall, so the ceiling became the perfect canvas for a fun, colorful and exciting moment.” No scullery kitchen? Snag this idea for your pantry. You can also opt to create an accent wall or paper between the shelves.
Pro tip: When a client of Larkin’s wanted a creative, custom wine closet — which you’ll see at the top of this page — she took the chance to paper the walls and shelving backdrop with a lively geometric print. “This look is great for those who don’t want to commit to wallpapering an entire [standard] room,” Larkin says.
4. Craft a ‘jewel box’ out of any small space.
“As a firm, we love to incorporate a little drama into specific spaces in each home to create a special jewel box feeling,” says Esmundo.
You may have heard that jewel box term applied to powder baths — Arnold recently devised a feminine one with a vibrant floral mural paper on walls, a pretty-in-pink ceiling and a decadent crystal chandelier — but you can put this tip to work in a variety of locations. From reading nooks and offices to laundry rooms and closets, wallpaper can make even the smallest of spaces feel magical.
“I personally get really excited with a home that has more defined rooms,” Karia says. “It gives you an opportunity to create a different experience in each space.”
Pro tip: Smaller spaces offer a great opportunity for going bold with a paper that might otherwise overwhelm a large room. And if opting to wallpaper a bathroom, be mindful of a product’s application. “Full bathrooms can be tricky due to humidity; it’s important to pick the right product that won’t lift off the wall,” Arnold says. “Vinyl options work best and can have an uncanny resemblance to natural textures.”
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