Is wallpaper outdated


Wallpaper trends 2022: Stylish ways to dress your walls

(Image credit: Future)

Start your search for wallpaper trends with a little insider knowledge to truly get the best out of the new collections in 2022.

Wallpaper is a key trend for 2022, and the insatiable appetite from consumers doesn’t look like abating any time soon. 

Whatever your taste, there are wallpaper ideas for everyone, from traditional florals and trompe l’oeil, to contemporary geometric and tropical patterns or animal motifs and architectural designs. 

Wallpaper trends 2022

The progress in new printing techniques and finishes is constantly pushing the boundaries, and the availability of new substrates makes it even more exciting. 

'Gone are the days of just printing on paper. You can now embellish corks, grass-cloths and silks with pretty much any design. The usage is also bolder and braver. If you have the confidence, there are endless possibilities,' explains David Harris, Design Director at Andrew Martin.

1. Escape with a scenic wall mural

(Image credit: Polly Wreford)

Scenic landscape wall mural ideas are the biggest story in wallpaper trends for 2022 – wonderfully atmospheric and evocative, a stunning wall mural will transform and capture the imagination.

You don’t have to put your artistic nature to the test when it comes to picture walls. There are plenty of wallpapers that are designed to do just that with trompe l’oeil illustrations that can quickly add an extra dimension even in small spaces. 

A panoramic mural can not only transport you to another space (figuratively as well as literally!), but by choosing a nature-inspired design, the boundaries between indoors and out can become blurred.

For a relaxing bedroom wallpaper scheme, turn to images of escapism, like this tropical pictorial wallpaper that evokes the memory of faraway shores. Complete the look by choosing furniture, bedding and cushions in earthy ochre and a pinch of ginger for a fully immersive design.

2. Max out with full-scale pattern

(Image credit: Future / Adrian Briscoe)

Maximalism is an interior design trend that's back in a big way for 2021, and we predict that this daring look is here to stay.

In bold contrast to the understated, this living room decor idea reveals the design world’s wild side. An arresting mix of leopard prints, pleating and patchworks, together with stars, stripes and metallic hides, demonstrates that more can be more. 

2. Factor in an abundance of florals

Electric Poppies 02, Natasha Coverdale for Lick

(Image credit: Emma Lewis / Soane)

Floral room decor is big news for 2022 interiors and can be adapted to suit any space, whether it’s vintage, retro or contemporary. These new season designs have upped the style stakes and make it easy to work beautiful flowers into your décor.

Start off by thinking about color. The palette you choose will guide your decisions when it comes to choosing floral designs and will act as the basis for pulling your scheme together.

When working floral prints into your home, think about the scale of the flowers in the patterns. Large prints can make small rooms appear even smaller so stick to daintier designs to create an illusion of space.

3. Take a bold approach to decorating with wallpaper 

(Image credit: Simon Bevan / Future)

Color trends have also gone the same way with neutrals edging away from the gray (dare we say it) and moving more towards the warmer tones to beckon in the return of brown furniture. 

Don’t be afraid to combine different patterns and color combinations. 

'Mix classic designs such as stripes or florals with exotic styles such as ikats and Turkish Kilims. Avoid making the space look too busy by choosing patterns in colors that complement each other,' says Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin.

4. Surround yourself with botanicals

(Image credit: Future / Polly Wreford)

Sustainability and being 'happier at home' is at the forefront of our minds for 2022, and it will only escalate further as time goes on. An increased awareness of the finitude of our natural resources has led to an increased desire to repair, repurpose and recycle. 

Visible repairs are celebrated and emphasized, and durable, natural, and woven materials are championed. Bolder greens are also taking over from the midnight blue bringing in the biophilic trend of wellness through plants and foliage. 

'Any reference to bringing the outside in will have an impact on wellbeing with the plant trend that just keeps on growing,' explains Maryanne Cartwright, Design Manager at Graham & Brown.

5. Go for dramatic graphics

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

This year has seen us all searching for security and structure amid the chaos. An escalating need to impose systems of order and control in all facets of life, from wellness trends to dating apps, has seen a rise in popularity for simplified, structured design. 

Interiors referencing elemental geometric arrangements, subtle raised relief and monochrome palettes channel the comfort found in pattern and routine.

(Image credit: Sanderson Design Group)

A turbulent environment of political and social unrest has led to a yearning for designs which reflect values of authenticity, humanity and trustworthiness. 

Craftsmanship and heritage designs are celebrated and familiar natural motifs are favored, as shown on the accent wall idea above. We are more willing to invest in designs that have meaning and have been lovingly created than mass produced products. 

During a period of uncertainty it is not uncommon for certain elements of nostalgia to set in as we reach for the archive when choosing our next wallpaper.

7. Create a picture-perfect scheme with wall panels

(Image credit: James Merrell)

Panels are big when it comes to bedroom wallpaper ideas for 2021. It's not overly common to have paneling in a bedroom, but if you live in a period property – or got them built in to add character to a plain space – you have plenty of space to play with wallpaper.

Previously a living room trend, adding a statement paper in slices allows you to go bold with color and pattern without overwhelming the room. Choosing a natural inspired scheme and colorway keeps things calming, too.

8. Decorate with textural papers

(Image credit: Paul Massey / Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam)

Gone are the days when wallpaper was a one-dimensional piece of paper on the wall. As printing techniques develop, the number of surfaces that can be printed on increase.

One of the most comforting wallpaper trends is introducing texture to the walls. Choose a hessian wallcovering for the ultimate cosseting effect, and let the coziness commence.

9. Add charm with Chinoiserie

(Image credit: Jake Curtis)

Chinoiserie is another wallpaper trend which has been in and out of fashion for many years. Historically associated with grand country manor homes, this technique has been modernized and updated is a fresh new way.

Characterized by fantastical oriental scenes and sinuous, stylized flower and bird motifs, the Chinoiserie trend has witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years, with today's wallpaper and fabric houses offering a wealth of ornate decorative designs to bring wow-factor to your interior design choices.

10. Add drama with dark colors 

(Image credit: catherine Gratwicke)

Dark colors used to be avoided, as often this would be misinterpreted as making a room seem dark and dingy. 

However, with an eclectic use of space, well-placed shapes and smart living room lighting ideas like in the space shown above, deeper royal blues and luxurious emerald greens are making a desired comeback.

What are the wallpaper trends for 2022?

Scenic and mural wallpapers continue to be a popular trend for 2022. From serene painterly flowers and textures to atmospheric panoramas, scenes and murals put your walls center stage and offer a variety of extraordinary statements for your walls.  

'Fine art-inspired wallpaper is having a moment with life size art murals proving popular. However, don’t blindly follow trends and above all, only choose a style if you really love it,' says Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

Think Wallpaper is Outdated? It Can Actually Update Your Bathroom

Advertiser Disclosure

By Terri Williams
Updated June 13, 2022

Wallpaper. Just the sight or sound of that word usually evokes 18th Century scenic or floral images or, worse, the gaudy, headache-inducing designs that were widely – and wildly – popular in the 1970s. However, wallpaper is making a comeback. Maybe “reincarnation” is a better word since, thankfully, the new trend in wallpaper looks radically different from the styles of yesteryear.In fact, wallpaper can actually be used in the bathroom to create glamour, elegance, drama and even fun. Below are some of the various options to consider:

Half-Wall Application

John Keeble / Getty Images

You don’t have to wallpaper the entire bathroom. Used sparingly, like the wallpaper applied below the chair rail molding in the photo above, it can still create a powerful impression. “Wallpaper done tastefully can add character to any room, especially bathrooms and bedrooms,” says Angela Williams, a Birmingham, AL-based realtor at Extreme Agent Realty. “I don’t suggest papering an entire room, but accent walls are trendy,” Williams says.

Updated Classic

phototropic / Getty Images

Glam

JodiJacobson / Getty Images

This hand-painted, patterned wallpaper brings out the metal in the console, sconces and faucet. When combined with the chandelier, it creates a glitzy bathroom design. “Wallpaper has really transformed over the last decade,” explains Kimberly Schmunk, an interior designer at Focus Builders. “There are several new designers that have a variety of fresh and graphic designs and textures.”

 

Understated

Paul Bradbury / Getty Images

The aqua linen wallpaper in this Miami master bath complements the grays and whites in the design.

Dramatic

Mint Images / Getty Images

If you have a flair for the dramatic, you can definitely express it in a beautiful and vibrant wallpapered ceiling. This particular design is called Circus Mural and is made up of several strips of wallpaper.  “I am a big fan of mural wallpaper or ‘photo wallpaper,’ which is wallpaper on a very large scale,” Schmunk says. Other popular types of wall murals and photo wallpapers include such options as brick effects, marble, underwater images, sports themes and graffiti.

Whimsical

EyeWolf / Getty Images

This wallpaper design is an ode to the fact that many people spend most of their reading time in the bathroom.However, keep in mind that Williams isn’t the only realtor not completely sold on the merits of wallpaper. “In my experience, wallpaper, while not a deal breaker, generally affects a sale adversely,” says Sheila Trichter, an agent at Warburg Realty. “The first thing many buyers ask is, ‘How expensive and difficult is it to remove the wallpaper?’ No matter how beautiful.”Mark Ferguson, a real estate agent, investor and the author and creator of Investfourmore.com, agrees. “I have never been a fan of wallpaper and that may be because it is such a pain to take off and we have to remove a lot of it,” he says. “I have seen it start to come back and I think it is crazy – I would not put it in a house I was rehabbing because I think it would only appeal to a small portion of the population.

Peel and Stick

YinYang / Getty Images

If you think you might want to try a wallpaper design in your bathroom, but you’re not sure if you’ll like it or not, you might be more comfortable using removable wallpaper. Since you just peel off the back and stick the paper on the wall, it’s easy to remove or reposition it.


How to avoid outdated solutions in the interior

Trends are fickle. Some fashion trends leave everyday life for a long time, and then triumphantly return after decades have passed. However, there were those trends that will not be missed. Let's talk about the TOP-7 solutions in the interior of the European renovation, for which there is no place in the design of 2020.

Furniture along the walls

both walls. The middle of the room was empty. Sofas, for example, no one put in the middle. Although it is comfortable and compact. Modern designers leave at least part of the walls free when decorating the interior.

One item, one function

It was common for old-fashioned design to use furniture or other interior elements exclusively for their intended purpose. For example, if there was a rack at the disposal, there was not even a thought to make it a partition. Today, designers look at interior items differently. The same rack is used for zoning the room.

Photo printing

Flowers, the beach, still lifes or other imperishable examples of photo printing now look cheap. Do not print bright images on these media:

Decor made of artificial stone

The time when stone was a decor for doorways, corners and walls has passed. There is nothing wrong with stone trim. But this material should be just finishing, not decorative. For example, muted matte surfaces made of dark stone or faceted marble on a kitchen island will look stylish and expensive.

Total wallpaper

An interior with walls covered all over with the same wallpaper is outdated. A design with a neutral wallpaper is simply boring, and an annoying pattern is already a disaster. Such a decision psychologically presses, and visually reduces the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. Today, wallpapers are used sparingly, especially with bright elements. Designers pair them with neutral-colored walls or other finishes.

Floor Joints

Designers used to argue a lot about whether or not to join different floor coverings. As solutions, decorative sills, “semicircle” or wavy joints were proposed. None of these experiments seem appropriate now.

What to do?

  1. If possible, use a single coating and avoid joining.
  2. Choose between contrasting and one-level flooring. However, they can only be laid over a large area and only as a decor or for the purpose of zoning.
  3. Use a thin metal profile instead of the nut.

Brown furniture and beige walls

Ready-made wood-effect furniture sets in shades of brown. At the beginning of the 2000s, every third Russian had such houses. Today, such an interior looks like a relic of the time or an ordinary hotel room. Beige color only emphasizes this boredom. Now it is fashionable to choose furniture from different styles, collections, pastel natural or intense dark shades.

5 obsolete and anti-trend wallpapers

Trend is a complex and fleeting concept. What was at the peak of popularity two years ago, today designers and insiders advise not to take. Ordinary apartment owners may even like these tricks and solutions. I invited Irina Sachek, the head and founder of Wallpaper Salon, to prove together that “outdated” does not always mean uncomfortable or cheap. There are nuances to which you should pay attention.

Wallpaper with monograms

We hear “monograms” — we think about palaces, luxurious classical interiors or neoclassicism. And in such an environment, they look like relatives. Monograms are an element inseparable from classical style. It's like an apple from an apple tree - it doesn't fall far.

Therefore, it is not worth bringing this "apple" to a modern apartment, where the atmosphere is alien. They won't feel comfortable there. And an attempt to furnish the interior “in a rich way” may fail.

Expert opinion

If you are confident in your choice, then try this wallpaper in the bedroom. A luxurious bed, a canopy, a bench, moldings and wallpaper with monograms will look perfect here.

Where to find a replacement

For Grandeco Montano bedroom, Rasch Poetry dining area, Rasch Poetry 2 living room, Rasch Poetry 2 dark green for secluded places, Grandeco Montano luxury classic light, for rooms without TV Zambaiti Parati.

Photo printing

Print different! Of course, if you have shabby wallpapers from the 90s in your living room, then it will be difficult to get carried away into the French streets or admire the Tuscan landscapes in the kitchen.

But this does not mean that all photo wallpapers should be crossed off the list! No. Look at the samples below. A high-quality print with images of a coniferous forest or a tropical landscape somewhere in the bedroom, on one wall, looks simply magical!

I found it interesting

Forest in the fog Smart Art, Seascape BorasTapeter Marstrand II 8886, Wild animals wallpaper, Oboi-ma huge landscape, Vivid tropical scenes.

Wallpaper imitating materials

It is said that imitation of brickwork, wood, plaster is a sign of bad taste. Let's unanimously admit that wallpaper, of course, will not replace real materials for us. That's all. If this doesn’t bother you personally anymore, then glue them, if only your soul would be happy.

Where to buy wallpaper

Non-woven light gray Leroy Merlin, wood-look Walls wallpaper, Ozon concrete-look wallpaper, Decoracion textured gray wallpaper,

Wallpaper with inscriptions and logos

The inscription in English Coffee or French Bon Appetit looks very even cozy. The only trouble is that there are too many of these words, they flash often - it can be unpleasant for the eyes. Yes, and a wish for a pleasant appetite is more pleasant to receive from loved ones than from wallpaper.

Today some inscriptions are in fashion, tomorrow - others. There is a risk that the inscriptions will simply bother you in a couple of months. It is safer in this regard to glue plain canvases for painting. And decide for yourself what color you will have: trendy or not. Wallpaper can be repainted up to five times!

Where to look for paintable wallpaper

Large plaster Leroy Merlin, non-woven paintable Leroy Merlin, with an interesting Baucenter texture, hypoallergenic paintable wallpaper Fiestadesign.

Children's wallpaper

This is my personal pain. Maybe because I'm a mother myself. I would never stick a cartoon wallpaper in a nursery for two reasons: transience and obvious advertising. I pasted Minnie Mouse in an unnatural pink color, then my daughter wanted Elsa in a blue dress from Frozen and this obsessive message right on the walls: no, not “let go-and-and-forget-u-ud”, but “buy-and- and whatever.


Learn more