Trend Alert: WALLPAPER

From traditional and classic to bold and graphic, wallpaper is back in a big way. We can't get enough of its room-transforming, style-defining powers. Take a peek at what designers are loving about wallpaper.

"One of the most important design trends we've seen in the past few years is the return of wallpaper. And these aren't just the small, fussy patterns you may remember (and perhaps loathe) from the '80s — these are big, bold florals, geometric patterns, and whimsical designs. And if you want to add a little pattern to your home but aren't yet ready to commit to a whole wall, there are still plenty of out-of-the-box ways to add a little wallpaper to your space." - Apartment Therapy

"Wallpaper options out there are boundless, hedged neither by historical precedent nor trend. A bucket of paint might be relatively easy to apply, by comparison, but wallpaper can open up worlds, take you outside or to the countryside. Back centuries. To otherworlds. And all without leaving your favorite room." - Food52

"By now, we all recognize the tremendous strides wallpaper has made since its infamous reign in past decades. Its resurgence has brought forth a new generation of admirers. Companies are pumping out everything from bold modern prints in monochromatic palettes and textured raffias on metallic grasscloths to lively ombres and large-scale florals set on moody backdrops." - Apartment Therapy

"Wallpaper goes way beyond what can be done with paint," says Cadee Wilder of Kreme. "Painted finishes, although great in some spaces, don't equate to the luxury and opulence a few rolls of wallpaper can provide." She adds, "Designers and their clients are looking for ways to impart the 'wow' factor without having to add more costly items, such as tiles, stone or expensive textile fabrics, and wallpaper does a great job of it." - HGTV

"Wallpapers have always had a universal appeal and tend to create a feeling of nostalgia for people through their colors and patterns. Though they're very much an enduring trend, it's one that goes through phases; some years patterns are popular but at other times it's stripes. At the moment we're seeing a move away from the clean, minimal interiors that were so popular a decade ago – today people would like their homes to be much more personal, reflecting individual tastes and interests rather than a 'one style suits all' approach. Geometric wallpapers in particular are resonating with people wanting to create a bold, fresh feel." - Charlotte Cosby, Head of creative, Farrow & Ball

"Wallpaper is big news because so many people are renovating their homes rather than moving. There's a trend for pretty patterns, trails and birds, textures and decadent shimmering finishes. Scale is generally large, and wallpapers are no longer reserved to single feature walls. Contrasting skirting boards and painted woodwork in brighter, punchy hues has become more popular and is a fantastic way to bring together heritage patterns in a contemporary way." - David Mottershead, Managing director, Little Greene

"Wallpaper murals will be reaching new levels of popularity and with good reason. They’re super trendy and can boost the level of creativity in a room’s design. Some of the popular large-scale wallpaper mural categories include urban landscapes, wood-inspired faux finish designs, and art-inspired patterns." - Walls Republic

"This year, faux finish was an extremely popular choice for residential spaces. Whether it was wallpapers or murals, interior designers couldn’t get enough of brick, concrete, or wood-inspired patterns." - Walls Republic

Not ready to commit to a single wallpaper for life? Neither are so many others—which is why they are loving removable, easy-to-apply wallpapers.

"Removable wallpaper! It's here. A relatively recent player in the wallpaper market, temporary papers are easy to put on the wall (the best are forgiving of "do-overs" and can be easily stuck and un-stuck) and, most wonderful of all, easy to remove when you're ready for a change." - Food52

NOT JUST FOR WALLS

"The ceiling may not be the first place you'd think of to put wallpaper — it is called wallpaper, after all — but maybe it should be. Setting aside the obvious difficulty of getting it up there to begin with, adding wallpaper to your ceiling is the perfect way to add a little pattern to a room without completely overwhelming the space." - Apartment Therapy

"After using wallpaper to cover a ceiling or create an accent wall, I love using the scraps to spiff up the back of a bookshelf. There are so many fabulous textures, colors, patterns, and materials that you can incorporate by using wallpaper strategically. The possibilities are endless." - Sarah Story Design