I’ll admit it—I used to be a wallpaper skeptic. Growing up, my grandmother’s house was a shrine to 1970s floral patterns that haunted my childhood nightmares. The memory of helping my parents strip endless layers of stubborn, ugly wallpaper from our first home left me with a visceral aversion to anything that wasn’t plain painted walls.

“Never again,” I swore.

Well, I’m here to eat my words. Wallpaper is back, and honestly? I’m completely obsessed.

The Wallpaper Renaissance

If you’ve been paying attention to interior design trends over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed that wallpaper has made a spectacular comeback. But this isn’t your grandmother’s wallpaper (sorry, Grandma). Today’s wallpaper designs are bold, artistic, and surprisingly versatile.

What changed? For starters, the technology has improved dramatically. Modern wallpapers are easier to install and—hallelujah—much easier to remove. Many are peel-and-stick, making them perfect for renters or the commitment-phobic among us (raising my hand here).

But beyond the practical improvements, there’s been a fundamental shift in how we’re using wallpaper. Rather than covering every wall in matching patterns, today’s approach is more intentional. Think statement walls, ceiling applications, and unexpected moments of pattern in otherwise minimalist spaces.

Why Wallpaper, Why Now?

I’ve been asking myself why wallpaper has captured our collective imagination again, and I think it comes down to a few cultural shifts:

We’re craving personality in our spaces. After years of white-on-white minimalism dominating Instagram feeds, many of us are hungry for spaces that feel more individual and expressive. There’s something deliciously defiant about slapping a bold pattern on your wall after a decade of quiet neutrals.

The work-from-home revolution changed our relationship with our surroundings. When your home becomes your office, classroom, gym, and sanctuary, blank walls start feeling a bit… blank. Many of us discovered we wanted our Zoom backgrounds to reflect some personality.

We’re seeking immersive experiences. In a world dominated by digital experiences, there’s something powerfully tactile about a patterned wall that envelops you in color and texture. Wallpaper creates an environment rather than just a surface.

Jordan from our team recently told me, “After spending two years in a rental with white walls I couldn’t paint, installing removable wallpaper in my new place felt like finally being able to exhale.” I couldn’t relate more.

How We’re Using Wallpaper Now

The most exciting thing about contemporary wallpaper is the creative ways people are incorporating it into their homes. Here are some of my favorite approaches I’ve spotted recently:

The Statement Wall

This is Wallpaper 101 for beginners. Choose one wall—often behind a bed or in a dining area—and let it be the star of the show. The rest of the room can remain relatively neutral, letting the wallpapered wall serve as both artwork and anchor for the space.

I tried this in my own home office, using a moody botanical print that makes me feel like I’m working in a lush garden even in the dead of winter. On particularly stressful workdays, I swear it lowers my blood pressure.

The Fifth Wall (Your Ceiling!)

Confession: I audibly gasped the first time I saw a beautifully wallpapered ceiling. There’s something unexpectedly delightful about looking up and discovering pattern overhead—like a little gift for those who think to look up.

A wallpapered ceiling works particularly well in dining rooms, where guests spend time leaning back in chairs, or in bedrooms, where the pattern above becomes the last thing you see before falling asleep.

Unexpected Spaces

Some of the most impactful wallpaper moments happen in spaces we typically overlook: the backs of bookshelves, inside closets, lining the inside of a kitchen island, or within cabinet interiors.

Taylor recently used a vibrant geometric wallpaper to line the back of a built-in bookcase in their living room. “It completely transformed how my books and objects look on the shelves,” they told me. “Everything stands out more against the patterned background.”

Small Spaces, Big Impact

If you’re wallpaper-curious but commitment-scared (I get it!), try starting in a small space like a powder room, laundry room, or closet. These spaces can handle bold patterns because you don’t spend hours at a time in them. Plus, there’s something deliciously unexpected about opening a door to discover a jewel box of pattern.

My tiny half-bath went from forgettable to favorite after I covered it in a dramatic dark floral pattern. It’s like a little secret surprise for guests—and honestly, it makes me smile every time I walk in.

Current Wallpaper Trends I’m Loving

The variety of wallpaper designs available today is staggering, but here are a few trends that have caught my eye:

Biophilic Designs

Our collective plant obsession has naturally extended to our walls. Botanical patterns—from delicate ferns to oversized monstera leaves—bring natural elements indoors. But unlike actual plants, these ones don’t need watering or optimal light conditions. (Though they do play beautifully with your actual houseplants!)

Abstract Expressionist

Think large-scale artistic patterns that look like they belong in a modern art museum. These designs often feature bold brushstrokes, organic shapes, and unexpected color combinations that can transform a simple room into a gallery-like space.

Modern Maximalism

Grandmillennial style is having a moment, with traditional patterns like chinoiserie, toile, and damask making comebacks in fresh colorways and updated scales. There’s something comforting about these classic patterns reimagined for contemporary spaces.

Textured Lookalikes

Some of today’s most interesting wallpapers mimic other materials—concrete, terrazzo, wood paneling, even plaster techniques like lime wash. These give you the look of labor-intensive finishes without the mess, cost, or permanence.

Real Talk: The Practical Stuff

Before you dive into the wallpaper deep end, let me share a few practical insights from someone who’s made a few mistakes along the way:

Samples are non-negotiable. What looks perfect on your screen can look completely different on your wall. Light changes everything about how a pattern reads in your space. Most companies will send inexpensive samples—use them!

Calculate generously. There’s nothing worse than being one panel short when you’re halfway through a project. Most companies have calculators on their websites, but I always order an extra roll just in case. (You can always use leftover paper for drawer liners, framed art, or backing bookshelves.)

Consider scale carefully. A pattern that looks perfect on a small sample can be overwhelming when repeated across an entire wall. Generally, smaller spaces can handle larger patterns better than you might think, while large rooms sometimes benefit from more subtle, smaller-scale patterns that don’t compete with the furniture.

Prep is everything. I learned this the hard way: take the time to prep your walls properly. Fill holes, sand rough spots, and make sure the surface is clean and dry. Your future self will thank you.

Is Wallpaper Forever?

One of the questions I get most frequently is: “Isn’t wallpaper just another trend that will look dated in five years?”

Maybe. But here’s my philosophy: our homes should reflect who we are right now, not who we might be in a hypothetical future. If a pattern brings you joy today, that’s reason enough to live with it.

Besides, with today’s more removable options, changing your mind doesn’t require a weekend of steaming and scraping (thank goodness). You can embrace the joy of pattern now and pivot later if your taste evolves.

Start Your Wallpaper Journey

If you’re feeling inspired but overwhelmed by options, here’s my suggestion: start collecting images of wallpapered spaces that speak to you. Notice which patterns you’re consistently drawn to. Are they botanical? Geometric? Subtle? Bold? This will help you narrow down your preferences before you start ordering samples.

And remember—there are no wrong choices, only opportunities to discover what resonates with you. The worst-case scenario is that you don’t love it and try something else. The best-case scenario? You create a space that feels unmistakably, wonderfully yours.

I’d love to see where your wallpaper adventures take you! Share your projects or wallpaper dreams with us on Instagram using #BLBWallpaperRevival or drop a comment below with your thoughts on the great wallpaper comeback.

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Looking for more ways to add personality to your walls? Check out our previous post on “The Art of the Gallery Wall: Curating Personal Collections with Designer Impact” for another approach to creating walls with character.