Whether you're looking to revamp your living room, switch up your bedroom or add interest to a bathroom, wallpaper trends are an excellent place to begin when to comes to helping you find the right look. The styles, patterns and colourways dominating 2024 have something for everyone, from bold statements to subtle designs.
Decorating using wallpaper ideas is very much as popular as ever right now. 'Wallpaper is certainly still an important aspect of interior trends in 2024 (and beyond), and still one of the easiest ways to add impact to your décor schemes, from adorning all four walls in beautiful patterns to the rise of power dressing our walls, formally known as the feature wall,' explains James Greenwood, interior and colour expert at Graham & Brown.
We've spoken directly to the experts and used our extensive knowledge of trends, products and design to bring together the top wallpaper trends of 2024.
1. Coquette
The coquette style isn't just on display in fashion, wallpapers trends have also followed suit, and if you were already drawn to pretty bedrooms or pink kitchen ideas, this could be the one for you.
'Bows and ribbons were all over social media in 2023, which has sparked the revival of romanticism,' says Heather Goode, senior designer at Habitat.
'This Gen Z-approved style fully embraces a kitschy and whimsical approach to decorating - think scalloped edges, gingham and floral motifs.'
2. Plaster pink
'Plaster pink is having a moment right now in interiors, but this soft shade has always been my go-to neutral. Warmer than grey, more interesting than beige and more forgiving than white, it’s a colour that l’ll return to again and again for full wall coverage,' says interior designer Matthew Williamson.
'Personally, I love using this colour to drench a living room in one tone, which adds a contemporary update as it unifies all the surfaces.' This makes it perfect for wallpaper, and you can pair with the best pink paint if you want to drench the room by painting the ceiling and skirting boards to match.
3. A retro resurgance
'We may be looking forward to new wallpaper trends, but we're getting a little nostalgic in 2024! With the retro revival in full swing, there's been a resurgence of mid-century and beyond styling, so bold wallpaper in statement patterns is here to stay,' says Becca Stern, co-founder of Mustard Made.
This ties in with both the current love for mid-century living rooms and the Seventies revival seen in the overarching home decor trends of 2024.
4. Statement styles
'2024 décor trends are all about making bold statements,' says Chelsea Clark, head of marketing for Lust Home. 'With a strong focus on individuality and creative expression, homeowners are embracing the maximalist trend and trying different things out in their homes from pattern clashing to statement designs.'
You can really make this angle of wallpaper trends work with whatever colours or patterns you like the most, but Chelsea notes that there is a 'bigger the better' theme emerging. 'Large-scale prints are dominating the scene, creating dramatic focal points and providing a transformative backdrop to experiment with,' she explains.
5. Bespoke murals
Statements don't stop with standard wallpapers, however, as bold murals, which you can use as a feature wall or splash out on the whole space, are having a moments.
'Home decorators continue to seek more individuality in their homes, seeing the rise in bespoke mural wallpapers, with infinite customisation options on scale size and even the paper type it’s printed on, this leans even further into our customers being more mindful of sustainability,' says James from Graham & Brown.
6. Opulence
Textures and finishes are an important part of wallpaper trends, and for 2024 luxe is in.
'As the opulent trend continues to grow, people are increasingly looking to carve out grand and sophisticated living spaces in the home where they can relax and indulge,' says Habitat's head of design Andrew Tanner.
'By incorporating luxe elements such as jewel-like colours and high-shine gold finishes, we can bring the opulence of luxury hotels and members clubs right onto the walls of the home.'
7. Classic stripes
Some trends feel so natural, they might not even seem like a trend at all!
'It's not ‘new’, more a classic for all seasons, but we are seeing an increased demand for stripes,' says Melanie Adams, the global head of wallpaperdirect.
'Stripes can suite all aesthetics, they can be simple and sophisticated or playful and dynamic. Allowing you to play with the dimensions of the room but hanging vertically or horizontally and to add colour without necessarily adding drama.'
The wallpaper trends continuing from 2023
As much as we love the newest and freshest wallpaper trends, some were already on the radar. These are our favourite trends from 2023 which have continued to be popular through 2024.
1. Peachy tones
Pantone's colour of the year for 2024 is the delectable summery shade 'Peach Fuzz' so we can certainly expect to see plenty of peachy tones extend into wallpaper trends. Pink has been everywhere in recent years, so consider veering towards a shade with peachy undertones for an easy segue into the new palette.
'Peach fuzz, punchy oranges and apricot crush colourways are refreshing and promote wellness within the home and will be a key trend for wallpaper and murals. Consider pairing peachy wallpaper with minty hue paints and textiles or go bold and team with matcha green to establish a fizzy, earthy energy,' recommends designer Avalana Simpson.
2. Ditsy prints
Small scale floral and hand-painted effect wallpapers are still a big hit in 2024. Pinterest's 'Eclectic Grandpa' trend is paving the way in vintage-inspired interiors and the traditional feel of small ditsy prints will make any room, but especially bedrooms, feel perfectly old-school.
'Choose a wallpaper with a small-scale pattern to create an illusion of depth and space. This is particularly effective in cosy home offices where a large-scale pattern might feel overwhelming. By playing with scale, you can make the room feel more open and inviting,' recommends interior and product designer, Siobhan Murphy.
3. Beautiful botanics
'The trend for bringing the outside inside shows no signs of going away, and why should it?,' asks Kerry McKenzie, Co-founder, Brand McKenzie. 'Adding a touch of nature instantly brings serenity to busy living spaces.'
'Biophilic design is still a huge trend, bringing the outside in. It's easy to live with and looks amazing mixed with real plants,' adds homeware designer Clarrisa Hulse.
4. Bathroom wallpaper
Bathroom wallpaper is a wonderful way to add a fun hit of colour and print in a typically neutral and plain area.
'We are going to see a move away from cool greys and sleek whites in the bathroom towards warmer, bolder and more vibrant tones,' says Rebecca from MissPrint.
'The room where you plan to use your wallpaper can affect how it is applied,' adds Kerry from Brand McKenzie. 'For example, if you want to use wallpaper in a bathroom, you should protect it against moisture by sealing it with a coat of clear decorator’s varnish, such as Polyvine.'
'While you don’t necessarily need to use wallpaper specifically designed to resist moisture in your bathroom, you should avoid using it in areas that are obviously wet, such as inside the shower.'
FAQs
Is wallpaper in style for 2024?
'Wallpaper is definitely in style for 2024 and beyond,' says Emma Deterding, founder of Kelling Designs. 'We’ve seen a huge resurgence in wallpaper and wall murals being including in homes for some time now, and this is unlikely to change! Modern wallpaper designs are beautiful and can really make a statement, whether you go for a floral, geometric, or minimalist design.'
'Also, with the rise in removable wallpapers, it’s becoming less of a commitment as you can easily remove the paper should you get bored - the removable designs are definitely proving most-popular in rentals.'
'Wallpaper is in style now more than ever,' agrees Jamie Watkins, co-founder of Divine Savages. 'With people becoming increasingly braver in their interior choices we’re seeing wallpaper used in more unexpected places - such as on the ceiling.'
'Not only is it guaranteed to create maximum impact but it can completely change the feel of the room, making a simple yet striking, unexpected update.'
How to use wallpaper in 2024
'When incorporating wallpaper into the home, our top tip is to land on the colour area you are exploring for the room’s décor, your wallpaper may just have a few tonal elements that match your scheme, or if you need a little more help,' advises interior and colour expert James Greenwood from Graham & Brown.
'We like to suggest four paint colours to perfectly co-ordinate with your chosen wallpaper both complimentary and contrasting!'
