9 Bold Wallpaper Looks That Will Win You Over
Tempted to try it? Shed your misconceptions and treat your walls to patterned or colourful wall coverings that shut the door on boring
Amanda Peters
13 May 2017
Houzz India Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist who loves writing about all things travel, culture and design. My favourite pieces to write are the Houzz Tours, as I love exploring real homes of all shapes and sizes.
Houzz India Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist who loves writing about all things... More
Paints have dominated debates in India – wining more under the illusion of practicality and ease of use. On the other hand, the wallpaper has earned a bad rep for being high maintenance, pricey and non-durable. But times are changing. Whatever your budget, high quality wall coverings that are washable and weather-resistant, have been flooding the market in a multitude of colours, textures and patterns. Bold and graphic or elegant and understated, if you’ve been wanting to give it a go in your home, see if one of these 9 creative examples win you over.
1. Sun soaked block-print medallions
The key word here is balance. If you master that, you can never have too much texture in a room. Take this sun-kissed dining, it achieves an intentional sensibility that paint simply would not be able to match. Interior designer Holly Phillips mixes a block-print medallion wall covering with a wooden zigzag floor and patterned curtains. She further adds texture by hanging an ornate mirror above the cool blue-green sofa.
The key word here is balance. If you master that, you can never have too much texture in a room. Take this sun-kissed dining, it achieves an intentional sensibility that paint simply would not be able to match. Interior designer Holly Phillips mixes a block-print medallion wall covering with a wooden zigzag floor and patterned curtains. She further adds texture by hanging an ornate mirror above the cool blue-green sofa.
2. Golden touch
Instead of a bright gold, a bold print in a dull gold finish makes the right kind of elegant statement in this entrance. But be aware not to overdo it when making such a strong choice. This works great as an accent wall.
Instead of a bright gold, a bold print in a dull gold finish makes the right kind of elegant statement in this entrance. But be aware not to overdo it when making such a strong choice. This works great as an accent wall.
3. Kaleidoscopic geometry
A great space to try out a bold, geometric pattern is the hallway or stairs. You spend the least amount of time here, but it’s out in the open for everyone to enjoy…in short spells.
Look at how the colours seem to bounce off the wall in this psychedelic number.
A great space to try out a bold, geometric pattern is the hallway or stairs. You spend the least amount of time here, but it’s out in the open for everyone to enjoy…in short spells.
Look at how the colours seem to bounce off the wall in this psychedelic number.
4. Arty turn
Art comes in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t have to be framed to count. All you need, to create a memorable feature wall, is a vintage print, open shelves and favourites from your art collection.
Art comes in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t have to be framed to count. All you need, to create a memorable feature wall, is a vintage print, open shelves and favourites from your art collection.
5. Colourful accent
You don’t have to cover all your walls. All it takes is one wall to change the look of the entire room. This bedroom combines a bright green wall covering with neutral furniture pieces, thus transforming an ordinary space into a vibrant eye catcher.
You don’t have to cover all your walls. All it takes is one wall to change the look of the entire room. This bedroom combines a bright green wall covering with neutral furniture pieces, thus transforming an ordinary space into a vibrant eye catcher.
6. Black and white strokes
The bath is generally a tight spot and you don’t want to add too much and make it claustrophobic. But that doesn’t mean you have to play it safe and go all white either. If a geometric print is a bit too much, then choose one with an imperfect, organic shape and a light touch. It will bring some welcome curves to the primary functional area.
Tip: If you want to try out wallpaper in the bathroom, make sure you have a high enough backsplash to prevent water droplets from leaving a permanent mark.
The bath is generally a tight spot and you don’t want to add too much and make it claustrophobic. But that doesn’t mean you have to play it safe and go all white either. If a geometric print is a bit too much, then choose one with an imperfect, organic shape and a light touch. It will bring some welcome curves to the primary functional area.
Tip: If you want to try out wallpaper in the bathroom, make sure you have a high enough backsplash to prevent water droplets from leaving a permanent mark.
7. Lacy playfulness
A kid’s bedroom is where you can afford to be a little playful. This teenager’s room ditches convention by juxtaposing an intricately pattered wallpaper with a turquoise painted wall. The white headboard, rug and nightstand calm the look down, while the pink touches add a feminine note to the space.
Wall Decorations Your Child Will Love
A kid’s bedroom is where you can afford to be a little playful. This teenager’s room ditches convention by juxtaposing an intricately pattered wallpaper with a turquoise painted wall. The white headboard, rug and nightstand calm the look down, while the pink touches add a feminine note to the space.
Wall Decorations Your Child Will Love
8. Wacky and vibrant
A colourful wallpaper isn’t just for large spaces. Wrapped in a vibrant floral wall covering, this little library makes quite the style statement. Incorporated picks out colours from the wallpaper to paint the niches, maintaining continuity in the room.
A colourful wallpaper isn’t just for large spaces. Wrapped in a vibrant floral wall covering, this little library makes quite the style statement. Incorporated picks out colours from the wallpaper to paint the niches, maintaining continuity in the room.
9. Rough and rugged
With wallpapers getting better and better at replicating realistic materials, you can have the best of both worlds. If you’ve always wanted the natural feel of reclaimed wood, but our volatile climate has never let you have it, then wallpaper is the answer to your problem. This planked option comes pretty close to creating a wow wooden wall, especially in this plain bedroom that only has a door and a window.
Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Wallpaper Right
Amazing Alternatives to Wall Paint
Tell us: Are you not a wallpaper person? Tell us why in Comments below.
With wallpapers getting better and better at replicating realistic materials, you can have the best of both worlds. If you’ve always wanted the natural feel of reclaimed wood, but our volatile climate has never let you have it, then wallpaper is the answer to your problem. This planked option comes pretty close to creating a wow wooden wall, especially in this plain bedroom that only has a door and a window.
Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Wallpaper Right
Amazing Alternatives to Wall Paint
Tell us: Are you not a wallpaper person? Tell us why in Comments below.
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