Ingenious Wallpaper Designs That Trick The Eye
Check out 10 of the best double-take wallpapers that trick us with optical illusions - from fake panelling to tile effects
If you want to create a sense of drama in a room, you can’t beat a trompe l’oeil wallpaper or mural. Ingenious 2-D designs trick the eye, creating the illusion of texture and depth. For inspiration, look to these designs that mimic wood panelling, vintage tin tiles, concrete slabs, bookshelves and more.
Tin tiles
This quirky Brooklyn wallpaper by Merci gives the illusion of those weathered, vintage tin tiles found in factories and warehouses at the turn of the previous century. You could use this in place of a headboard, in an industrial-style kitchen or even on a ceiling.
Check out these moorish tiles that wow
This quirky Brooklyn wallpaper by Merci gives the illusion of those weathered, vintage tin tiles found in factories and warehouses at the turn of the previous century. You could use this in place of a headboard, in an industrial-style kitchen or even on a ceiling.
Check out these moorish tiles that wow
Logs
This wallpaper depicting stacked logs would work well in a mudroom, utility room, hallway or cosy alcove.
This wallpaper depicting stacked logs would work well in a mudroom, utility room, hallway or cosy alcove.
Concrete
It’s certainly one of the most convincing trompe l’oeil examples out there. This wallpaper by Jon and Boone is printed with a photograph of a Brooklyn art gallery’s rough-and-ready concrete walls.
It’s certainly one of the most convincing trompe l’oeil examples out there. This wallpaper by Jon and Boone is printed with a photograph of a Brooklyn art gallery’s rough-and-ready concrete walls.
Tile
You wouldn’t attempt to tile a door, but a tile-effect wallpaper, such as this stunning patterned design by Damien Hirst, opens up endless possibilities. Using it across the walls, bathroom door and closets creates the effect of a hidden room.
You wouldn’t attempt to tile a door, but a tile-effect wallpaper, such as this stunning patterned design by Damien Hirst, opens up endless possibilities. Using it across the walls, bathroom door and closets creates the effect of a hidden room.
Coastal
Perfect for a seaside vacation retreat, this wallpaper based on weather-beaten driftwood adds a rustic, nautical edge to anchor a room design.
Perfect for a seaside vacation retreat, this wallpaper based on weather-beaten driftwood adds a rustic, nautical edge to anchor a room design.
Concrete slab
A large-scale design, like this concrete slab wallpaper, is ideal for creating a wow wall. It’s a particularly good trick in a plain bedroom that has only a door and a window, as fashioning your own focal point can make up for a lack of features elsewhere in the room.
Take a look at these bare cement walls that offer oodles of style
A large-scale design, like this concrete slab wallpaper, is ideal for creating a wow wall. It’s a particularly good trick in a plain bedroom that has only a door and a window, as fashioning your own focal point can make up for a lack of features elsewhere in the room.
Take a look at these bare cement walls that offer oodles of style
Fashion
This wallpaper would work well in a dressing room or girly boudoir, combined with a metallic paper, a velvet chaise longue and Art Deco mirrored furniture.
This wallpaper would work well in a dressing room or girly boudoir, combined with a metallic paper, a velvet chaise longue and Art Deco mirrored furniture.
Forest
If the view from your kitchen is rather uninspiring, why not bring the natural world indoors with a mural? This woodland digital mural was created from a photograph, but there are heaps of forest-scene murals out there. It’s a great look for a Scandinavian-inspired room.
If the view from your kitchen is rather uninspiring, why not bring the natural world indoors with a mural? This woodland digital mural was created from a photograph, but there are heaps of forest-scene murals out there. It’s a great look for a Scandinavian-inspired room.
Library
There are many bookcase wallpapers, and some are more convincing than others. This design comes as two different rolls, for more variety of books.
Read more:
14 Extraordinary Wallpaper Looks
Tell us:
Have you used a double-take wallpaper in your home? Share your ideas and pictures in the Comments.
There are many bookcase wallpapers, and some are more convincing than others. This design comes as two different rolls, for more variety of books.
Read more:
14 Extraordinary Wallpaper Looks
Tell us:
Have you used a double-take wallpaper in your home? Share your ideas and pictures in the Comments.
Have fun concocting an eclectic mash-up of styles, with Rococo-inspired panelled wallpaper as a backdrop to more contemporary furniture and accessories. This classical Louis XV panelling-look wallpaper in grey goes with the trend of decorating in dark colours, and could even be used on all four walls if you’re feeling brave.