Using wallpaper can be an impactful way to spruce up a small space.
Once ripped off walls and taken down in favor of paint, wallpaper is back and might just be here to stay this time around. Wallpaper is an easy way to update a home and make a big impact in small spaces. Designers and homeowners are finding ways to incorporate wallpaper into different types of spaces to meet the needs of today’s homeowners.
We asked local experts to share some spaces where they’ve brought back this classic design element in a modern—sometimes even fun and funky—way.
Impactful Wallpaper
“Our clients were looking for a durable solution for their high-traffic laundry remodel, and wallpaper was the perfect solution,” says Anna Ashmore, selections coordinator for Ashmore Builders. Wallpaper wipes down easily and protects drywall from scuffs and scratches in high-traffic spaces. The blue and white color scheme fits the overall design of this laundry room.
This colorful remodel marries classic Southern charm with contemporary accessories to create a tiny space with a big impact. Painting the cabinetry and trim in Farrow and Ball’s “Cooking Apple Green” gives this powder bathroom an unexpected – but not out of place – pop of color that accentuates the wall covering’s watercolor motif.
I love to use wallpaper in spaces that have limited opportunities to use textiles. In this particular space, we used one of our all-time favorite papers, Thibaut “Square Dance,” to add some personality to the blank walls and some funk to an otherwise traditional home.
Using wallpaper in a small space is a great way to add personality, color, and interest. We added a fun pop of color with the playful dog wallpaper in a half-bath off a garage.
In a more formal powder room, we used a large-scale grass cloth to help make the space feel larger.
In the dry bar, we added metallic wallpaper to help connect the formal dining room with the kitchen. The sheen of the paper and smaller pattern added interest without taking away from the other design elements in the adjoining rooms.
In this space, we had the opportunity to get creative and using wallpaper was a no-brainer. We used “New York City Toile” by Katie Kime. This space was perfect for incorporating New York City—a favorite traveling spot —into the home. From the boutiques of Fifth Avenue to the Guggenheim Museum, I love how this wallpaper captures all the personality of New York City.
If you are afraid to go bold in more open spaces, I always encourage people to start in a smaller area and then build from there.
I often wallpaper smaller half-bathrooms—it’s the perfect opportunity to splurge on a wallcovering, and it can be easily installed in a day. Instant gratification.
Wallpaper is one of my favorite ways to add personality and character to a small, sometimes overlooked space. Our Merrimint “Green Apple” wallpaper brings the outdoors into this space, creating a large impact and energizing a once-bland space. Wallpaper adds an artful, fantastical element and is a wonderful way to dip your toe into something unique.
Wallpaper is having a moment, and we are totally on board with it. With unique wallcoverings, you can transcend the ordinary with a well-chosen pattern or texture. From bold florals and geometrics to subtle textures, there’s a pattern to add interest to every corner of the home. Small spaces are the perfect place to experiment with striking patterns and hues you’ve admired but are afraid to implement in larger spaces.
Laundry Room Lift:
Turn a mundane chore into a cheerful escape. Opt for wall coverings with playful patterns, calming geometrics, or refreshing botanicals.
Nook & Cranny Charm:
Oddly shaped nooks are prime real estate for unique wallpaper moments. A textured grass cloth or a whimsical stripe can give these forgotten corners a purpose to serve as an eye-catching accent.
Powder Room Pop:
Your powder room can be both functional and fabulous. Guests will want to linger longer with a statement wallpaper in a dynamic pattern or a rich, captivating color.
Closet Couture:
Who says closets have to feel utilitarian? Elevate your dressing experience with luxurious wallpaper – think delicate florals, elegant textures, or even a touch of metallic shimmer.
Tips for Success:
Small Prints, Big Impact: In tight spaces, busy patterns can feel overwhelming. If you have your heart set on a bold print, try scaling down the size of the print to create a less cramped effect.
Light & Bright: Light-reflecting metallics and breezy designs can make a small space feel airy and open.
Coordinating Trim: Choose a color or hue from the wallpaper to paint the trim/millwork instead of the typical white to add interest.
Lead Residential Interior Designer, Ashton Acosta, crafted this space for the client’s Lake Keowee residence. Using deep green textured wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries and green subway tile in a parquet pattern from Circles and Squares, they achieved the moody, textural ambiance desired for this compact area. Sometimes, in small spaces, bold choices make the biggest impact.
A powder bath is a great space to go bold with your design. Our philosophy is that the space should be visually intriguing and unique. This is a space where you can let your imagination flow freely and incorporate various patterns and colors.
