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Photo: Mitchell Black x Natalie PapierA popular design technique today for adding personality to a space is to use wallpaper—it brings both color and pattern, and with the right tools and prep, you can easily apply it yourself. However, covering an entire room with wallpaper can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're not used to bold prints, as it might feel overpowering on all four walls.
In these cases, we suggest thinking outside the box and using wallpaper creatively. Instead of applying it to every wall, try adding it to smaller, more unconventional areas for a striking impact with minimal effort. (Opting for removable wallpaper is perfect here because it's easier to work with and can be quickly swapped out for a new look when you’re ready for a change!) Below, you'll find inspiration for fun, unique ways to bring wallpaper into your home.
1. Make an Accent Wall Stand Out
Mitchell Black x Natalie PapierLet’s kick off this list with an idea you’ve likely come across before, but this particular take stands out because of how the other elements in the room work together with the wallpaper. Create an accent wall, and to make it pop even more, pair it with a contrasting painted ceiling. Designer and Artfully Designed co-host Natalie Papier did just that in this bedroom. She chose a quirky hand-themed design from her collaboration with Mitchell Black (which cleverly resembles a basket-weave pattern) for the accent wall. But what took it to the next level was painting the ceiling a deep charcoal black, which complements without competing with the wall.
2. Highlight Molding with Wallpaper Panels
Mitchell Black x Natalie PapierIf your home is blessed with beautiful architectural features like wall molding, make sure to highlight them—add wallpaper within those frames to really make them pop. Here, we see another stunning print from Papier's Mitchell Black collection. As she puts it, 'Wallpaper panels offer a chance to play with fun patterns and bring in some personality. They’re almost like framed artwork.' So clever!
3. Line the Interior of Some Shelving
Christopher TestaniWe were blown away when we saw this wet bar in the 2020 Mytour Home—our associate editorial editor Katie Holdefehr added metallic wallpaper to the back of the shelves for an elegant touch of pattern. To recreate this look, you can use a peel-and-stick wallpaper that’s cut to fit, or apply your favorite wallpaper to foam core, then trim it to match the dimensions of the shelves.
4. Wallpaper the Ceiling
Christopher TestaniCeilings, often referred to as the fifth wall, tend to be overlooked, but they're an amazing way to inject personality into a room. Designers Shavonda Gardner and Carmeon Hamilton collaborated in this office space from the 2019 Mytour Home to make sure it wasn’t lacking in flair. The moody paint color is already a daring choice, but since it’s technically still a neutral, they added a floral design to the ceiling (Meadow by Kelly Ventura) to bring even more character and vibrancy.
5. Highlight a Staircase Nook
Christopher TestaniThe space under a staircase is often overlooked, but in 2022's Mytour Home, wallpaper was used in the nook beneath the steps to introduce a bold pattern. The rest of the walls remained bare to maintain a smooth transition between the floors. Plus, since it was peel-and-stick wallpaper, installation took under an hour to finish!
6. Upgrade a Small Bathroom
Geneva Slye of @just.genevaTypically, wallpapering a bathroom is a risky move—moisture can easily damage the paper, which is why many avoid it. However, home DIYer Geneva Slye of @just.geneva decided to go for it in her guest bathroom. The pink tile was original to the house, and she says, 'I was really uncertain about it at first, but I didn’t want to lose the original charm, so I made it my personal challenge to make it work. I ordered around 100 wallpaper samples before I found the perfect one.'
The pattern, another standout from Natalie Papier's collection, features a touch of pink that ties the room together, according to Slye. As for how it's holding up, she assures that it's been doing great. While she notes it’s a guest bathroom that doesn’t face heavy condensation, there’s no fan—an impressive sign of the wallpaper’s quality and an encouraging indicator that bathrooms can indeed handle wallpaper.
7. Enhance a Closet Interior
Christopher TestaniMake the most of the closet space in your home—designer Linda Hayslett reimagined this one in the 2023 Mytour Home by turning it into a chic bar area located conveniently next to the balcony. Guests can easily grab a drink without needing to go down to the kitchen. To enhance the look, she added a beautiful wallpaper (CE x She She Agape Wallpaper by Somerselle) and paired it with a stunning coral pink paint color (Southern Road by Valspar) for the door and trim.
8. Add charm by decorating the back of a door.
Leslie CoronaIf you're truly pressed for time, you can opt for simply lining the interiors of the door with wallpaper. In this home office, a quirky, restaurant-inspired design from Chasing Paper greets anyone who opens the door.
