Skip to main content

6 inspired living room wallpaper ideas you’ll love

Wallpaper is back in a big way. What better place to showcase it off than in your living room? After years of interiors filled with subtle grays, consumers are gravitating toward design that allows for more personalization of spaces. There is no better way to do this than by adding wallpaper. With so many styles and designs, it is the perfect way to add your own unique touch to the design. Today’s papers have been updated to include prints and dimensions that make them feel current. You can also find easy-to-install — and remove — options that make it an option for anyone to add. Here, we take a look at some of the most inspired ways to add trendy wallpaper designs to your living room.

Focus on the fireplace

wallpaper flanking a fireplace
united photo studio/Shutterstock

Fireplaces are the focal point of many living rooms with seating areas centered around them. Why not give the hearth more impact? Flanking each side of the fireplace with wallpaper will cement it as the main feature. If your fireplace is stone or brick, this is a good opportunity to find paper that complements those tones. If the chimney breast is painted, find paper with shades that work with each other. Keeping the paper tonally similar allows the scheme to work.

Murals

Looking to make a statement in your living room? Murals are having a moment, and why not? Without very much effort, they can dramatically change the aesthetic of the entire space. Easy on the budget, they give the look of a high-end painted wall mural. They also offer endless possibilities from landscapes to floral designs and abstract to architectural. Scenic atmospheric panoramas let the walls themselves become the art. Murals can be done throughout the space, but if you are just doing one wall, make sure to select the one that makes sense with the design. It should be placed on the most predominant wall — in other words, the one your eyes naturally gravitate to. Once installed, the mural is now the focal point, so select other elements that will work with it and not take attention away from it.

Line bookcases and built-ins

Bookshelves and built-ins may have a practical use in the space, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Wallpapering the back can add interest or a pop of color. This can be done as a statement on its own or with a paper that coordinates with one already in the space. It is the ideal time to try something more daring than what you would do in an entire room. Keeping the rest of the piece neutral will ensure balance — for example, a bright, clean, white shelf lined with a bold geometric print offers a striking contrast. Alternatively painting shelves a jewel tone and using black and white paper can also have a strong visual impact.

Textured neutral

Grasscloth papers add unmistakable warmth and texture to any space. They work in any design and provide a neutral backdrop. Keep in mind that they are a natural product, so there may be some variations in color. It may be worth hiring a professional who has experience working with the product. Although most popular in neutrals, it is possible to get grasscloth in rich colors like navy and emerald. As opposed to a flat-painted wall, they have an unmistakable ability to add depth without being too busy. In this way, they allow for more freedom with other elements like rugs, pillows, and upholstery.

Botanical-inspired

Living room with wall mural
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

There is a big push in design to bring the outdoors in. The feeling is that this continuing trend offers a sense of calm. Think wallpapers with floral designs and bold tropical prints. These are not your grandmother’s papers — designs have been updated to offer a nod to the past but with a modern aesthetic.

Warm color

Looking to add a little spice to your space? The cool grays of a few years ago are being replaced with warmer tones. In other words, get ready for interiors filled with corals, sage greens, saffron, and reds. Wallpapers reflect this trend and offer a wide array of options in rich, earthy tones. Bold, printed patterns have gotten an update, and tone-on-tone papers allow the hue to shine yet still offer more depth than paint. Both lend themselves well to interiors with wooden furniture.

Editors' Recommendations

Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
6 modern cabin decorating tips you need to know to avoid a kitschy design
Try these amazing tips to modernize your cabin decor
modern log cabin living room and dining room interior design

Cabins radiate a sense of coziness, warmth, and comfort for the lucky homeowners who get to experience their atmosphere. However, there is a tendency for these spaces to become dark, kitschy, and overwhelming when improperly decorated.

With so many earthy textures and dark tones to work with in the design, it can be challenging for homeowners to create a gorgeous, modern space. What you truly need is a fresh take on traditional cabin decor that will brighten the room and restore that sense of comfort and coziness that you adore.

Read more
The best green paint colors for a soothing, sophisticated home
Recommendations for warm and cool green tones to add to your space
Green wall color with plant nearby

Green is a color we’re seeing everywhere in home design. Named Color of the Year for 2022 by many of the most prominent names in the paint industry, green is a trendy hue that you can expect to see in many interior designs in the foreseeable future. Green has an incredible way of adding a sense of vibrance and authenticity to your space. So, if you’re a homeowner in need of a soothing and sophisticated shade, then green might be just what you’ve been looking for.

This color can help you invite a renewed sense of vitality and energy to a space, making it perfect for homeowners looking to change up their existing palette. While green was trending in home design as 2022's "it" color, it has become a popular staple even as we venture into the coming years. So, it's safe to assume that this wonderful shade will likely add a timeless and natural look to any space. If you're eager to incorporate green into your design scheme, here are some of the best green paint colors to inspire your next renovation.

Read more
What couch material should you get? We have the answer
Have pets? This is the couch for you
Leather couch

If you're in the market for a new couch or sofa, one of the biggest considerations beyond the size and shape is the couch fabric. Deciding on how you plan to use the couch and who you plan to let on it (for example, pets and kids) can help determine which material you choose. If it's a sofa for a living room and one the whole family will use daily, you need couch material that's durable and will hold up over time. If it's one in an office or formal living room, you can be a bit more relaxed about the fabric.

Beyond the frame and springs, there are many fabric choices available when it comes to buying a couch. Here are a few things to watch out for and consider before making your big purchase. They can make the difference between a couch that stands the test of time and one that needs to be replaced after a couple of years.

Read more