How to decorate with bold wallpaper
Bold wallpaper can completely transform your home and elevate your interiors in an instant, but knowing how to style it effectively can be a challenge. Whether you’re decorating a lounge, bedroom or downstairs W/C, there are so many different ways to have fun with wallpaper.
You don’t have to possess an eclectic style to rock a bold wall. Even if you favour minimalistic décor, you can still use wallpaper to tie your interiors together and add a splash of colour or pattern, without it looking overwhelming.
Interior designer Eileen Kesson from Envision loves using wallpaper to make an impact and said: “I am a huge fan of wallpaper – a bold statement wall can instantly bring a room to life and give your space that chic showhome look. Whether you go for a dramatic print or keep it neutral, it’ll pull your décor together beautifully and complete the room.”
Check out our top tips on how you can decorate your home with bold wallpaper, as inspired by our showhomes.
Make a statement
Bold wallpaper is just that: bold, so let the wallpaper shine and team it with toned-down furniture and soft furnishings. Dramatic, patterned wallpaper can make for a gorgeous statement in your lounge, especially when used on one wall as an accent. Complement your statement wall with soft furnishings in a similar tone, and opt for solid colours instead of clashing patterns to really let your wallpaper be the star of the show.
Interior designer, Graeme Fuller is a fan of using wallpaper to create a luxe feel and says it’s all about creating balance if you want to make an impact. Graeme's top tip? “Don’t shy away from using dark colours, especially in naturally bright spaces, as these rooms can carry the weight of dark wallpaper. If you choose a darker design, make sure to balance bold shades with lighter fabrics and window dressings to brighten up the space."
Big patterns for small spaces
When designing a smaller space in your home, don’t be afraid to go big with funky wallpaper. Bold walls in spaces like downstairs W/Cs can be a brilliant way to inject a pop of colour and vibrancy into your home design without a lot of effort. Whether you opt for a tropical palm leaf print or a glamorous gold-effect wallpaper, it’s a sure-fire way to transform a simple room into a showstopper. Plus, it’s a fun way to try out the trend without committing to using it in a large space!
Play with texture
When choosing a wallpaper, consider the other textures that will be in the room. A textured wallpaper can be a great way to add depth to your interior design and keep things interesting. If you’re selecting a wallpaper for a home office with a lot of hardwood and built-in storage, try mixing things up with a woven fabric wallpaper to prevent the room looking too flat and to add some softness to the space. Or if you’re designing a bedroom with a lot of neutral furnishings, a metallic satin-effect wallpaper could be a great way to add dimension and light while keeping the room chic and classic.
Get trendy
If you’re looking to modernise your décor and experiment with some popular trends, consider how you can transform your space with wallpaper to get the look you love. Did you know you can achieve a realistic panelled wall look with wallpaper for a fraction of the cost, time and effort? Panel-effect wallpaper is a fantastic way to incorporate the trend into your home and works beautifully in lounges and hallways to create a seriously Instagrammable look.
Reach for the sky
Bold wallpaper taken up onto the ceiling is an excellent way to create a showstopping space and is particularly effective in kids’ bedrooms and cosy snugs to create a cocooning effect. Experimenting with wallpaper on the ceiling is a bold move, but one that will pay off if you’re looking for high-impact interiors. For kids’ bedrooms, choose something dreamy like a cloud wallpaper design in a pastel tone for a magical look that will open up the space. It’s a guaranteed showstopper and will completely elevate the interiors.
Let us know if you’ve tried bold wallpaper in your home and share your tips with us @MillerHomesUK.