Top 17+ wallpaper design ideas worth committing to

Dating from 1936, the home, which boasted Tudor-Revival architecture with its signature brickwork, lead-casement windows, timber framing and steeply pitched roof, would provide the fantastical framework for a new narrative. And after a maximalist makeover by Greg Natale, this Southern Highlands mansion is lacquered in wallpaper. Take the the sunroom, where the walls are Ralph Lauren ‘Mary Day Botanical’ wallpaper from Designers Guild.

This Oxfordshire estate Samantha Todhunter shares with her husband, David, and their four children is a glamorous showcase of her impeccable design eye, suffused with colour, tradition and lashings of wallpaper. Here, what the family refers to as ‘the snug’ is prefaced with Pierre Frey’s Le Manach ‘Pommes de Pin’ wallpaper, and complemented by a vitrine (glass display case), chair and artworks are antique. ‘

Wallpaper is found in abundance at this Oklahoma barn reimagined by Greg Natale – ‘New Market Tweed’ wallpaper from Ralph Lauren greets guests upon entry, the ceiling in the main bedroom is vaulted. ‘Grotesque’ wallpaper from Gucci, while the adjoining bedroom is lined with House of Hackney ‘Hampton’ wallpaper from Mind The Gap. Moreover, the kitchen – where it is perhaps a rarity to see wallpaper, is enveloped in ‘Equestrian plaid’ wallpaper in Khaki by Mind the Gap.

With an affinity for all things Australiana, this spellbinding family home in Duffy Forest, lends itself to a semi-rural lifestyle only moments from the city. Adopting a earthy palette of ebonised timber, Pendleton fabric and stonework, wallpaper offers a playful contrast. In the master ensuite, floral motif wallpaper sits against a black freestanding bathtub and antique artwork. Upon entry, a slither of toile wallpaper draws the eye upwards.

This expansive, multi-generational family home in inner Melbourne is the apotheosis of grace, beauty and warmth. Refashioned by Miriam Fanning, founder and principal of Mim Design, it harmonises a contemporary ethos with the heritage bones of a 1920s house, with spaces offering the inhabitants an elevated way of living. Take for example the front sitting room, called The Botanical Room, is wrapped in Le Jardin aux Oiseaux Grisaille wallpaper from Ananbô, reflecting the views over the nearby public gardens backdropped by the Melbourne city skyline.

Lucinda Kimpton ushers in a new chapter for this historic country home, where Virginia White Collection ‘Sofia’ wallpaper from Tigger Hall Designs made the perfect backdrop for the maximalist ensuite lacquered with pink details.

The timeless design of a French-inspired farmhouse is perfectly attuned to its dramatic locale, where even the Phillip Jeffries ‘Blossom’ wallpaper in Taupe from The Textile Company in the guest bedroom is a nod to the lush landscape.

This formerly masculine apartment was given a timeless and refreshing modernisation courtesy of Thibaut ‘Shang’ grass-cloth wallpaper throughout. It made the perfect backdrop to the owners’ cabbageware collection.

When the clients of this eclectic Melbourne house approached Alexander Pollock to design their home they obliged the designer whisk them off to enchanting places without their having to walk out the door. Even in the powder room, which is wrapped in Cromwell. Lewis & Wood ‘Tribal’ wallcovering from Elliott Clarke.

 A glamourous family residence conceived as an ode to a high-end fashion store, boats Phillip Jeffries ‘Abaca Harvest’ wallpaper from The Textile Company in the formal dining, to help convey sophistication and softness.

Another example of where bolder can be better is this anything-but-dull guest bedroom from Anna Spiro’s Melbourne home. A palette of warm-toned prints set against Brunschwig & Fils ‘On Point’ wallpaper provides plenty of visual intrigue and character.

Reminiscent of a Nancy Meyers film, this cosy guest bedroom from an Adelaide Bragg-designed apartment proves that mixing and layering patterns can really work. In this instance, we have blue and green-toned florals and gingham set against Colefax and Fowler Tealby Stripe wallpaper.

Moreso, both texture and colour, grass-cloth continues to be a classic choice when it comes to wallpapering as seen in this eclectic, colourful Byron Bay home.

Hannah Cecil Gurney, daughter of de Gournay founder Claud Cecil Gurney and now director of the handpainted wallpaper company, has lived in a wonderland of wall coverings since childhood. So, it’s little surprise that her London home is a fabulous fairytale of colour and pattern.

Pale sage and floral patterns deliver a freshness and sense of romance to this ensuite bathroom designed by Thomas Hamel & Associates.

This elegant home on Melbourne’s Golden Mile is packed with classic pieces, some of which are set against Soane Britain ‘Scrolling Fern Silhouette’ wallpaper in Emerald.

Here a former bakery in Newtown, bold, botanical wallpaper from Cole & Son complements an emerald-painted original fireplace, creating a small jungle in the heart of the city.