How to Design With Wallpaper: 3 Interior Designer Tips for a Custom Luxury Look
Why Wallpaper Is Making (and Really Has Made) a Comeback
Wallpaper has made a major comeback—and for good reason.
Today's wallpaper options range from subtle textured grasscloths to bold murals and sophisticated patterns that can completely transform a space. When used thoughtfully, wallpaper adds depth, personality, and visual interest that paint alone simply cannot achieve.
Whether you're designing a coastal Wilmington, NC home, updating a Leland dining room, or creating a statement powder room in Hampstead, these interior designer-approved tips will help you choose wallpaper with confidence. (Don’t worry, we aren't talking about the wallpaper you remember from your grandmother’s house.)
Pro Tip #1: Choose the Right Room for Wallpaper
One of the most common mistakes Wilmington homeowners make is trying to use wallpaper everywhere. Instead, think strategically about where wallpaper will have the greatest impact.
Some of our favorite rooms for wallpaper include:
Wallpaper in the foyer
Nothing like a bold statement in your home’s entry to let guests know you like to have some fun! Foyers, like small bathrooms and accent walls, are often small (ish) rooms where you can afford to have some fun without making a lifelong commitment. (Unless it’s a 2 story foyer. Then, think long and hard before you commit to a pattern. Still do it, but be sure you’re sure about the pattern.) Coastal wallpaper, like the watercolor pattern in our client’s home foyer below, can incorporate incredible color and visual interest in a small space.
Dining Room WALLPAPER
Wallpaper creates an intimate, elevated atmosphere that works beautifully for entertaining and family gatherings.
Bedroom WALLPAPER
A wallpapered accent wall behind the bed can add warmth, softness, and visual interest without overwhelming the space. Or you can use a subtle pattern throughout the room to incorporate texture and color.
Home Office Wallpaper
Wallpaper can instantly make a workspace feel more polished and inspiring while providing an attractive backdrop for video calls.
Designer Tip: If you're new to wallpaper, start with a powder room or accent wall before committing to a larger space.
Powder Room WALLPAPER
Small spaces are perfect for making a big statement. Because powder rooms are used for short periods of time, you can often be more adventurous with pattern, color, and scale. Check out this stunning Thibaut cork wallpaper we installed in our client’s Wilmington home!
Pro Tip #2: Consider Adding Textured Wallpaper
When people think about wallpaper, they often focus on pattern and color. However, texture is one of the most powerful tools in interior design.
Textured wallcoverings add dimension and warmth while creating a sophisticated, custom feel.
Some of our favorite options include:
Linen-inspired wallcoverings
Subtle woven textures
Textured neutrals
Organic-inspired patterns
Textured wallpapers are especially popular in coastal and transitional homes because they create visual interest while maintaining a calm, timeless appearance.
If you prefer a more understated look, consider a textured wallpaper in a neutral tone. The result is elegant, layered, and far more interesting than a flat painted wall.
pro tip #3: Consider Scale Before You Fall in love with a wallpaper pattern
A wallpaper pattern may look beautiful in a sample book but feel completely different once installed in a room.
That's why scale matters. That’s also why samples matter. Always, always order as large a sample as you can.
Large-scale patterns tend to create drama and work well in spaces with higher ceilings or fewer furnishings.
Smaller-scale patterns often feel more traditional and can work beautifully in bedrooms, hallways, and smaller rooms.
When evaluating wallpaper, consider:
Ceiling height
Room size
Furniture scale
Existing patterns in rugs, fabrics, and artwork
Natural light
A large mural may be stunning in a dining room, while a subtle geometric pattern may feel more appropriate in a bedroom or office.
The goal is to create balance rather than competition between your wallpaper and the rest of the room.
Coastal wallpaper in Figure Eight Island bath renovation
common wallpaper mistakes we see in wilmington homes
Before making your final selection, avoid these common wallpaper mistakes:
Choosing Wallpaper Before finalizing a design scheme
Much like selecting ingredients before you've decided what to cook, choosing wallpaper or paint before developing the overall design plan can limit your options down the road. When wall finishes are selected first, homeowners often find themselves trying to make every other design decision fit around them. Starting with a comprehensive vision for the space creates a more cohesive and intentional result.
Ignore Undertones in wallpaper at your home’s peril
Just like paint colors, wallpaper has undertones that can significantly impact how a space feels. Warm wallpapers tend to pair best with warm wood tones, metals, and finishes, while cooler wallpapers work beautifully with cooler color palettes. As we've mentioned before—and will continue to emphasize—always order samples whenever possible and view them in the actual room before making a final decision. Lighting, surrounding finishes, and even the time of day can dramatically affect how a wallpaper appears. Trust us, taking the extra time to test samples is a step you'll be glad you didn't skip.
Going Too Trendy
Trends come and go, so if you're investing in wallpaper, choose a pattern you'll love for years to come. If you enjoy refreshing your space more frequently, consider peel-and-stick or removable wallpaper options. They offer the opportunity to experiment with color, pattern, and personality without the long-term commitment of traditional wallpaper, making them an excellent choice for renters, vacation homes, short-term rental properties, or anyone who loves to change things up.
Forgetting About how Lighting affects wallpaper
Always view wallpaper samples in your home's natural and artificial lighting before making a final decision. Even different times of day (morning light versus afternoon sun) can change the way the paper looks.
Wallpaper Brands We Carry
DON’T PANIC!
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the thousands of wallpaper options available, you're not alone. At Mickler & Co. Design Studio, we offer access to a curated selection of designer wallcovering lines, including Phillip Jeffries, Stout Wallcoverings, Thibaut, Brewster Home Fashions, and York Wallcoverings. We maintain sample books in our showroom for clients to browse and compare in person, making it easier to evaluate color, texture, scale, and overall style. We can also order individual samples so you can see how a wallpaper looks in your home before making a final decision—a step we highly recommend for achieving the best result.
wilmington Wallpaper Trends We're Loving Right Now
Some of our favorite wallpaper trends include:
Textured grasscloth wallcoverings
Wood veneer and cork wallcoverings
Large-scale botanical patterns
Soft coastal-inspired prints
Moody, dramatic dining room wallpapers
Organic geometric designs
Neutral-on-neutral texture patterns
Hand-painted mural styles
The best trend, however, is choosing a wallpaper that reflects your home's architecture and your personal style.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wallpaper
Is wallpaper still in style?
Absolutely! Today's wallpaper designs are more sophisticated than ever and are commonly used in luxury homes to add texture, character, and visual depth.
What room is best for wallpaper?
Powder rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and home offices are some of the most popular spaces for wallpaper. We also love wallpaper at the back panel of built-in bookcases for some visual interest. But honestly, any room can look pretty spectacular with a wallpaper accent.
Is grasscloth wallpaper worth it?
Grasscloth adds incredible texture and warmth to a room. While it requires some special considerations, many homeowners find the natural beauty well worth the investment. It’s important to research what it looks like installed, as for some it can be a real shock when they see the very pronounced seams.
Can wallpaper make a room look larger?
Yes. The right pattern, color, and scale can create the illusion of more space and draw the eye upward, making a room feel larger. Wallpaper on a ceiling is also an awesome way to trick the eye into thinking a space is bigger than it actually is.
Should wallpaper go on every wall?
Not necessarily. Many of the most successful designs use wallpaper strategically on a single accent wall or within one focal area. But some rooms look amazing with all walls papered. If you’re unsure, seek advice from a design professional. We can recommend some. :-)
Ready to Incorporate Wallpaper Into Your Home?
Choosing wallpaper can feel overwhelming with so many patterns, textures, and materials available. A well-designed space considers not only the wallpaper itself but also the furnishings, lighting, finishes, and overall flow of the home.
At Mickler & Co. Design Studio, we help homeowners create cohesive, thoughtfully designed interiors that feel both beautiful and functional.
If you're considering wallpaper as part of your next design project, we'd love to help you create a space that feels uniquely yours.
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