How Wallpaper Can Elevate Your Home: A Personal Take on Transforming Spaces

I’ve always been a fan of using wallpaper to elevate the look and feel of a room. It’s one of those design elements that can completely change a space, adding depth, texture, and personality. While accent walls have been the go-to trend for a while now, I’m here to tell you that if you really want to make a statement, you should consider committing to wallpaper for all walls—or even the ceiling. Yes, I said the ceiling! It’s an unexpected move, but it can transform a room in ways you might not expect.

In this post, I’ll walk you through why I’m so passionate about wallpaper, share some of my favorite styles, and give you tips on how you can use wallpaper to create a high-end look in your home. I’ll also cover some practical advice for those who love a DIY project, and for those of you who prefer to hire a professional (like me), I’ll share some thoughts on working with an interior designer to get the best results.

Why Wallpaper Should Be Part of Your Home Design

For years, wallpaper was often seen as old-fashioned or outdated. But in recent times, it’s been making a huge comeback. I think part of the reason for this resurgence is how wallpaper brings a certain texture and depth to a room that paint simply can’t. It’s not just about color; it’s about the tactile quality that wallpaper can offer. Whether you opt for something textured like grasscloth, or something bold like a large-scale geometric print, wallpaper creates a sense of atmosphere that’s hard to replicate with other finishes.

I also love how wallpaper can be used to define a room’s mood and personality. From soft and serene to bold and dramatic, wallpaper has the ability to transform a space into something uniquely yours. For me, it’s a way to add character and elegance, whether I’m redesigning a dining room, bedroom, or even a bathroom.

The Case for Full-Wall Wallpaper

Now, I know accent walls have had their moment in the spotlight, and they’re still a great way to introduce wallpaper into a space. However, my advice is this: if you’re serious about transforming a room, don’t just do one accent wall. Go all-in and wallpaper every wall. Yes, it’s a bold choice, but when done right, it creates a stunning, immersive atmosphere.

The Beauty of Continuous Design

One of the biggest benefits of wallpapering all the walls is the sense of continuity it creates. When you apply wallpaper to all four walls of a room, the space starts to feel cohesive. Rather than having a single accent wall that stands out from the rest, the wallpaper flows from one surface to the next, immersing the room in texture and color. It creates a more unified look, and honestly, it can make a space feel more spacious, even if it’s on the smaller side.

For instance, I’ve wallpapered my own bedroom with a large-scale, neutral pattern, and the difference it made in terms of the room’s atmosphere was incredible. The space now feels cozy but elevated. In the past, I’d tried accent walls, but the wallpaper on every wall truly brought everything together in a way that an accent wall just couldn’t achieve.

Playing with Patterns and Textures

When choosing wallpaper for all the walls, one of the main things to consider is the pattern and texture. You don’t want the room to feel too busy or overwhelming, so I always lean towards larger patterns. I’ve found that bold, large-scale designs—such as florals or geometric patterns—add just the right amount of interest without feeling too chaotic. It’s all about balance. I like to go for wallpaper that has subtle depth, not something that’s going to compete with the rest of the room’s décor.

Grasscloth wallpaper, for example, is one of my absolute favorites. The texture of grasscloth adds an organic element to a room that paint simply can’t replicate. The natural fibers in grasscloth bring in a richness and warmth that creates a soothing environment. It works particularly well in spaces like bedrooms and living rooms, where you want to feel relaxed and at ease.

When it comes to color, I tend to go for neutral tones—soft green, taupes, or off-whites—because they help make a room feel calm and serene. But don’t be afraid of color! Darker shades like deep purple or forest green can add a sense of sophistication and drama, especially in larger rooms or those with high ceilings. The beauty of wallpaper is that you have the flexibility to play with different hues and textures to fit the overall vibe of your space.

Adding Wallpaper to the Ceiling: An Unexpected Touch

One of the most exciting things I’ve done in my client’s home is wallpaper the ceiling. It may sound like a strange choice, but hear me out: when you wallpaper the ceiling, you create a sense of dimension and height that transforms the entire room. It’s also a fun, unexpected twist that will leave your guests pleasantly surprised.

I first tried this in a bedroom for my own Airbnb, and I’m so glad I did. The space feels so much more dynamic now. Instead of looking up and seeing a flat, white ceiling, I’m now greeted with a soft beautiful birds that look like they are flying in the sky. It elevates the space in a way that I didn’t think was possible for something as simple as the ceiling.

Ceiling wallpaper works particularly well in rooms with high ceilings, as it draws the eye upward and creates a sense of height and grandeur. But even in rooms with lower ceilings, a beautiful ceiling can add depth and make the room feel more spacious. If you want to get creative, consider adding wallpaper to the ceiling in a bathroom or a smaller space like a powder room or a home bar to give it a speakeasy vibe. A patterned ceiling can make these spaces feel intimate and luxurious.

Wallpaper Accent Wall Ideas: Where to Make a Statement

If you're not ready to commit to wallpapering every wall or ceiling (and I totally understand!), an accent wall is still a great way to bring the beauty of wallpaper into your home. The key to a successful accent wall is balance. You want the wallpaper to stand out, but you also don’t want it to overwhelm the room.

Wallpaper Accent Wall in the Dining Room

For me, the dining room is one of the best places to experiment with wallpaper. Whether it’s behind a buffet table or framing the space around a piece of artwork, an accent wall in the dining room can immediately add sophistication and style. I’ve often chosen wallpaper with a larger, more graphic pattern, like a bold floral or geometric print, because it provides a striking contrast to the rest of the room’s design. Plus, in a room like a dining room, you want the wallpaper to set a tone, but not steal the spotlight from the dining table or furniture.

One of my favorite things to do is wallpaper the wall behind the dining area, which frames the table and brings attention to the centerpiece. I also like the idea of wallpapering around windows or doors to create visual interest—this makes the wallpaper feel like an intentional design feature rather than an afterthought.

Wallpaper Accent Wall in the Kitchen

I’ve recently become a huge fan of adding wallpaper to the kitchen, particularly as an accent wall. The kitchen tends to be a functional, but that doesn’t mean it has to lack personality. A wallpaper accent wall in the kitchen—whether it’s behind open shelving, as a backsplash, or around the breakfast nook—adds a touch of warmth and charm to this hardworking room.

My favorite is a geometric print behind the open shelving, which adds an unexpected design element that’s not too overwhelming. It makes the space feel a bit more whimsical while still being cohesive with the rest of the décor.

DIY or Hire a Professional? What’s Best for You?

Here’s the thing: while I love a good DIY project, when it comes to wallpaper, I personally prefer to hire a professional. Wallpapering isn’t as easy as it looks—it requires precision, especially if you're working with patterns that need to be perfectly aligned. If you’ve got the skills and patience for a DIY project, go for it! But for me, I’ll leave it to the professionals.

If you're located in Phoenix, AZ and need help with wallpaper installation, working with an interior designer or decorator can make all the difference. They’ll help you choose the right wallpaper for your space, ensuring it complements the rest of the design. They’ll also handle the installation, saving you time and ensuring that the final result looks flawless. Plus, designers in these areas are experts in current trends and can help you find wallpaper that suits your style—whether you're going for a traditional look or something more modern.

Conclusion: Wallpaper is a Game-Changer

If you’re ready to elevate your space, wallpaper is the way to go. From covering all the walls for a cohesive, immersive atmosphere to adding unexpected touches like wallpaper on the ceiling, there are so many ways to incorporate this versatile design element into your home. Wallpaper can transform your space into something luxurious, inviting, and uniquely yours.

Whether you choose to take on the project yourself or hire a professional, wallpaper can take your interior decorating to the next level. So, go ahead and experiment with some wallpaper in your home—trust me, you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make.