Dreamy Wallpapers

the 32 papers I keep coming back to

Wallpaper can make (and break) a space. It can bring a tiny bathroom to life and spur the imagination of a small child as they gaze at the walls from bed.

It can also be a huge — and permanent — investment.

When you’re considering wallpaper, think about the scale of the print, the pattern repeat and the background colour. Having a sample to hand is key. Consider any paint colours for the ceiling and woodwork, too. Do you want the woodwork painted in a complementary colour, or in the wallpaper’s background colour so it quietly disappears?

For tiny spaces like vestibules or powder rooms, don’t be afraid to go bold. For bedrooms, I often prefer a smaller-scale print that feels calmer. Wallpaper can (and should!) be used above a dado (chair) rail in more formal spaces like dining rooms and entrance halls. It can (and should!) be used on ceilings where the pattern/repeat makes sense. In attic rooms with pitched ceilings, the ceilings are often vast planes in our vision — continuing the wallpaper on the ceiling can help soften them.

If you want to design your own wallpaper, like I did for our guest room, this post is for you. And if you’re simply looking for a long list of my favourite wallpapers, keep reading. These are the ones I’m itching to use in a project. Some I can only imagine in very specific settings, while others are entirely versatile, but every single one mesmerises me.

Suits You by Annika Reed Studio

In love with this paper — the suits are subtle enough to be used in a variety of spaces and on pitched ceilings. It’s the kind of paper, with its neutral background and smaller scale, you can use with ease. Plus, it adds a bit of playfulness that can work for spaces designed for children and adults alike.

Lamp London’s The Plough by Beki Bright

A magical wallpaper, perfect for a small room or a more formal space above a dado rail. I can see it in a home office and loo as well.