Wallpaper fell out of fashion for a long while after the pattern overload during the 1980’s. But as we all know the world loves to recycle a trend. And love it or hate it, this trend was revived a few years ago and is still going strong. Designers and homeowners are loving using patterns, bold prints and interesting textures.
Just like a fresh coat of paint, a feature wall of beautiful wallpaper can inject some personality to a room and immediately change the feeling of a space. The possibilities are endless.
You may prefer to opt for something subtle and light such as a natural hue with an interesting texture, a soft pattern or some florals? Or maybe something geometrical or bright and bold is more your thing?
With so many patterns, colours and styles to choose from, it can seem impossible to find the right wallpaper for your space. However, whatever your choice there really are no right or wrongs. Just ensure that whatever you choose will complement and tie in with the rest of your space. Don’t just stick to what’s currently in fashion. Consider longevity and what will (ideally) still look good in years to come. And of course, should reflect your own personal style.
A Couple Of Tips
If you’re thinking of using a patterned wallpaper, it’s important to consider the scale of the pattern. Think through how the scale of the wallpapers pattern relates to that of the rooms scale. Also consider any other patterns there may already be in the room, as well as adjacent rooms and any artwork that will be hung on the walls. You don’t want your art fighting against the wallpaper pattern!
Another factor to think about is where the wallpaper will be used. For example, in high-traffic areas make sure the selected wallpaper can endure activity and can be cleaned. Bathrooms and kitchens will need a wallpaper that can take a certain level of moisture.
Popular Trends For 2023
We’re seeing beautiful wallcoverings in hit TV Shows such as Bridgerton, Downton Abbey and The Queens Gambit leaving us with lasting impressions. Although the buildings and homes in these shows are full of grandeur and wealth, they provide inspiration on how you can utilise wallpapers in your own home to make a statement or create an amazing space.
Wallpapering an entire room can be undeniably bold and dramatic. However, it can create a sense of cosiness in large spaces and can create zones in your property. Visually connect your dining area with your kitchen by taking hues from your cabinetry and carrying it through onto the wallpaper in your dining room. For a more classic and simplistic feel opt for a textured paper in a soft or neutral shade to add some subtle indulgence.
Create moody bathrooms, elegant dining rooms and beautiful guest bedrooms. During 2023 wallpaper is also having a moment in those rooms in the house that are more functional than fabulous. Think powder rooms, laundries, storage rooms and studies. Applying wallpaper to just one feature wall or all around, will inject personality and transform the space into one that you’ll actually want to spend time in.
There are many wallpaper brands creating remarkable designs whether they’re dramatic and lively or more whimsical, soothing creations. All offerings appear to be gaining popularity depending on the space they’re chosen for.
Wallpaper On The Ceiling!
Interior Designers are currently enjoying utilising wallpaper in unexpected places such as the ceiling! Whether flat or coffered, adding wallpaper to a ceiling just adds a touch of something special.
Another trend at the moment is to create a statement wall using mural-style wallpaper. This look involves multiple sheets which when put together on the wall make a giant image. Grand-scale botanicals and stunning scenery are popular choices for this style.

Lounge room with a one-off feature wallpaper that was created from one of the client’s own photographs of a favourite holiday place.
Of course, there are other ways to use wallpaper other than committing to covering a whole wall or room. If you have fallen in love with a certain paper but are unsure about hanging it on the walls, then here are a few other ways to consider where wallpaper can inject some personality into a room.
Do-it-yourself Bedhead
You could create a personalized headboard for your bed. Start by having 3 panels and choosing two complementing wallpaper patterns. Cover one pattern on the middle panel and use the other pattern to cover the two flanking panels.
Update Those Doors
Update those outdated mirrored wardrobe doors by getting creative with your favourite wallpaper. Use removable adhesive wallpaper to cover and modernise them. This doesn’t have to be limited to wardrobe doors. Other options such as cupboard doors or the inside of a bedroom door to add a bit of interest.
Creative Cabinetry And Furniture
Choose a colourful print to cover the back wall of your cabinetry or bookcases. The extra pop of pattern and colour will make your crockery stand out, and will no doubt make you smile every time you grab a book to read. Sneak in a beautiful pattern to the back of kitchen pantry for another hidden gem in your home.
Upcycle an old piece of furniture by applying wallpaper to the front of the drawers or doors. This works best on items that have clean lines and simple silhouettes (and not many curves). Patterns work well, but sometimes a simple textured seagrass paper is all that’s needed to add just the right amount of interest.
Kitchen Splashback
Use a pretty pattern wallpaper as your kitchen splash back and cover with a layer of glass to protect it from splashes and grease. Of course, this will need to be professionally installed.
Emphasise An Area
To highlight a fireplace, prominent wall or niche maybe consider a pattern or textured wallpaper for added interest. Or you could go for an unconventional look by hanging wallpaper on the ceiling, this can change the whole feel of a space. The underside of a staircase is also another interesting option.
Frame It
You don’t have to wallpaper an entire wall or room to get an interesting effect. You can create your own eye-catching art. Do this by hanging some framed pieces of wallpaper to infuse some decorative elements that can be easily changed.
How Many Rolls Do I Need?
Below is a simple guide that will help you with calculating how many rolls of wallpaper you will need for you wall/s:-
Firstly, measure the width of the wall/s that you want to cover, and divide by 53 (53cm is the standard width of most wallpapers but it is best to check this). The number you are left with will be the number of drops you will need.
Next, calculate the meterage of paper required by multiplying the height of your room by the number of drops.
And lastly, to work out how many rolls you will need… divide the length of the roll minus the pattern repeat (if there is one). Wallpaper is generally a standard length of 10m but be sure to check this first. Round up to the nearest whole number to get the number of rolls needed. It’s not a bad idea to purchase 1 or 2 extra rolls, especially for challenging patterns.
NB: wallpapers are manufactured in batches, and these batches can sometimes vary slightly from colour to colour. Buying your rolls from one batch is the best way to ensure a seamless look (as well as good application obviously).
Example:-
Calculations are as follows for a wall that is 5m wide by 2.5m high, using a wallpaper which has a 64cm pattern repeat (and assuming roll length is 10m)
Calculate the number of drops required
5m (wall width) divided by 0.53m (wallpaper width) = 9.4 drops
Calculate length of wallpaper required
9.4 drops x 2.5m (room height) = 23.6m
Calculate number of rolls required
23.6m divided by 9.36*(*10m (wallpaper length) – 0.64m (pattern repeat)) = 2.5
Rounding up to the nearest whole number gives you a total of 3 rolls of wallpaper you will need to purchase for your wall. 4 or 5 If you would like extra on hand for any errors.

By Rhinoplastjumboplastic324 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
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