Wallpaper? No, It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Wallpaper!

Many people hear the word wallpaper, and they are transported back to their grandma’s kitchen table. What you see adorning the walls of homes today is not your grandmother’s wallpaper of years ago. Modern wallpaper has transformed over the years – far from what we remember seeing as we ate freshly baked cookies in grandma’s kitchen. Today, we look back at some past design trends and discover what is new for the 2020s.

Wallpaper design has certainly changed throughout the years. Trends come and go, tastes change, and with those changes comes the transformation of home design. Whether you are looking for wallpaper borders, single walls, or want to do over an entire room, there are options today to suit every taste, style, and budget.

What one person considers “cool” wallpapers might be another person’s eyesore. There is no such thing as the “best wallpapers” when it comes to personal taste. That is why there are so many design styles and endless wallpaper options.

*Home wallpaper is available to complement every design style and room décor.

Wallpaper of the Past

Back in the 1940s and 1950s, wallpaper patterns featured large leaves, Damask stripes, faux tile, geometrics, floral wallpaper, plaids, pastels, and muted tones. For those looking for vintage wallpaper, Hannah’s Treasures is the place to go (link to the website at the bottom of the page). Shown below is one of the plethora of options available from the 1940s.

1940s Botanical Vintage Wallpaper
Hannah’s Treasures

We started to see themed prints back in the 50s, with fun animal and food designs entering the kitchen.

1950s Kitchen Vintage Wallpaper
Hannah’s Treasures

The 1960s and 1970s brought in more vivid colors and bigger, bolder prints, with pop-art ruling the 60s and geometric designs taking over in the 70s.

1960s Floral Vintage Wallpaper
Hannah’s Treasures

Fast forward to the 1990s when embossed wallpaper adorned many a wall. After leaving for a time, it is coming back once again.

*Everything old becomes new once again – some design trends are short-lived, others endure forever.

Wallpaper Trends Taking Us Into the 2020s

Today, wall murals are all the rage – spanning from nature scenes to cityscapes to abstract images. Your wallpaper can take you into space, under the sea, or deep into the woods – setting the tone of the room even before you add furniture.

Tropical Beach with Turquoise Water Wall Mural

The right style can transform the feel of a room, giving it a serene, calming, bold, or exciting feel. It can whisk you away to another place, or surround you in comfort.

Another trend today is textured pattern wallpaper that can be painted. Here, imagination knows no bounds and can even be a long-lasting transformational project for someone who loves to paint.

Textured Wallpaper

Dining and other formal rooms work well with foil or glam wallpaper. They create an elegant touch in a room used for entertaining.

Beige, Cream Glam Damask

Many people are also opting to go back to a more traditional theme, such as with animals, birds, or butterflies. However, the wallpaper below is not from Grandmother’s home – it is a new look at an old theme.

Birds & Butterflies

*Today’s wallpaper is not what you remember from Grandma’s house.

Designs That Brings the Outdoors Indoors

When it comes to paying homage to Mother Nature and the Earth, wallpaper is right there on the cutting edge of new and exciting designs. Grass wallpaper, as shown in the photo below, adds a casual touch to a room. Incorporating a basket of seashells and nautical lamps along with a woodgrain table enhances the coastal feel.

Grass Wallpaper
Casual, Coastal Feel

For one of the best examples of today’s use of wallpaper, nature images such as the majestic forest trees below create a statement on a wall and in a room. Imagine an overstuffed sofa with large, comfy pillows and a textured throw. You find yourself sitting there with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, ensconced in the latest book by your favorite author. Time has no limitations as you unwind surrounded by the best of nature indoors.

Misty Pine Tree Forest
Ann Hamerfild

Whether you are looking for brick wallpaper, wood wallpaper, or nature scenes, anything you desire is available today. An image such as the one below is another fun way to bring nature indoors.

Wallpaper featuring trees, squirrels, birds, and plants behind a seating area.
Photo by Thanos Pal on Unsplash

Another design trend popular today is wallpaper art. Many of these options come as peel and stick images of famous paintings, maps of the world, even scenes from nature. Rather than covering an entire wall, they are excellent options to use in place of artwork.

Are you considering the use of wallpaper in your home? If so, HK Interiors can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire. Call 954-401-8542 today for more information.

Check out vintage wallpaper designs here: https://hannahstreasures.com/

Photo Credits:

Misty Pine Tree Forest Photo via Good Free Photos

Textured Wallpaper from: https://www.thebestwallpaperplace.com/news/different-wallpaper-styles-textured-anaglypta/

Beige, Cream Glam Damask from Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdx/york-wallcoverings-glam-damask-33-x-205-wallpaper-roll-doq1508.html

Birds & Butterflies from Schumacher: https://www.fschumacher.com/item/2704420

Tropical Beach with Turquoise Water Wall Mural from Murals Your Way: https://www.muralsyourway.com/p/tropical-beach-with-turquoise-water-39567448/?keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAiA1fnxBRBBEiwAVUouUi0imZqIOf_zl9bAVAGgeBV74NzoS-EgBi0xI7ZL81I1wpC9AfglSBoCExUQAvD_BwE

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