Decorating & Design
10+ Rooms That Are Reinvigorated With Bold Wallpaper
Updated on January 12, 2026
Sometimes wallpapers whisper, with subtle details like grasscloth texture or neutral colourways. These wallpapers? They practically leap off the walls with dynamic graphics, playful motifs and punchy palettes. We love how they have the power to completely reinvigorate a space, whether it’s a refreshing, garden-like ensuite or a moody dining room. Below, learn more about how to choose and style a bold wallpaper — and why they work so well to refresh a space.
When it comes to wallpaper, designer Cynthia Ferguson feels you can go one of two ways: large-scale with lots of negative space, or tight, small print. To downplay the angled ceiling in this guest house living room, she opted for a large-scale wallpaper by Kate Blee.
In the kitchen of the same space, Cynthia kept the original appliances and backsplash, but added bold pattern with wallpaper from Christopher Farr Cloth. “We affectionately dubbed it the Christopher Farr Loft since we used so many of his wallpapers and fabrics,” she says.
A foyer mural from Maxwell Fabrics was the jumping off point for this condo’s bold and patterned palette. “As you walk in, you realize that a condo can be cool and elevated,” says designer Cindy McKay.
In this entryway, GP & J Baker’s Poppy Sprig wallpaper gives a heritage feel and country charm this new build in on the East Coast.
House of Hackney’s Zeus wallpaper completely transforms this Toronto dining room, paying homage to the home’s Art Deco-Art Nouveau vibe.
In this carriage house, Zak + Fox’s Cimaruta wallpaper is a medley of wild herbs and flowers. “The living room is a mashup of patterns that, because they’re part of the overall colour palette, complement each other rather than collide,” says designer Susannah Holmberg.
Lunasa wallpaper from House of Hackney depicts vintage-style wildflower bunches of daisies and sprigs of wheat, which makes this home office feel cheery and energizing.
Read More: 15 rooms with fresh floral wallpaper — there’s a bloom for every room!
To update the existing Jubilee wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler in the powder room, designer Susannah Holmberg accented it with a delicate pendant. The glinting metallic curving lines are subtly reflective, for a luxe look.
Think beyond simply wallpapering walls. In this kitchen, lining the back of the cabinets in a luscious floral print adds visual interest and creates a feeling of depth. The Zak + Fox Tree of Life wallpaper depicts tangles of vines inspired by German floral illustrations from the 1930s, Indian palampores and 19th-century English chintzes.
Related: 15 kitchens with colour to inspire your next makeover
Marthe Armitage’s hand-blocked Chiswick House wallpaper is custom-coloured and printed to order. The moody colours give this living room an enveloping, atmospheric feel, and suit the richness of antiques in the space.
Cheeky baboons peek out through vines in this botanical Cole & Son Acacia wallpaper. Warm metal finishes define the petite powder room. In a small, narrow space like this one, the vertical lines draw the eye upwards.
To dress up her design studio, designer Cori Halpern chose Ferrick Mason’s Good Fortune wallpaper. The larger-scale pattern completey changes the mood. “You need enough wall for a big repeat like this one,” cautions Cori. “I love the painterly quality of it, it feels very organic and there’s lots of movement. It’s incredibly joyful.”
In this powder room, Cymbeline wallpaper by Schumacher offers a fresh take on florals. The stylized branch and leaf motif inspired by ironwork give this botanical-themed wall covering a glamorous, modern edge.