Wallpaper isn’t just for old houses or your grandma’s bathroom anymore. People are dropping boring white walls for wild prints, deep colors, and patterns that almost let you feel the texture. You know what's in? Going bold. Whether it’s a dining room, hallway, or even the ceiling—big, striking patterns and unexpected wallpaper choices are everywhere in 2024.
If you’re renting, this year’s peel-and-stick wallpapers have gotten way better. They now peel off clean—seriously, I tried one in Boden’s room, and there wasn’t even a hint of damage. So you don’t have to live with plain walls just because you aren’t the owner. Even better: It only took me a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon, and he helped pick the print.
- No More Playing It Safe: Bold is Back
- Nature on the Walls—Plants, Pebbles, and the Outdoors
- Textured Wallpaper: Looks You Want to Touch
- Peel-and-Stick Isn’t Just for College
- Statement Walls in Surprising Spots
- Smart Tips for Choosing and Installing Wallpaper
No More Playing It Safe: Bold is Back
The days of plain gray walls and tiny delicate prints are over. 2024 is all about fearless designs—huge florals, geometric shapes, and big splashes of color that make your room pop. Designers are saying: go as loud as you want. Lime greens, cobalt blues, oversized jungle leaves, retro ’70s swirls—there’s no room for boring this year.
I saw this firsthand at a flooring and wall show in Chicago last March—about 70% of the wallpaper booths had at least one wall that could stop you in your tracks. Most brands say bold prints are up 40% in sales from last year, according to supplier reports. Maximalism is the buzzword: more colors, bigger patterns, and taking risks with your wall choices.
Wallpaper trend 2024 is everywhere—from living rooms to laundry nooks. Don’t be afraid to mix wild prints with simple furniture, or layer patterns in the same color family to avoid chaos. Trying something bold doesn’t mean you have to go full neon. Earth tones and moody hues are still trending, just with bigger, braver prints.
If you’re not sure what bold looks like in regular homes, here are some examples showing the shift:
| Year | Most Popular Wallpaper Choice | Average Pattern Size |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Muted Neutrals | 2"-4" |
| 2023 | Small Botanical Prints | 3"-5" |
| 2024 | Oversized Abstract & Botanicals | 9"-16" |
Want to dip your toe in? Start with a statement wall behind your couch or bed. If you want to go big, cover all four walls or even the ceiling—like some design pros did at Milan Design Week. The message is simple: it’s your space, so dial up what makes you happy.
Nature on the Walls—Plants, Pebbles, and the Outdoors
If you walk into almost any design store right now, you’ll notice how many walls look like an indoor forest or garden. In 2024, bringing nature indoors isn’t just about houseplants—it’s in the wallpaper trend 2024 itself. Firms like Graham & Brown say their top sellers are leafy prints and big green botanicals. We’re not talking tiny, old-school florals; these patterns are massive, almost like turning a room into a rainforest or a rocky hiking path.
Why does this stuff work? Nature-themed wallpaper adds instant life, hides scuffs and marks better than plain paint, and makes boring spaces (think: your home office, a powder room, or even a hallway) kind of feel like they belong in a cool hotel.
- Tropical leaves and jungle vibes are big—kids love these for bedrooms.
- Stone, marble, or pebble prints give a natural texture without the mess of real materials.
- Rambling vines, wildflowers, and tree bark patterns blend with any color scheme, so your furniture doesn’t have to match perfectly.
Here’s a quick look at Google search stats from the past year, which should tell you how huge this is:
| Wallpaper Search | YoY Increase (2023-2024) |
|---|---|
| Leaf Print Wallpaper | +60% |
| Pebble Wallpaper | +45% |
| Botanical Mural | +72% |
I’ve seen people cover closet doors, add fake windows with nature wallpaper, or even wrap kitchen islands for a fun surprise. The best part? Outlets like Target and Home Depot now stock removable versions, so you can switch things up with the seasons or as your style changes.
Textured Wallpaper: Looks You Want to Touch
Flat patterns are old news. Textured wallpaper is blowing up in 2024 for a reason—you actually want to run your fingers across it. We're talking grasscloths, 3D geometrics, woven linens, and even fake brick. These add depth to a room, not just another layer of color. Real estate pros say spaces with quality textured wallpaper get noticed on virtual tours and open houses because the walls look so much more interesting on camera.
Grasscloth, made from real fibers like jute or sisal, is hot in high-traffic areas because it hides fingerprints and smudges better than paint. That’s a win if you have kids like Boden smudging up the wall every other day. Another pick that’s flying off shelves? Linen-look vinyl. It has that subtle fabric feel but is a breeze to clean—just wipe it down with a damp cloth, and that’s it.
Wondering why people are paying more for textures? Here’s a quick look at where it works best:
- Entryways & mudrooms (covers scuffs and tough love)
- Bedrooms (gives a cozy, hotel vibe)
- Living rooms (a conversation starter behind the sofa)
- Powder rooms (smaller space, big visual punch)
Manufacturers are delivering new stuff every season. According to a 2024 survey by the Wallcoverings Association, 41% of homeowners picked textured wallpaper over flat designs—up from 27% just three years ago. Prices range from $2/sq. ft. for vinyl to $10+/sq. ft. for real fabric or grasscloth. Check out the comparison below for quick details:
| Type | Avg. Cost (per sq. ft.) | Cleanability | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl Linen | $2-$4 | Easy (wipe with cloth) | Very high |
| Grasscloth | $7-$12 | Spot clean only | High |
| 3D Geometric | $4-$8 | Easy | Medium-High |
If you’re going for the wallpaper trend 2024, keep textures in mind, especially in spots the kids or visitors see first. It adds instant personality, and if you grab something vinyl-based, it's honestly easier to keep clean than flat paint or printed paper. The best part? It’s pretty easy to swap out if you get tired of the look.
Peel-and-Stick Isn’t Just for College
Peel-and-stick wallpaper isn’t just for temporary dorms anymore. This stuff has gotten a major upgrade. Brands like WallPops, Chasing Paper, and Spoonflower are pumping out high-quality, thick materials that seriously look and feel like traditional wallpaper. The colors are bold, the patterns are sharp, and best of all—if you change your mind, you just peel it off. Landlords everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief.
One big reason peel-and-stick is blowing up in wallpaper trend 2024 searches? People move often, and nobody wants to invest in something permanent unless they really have to. Plus, even homeowners love experimenting with new looks without the long-term commitment or hiring a pro. The average cost now ranges from $30-$60 per roll, depending on thickness and brand, which is cheaper than most paint jobs when you factor in supplies and labor. Not bad for changing an entire room over your lunch break.
| Peel-and-Stick Stats (2024) | Traditional Paste Wallpaper |
|---|---|
| Avg. DIY Install Time: 2-3 hours | Avg. DIY Install Time: 6+ hours |
| Cost per Roll: $30-$60 | Cost per Roll: $35-$100 |
| Renters Using: 61% | Renters Using: 9% |
| Damage to Walls: Rare | Damage to Walls: Sometimes |
Here’s what actually works when installing peel-and-stick wallpaper:
- Prep the wall—wipe it clean and let it dry.
- Measure twice, cut once. A sharp utility knife will make your life easier.
- Start at the top and slowly smooth down with your hand or plastic scraper to avoid bubbles.
- Don’t stretch the paper; let the adhesive do the work.
- If you mess up, just peel back and reposition. No sweat.
Lots of parents use peel-and-stick in playrooms and bedrooms because kids outgrow their tastes fast. When Boden wanted space rockets three years ago and now wants vintage skateboard logos, switching it out was hassle-free. You don’t need a contractor—just a free Saturday afternoon and maybe a little patience. This stuff really does make it easy for anyone to join the trend without regrets.
Statement Walls in Surprising Spots
The big shift for wallpaper in 2024 is that people aren’t just sticking to the usual living room or bedroom feature wall. They’re taking their favorite prints and pasting them in totally unexpected spots. The big driver? Making the most of forgotten nooks and a need to add personality without a full renovation.
Your hallway is no longer just a pass-through. Bold wallpaper turns it into a welcome zone—some designers even call it a "style handshake.” I saw a survey this year from a popular home design site: out of 1,200 homeowners redoing entryways, 38% used wallpaper as their main style move, which is almost double compared to just three years ago.
Mudrooms, tiny powder rooms, and the inside of closets are getting the treatment too. I’ve even seen folks go for wallpapered ceilings in bathrooms or above staircases. You might wonder if it’s worth the extra effort up high—turns out, those spots bring a big payoff for drama and photos. A before-and-after of a wallpapered ceiling gets way more engagement on Instagram, according to some design bloggers, because it just feels unexpected.
If you want a fast project that delivers a big “wow,” try wallpapering the back side of built-in bookshelves or cabinets. In kids’ rooms, putting a single bold wallpaper on just one wall behind the bed can make the whole space feel designed without overwhelming. Tip: Stick to peel-and-stick for spots like rental kitchens, so you can swap out prints as styles change.
| Room/Spot | Common Wallpaper Use (2021) | Trending Use (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry/Hallway | 12% | 38% |
| Powder Room | 18% | 41% |
| Ceiling | 2% | 17% |
| Back of Shelves | 8% | 29% |
The main takeaway? Don’t just think about the biggest wall in the house. The wallpaper trend 2024 is all about making a statement where people least expect it—and getting creative with those “nothing special” spaces.
Smart Tips for Choosing and Installing Wallpaper
Before you grab the first roll that catches your eye, check a few things. Think about your room’s lighting, who actually uses the room, and how much wear it gets. Got kids and pets? Look for washable or scrubbable wallpaper. In my house, sticky fingers and mystery marks show up everywhere, so I swear by vinyl options for high-traffic areas.
Here’s a quick-reference chart for the most common types so you don’t end up peeling wallpaper off in frustration:
| Type | Best For | Easy to Remove? |
|---|---|---|
| Peel-and-stick | Rentals, quick makeovers | Yes |
| Vinyl | Kitchens, bathrooms, kid rooms | Pretty easy (with steam) |
| Traditional paper | Living rooms, dining rooms | No—needs stripping solution |
Picking a pattern comes down to one thing: trust your gut. If you love it, you won’t get tired of it. Want a tried-and-true tip? Order a sample first. Live with it taped on your wall for a few days and see it in daylight and at night. Patterns often look way different depending on the light. Also, avoid busy designs in small rooms if you want them to feel bigger; bigger prints can actually make spaces feel less cluttered.
Once you’ve chosen your wallpaper trend 2024 look and are ready to put it up, having the right tools helps a ton. Here’s a basic set you'll want:
- Tape measure
- Sharp blade or scissors
- Smoothing tool (or a credit card in a pinch)
- Spirit level (keeps it straight—seriously, don’t skip this!)
Pro tip: Don’t skip the prep. Fill in any nail holes or bumps, then wipe down the wall, because dust messes up the stick. Mark a guide line with your level—crooked wallpaper is way harder to live with than a crooked picture frame. For peel-and-stick, peel just the top part, line it up, and smooth down as you go to dodge bubbles. Traditional wallpaper gets glue on the back—be patient, and work in small sections.
If you mess up a panel? Peel it back slowly and try again. Breathe. Lining up patterns takes some tries, even for pros. It’s normal. By the last strip, you’ll have it down. And when Boden and I did his wall, our first piece was embarrassingly wonky. The next one? Nearly perfect.