Designers Have Spoken: Here Are the Biggest Wallpaper Trends for 2026
Don't be afraid to go bold this year!
Whether you're a proud minimalist or maximalist, designers say there's one feature that's worth keeping on your radar this year: wallpaper. According to the pros, more and more people are choosing to show off their style with bold wallpaper—think styles boasting arresting colors, patterns, and luxe textures. Wallpaper is being used in unexpected places, like ceilings, too.
Curious about the best wall covering for your space? Here, designers reveal the biggest wallpaper trends for 2026. Use their insights to pick the right style (and treatment) for any room and get inspired to have a little more fun with your design choices overall.
Unexpected Uses
If you're not ready to cover all four walls with wallpaper, designer Meghan Jay says thinking in small doses can make just as much of an impact. "Today, it’s used more selectively: on ceilings, lining bookshelves, or wrapping niches," Jay says.
For this powder room, the designer decided to frame the wallpaper within the paneling to create a look that "feels intentional and tailored." She says it acts "more like decorative millwork or a piece of art than traditional wallcovering."
Photo by: Heather Talbert
Elevated Built-ins
Looking for a way to upgrade your built-in? Yena Jung of By Yena Designs decided to think outside of the box. For this living room's built-in, she decided to install floral wallpaper inside the paneling. "It’s the perfect way to add a pop of color or pattern and create texture on a wall," Jung says.
Photo by: Kirsten Francis
Ceiling Treatments
Any designer will tell you not to forget about the ceiling—the "fifth wall." It's the perfect opportunity to add a dose of drama to your interior. "Wallpapering overhead is about embracing every surface in a room, ensuring no detail is missed, and every angle feels considered," says New York City-based designer Kelsey Matyas of Kelsey Deirdre Designs.
Photo by: Margaret Rose Photography
Vintage-Inspired Florals
Designer Peter Dunham recommends looking to the past for wallpaper inspiration. He's especially drawn to vintage-inspired floral prints like this sunflower pick.
"Lately I’ve been attracted to botanicals and flowers that have a vintage flair—they’re not traditional, not modern, but instead have an air of nostalgia," Dunham shares. "I had been holding on to this 1920s sunflower document for decades, and this year the timing felt right to make a print inspired by this gorgeous embroidery."
Photo by: Trevor Parker
Tweed Styles
Another favorite design trick? Relying on tweed wallpaper to add warmth and a "quiet sense of comfort to a space." Take it from Matyas, who chose the style for this cozy space. "I love it because it reads like fabric on the walls: tailored and elevated. It works especially well in bedrooms, dens, offices, and powder rooms, where you want intimacy and warmth without relying on bold patterns," Matyas says.
Photo by: Margaret Rose Photography
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Coordinated Trim
"For 2026, you will be seeing more fun wallpapers with trim painted a coordinating color," says designer Maggie Goodrich of Third Street Architecture. A floral print, alongside Benjamin Moore's Mistletoe, steals the show in this loft space. "We wanted to create a magical corner for future cousins and siblings to play and imagine!" Goodrich adds.
Photo by: Frazier Springfield
Prints With Dimension
There's something about textured wallpaper that makes a room feel more luxurious. Designer Sasha Bikoff notes that more and more homeowners are ditching flat prints and leaning into dimension. They're "almost like textiles on the wall. Think grasscloths with metallic threads or hand-painted looks that have incredible depth," Bikoff says.
Photo by: Nickolas Sargent
Conversational Prints
Twenty twenty-six is all about "conversational wallpaper that allows you to get lost in what is happening in the pattern," says designer Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms. Any space could benefit from an element of surprise and a "feeling of whimsy."
Photo by: Aimee Ryan
Small-Scale Florals
Small-scale florals can make just as much of a statement as large-scale patterns, says designer Jennifer Pacca. They lend a nostalgic flair, too. "The delicate patterns add warmth and charm to a space while evoking a soft, comforting sense of the past that still feels fresh and modern. I plan to use it in several of my new projects."
Photo by: Marco Ricca Studio
Wallpapered Powder Rooms
Compact spaces, like powder rooms, are the perfect spot to experiment with wallpaper. It's one of designer Lauren Williams' favorite ways to "make a bold statement" in the space.
"We usually recommend applying wainscoting to the bottom of the wall and only applying wallpaper to the top. This way, the paper is not damaged with water splashes," says Williams of MV Architects.
Photo by: Ian Michelman
Scenic Panels
Designer Tobe Morrow of Morrow & Co. says that scenic wallpaper, another popular trend, always makes a room feel complete. "Scenic wallpaper panels are one of my favorite design moments right now," Morrow says. "They add instant depth, artistry, and soul to a space."
Photo by: Meghan Beierle O'Brien
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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