Popular Wallpaper Trends For 2022
Nikko Ostara Wallpaper By Villa Nova, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Sponsored Content: This post has been sponsored by Wallpaper Sales. As usual, all thoughts, opinions and wallpaper selections are my own.
With the rise of Cottagecore (an interior style that worships the simple, English country garden aesthetic) and a resurgence in popularity of ‘Arts & Crafts’ decor, wallpaper is now more favoured in interiors than ever. While wallpaper in bedrooms or dining spaces has always been customary, wallpaper is presently commonplace on Pinterest in areas such as the bathroom (paired with panelling on the lower half of the wall that receives the water splashes), and entire hallways are being livened up with print and pattern.
The Brook Archive III Wallpaper by Morris & Co, available via Wallpaper Sales.
I consider choosing a wallpaper for your home as a very personal experience; just like selecting a piece of art, it takes a lot of contemplation as it is a reflection of you and your own personal taste and style. However, with so much choice on offer (plus, a variety of colourways for each pattern), selecting the right wallpaper can feel quite overwhelming. This is why today on the blog, in collaboration with Wallpaper Sales (the leading online wallpaper retailer in the UK - a family-run, independent business based in Yorkshire), I have narrowed down nine key popular wallpaper trends for 2022. Below, you’ll find my selection of the best papers within the nine trends from a wide range of wallpaper brands at varying price points.
W0091/01 Herbarium Botanica Wallpaper By Clarke & Clarke, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Botanical Biophilia
Biophilic design has been a keyword within interiors since the start of lockdown. As our access to the outside world was curtailed, our appreciation for nature increased and intensified our desire to incorporate elements of the natural environment within our indoor living spaces. House plants, having access to natural light, as well as including natural materials such as wood and clay in our home decor can reduce stress and improve our mental wellbeing. Therefore, it is no surprise that decorative wallpapers depicting delicate single-picked fern leaves (or the stems of pressed flowers) are trending right now. Simple and dainty, Botanical Biophilia wallpapers are calming while still containing lots of intricate, visual detail.
The botanical Simons Arboretum Wallpaper By Sandberg - Ivory, available via Wallpaper Sales
Botanical Biophilia wallpapers in display order: Herbarium Botanica Wallpaper By Clarke & Clarke in Blush, available via Wallpaper Sales / Little Thistles Embleton Bay Wallpaper By Sanderson in Neutral, available via Wallpaper Sales / Millefeuille Au Bistrot DAlice Wallpaper By Caselio, available via Wallpaper Sales / Everly The Potting Room Wallpaper By Sanderson Home, available via Wallpaper Sales / Simons Arboretum Wallpaper By Sandberg - Ivory, available via Wallpaper Sales / Kitchen Style 3 Wallpaper By Galerie, available via Wallpaper Sales.
A wavy, irregular print is perfectly executed in this Enso Wallpaper By Eijffinger, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Waves and Curves
Scallops, waves, curves and ric rac designs continue to dominate within home décor, as irregular-shaped mirrors and ruffle-edged cushions overtake standard rectangle forms. This trend is now passing over into wallpaper as soothing, rounded and looping patterns are more coveted for the modern home. Curves are pleasing to the eye, while a wavy-patterned wallpaper is a great way to soften a sharp, boxy room that is otherwise full of straight lines and sharp corners.
Waves & Curves wallpapers in display order: Beau Rivage Les Rêves Wallpaper By Nina Campbell in Duck Egg and Taupe, available via Wallpaper Sales / Enso Wallpaper By Eijffinger, available via Wallpaper Sales / Zen Nippon Wallpaper By Sandberg in Linen, available via Wallpaper Sales / Lotta Small Designs Wallpaper By Colefax & Fowler in Green, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Meadow Sweet Archive Wallpapers by Morris & Co, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Archive Prints
The Arts and Crafts movement has returned to interiors in a big way as the joy of a more simple life has been embraced after lockdown (think gardening, home cooking and sewing). There is also an increased appreciation of the well-made and handcrafted, as we look to buy preloved furniture and create a sustainable home that avoids having a negative impact on the planet. The Arts and Crafts movement of the second half of the 19th Century honoured skilled crafts in the face of the Industrial Revolution, and there is no one more representative of that era than William Morris (his timeless prints and wallpaper designs are currently some of the most favoured by leading interior designers and interior influencers on Instagram). Meadow Sweet and Willow wallpapers are my personal favourite designs - they look particularly good in hallways combined with corresponding paint colours on the woodwork.
Willow Archive Wallpaper in Buff (on hallway wall), available via Wallpaper sales.
Archive Prints wallpapers in display order: Meadow Sweet Archive Wallpapers by Morris & Co in Gold & Slate, available via Wallpaper Sales / Scroll Archive Wallpapers by Morris & Co in Thyme & Pear, available via Wallpaper Sales / Willow Archive Wallpapers by Morris & Co in Buff, available via Wallpaper Sales / Morris Bellflowers Archive IV - The Collector Wallpapers By Morris & Co in Indigo & Linen, available via Wallpaper Sales / The Brook Archive III Wallpaper by Morris & Co in Dark Blue, available via Wallpaper Sales / Rosehip Archive III Wallpaper by Morris & Co in Beige, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Tree block print Arboretet Arboretum Wallpaper By Sandberg, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Block Prints
Another nod to the returning popularity of Arts and Crafts is the in-demand block print. A simple, repetitive stamp of the same design allows for a more uncomplicated pattern for those after a wallpaper that is decorative but avoids feeling overly ‘busy.’ Block printing also allows for a smaller-scale design, so they work well in compact spaces where larger, sweeping print wallpapers can feel misplaced.
Camille Les Rêves Wallpaper By Nina Campbell, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Block Prints wallpapers in display order: Fernwood Small Designs Wallpaper By Colefax & Fowler in Leaf Green, available via Wallpaper Sales / Bowood Jardine Florals Wallpaper by Colefax and Fowler in Grey/Green, available via Wallpaper Sales / Sudbury Park Small Designs Wallpaper By Colefax & Fowler in Pink, available via Wallpaper Sales / Jouy Palampore Wallpaper By Anna French in Red/Blue, available via Wallpaper Sales / Rowan Wallpaper by Jane Churchill in Emerald, available via Wallpaper Sales / Arboretet Arboretum Wallpaper Arboretet Arboretum Wallpaper By Sandberg in Blush/Beige, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Green Hassel Arboretum Wallpaper By Sandberg, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Green
A number of leading paint manufacturers – including Benjamin Moore – picked out green as their top Colour Of The Year for 2022. Lighter sage greens are marked to be more popular than deeper greens, but as a whole green has been trending within interiors for the past few years as it is well-liked and seen as an easy and pleasing colour to use within the home. Because of the popularity of green, many wallpaper manufacturers have been offering their designs in this shade and there is now a wealth of green wallpaper to choose from. To keep it authentic, choose a green wallpaper that represents where it can be found in the natural world. I’m a particular fan of Sanberg’s Hassel Arboretum – a climbing Hazel branch design in a muted green and brown colourway.
Hedera Vintage 2 Wallpaper by Sanderson, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Estelle Mustard Familj II Wallpaper by Sandberg, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Stripes
Bold, repetitive patterns such as thick stripes and checkerboard designs are back; while checkerboard wallpaper may be too much for most, a block stripe is a classic design that works well in the home. Reminiscent of the quintessential British deckchair, stripes have an underlying elegance that also feels fun. Vertical stripe patterns can also make a space feel taller, which is why stripy wallpaper works well in low-level rooms with truncated ceilings. Stripes on the wall don’t have to be streamlined and linear – see Britta Mallory Stripes Wallpaper By Colefax and Fowler and Pil Arboretum Wallpaper By Sandberg for stripey wallpapers with distinction.
Lydford Stripe Larkhill Wallpaper By G. P & J Baker in Teal, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Stripes wallpapers in display order: Gazebo Stripe Opera Garden Wallpaper by Baker Lifestyle in Green, available via Wallpaper Sales / Lydford Stripe Larkhill Wallpaper By G. P & J Baker in Teal, available via Wallpaper Sales / Britta Mallory Stripes Wallpaper By Colefax and Fowler in Old Blue, available via Wallpaper Sales / Estelle Mustard Familj II Wallpaper by Sandberg, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Chinoiserie Mirage Grasscloth Empyrea Wallpaper by Osborne & Little, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Chinoiserie Style
Thanks to the introduction of new technology, the hand-painted silk walls which embody the Chinoiserie style - usually only possessed by the wealthy - are now more accessible thanks to high-quality digital printing methods. With a magical and fanciful charm, Chinoiserie patterns incorporate tropical birds, fruit-filled trees, and bamboo and blossom designs. A great way to use Chinoiserie wallpapers is to combine them with traditional wall panels - apply the paper inside the rectangular moulding for a high-end, time-honoured look.
Rotherby Kensington Walk Wallpaper by Zoffany, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Texture
Neutral interiors have really been embraced in the past few years; to make a colourless decor palette work, there must be the inclusion of texture. Texture is vital to bring depth and visual interest to a space, which is why there has been a surge in popularity of bouclé sofas, chairs, and furniture: the curly, knotted yard adds tactility to an otherwise plain backdrop. Other popular textured home decor items include large, rough stone vases and plant pots, plus accessories made from rustic knotted woods. The demand for texture is now so high that textured wallpaper is set to be a huge trend in 2022, with Wallpaper Sales stocking a huge range: discover tactile grasscloth, weaves and intricate looped detailing. Textured walls bring so much warmth to a room, which is why they are particularly good to use in the bedroom.
Scope Ligna Textured Wallpaper by Arte, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Textured wallpapers in display order: Lisle Textured Walls Wallpaper By Harlequin in Linen, available via Wallpaper Sales / Scope Ligna Wallpaper by Arte, available via Wallpaper Sales / Kami Paperweave Wallpaper By Mark Alexander in Pearl, available via Wallpaper Sales / Nikko Ostara Wallpaper By Villa Nova in Lagoon, available via Wallpaper Sales / Niku Herbaria Wallpaper By Black Edition in Crystalline, available via Wallpaper Sales.
ArtiStick Tribal Wallpaper By Arthouse, available via Wallpaper Sales.
Peel & Stick
One of the best developments within interior design in recent years is a focus on creating interior products for renters. Just because you rent, it doesn’t mean that you should not be able to enjoy and be creative within the home in which you live. Wallpaper is something that has often been avoided by tenants as a product that is too permanent to use within a rental, but now there are some excellent choices within ‘Peel & Stick’ wallpaper ranges that allow you to apply and easily remove wallpaper (without the need for a strong adhesive that has to be scraped or steamed off). Thanks to social media, interior-loving renters are sharing their walls adorned in self-adhesive wallpaper, which in turn has led to the removable product being one of the most in-demand wallpaper styles for 2022. Wallpaper Sales sell a range of self-adhesive wallpapers with no requirement for paste (my personal favourite is the ArtiStick Tribal Wallpaper by Arthouse).
Peel & Stick wallpapers in display order: ArtiStick Tribal Wallpaper By Arthouse in Ochre, available via Wallpaper Sales / ArtiStick Linen Texture Wallpaper By Arthouse in Mid Grey, available via Wallpaper Sales / ArtiStick Tropical Palm Green Wallpaper By Arthouse in Green, available via Wallpaper Sales.
