Top Designers Share How to Make a Statement with Wallpaper

By Shelby Deering

One of our favorite trends for 2022 is one that will greatly appeal to the maximalists out there: statement wallpaper. Much like statement jewelry, this is wallpaper that’s not for the faint of heart. Whether it’s used as a small accent wall in a half bath or splashed all over a dining room, statement wallpaper is sure to get people talking in a good way.

 In fact, Amy Leferink, Founder of Interior Impressions, prefers it to paint.

“Wallpaper is a fabulous alternative to paint in that it adds so much more artistic flair to a room,” she says.

If statement wallpaper feels like just a *bit* much for your home, remember that wallpaper, especially peel and stick wallpaper, can be swapped out if you eventually want something else on your wall.

Lauren Lerner, Founder and Principal Designer at Living with Lolo, says that you might surprise yourself with how much you love it. She emphasizes to not “be afraid of stepping outside the box” because “it truly is just wallpaper.”

“If you go with something bold and crazy and don’t love it, you can always start fresh,” she says.

Here, Leferink and Lerner share how to boldly bring statement wallpaper into your own home.

1. Use it sparingly or dramatically.

You have the option to go big or very subtle with your statement wallpaper, according to Leferink.

She says, “I personally love to use wallpaper in our projects in two key ways: either by wallpapering an entire small room that can take it, like a mudroom, bathroom, powder room, or guest room, or by using it on a grand accent wall in a main living area to add some dimension.”

2. Go neutral with the decor.

“If you're using a bold print wallpaper, you'll want to keep everything else more neutral,” Lerner advises. “It's great to add different textures, but if the wallpaper truly is bold, keeping your furniture and wall coverings pretty neutral will go a long way to let that wallpaper shine.”

3. Don’t be afraid to mix and match.

To really push the visuals in your space, Leferink says that you don’t have to feel cautious when it comes to mixing and matching styles with your statement wallpaper.

For instance, Leferink says, “Floral wallpaper with floral throw pillows and a floral-patterned rug, no matter how well-coordinated, will look dowdy and dated. Mixing patterns, colors, and prints will help keep the space interesting to the eye.”

4. Think creatively.

Keep in mind that statement wallpaper doesn’t always have to be applied to walls. Although Lerner often covers bedroom and entryway accent walls in patterned wallpaper, she’s been known to take it to the ceiling, especially in rooms where it can “make a significant impact.”

As Leferink says, “I don’t think there are too many hard and fast rules with wallpaper. It's like art. You have to find a color and pattern that you love, and then the sky is the limit.”