8 Exciting Wallpaper Trends You Need to Embrace in 2022

Flipped Wallpaper by Ever Wallpaper

We are set to see some very exciting wallpaper trends in 2022 as wallcoverings take centre stage in our homes. I’ve had a long love affair with wallpaper due to its transformational power to completely change the look and feel of a space. Whether you decide to opt for a feature wall, wall-to-wall paper, a wall mural, or something more quirky like a papered ceiling or wallpaper panelling, there is no denying that wallpaper is a great way to add style and personality to a room. And it’s making a comeback with new and exciting designs and uses coming to the fore.

Wallpaper took a bit of a back seat over the past few years as new wall finishes emerged and interiors trends became more minimal. Because of this, wallpaper companies had to have a rethink. The result is a fresh new range of wallpaper finishes that once again deserve our attention. I recommend looking beyond the feature wall and instead focusing on the layer of texture, warmth and attitude that a carefully chosen wallpaper can add to a room. Many wallpapers are now more than a series of repeat patterns and act as a full theatrical backdrop to a carefully curated scene.

Caoimhe Mckenna, Creative Director, Yellow Brick Road Design

It’s certainly true that we are seeing wallpaper less as a subtle and unobtrusive way to add a backdrop to a room and more as a large design statement that not only stands out but sets the scene in a room.

So let’s take a look at the 7 exciting wallpaper trends you need to embrace in 2022.

Nature-Inspired Wallpaper

Biophilic design is definitely having a moment right now and Pinterest has predicted it to be a major trend in 2022 whilst Google has seen a 900% increase in search queries for the meaning of biophilia in the past 12 months.

Wallpaper that features plants, trees, leaves, animals or the organic shapes and patterns found in nature will be one of the most popular wallpaper trends this year. We are now well aware of the benefits of bringing the outdoors inside and the positive effects that this can have on our mental health and wellbeing.

We can also expect to see lots of green this year being the ultimate colour of nature. So green wallpaper will be popular, whether that’s darker emerald green shades or more muted sage greens.

We will see a big shift towards nature inspired murals in particular, as they have the ability to blur the lines between indoors and out. As many of our working environments have changed and the focus has shifted to working from home, wallpaper is an easy and effective way to make a space feel refreshed and give it a new lease of life. 

Danica Fox, Interior Designer, Design Lingual

Bold Floral Wallpaper

Along the same lines as the nature-inspired wallpaper is bold floral wallpaper which is definitely enjoying a moment in the spotlight right now and is set to be one of the biggest wallpaper trends in 2022. Whether it’s vintage, classic or contemporary, big blooms are in! Floral designs are timelessly elegant so it’s easy to see why they would be popular as they just don’t date.

The great thing about floral wallpaper designs is that they can be adapted to suit any space by playing with the scale of the motifs. If you’re feeling particularly brave and your room can take it, choose a large scale design to really make a bold, maximalist statement. If you have a smaller room and want a more understated feel, opt for smaller, more intricate designs that are more subtle.

Brands use more and more gigantic flowers and botanical patterns as the whole world continues embracing Biophilic design. I also see that some bold wall coverings are being framed as artwork, which is also interesting.

Aida Sniraite, Brand Consultant & Content Creator, Authentic Interior

Marble Effect Wallpaper

Marble effect wallpaper has been doing the rounds for a few years now but the choice that is available is now a lot more varied. We’re seeing many more colourways and designs that are much more intricate. To add extra luxury to your room, why not choose a marble effect wallpaper that has beautiful gold veining.

Papers that are white or incorporate pastel colours will keep your room feeling fresh and bright, whereas opting for darker shades such as brown or black will make a room feel more opulent and lavish.

Scenic Wall Murals

The global pandemic kept us all housebound for an extended period, unable to take holidays or go on adventures to unknown places. So it’s no wonder that scenic wall murals have become popular. In a split second, they can fire up our imaginations and transport us to another world. Scenic wall murals add an element of escapism to our homes that we have all been badly craving over the past few years.

They are also great for playing with the dimensions in a space. Archways, doorways and long corridors can completely add a new perspective to a space making it seem larger or longer than it really is and creating the illusion that there is more than meets the eye.

Scenic landscape wall murals are a HUGE trend for 2022. They create an atmosphere of their own with the power to completely transform a space and evoke your imagination by adding another dimension. 

Danica Fox, Interior Designer, Design Lingual

Chinoiserie Wallpaper

Another of the most exciting wallpaper trends for 2022 is Chinoiserie. The east meets west fusion imitates the art of China, Japan and other Asian countries and gives it a modern European style. The decorative oriental designs often depict scenes featuring ornate trees, flowers and birds.

Chinoiserie wallpaper brings an exuberant and exotic flair to a room. It often has a distinctly feminine and delicate feel to it making it perfect for bedrooms or dressing rooms.

Textured Wallpaper

Advances in printing technology mean that faux surfaces are a lot more realistic these days. For this reason, textured wallpaper is another exciting wallpaper trend to watch in 2022. If you’ve always dreamed of having a real stone wall in your living room or you love the texture of real wood or tree bark, then these wallpapers will help transform your home into your dream space.

Adding a whole new tactile element to wall surfaces, these wallpapers are crying out to be touched and explored. They are also a great way to invite nature indoors.

Painterly Abstract Wallpaper

Lastly on our list of exciting wallpaper trends for 2022 is painterly abstract wallpapers. These have a lovely handcrafted feel to them as they feature freeform, imperfect shapes, gentle curves, organic textures and painterly marks.

They look like they have been painted onto the wall by an artist and add a lovely softness to the room. It helps that many of them are in neutral or pastel colours.

If you are looking to refresh your home, consider embracing some of these exciting wallpaper trends in 2022. Which one is your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

And don’t forget to pin this post for later.