Dare to Dream: How to Choose Wallpaper for the Bedroom

When it comes to transforming a room without much effort, nothing beats wallpaper. With its intricate patterns and colours, a wallpaper can be a striking feature that immediately draws the eye. However, when it comes to the bedroom, many are intimidated by the idea of introducing this element. After all, the bedroom should be a restful space and some patterns on the wall can easily disrupt this.
But the bedroom is also one of those private rooms that you’re free to decorate in a very personal way. So, it makes sense to add a little character with wallpaper, right? Even if it’s hidden to anyone visiting you and only for you to enjoy. Plus, modern wallpaper designs are more stylish than ever. You can easily find a design that suits your space beautifully. With that being said, if you feel brave enough to implement this design option, here are some great tips on how to choose wallpaper for bedroom.

Pick a Style That Complements the Space

I’m guessing, your bedroom is already ready or you have a clear vision of what you want it to look like. Either way, in order for the wallpaper to fit in perfectly, it should complement the rest of the room’s design. For instance, if your bedroom has a vintage vibe, pick an elegant hand-painted print or go for a royal damask pattern. On the other hand, if you’re creating a country bedroom, consider a wallpaper with plaid, gingham or floral prints that will add some warmth. If you want your bedroom space to look even more relaxed and romantic, opt for a floral or plant print. For a fun and playful mood, pick a wallpaper with small motifs in lively colours that are evenly spaced, such as red or blue polka dots. And if you’re decorating a modern bedroom, look for a geometric or abstract pattern.

Consider the Scale

A lot of homeowners make the mistake of choosing a wallpaper design that is disproportional with the rest of the room. Owners of small bedrooms have a tendency to pick a wallpaper with a minuscule pattern because they believe large patterns can overwhelm the space. However, this is not the case. In fact, it is the plethora of tiny patterns that create clutter and make space feel even tinier. Larger patterns, on the other hand, can visually widen the space. A large leaf or an abstract motif in a small bedroom can trick the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it actually is. So, if you’ve seen a wallpaper design featuring large patterns, don’t be afraid to go for it. On the other hand, large bedrooms can benefit both from oversized and tiny prints.

Decide on Colours

When choosing wallpaper for bedroom, it’s crucial to pick a colour that will be a good match to your existing furniture, décor and window treatments. If you want your wallpaper to match a bold colour from your room, opt for a shade that’s a few values lighter. For instance, if you have indigo décor in your bedroom, look for wallpaper that’s in a lighter shade, like for instance sky blue or sapphire.
But keep in mind, your wallpaper doesn’t necessarily have to be monchromatic. You can choose a mix of two or more shades that match the colour palette of the space. You can also use an accent colour in your wallpaper to create drama and contrast. This usually works best in bedrooms that are decorated with a neutral or monochromatic palette.

Do You Need the Walls to Appear Taller or Longer?

If you struggle with decorating a bedroom that has a low ceiling or is too narrow, you may think that wallpaper can make it even more suffocating. However, the right wallpaper is one of the ways you can open up the room visually. Wallpaper with strips usually has this magical effect. If you want to make the walls appear longer and increase the width of the room, then horizontal stripes can help you achieve this.

On the other hand, if you want to make the ceiling look taller, use wallpaper with vertical stripes. Vertical stripes will draw the eye upward and this can give the illusion of height. You’re free to use wide or narrow stripes, and you don’t have to stick to the standard designs. Stripes in the form of vine or paisley can also open up the room. This is especially helpful if you’re decorating a vintage, cottage or rustic style bedroom.

Where to Use Wallpaper in the Bedroom

There are two ways you can use wallpaper in the bedroom. You can apply it to every wall in the room, or use it to create an accent wall. If you want to pick a wallpaper with an oversized print or in a bolder colour, then the best way to use it is on an accent wall. You can install it on the wall behind your bed, or on another wall where there’s no furniture in its way.
You can also use wallpaper on all walls if you want the background of the room to match or already have a statement feature in the room. However, this is best done with a wallpaper that has a subtle design. If you choose a design or colour that’s too loud, it will overwhelm the space and will overshadow the rest of your bedroom furniture and accessories.