Floral wallpaper is one of the hottest home decor trends right now. An that’s equal parts pretty and peaceful, today’s floral wallpapers go beyond traditional pink roses and green leaves. You’ll find everything from dainty designs to bold, abstract iterations.
With so many options available, it’s easier than ever to that perfectly matches your personal design style. “Florals are trending in many design styles in wallcovering, from the maximalist look of all-over patterns to free-flowing abstract designs and classic flowers presented in a fresh palette along with overscale murals,” says Erin Fallon, brand manager of . “There is a floral for all design enthusiasts to fit their style.”
To help you pull off the at home, Fallon is sharing her best tips and design strategies.
1. Choose the Right Florals
Whether you’re looking for a scattered floral print or a multi-color pattern, finding a floral wallpaper that fits your style is easier than you might think. To start, hone in on , color preferences, and the environment you’re looking to recreate indoors. Then, refine your search by narrowing down the types of florals: Are you drawn to watercolor bouquets, exotic blooms, or bold, abstract flowers?
As you start looking through wallpaper samples, you’ll quickly notice every floral pattern can evoke a different feeling. Fallon explains that free-flowing florals in a soft palette will add a light and airy feel to your space, while a moody floral mural will make a high-impact design statement.
Fallon notes that since flowers reflect nature, this motif helps ground us in ways other designs can’t mimic. However, picking the wrong floral style can have the opposite effect, so it’s worth spending some time during the research and planning phase of your design. Consider ordering samples of each print you’re drawn to before committing.
2. Find the Right Location and Size
Because wallpaper creates a powerful impact in any room, it’s best to choose your location with care. The right wallcovering will set the tone for the decor in the rest of your space, but picking the wrong floral size may counter your desired look. So, experiment with the scale of your floral wallpaper in relation to the size of your space.
For example, if you have a , try to go big with pattern. Sometimes, a large, repeating pattern can make a room feel larger. On the flip side, if you have larger square footage to cover and want the space to feel more relaxed, a very busy design or one saturated in multiple colors might be overwhelming. Always consider the location of your wallpaper, the atmosphere you’re trying to achieve, and the size and scale of both your space and your floral pattern.
Courtesy of York Wallcoverings
3. Go Big with Print (And Your Furniture)
If you’re feeling brave, try combining big floral wallpaper with bright furniture to create a can’t-miss style statement. To start, embrace color by using a full-coverage floral wallpaper in your favorite hues and draw a color from there to finalize your furniture pick. “Go, bold! Add a powerful statement piece to your entryway with an overscale floral mural,” Fallon says.
Courtesy of York Wallcoverings.jpg
4. Paint Millwork a Coordinating Color
Color-dipped architectural details—like , , or trim—make a perfect sidekick to blooming wallpaper. To pull off this technique, Fallon suggests pulling a complementary color from your wallpaper pattern. Then, in a lively hue that accentuates the colors of the floral design. She recommends using one paint color at a time to prevent a hodgepodge situation.
5. Mix Vintage and Modern
Don’t be afraid to mix different design styles and eras into one space. For example, you can combine with a modern abstract floral print in fresh, bold colors for a dynamic space that also feels lived-in. “Florals speak the language of ever-evolving style with instant connection and iconic form that confidently compliments any space and every design signature,” Fallon says.
Plus, mixing styles gives you greater design freedom to experiment with your most-loved textures and patterns. And, you’re left with greater flexibility to upgrade certain design elements of your space when the mood to refresh strikes.
Courtesy of Rifle Paper Co. and York Wallcoverings
6. Add a Wallpaper Border
Channel your inner maximalist by pairing an all-over floral pattern with a separate . This will add a second layer of pattern alongside your existing trims, like wainscoting or baseboards. For a balanced design outcome, don’t pair a floral border with a floral wallpaper. Instead, choose a solid or lightly-patterned border to complement your floral wallpaper.
This pattern-play strategy allows each wallpaper print to shine, preventing a blended or overdone look. The best part: Adding a wallpaper border is a small detail that’s easy to install and will add even more depth to your space.