5 Wallpapers that will date your home Immediately
So, you're in the midst of revamping your home, and let me guess – you're absolutely obsessed with the idea of wallpaper. I mean, seriously obsessed. From the moment you stepped foot in your new place, wallpaper was at the forefront of your mind. You didn't have a specific style in mind initially, but you were adamant that it had to be wallpaper, and it had to be spectacular. If there were a lobbyist dedicated to advocating for wallpaper, they'd undoubtedly be winning awards left and right, given how wallpaper has dominated the design scene in recent years.
But, as they say, with great desire comes great challenges. There's the cost, the daunting task of installation, the endless decisions to make... and then there's the unfortunate truth that not all wallpapers age gracefully. It's a bittersweet realization, but let's face it – some trends are destined to fade away as quickly as they appeared. You've probably seen them everywhere – those trendy disco ball DIYs that are all the rage one minute and passé the next. Sure, they're fun while they last, but I'm here to tell you, my friend, that it's wise to think twice before committing to something that's only trendy in the moment, only to regret it a couple of years down the line.
Let me be clear – I'm not saying that any of these wallpapers are inherently unattractive, flawed, or incorrect. It's just that frequently, the wallpapers listed below have been excessively used or strongly linked to a passing trend that may lose its appeal in the coming years. If you've already adorned your walls with any of these wallpapers, fear not! There are plenty of ways to balance them out. And of course, feel free to take advantage of my One Hour Design Chat services if you need additional assistance navigating this dilemma.
While none of us can predict the future, I've got a few alternatives up my sleeve that will satisfy your craving for trendy wallpaper without the risk of falling out of love with it too soon.
BelArte Curvy
It's not lost on me that my fonts almost perfectly match the BelArte Curvy color scheme. But here's the thing – I can change my font color in a snap. Wallpaper? Not so much. As a general rule, I'd advise steering clear of trendy colors when investing in something as pricey as wallpaper. Instead, consider painting your room in that trendy hue and see how you feel about it in a couple of years.
But, if you absolutely must have wallpaper, here is an alternative:
(Pssst… you can reasonably hand paint this as well…).
House of Hackney - Artemis
Don't get me wrong – this wallpaper is stunning and exudes strong classical vibes. I can envision it becoming a timeless staple 10, 15, even 20 years from now... but at the moment, it's everywhere. While I'm all for celebrating a beautiful pattern, I believe homeowners should exercise caution when jumping on trends too quickly.
If you're leaning towards a classic look, consider this one instead:
I have to admit, it's a bit painful for me to include Hollyhocks on this list, given that it's one of my personal favorites. However, it undeniably falls into the category of overused patterns. You're almost guaranteed to spot it in every other issue of Domino magazine, and while it's undeniably beautiful, any room featuring it will inevitably feel stuck in 2023.
If you're yearning for a floral wonderland, why not try this instead:
When I first saw Gucci’s Heron wallpaper, I was instantly smitten. It seems I wasn't the only one – everyone else wanted it, too. There's truly nothing else like it, which makes it incredibly unique and distinctive. However, in two to three years, once everyone has scratched that itch to use it, its popularity will inevitably wane. This saddens me because it's truly a work of art. But here's a word of advice – if you still adore it in five years' time, go ahead and use it. Or even now, if you simply can't resist. Just don't be surprised if your frenemy's dining room ends up looking eerily similar.
While Urban Outfitters used to sell a pretty replica, unfortunately, it's no longer available. But fear not – Phillip Jeffries offers an amazing alternative (and one I believe might age better, in fact):
Now, this is a classic. As a native Angeleno, it pains me to add this to the list. However, it's sadly become one of the most overused and misused prints out there. Don't get me wrong – I love a good tropical theme as much as the next person, but it belongs in a tiki bar lounge, not a living room. One of my biggest pet peeves is when decor gets too theme-y. It's a matter of taste, but I prefer not to have tropical everything with this pattern.
Why not appreciate the pattern for what it is – a beautiful collage of shades of green and biomorphic shapes? Think outside the box with this wallpaper. Instead of adding teak and bamboo, why not incorporate something unexpected?
This was a tough one for me to write, as I genuinely adore each and every one of these wallpapers. But I'm glad I did it. I scour hundreds of inspiration photos every day, and it wouldn't be right for me to turn a blind eye to what I see.
Can you think of any other wallpapers out there that you feel are overused? Let me know in the comments below. Your fellow home decorators will thank you!
Happy decorating,
If you’re like me, you’ve had it up to here with those snooze-inducing showrooms that are more "museum" than "home". I'm flipping the script on home styling, and let me tell you, there won't be any rulebooks or tedious style history lessons involved. Just pure creativity.
Why do I rebel against the ordinary? For seven years, I meticulously crafted and refurbished homes solely for their resale value. I dwelled in a universe of beige, grey, black, and white. But in 2020, I reached my limit and gleefully abandoned all that for a fantastical realm of vibrant colors and delightful oddities. Dive deeper into my journey right here. 🌈🤹♂️🏡
My work and advice has been showcased in prestigious publications such as Architectural Digest, Better Homes and Gardens, The Zoe Report, Real Homes, and Homes & Gardens, among others.
I know that I'm not everyone's cup of tea, but then again, neither are you…
