Unexpected Wallpaper Ideas You Need to See

When most of us think about wallpaper, we picture covering the four walls of a room. While that’s a classic approach, it’s only the beginning of what you can do with a good roll of paper. Wallpaper is a surprisingly versatile material that can be used in smaller, more creative ways to give your home a unique feel. If you’re looking for a fresh project, thinking beyond the wall can lead to some truly interesting results.

We spend so much time focused on our walls that we often forget about the ceiling, sometimes called the "fifth wall." Applying wallpaper overhead is an unconventional choice that can completely alter the feeling of a room. In a bedroom, a dark paper with a subtle pattern can make the space feel cozier and more intimate. In a dining room or a child's room, a playful or elegant print on the ceiling draws the eye upward and serves as an interesting point of focus. It’s a bold move that pays off by making a room feel thoughtfully designed from top to bottom.

If you’ve fallen for a wallpaper that’s very expensive or has a very bold pattern, you don’t have to commit to covering an entire room with it. Some of The Best Wallpaper Ideas involve treating the paper like art itself. You can cut a large piece and have it professionally framed for a serious statement piece. Another approach is to apply wallpaper inside the panels of a wainscoted wall or within picture frame molding. This gives the effect of custom architectural detail and provides a feeling of classic, layered design without a huge commitment of time or money.

One of the most charming ways to use leftover wallpaper is to apply it to the inside of furniture. Plain, open-back bookshelves get a major lift when their back panels are lined with a fun pattern. You can also line the inside of dresser drawers; it’s a delightful little detail that makes a simple piece of furniture feel more custom and personal. Glass-fronted kitchen cabinets or antique armoires are also perfect candidates for this. The peek-a-boo effect of the pattern inside gives the furniture piece its own little secret and a bit of hidden flair.

Doors and staircases are often overlooked as opportunities for design. A flat, plain interior door can become a feature by covering it in a durable wallpaper. It’s a simple project that can have a big effect on a hallway or room. The risers on a staircase—the vertical parts of each step—are another fantastic spot for a pattern. Using patterns on stair risers is one of those Wallpaper Ideas for Instant Personality that makes a home feel truly unique. Since you only need small strips, it’s a great way to use up remnants from a larger project.

For most of these unconventional projects, peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great choice because it’s forgiving and easy to cut to size. Before you begin, make sure the surface is clean, dry, and smooth. Measure your area carefully, and then measure again just to be sure. A good craft knife, a smoothing tool, and a straight edge will be your most important tools. The beauty of these smaller projects is that they are low-risk but high-reward, giving you a chance to play with pattern in a new way.