I love a good wallpaper. If chosen well it can transform a room and add oodles of character.

I have wallpaper in quite a few rooms of my house as I love the myriad of patterns and style out there. If you saw my home tour last year you will see what I mean. I will admit that I am partial to a pricey roll (what can I say, I have expensive taste!) but I will be equally happy choosing a roll from Next or B&Q. I simply choose a pattern I like and go with it. My choice will often lead my whole scheme if I’ve fallen for a specific paper.

I am also very aware of quality. Having a good quality paper is 100 times easier to hang than one which rips and tears every time you move it. Also, living in an old house I’ve found that thicker papers hide the inevitable lumps and bumps in the walls. Cheap doesn’t always mean bad quality. I’ve had some fantastic papers from Next for £10 a roll.

In my own house I seem to have a sway towards wallpapers of the animal variety. Foxes on the landing, owls in the nursery, pheasants in the cloakroom and instrument playing badgers in the snug! This was accidental but is a good reflection of the style I like. And that is what you have to decide in terms of what you like and what will work in your house. To help you out I have put together some of my favourite wallpaper trends out there at the moment which can work to different house types and styles. For those of you with littles I am also sharing my favourite Children’s wallpapers over on Rock My Family today. It’s all about the wallpaper.

Botanical

Think ferns, insects and feathers. This trend is still going strong this year. Throw in a few of our favourite copper touches in your accessories and you’re on to a winner.
This beautiful GP & J Baker Ferns wallpaper has the most intricate design but opting for the pale grey pattern and white background avoids it looking overly busy. Homebase have a bargainous Fern design for only £12.99 a roll and the subtle pattern means you can use this easily in any room.
The Cole & Son Palm wallpaper is a touch more exotic but a classic print that would add a dash of elegance to a dining room.
Feather prints are sneaking in to lots of home accessories and a feather print wallpaper can look beautiful in a lounge or bedroom. There are a wealth of designs and colour schemes out there but the Mini Moderns Feathers Wallpaper or B&Q Blue Feathers option are both great choices.
The Harlequin Papilio Wallpaper is the most stunning butterfly design with a delicate pattern repeat that would look magical in your living room.

Faux Natural Textures

The love of faux textures is a trend that is sticking about this year, from wood effect to luxurious marble swirls there is a growing list of papers appearing that allow you to ‘fake’ a look. Some are really rather good and you wouldn’t know until you are up close that they aren’t the real thing.
Exposed brick work can look great in an industrial scheme but equally at home in a rustic country kitchen. Next have a fabulous brick pattern in traditional colour schemes but I also adore the white painted brick effect paper from John Lewis. Both are under £15 a roll.
Wood is a natural texture that remains a popular choice. Plank designs have been updated to include pretty painted wood effects like this from Galerie which could look great in a Bathroom.
I have recently seen some fantastic faux panelling effects that could bring some real period charm to a room. The good one’s are a bit pricey but really do look the part.
You could go hard and edgy with modern finishes like this NLXL Conrete wallpaper or a beautiful marble effect.
Or how about a soft textured effect to replicate linen. Next have a lovely linen effect wallpaper in various colour ways. Just enough of a hint to give some some depth to your walls without being overpowering.

Wildlife

I may be biased here but this is still one of my favourite styles of wallpaper and the range of wildlife inspired designs is vast at the moment. From subtle monochrome designs to all out bold and bright. This year it’s about the more exotic and fun animals to give a new update to the trend.
Is it just me that has a love affair with the Cole & Son Flamingo wallpaper? It is just spectacular. I was very tempted to paper my whole downstairs cloakroom in this design but budget restricted me at the time. Definitely one for the future. They have now introduced some more subtle colour ways for those that don’t fancy bright pink flamingos adorning your walls.
If you want the flamingo look but on a cheaper budget then check out B&Qs pink flamingo wallpaper for just £17 a roll.
I can’t do this most without mentioning my absolute favourite Mini Moderns Pet Sounds wallpaper. I first saw this design in a pub in London then came home googling ‘Badger playing an instrument wallpaper’ till I found it. It is just the most fun design but the simple colour ways mean it isn’t too overpowering.
Finally this Beware The Moon Ostrich Wallpaper has a touch of tongue in cheek fun. If you choose the metallic colour way you will be ticking off two trends in one.

Metallic

Metallic is set to be big this year. You don’t have to go all our sparkle and glitz. Just a touch of shimmer within your paper is enough to give your room a little bit of luxury. Try a touch behind some shelving or in an alcove to see how you get on.
B&Q have some great all over metallics at bargain prices. This Muriva Gold Foil wallpaper is super luxurious that belies it’s £18 price tag. Equally the Bohemian texture metallic wallpaper has a subtle bronze detailing.
Another classic is the Cole & Son woods design which has been updated with touches of metallic in the form of pears or the most beautiful twinkling stars. This paper can look fabulous lining a hallway or landing and there are a fabulous choice of colour ways.
Carrying on the starry theme this Barneby Gates All Star Wallpaper adds a touch of drama to a bedroom
This Enchanted Wings wallpaper from B&Q covers the botanical, wildlife and metallic wallpaper trends in one.
Scandi favourite Ferm living wilderness is a beautiful design that would suit most rooms and house styles.

Geometric

There are a lot of patterns out there at the moment that focus on bold geometric shapes in a myriad of colours. There seems to be a sway towards a more retro feel but I’m loving the more simple scandi designs. These have a much more subtle muted palette than the 70’s vibe that can be found elsewhere.
I have to start with my favourite – Ferm Living. I adore their children’s wallpapers but they have a whole host of other designs that would suit a modern house scheme. The Living Angles wallpaper adds a bold design but in a pale grey monochrome colour scheme and the harlequin wallpaper in soft mint is just the prettiest. It would be great in a country kitchen or to give a stylish edge to a bathroom.
The Mini Moderns Peggy Wallpaper draws on the current trend for peg boards with a simple repetitive spot pattern. You can opt for bolder colours or stick with a more monochrome look. I think this would be fun in an office or study.
Next’s offering is this subtle blue geo style wallpaper that would suit a lounge with grey sofa’s and pale wood furniture.
The Ferm Living Lines Wallpaper comes in the most wonderful palette of colours but such a subtle pattern that it won’t overpower the room.
In a similar style this honeycomb design is super stylish and you would never guess it is only £20 a roll from B&Q.
 
 
Have any of you opted for wallpaper in your decorating schemes and if so any favourite prints or designs we should know about?

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