3 Wallpaper Trends for the Best Feature Wall Ever!

Feature walls continue to be popular both in the home and in commercial settings. They offer an easy way to inject some texture and imagery onto an otherwise bare wall. Wallpaper is an obvious choice, so we’ve hand-picked some of our favourites from the high street and top design houses.

Geometric Metallics

Shimmering surface patterns liven up a blank wall. From left to right: “Flower” from Shades by Galerie; “Lines” from Spaces by Caselio; “Geometric Silk” from Atmosphere IV by Jane Churchill.

In the world of interiors there is a growing shift away from the brashness of copper towards the more mellow tones of antique gold. This chimes with the rise in furnishings in hues such as mustard and yellow ochre. These new metallic papers are layered onto mock-textures which have the look and feel of shot silk or fine woven jute. Combined with this are the rich, inky blues and dark greens so popular last year, which still dominate in paint and wallpaper.

Try these wallpapers from ceiling to dado and use with bamboo wall panelling or a dado rail made from split Moso poles. You can easily create a relaxed living space with these modern retro patterns either above your bed, in the living room or in a dining area.

Jungle Flora and Fauna

Add some theatre to your surroundings with jungle creatures and lush leaves. Left to right: “Jungle Palm” from Vivid by Eijffinger; “Amazon” from Voyage by Albany; “Palm Jungle” from Icons by Cole & Son.

Everyone seems to be using palm fronds, bamboo branches and tropical plants in their motifs. Use these to create drama and to envelope yourself in the natural world. Include plenty of wood or bamboo finishes, houseplants and ceramics to round off the look. See our bamboo wallpaper and bamboo ply board for inspiration.

Oriental Expressions

Out of these dark backgrounds emerge softer metallic shapes and patterns. From left to right: “Luxe Ogee” from Textured Metallics by Arthouse; “Yukutori” from Metallics by Farrow & Ball; “Pine” from Nippon by Sandberg.

Larger rooms can benefit from darker wall coverings. The inclusion of metallics can add a feeling of luxury. Use in a study, living room, bar area – a place where you would want to spend some time.

Japan and the Far East inspire pictorial wallpapers alongside references to the other far-flung reaches.

Wallpaper to take you on a journey. From Left to right: “Elephant Grove” Journeys by Arthouse; “Japanese Garden” from Enchanted Gardens Osbourne & Little; “Bamboo” from Grace  & Favour by Farrow & Ball.

Final flourish

Remember, feature walls are there to complement and support an existing focal point such as a fireplace, the wall which houses the TV or behind a sideboard in a dining room. A feature wall can become an ‘accent wall’ in a house or premises where you are able to divide the space into distinct areas.

Two feature wall candidates: A bare home office wall or the wall behind the headboard.