11 Unexpected Ways to Use Wallpaper in the Home

Laundry Room

Interior designer Lisa Gilmore loves using wallpaper in laundry rooms. “I feel like [they’re] often the ugly duckling of the house—but so often used!” she says. “The time you spend doing your domestic [tasks] should be pleasing too.”

Here, she used wallpaper on both the ceiling and as a backsplash, injecting a dose of personality into this functional space.

Built-Ins

Gilmore also notes that the backs of built-ins can benefit from pattern or texture. “For instance, in this home office, we used a beautiful, small-scale stripe as a backdrop for the desk area,” she says. “It adds a little flavor in an unexpected spot.”

Refrigerators

Peel-and-stick wallpaper can be used on an old refrigerator to update a kitchen— without breaking the bank.

“If you’re renting, or just saving up for your dream fridge, this is the perfect way to add color to your kitchen,” says Rachel Smith, author of Colorful Living and founder of The Crafted Life. “You can choose a solid color to mimic a SMEG-style fridge, or lean into pattern for a bold look.”

Gallery Wall

Another place Smith loves to use wallpaper is for a gallery wall.

“Use leftover wallpaper as the art itself, or use pieces to make custom patterned mats,” she says. “No piece is too small! I love this trick for saving sentimental wallpaper. Try your best to save a piece if you’re moving, or maybe save a piece that you take down when buying a new home.”

Cabinets

A cabinet is a wonderful place to decorate with wallpaper, as you can choose a bold print that will be balanced out by the items in front of it.

As for how to get it done? “Remove the back panel from your cabinet, and [add] wallpaper while laying it flat. It helps to start in the left corner of the piece and work your way down,” Smith says. “If you can’t remove your panel, no worries! Try to remove all the shelves and glass before starting to have easier access.”

Ceiling

Using wallpaper on the fifth wall—also known as the ceiling—is a beautiful way to extend the design of a room to all planes.

“Instead of a plain ceiling feeling overlooked and forgotten, adding wallpaper can envelop the whole space with pattern, texture, and color,” says interior designer Emily LaMarque. “We’ve used textural wallpaper inside ceiling niches and wrapped around dropped ceiling soffits to elevate some builder-grade elements—and give the room an elegant, custom feel.”

Backsplash

A statement backsplash can be beautiful, but also expensive. If it’s not in the budget, LaMarque suggests using a four-inch slab instead, then applying wallpaper above it, all the way up to the cabinets.

“Select a durable, wipeable wallcovering that can hold up to the demanding needs of a kitchen,” she says. “It can provide the perfect added oomph that infuses pattern, color, and personality into an otherwise boring space.”

Pantries or Closets

Like laundry rooms, pantries, and closets can feel like an afterthought when it comes to interior design—but adding wallpaper to the walls, ceiling, or even shelves can make them look much more exciting.

“Smaller, darker spaces are the perfect place to infuse bolder, brighter colors and patterns,” says LaMarque. “[You can try] something a bit riskier, but still be able to close the door, so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming.”

Tables and Nightstands

For added dimension, LaMarque loves using raffia grasscloth on console tables or textured wallcoverings on nightstand drawers.

“The key to getting wallcovering materials to work on furniture is choosing the right texture, thickness, and size for the piece so that the seams line up correctly,” she says. “If you’re using a paper with a pattern, especially a large-scale repeat, you also need to consider if and where the seams will be, and if you will get to see enough of that pattern.”

Foyer

If you don’t want to cover a huge room in wallpaper, then there are plenty of smaller, creative places to get the job done.

“These spaces are often smaller, like a foyer, bar, or powder room—where a bold wallpaper can make a big impact, without overwhelming the space,” says interior designer Stephanie Mahaney. Here, she decked out an entryway in a gray, textured wallcovering.

Floating Shelves

Another unique, budget-friendly way to upgrade your space? “[Use a] roll of paper from floor to ceiling in one vertical strip, and then [place] the same width floating shelves down the strip,” says interior designer Natalie Papier. “It gives you the look of a built-in shelf on a dime.”