The wishlist name can't be left blank
Embracing wallpaper all over

Embracing wallpaper all over

February 7th, 2024
Little Greene

There are a myriad of ways you can approach using wallpaper, depending on the atmosphere you want to create. Introducing wallpaper on just one wall is a great option to create a focal point and add an element of textural interest. But using wallpaper all over – on all four walls – will really transform your space.

Discover inspiring ways you can embrace our National Trust Papers IV wallpapers to create impactful, encompassing schemes in every part of your home…

Aderyn - Olive Colour (c.1770), Dado panel: Obsidian Green, Ceiling: Sage Green, Doors: Olive Colour

Create a wraparound feel in your hall, stairs and landing

Your hall, stairs and landing is often one of the trickiest spaces to decorate. With so many different surfaces to consider, it can be difficult to achieve a sense of flow and cohesion throughout the entire space.

Using wallpaper is a fantastic way to create an elegant, textural backdrop that draws the whole space together. A trailing floral design like Aderyn will feel at home on all walls, leading beautifully up the stairway and through to the adjacent rooms. 

Rather than painting your woodwork and ceiling in the habitual white, integrate these elements into your scheme to create a cocooning atmosphere. The Olive Colour colourway coordinates well with related greens, Sage Green, Olive Colour and Invisible Green.

Wallpaper: Spring Flowers – Garden and Spring Flowers – Portland Stone (c.1910), Door frame: Portland Stone - Pale, Window frame: Garden, Cabinet doors: Hopper

Transform a small space with all-over wallpaper

You might be a little overwhelmed at the prospect of using wallpaper all over in a large, multi-functional living space. Instead, consider introducing wallpaper in one of the smallest rooms in your home, such as your downstairs bathroom or utility room.

These compact spaces offer a wonderful opportunity to embrace wallpaper across every surface, including the ceiling. A pretty, floral wallpaper like Spring Flowers will evoke the freshness of the outdoors without being overpowering, making this practical room a joy to be in.

You could also use wallpaper in two different colourways to create a connection between two separate spaces. The neutral Portland Stone colourway would be an excellent choice for your kitchen walls, for example, leading beautifully into the more vibrant Garden colourway for your adjoining utility space.

Capricorn– Boringdon, Cornice & ceiling: Slaked Lime, Skirting/trim: Elysian Ground, Fireplace: Baluster

Showcase our Capricorn mural in your living space

If you are looking for a complete room transformation, use our new mural wallpaper, Capricorn. This lush, leafy panoramic design provides one of the simplest ways to create impactful change in your living space.

Wallpaper all four walls to fill your room with an instant atmosphere of calm and tranquillity, as its botanical scenery harnesses the uplifting effects of nature inside your home.

To accompany the Boringdon colourway, choose related, natural shades for your ceiling and trim. Use Elysian Ground on your skirting and Slaked Lime on the ceiling to integrate these elements into the tonal gradient of the wallpaper, drawing your eyes upwards and making the room feel more expansive.

Ditsy Block – Phthalo (c.1900), Dado panel & doors: Obsidian Green

Wallpaper the ceiling for a fun design statement

Although often painted white out of habit, the ceiling is the fifth wall of your room and has a big impact on how the space will feel. Incorporating the ceiling within your scheme is a great way to make the whole space feel complete, delivering a cohesive, encompassing finish.

Just as you would paint the ceiling in the same colour as your walls, consider continuing your chosen wallpaper onto the ceiling to create real design impact.

This approach is a wonderful choice for a hallway where you want to create a fresh and welcoming atmosphere. Use the playful motif, Ditsy Block – Phthalo, and team with panelled lower walls in Obsidian Green for a balanced, grounded look.

Mosaic Trail – Blush (c.1885), Ceiling & cornice: Slaked Lime - Mid, Trim: Nether Red, Stairs: Obsidian Green, Rear wall: French Grey

Utilise a tonal colour palette for an elegant finish

With its limited tonal palette, a two-tone wallpaper such as Mosaic Trail is perfect for a more understated, all-over wallpaper scheme. This elegant, floral trail combines harmoniously with related paint colours on the woodwork and upper walls for a truly sophisticated finish.

Team any of the Mosaic Trail colourways with a complementary neutral to create a subtle, textural backdrop. Or consider a stronger colour pairing – such as the Blush colourway with Nether Red – to allow your chosen paint colour to take the lead visually.

Visit the product page for each wallpaper to find our recommended colour pairings.

Related Articles

Restoration at Coughton Court

Restoration at Coughton Court

Inviting autumnal schemes

Inviting autumnal schemes

Our ‘Double Drenching’ guide to painting window frames  

Our ‘Double Drenching’ guide to painting window frames  

Adding character to your kitchen with @av.home

Adding character to your kitchen with @av.home