The Wallpaper Comeback: Why Walls Are Getting Dressed Again
There was a time when wallpaper meant fussy florals, curling edges, and regrettable pastels. But like many design staples of the past, it’s having a moment, and this time, it’s dressed to impress. Today’s wallpaper doesn’t whisper in the background. It tells a story. It draws a line between the everyday and the curated. And it’s reclaiming its space in the world of modern interiors.
From historic restoration to hyper-contemporary prints, wallpaper is more than a surface—it’s a signal.
Let’s explore why the paper is back, how it got here, and what it says when it stays.
A Brief History of Wallpaper in American Homes
Wallpaper has long reflected shifts in taste, technology, and cultural aspiration.
In colonial America, imported European papers—chinoiserie scenes, damask motifs—signaled status. The French led the way in artisanal block-printed panels, with makers like Zuber & Cie producing panoramas that bordered on fine art.
The 19th century saw a democratic flourish. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, patterned papers were suddenly affordable. Mass production invited florals, faux-marble, and trompe l’oeil designs into middle-class homes. By the turn of the 20th century, Arts and Crafts principles promoted handmade aesthetics, drawing eyes to honest, nature-inspired patterns.
Then came the 20th-century design carousel: Art Deco geometry. Postwar pastel kitchens. Psychedelic prints in the 1960s. Bold, earthy murals in the 1970s. By the 1980s, wallpaper hit peak saturation—and by the 1990s, the pendulum swung. Minimalism took over. Beige was the new brave. Wallpaper quietly faded into tacky disrepute.
But design is cyclical. And like so many once-dismissed trends, wallpaper has returned—reimagined for a culture newly hungry for depth, soul, and story.
Why Wallpaper, Why Now?
In an era of swipeable interiors and algorithm-approved palettes, wallpaper reclaims the element of surprise.
It’s tactile, cinematic, and deeply personal. Today’s homeowners want rooms that feel—not just look—designed. Mood over minimalism; presence over polish.
Instagram and Pinterest have undoubtedly played a role. So have boutique hotels and art-forward vacation rentals. These spaces reintroduced the idea that walls can be dressed—not just painted. And that design can be expressive without being overwhelming.
There’s also a generational shift at play. Millennials and Gen Z, raised in homes of taupe and builder-grade sameness, are drawn to interiors with texture and emotion. Wallpaper offers that. It’s nostalgic and fresh all at once.
This isn’t your grandmother’s wallpaper. This is curated mood. A botanical jungle in a breakfast nook. A hand-drawn toile in a nursery. A swirling marble in a powder room. It’s not just decoration…it’s destination.
The Art of the Print
Wallpaper, at its best, is a printmaking practice. It lives at the intersection of design and craft. Surface printing—an old technique that uses thick ink and rollers—creates subtle, raised textures. Gravure printing allows for fine detail and depth. Digital methods open the door for photographic and custom work. And then there’s block printing: slow, methodical, and deeply human.
What sets wallpaper apart from paint is not just pattern—it’s atmosphere. Paint offers color; wallpaper offers story. Whether it’s a mid-century study in burnt orange, a jungle vignette, or a misty Scandinavian forest, wallpaper shapes how a room breathes.
In this way, wallpaper feels more aligned with textile or mural work than it does with surface coating. It's not just about hue. It's about rhythm, tone, and memory.
Bespoke & Handmade: Where Wallpaper Becomes Art
Beyond showroom books and standard rolls lies a thriving world of slow wallpaper: produced by hand, one panel at a time. These makers often mix their own pigments, print with woodblocks passed down for generations, or hand-paint entire collections.
This is wallpaper as an object, not a backdrop.
The growing desire for bespoke interiors—spaces that feel curated, not copied—has revived interest in handmade wall-coverings. Whether gilded, embroidered, or brush-rendered, they bring a softness and resonance that mass-production rarely matches.
There’s a quiet luxury in this work. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t scream trend. It whispers intention.
Featured Studios: Boutique Wallpaper Artisans to Know
1. Callidus Guild – Brooklyn, NY
Renowned for their hand-painted, gilded wallpapers inspired by nature and architecture. Each collection feels like a meditation on light and movement.
https://www.callidusguild.com
2. Porter Teleo – Kansas City, MO
This studio blurs the line between abstract art and wallpaper. Each roll is hand-painted or hand-printed, ensuring every project is one-of-a-kind.
https://porterteleo.com
3. Juju Papers – Portland, OR
Modern patterns with a whimsical, organic feel. Eco-conscious and screen-printed by hand.
https://www.jujupapers.com
4. Voutsa – New York, NY
Known for playful, hand-drawn patterns in bold colors. The brand has collaborated with designers like Kelly Wearstler.
https://www.voutsa.com
How Paint and Wallpaper Work Together
Wallpaper makes a statement—but it doesn’t have to shout over paint. The two can work beautifully in tandem, creating layered, dynamic spaces.
Trim & Ceiling: Consider soft neutrals like Farrow & Ball “Shadow White” or Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace.” These shades quietly frame a patterned wall.
Adjacent Walls: Not every wall needs a pattern. Pair with calming hues like Sherwin Williams “Green Earth” or BM “Boothbay Gray” to create contrast and flow.
Finishes: Matte or eggshell finishes allow the paper to shine without competition.
Paint supports wallpaper’s drama… or helps it retreat. It’s the harmony behind the soloist.
Final Thoughts: From Background to Centerpiece
Wallpaper isn’t just a comeback—it’s a cultural correction. In a time where everything feels disposable, predictable, and mass-manufactured, wallpaper offers the opposite: permanence, personality, and pause.
Walls are no longer blank canvases. They’re places to tell stories, to frame memories, to invite imagination. Whether it’s a maximalist mural, a historical repeat, or an artisan creation made just for you—today’s wallpaper is dressed to last.
And if you need help prepping a space, painting trim, or choosing the perfect complementary palette—Stanwich Painting is here for it.
Need help preparing your space for wallpaper—or choosing the right trim color to match?
Stanwich Painting offers expert prep, priming, and premium painting services throughout Fairfield County.
Citations & Further ReadingA Brief History of Wallpaper
Victoria & Albert Museum – A Brief History of Wallpaper explores the evolution of wallpapers from hand-printed paneling to industrial mass production and beyond.https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/a-brief-history-of-wallpaperWallpaper as a Craft and Cultural Marker
Victoria & Albert Museum – Wallpaper Design Reform covers how industrialization and exhibitions like the Great Exhibition of 1851 elevated the craft and quality of wallpaper.https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/wallpaper-design-reformWilliam Morris & the Arts & Crafts Legacy
Victoria & Albert Museum – William Morris and Wallpaper Design—outlines Morris’s handcrafted block-printed designs and the philosophy behind pattern as craft. https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/william-morris-and-wallpaper-designWallpaper’s Resurgence in Design Culture
The Guardian – Curtains, Wellies, Nuclear Subs: How William Morris Mania Swept the World (Apr 2025)—demonstrates how historic patterns have regained relevance in contemporary interiors.https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/07/william-morris-mania-nuclear-subs-tsars-palaceHome Decor Bliss. “Wallpaper Designs That Are Making a Comeback.” Home Decor Bliss,https://homedecorbliss.com/wallpaper-designs-that-are-making-comeback/Architectural Digest – Scenic Wallpaper Is Back—Here’s How to Do It Right, According to the Pros.A detailed look at the return of large-scale mural wallpapers and expert installation tips.https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/trending-wallpapers-2022