- February 4, 2026
- Yolanda Brooks
From layered botanicals to expressive murals, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of wallpaper that feels personal, emotional, and deeply lived-in.
In 2026, wallpaper moves far beyond decoration. Instead, it plays an active role in shaping how a home feels and functions. Across projects, showrooms, and trend forecasting, designers are choosing wallpaper intentionally—to create atmosphere, guide the eye, and anchor a space.
As a result, wallpaper now forms part of a home’s visual language rather than acting as a final layer. Below, we explore the key wallpaper trends defining 2026 and how they’re showing up in real interiors.
Botanical & Nature-Inspired Wallpaper: A Return to the Familiar
Nature has always influenced wallpaper design. However, in 2026, botanical wallpaper feels more grounded and nostalgic than before. Instead of crisp, graphic florals, designers are turning to layered botanicals, softened leaves, trailing vines, and garden-inspired scenes that feel gently timeworn.
Rather than demanding attention, these designs settle into a room. They bring calm, warmth, and a sense of permanence—especially in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining spaces where comfort matters just as much as beauty.
Because of their softness, botanical wallpapers pair effortlessly with natural materials and muted colour palettes, helping interiors feel welcoming rather than overly styled.
Watercolour Wallpaper: Soft Edges, Emotional Spaces
Watercolour-inspired wallpaper continues to gain momentum in 2026. With blurred edges, tonal washes, and subtle movement, these designs feel painterly, atmospheric, and expressive.
Instead of reading as a repeating pattern, watercolour wallpaper behaves more like art. It adds emotion to a space without defining it too rigidly. For that reason, designers often use it in bedrooms, stairwells, and quiet sitting rooms where the room should unfold slowly.
Even better, this trend adapts easily. Depending on the palette and scale, watercolour wallpaper can feel romantic, modern, or organic.
Stripes, Checks & Plaid Wallpaper: Tradition, Reimagined
Classic patterns are making a return, yet they appear softer and more relaxed than in years past. In 2026, striped, checkered, and plaid wallpapers feel less formal and more organic, often featuring uneven lines, woven textures, or gentle tonal variation.
While these patterns reference heritage and tailoring, they still feel current. As a result, they work beautifully in offices, dining rooms, and transitional spaces where structure matters—but stiffness does not.
Ultimately, this trend offers quiet confidence: familiar, grounding, and timeless.
Line Drawings & Brush Stroke Wallpaper: Imperfection as Design
One of the clearest shifts in wallpaper design for 2026 is the embrace of imperfection. Designers are increasingly choosing line drawings, sketch-like motifs, and expressive brush strokes to add character and movement.
These wallpapers feel human and artistic. You can sense the hand behind the design, which makes spaces feel more personal and less manufactured. Whether used as a subtle backdrop or a full-room installation, they add interest without overwhelming the room.
Above all, this trend reflects a broader desire for homes that feel authentic rather than overly finished.
Panorama & Ombre Murals: Atmosphere Over Statement
Murals continue to evolve in 2026. Instead of bold, literal scenes, designers now focus on atmosphere and transition. Panorama landscapes, horizon lines, and ombre fades create depth while remaining soft and immersive.
By blurring the line between wall and architecture, these mural wallpapers help rooms feel larger and more intentional. Consequently, they’ve become especially popular in bedrooms, dining rooms, and open-concept spaces where visual flow matters.
Here, the goal isn’t drama—it’s immersion.
Maximalism & Personality: Collected, Not Chaotic
While minimalism still has its place, 2026 welcomes personality back into interiors. However, maximalism now appears in a more thoughtful, curated way.
Designers layer patterns, rich colours, and expressive wallpapers alongside meaningful furniture and collected objects. Rather than feeling excessive, these spaces tell a story. In many cases, wallpaper acts as the anchor that brings cohesion and balance to the room.
The Colour Story for 2026: Inspired by Benjamin Moore’s Colour Trends 2026 Palette
Across all of these wallpaper trends, the colour palette tells a consistent story. Drawing inspiration from Benjamin Moore’s Colour Trends for 2026, designers are favouring:
- Warm, clay-based neutrals
- Muted greens and olive tones
- Dusty blues and softened teals
- Earthy browns, caramel, and mushroom hues
- Gentle contrast in place of stark black and white
Together, these colours create calm, grounded interiors that allow pattern and texture to shine without overpowering the space.
Designing with Wallpaper in 2026
Ultimately, wallpaper trends for 2026 centre on emotion, texture, and intention. From botanical wallpaper and painterly washes to classic patterns, murals, and expressive line work, designers are creating homes that feel layered, personal, and lived-in.
Wallpaper itself isn’t a trend. How we use it—and how we live with it—continues to evolve.
All you need is wallpaper—and the right consultant by your side.
Contact us today and let us guide you through the journey of selecting the perfect wallpaper for your home.
