Text by Elizabeth Czapski
Come summer, our design focus tends to shift outdoors, but if you’re looking to refresh your home’s interiors with vibrant flair fitting of the sunny season, try adding a fun, colorful paper to your walls. Wallpaper is in the midst of a major resurgence, so why not ride the wave and find the perfect print to show off your personality—it’s guaranteed to make you smile any time you step into a space covered from floor to ceiling in your chosen design. And there’s nowhere wallpaper makes a greater impact than in small areas where it can claim the spotlight with minimal competition. With summer in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite small spaces with bright, boldly covered walls sure to spark inspiration to enliven your own.
Grand Entrance
An entryway or a foyer is the ideal spot to employ a welcoming paper that makes an immediate impression. This Feather Palm wallpaper from Tempaper brings the refreshing feel of summer on the coast to your home’s interiors, while its blue-and-white scheme instills timelessness. An added bonus, its peel-and-stick design allows you to be more daringly experimental.
The Fun in Function
While the laundry room might not be at the top of your decorating to-do list, this delightful space showcases the benefits of giving its walls some extra attention. Break up the monotony of all the time you spend doing laundry with some pretty views that brighten your day. The color-loving owners of this Georgia home went with a vivid floral pattern from Rifle Paper Co. that reminds them of their Floridian roots.
Oriental Oasis
There’s no better way to set the mood in a bathroom than with a dreamy wallpaper. GP & J Baker’s Oriental Tree pattern in Pale Aqua evokes a tranquil, spa-like atmosphere, transporting you to a serene alfresco destination, just as all their Emperor’s Garden collection papers are designed to do. The subtle print becomes more prominent when broken up by contrasting elements like cream-colored arches, textured curtains, and tiling with a structured scheme.
Secret Garden
Your closet is where most of your personal style decisions happen, so why not cloak the space in something that injects inspiration into your daily routine? The owner of this Texas-modern cottage went all in on a look that feels classically feminine with a touch of glam, covering the ceiling and vanity nook in Designers Guild’s rosy Marianne print in Fuchsia. The artful motif pairs perfectly with sweet heirlooms, like the vanity—painted pink—and an ornate mirror and chandelier that hang above.
Drama Queen
A breakfast nook is a hallmark of cottage charm, and one of the best ways to bring that charm to its utmost potential is to highlight the little alcove with a paper that stands out. When furnishings and accents already bear vibrant color, black makes a bold statement that can also read neutral, ensuring a cohesive look that doesn’t overwhelm. With a mix of vivid fabrics on the fronts, backs, and seats of French Louis XVI-style chairs, Schumacher’s iconic 1960s Queen of Spain pattern provides just the right amount of contrast and coordination, completing the seamless union of vintage and contemporary employed throughout this kitchen.
Stairway to Paradise
An enclosed staircase decked top to bottom in a dynamic wallpaper is a definite way to draw attention. The grand oversize banana leaf motif of this Hinson Palm pattern instantly instills a tropical vibe no matter your locale. Darked-stained wood with a natural sheen grounds the animated print with fitting luster, while a woven runner adds a another nod to the beach.
Study Buddy
Whether working from home or simply looking for a place to spend some solitary time, designating a small home office or study has become a common design trend in recent years, and what better way to bring cheer to this type of personal space than with some fun walls. This lovely botanical print from the Xanthina Wallcoverings collection by The Romo Group’s Black Edition has the appearance of blossoms against the backdrop of a cloudless sky. A rug with a geometric design balances the whimsy of the blooms, while white and acrylic fixtures refrain from pulling focus.
