Wall Coverings: Dazzle With Style In Plain Sight

Wall coverings function on many levels. You can use wall coverings to create wall art or hide things like holes or a private stash box. There are an overwhelming number of unique wall coverings, and finding that perfect one takes time and effort.  

Whether shopping for a wall covering for your family room, dining room, or sitting room, consider each room’s decor. You wouldn’t want your walls to clash with wall covering if your room had wood paneling, for example. Also, when covering a wall, you want it to complement the ceiling. 

Wall Coverings

Wall murals, graphic designs, and 3D tiles have the power to transform or create a space. Here, we’ll show you wall covering ideas that will help narrow your search. If you don’t want to use wallpaper for your space, you’ve come to the right place.

Unique Wall Coverings

Photo murals are popular and Fliepaper offers some unique wall covering ideas. For more information or to order a wall covering, visit their website. The photo-based designs are by celebrity photographer Don Flood.

The wall coverings feature large-scale images of textures, colors, and motifs. 

Colorful geologic patterning makes for a dramatic wall.
Colorful geologic patterning makes for a dramatic wall and looks like the real thing.

Grey Scale Walls

Flowers in greyscale are just as gorgeous as full color.
Flowers in grey scale are just as gorgeous as full color.

The wall art from Deborah Bowness are a far cry from mass-produced wallpaper. The English artist hand-prints each pattern in a small factory in Yorkshire.

The artist mixes the colors by hand and cuts the paper by hand to create original wall covering ideas. The wall coverings provide wall texture in ways that regular wallpaper falls short.

Wall Art

These are a bold, graphic choice.
These are bold, graphic choices.

If you like art, then why not use wall art to change your indoor space? A sitting room would come to life with something like this example. 

Muted Wall Covering Ideas

Even with muted colors, papers by Deborah Bowness are striking.
Even with muted colors, papers by Deborah Bowness are striking.

Maybe not suitable for your dining room, but this would work in a college dorm room. Inspired by the revolutionary themes of the early 20th century, this wall decor would make any college student happy.

Nothing says warmth to a young idealist than a societal uprising. Besides, who wants luxury when they can have chaos instead? Here’s another example of how there is unlimited wall covering ideas for your indoor spaces.

Wall Texture

Just black and white, or with pops of color, the designs are engaging.
Just black and white, or with pops of color, the designs are engaging.

Perhaps you want an artful wall covering with a specific theme or design for your space. Designer Emily Dupen of Dupenny is an illustrator that can create a pattern design for your wall space, installation, or fabric.

Fashion, whimsy and graphics are all possibilities.
Fashion, whimsy and graphics are all possibilities.

In her studio by the sea in Brighton, England, Dupen “spends her days doodling lovely pictures for clients and projects all over the world.” Dupenny encompasses playful and sophisticated boutique wall coverings, fabrics, and gifts. It may look at childsplay, but it’s a sophisticated form of wall art that’s becoming more popular with homeowners.

Textiles

Flock focuses on geometric patterns.
Flock focuses on geometric patterns.

If you can’t commit to a graphic design for an entire wall, textiles are a great option for drapes and accessories. If you have walls in a family room that you want to cover, textiles would be a smart option.

Established in 2013, Flock works with an eclectic mix of artists and designers to create bold textiles for interiors. British creative director Jenny Winfield is behind the effort of producing designs for upholstery and soft furnishings printed digitally in Lancashire, England.

Modern Chinoiserie

Flora and fauna are common in Witch & Watchman's designs.
Flora and fauna are common in Witch & Watchman’s designs.

Mixing bold wall coverings and textiles is another option. London-based Witch and Watchman, founded in 2014 by Helen Wilson, create designs that are a modern take on Chinoiserie.

Wall Pattern

Even the lighter patterns are dramatic.
Even the lighter patterns are dramatic.

The elaborate prints have a dark, and mysterious vibe. Her collection of textiles, wall coverings cushions, and fabrics are great fodder for your imagination when designing a room.

Small Patterns

In ancient Alexandria, all papyri that passed through the port had to be copied and added to the library.
In ancient Alexandria, all papyri that passed through the port had to be copied and added to the library.

Wall covering ideas do not need to be bold or colored or feature a large-scale design to transform a space. Grow House Grow creates “narrative-inspired pattern work” that features small patterns. If you wanted something for your ceiling rather than a wall covering they could create a pattern for that. 

Colorful Wall Coverings

Mercury wall panel
Small, delicate designs still make a big impact.

The company hand silk screens its papers in Brooklyn, New York. Designer Katie Deedy starts each design with a story that drives the finished work.

Fabric Wall Coverings

Hygge and west wallpapers

Beautiful geometric patterns made with fabric represent some of the designs by Hygge and West, a female duo that works with a talented team of artists in designing and producing hand-screened wallpapers.

The company is founded on the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) which loosely translates to “cozy.” Each pattern offers a warmth that’s ideal for any living space.

Hanging Wall Coverings

Hygge west graphic selection

The founders say that life’s small but wonderful moments can be described as hygge. By curling up next to a fireplace with a great book, dinners with close friends, or hugs with your children, your space will be more enjoyable with the right wall art coverings hanging from the walls. 

Temporary Solutions

Tyles come in modern, exotic or traditional style patterns.
Tyles come in modern, exotic or traditional style patterns.

Why paint when your bedroom when you can cover the walls with unique designs that had beauty to the space? If you’re afraid of making a commitment to a large or expensive piece of wall art in your home, try this cheaper option.  Tyles may be just the ticket.  Made from cut vinyl, the squares peel and stick onto the wall and are easy to remove.  

Just like a decal, Tyles peel off and adhere to the wall.
Just like a decal, Tyles peel off and adhere to the wall.

Creator Nicole Block says that they are not a  replacement for real tile and are not a faux finish. Their ease of removal makes them perfect for offices or apartments, where permanent change isn’t possible or desirable. Even better, you can easily switch out the design in a room to change it up.

Wood Paneling

Wall coverings include wood paneling designs. Here are a few ways you can use different textures to cover your walls. 

Dimensional Tiles 

Highstye tiles for wall covering

Real tile options have come a long way from just the flat, shiny squares that most people remember. Now, in addition to various textures and colors, three-dimensional designs are now coming to the fore.

This is a selection from High Style Stone and Tile, that incorporates a variety of 3D designs. 

Wall Texture

An unusual graphic relief casts unique shadows.
An unusual graphic relief casts unique shadows.

High Style imports porcelain, ceramic tile, glass, metal, mosaic, and natural stone from Italy and across the globe. Their style is a different kind of wall art for you walls.

Small honeycomb-style rimmed tiles add incredible dimension to any wall.
Small honeycomb-style rimmed tiles add incredible dimension to any wall.
These large wall slabs come in various colors and surface veining, inspired by precious stones, onyx, crystals and minerals.
These large wall slabs come in various colors and surface veining, inspired by precious stones, onyx, crystals and minerals.

Innovative Designs

Smooth or angular, concrete makes for dramatic tile textures.
Smooth or angular, concrete makes for dramatic tile textures.

Tiles have been the specialty of Walker Zanger for more than 60 years.  The company sources stone and marble from around the world that they turn into their stunning tile designs.  

"Lantern" is another example of a concrete tile design.
“Lantern” is another example of a concrete tile design.

Their newer collections feature concrete designs, 3D tiles, and retro graphics. This is the first wave of tile wall art in the 21st century. The styles are  eye-catching and design-forward, as well as appropriate for many spaces in your home — not just the bathroom and kitchen.

Edgy tile from the Kaza Collection.
Edgy tile from the Kaza Collection.

Concrete styles allow for different 3D designs like this example,”Seed” tile, from a collaboration between Kaza, a European tile studio, and Walker Zanger. The tile is good for indoor and outdoor applications.

Textile Imposters

fish skin wall covering

Walker Zanger’s Knit collection includes the Quilt, Twill, and Corduroy designs, which mimic each look of the fabric.  Placed like shingles, the flat tiles take on a 3D appearance, instead of being the real thing.

Honeycomb-shaped Montclair Relief tiles get the 3D treatment as well.
Honeycomb-shaped Montclair Relief tiles get the 3D treatment as well.

In a combination of mosaic and retro graphics, this design is slightly texture and very modern.

The brown design is far from boring.
The brown design is far from boring.

Tile Wall Covering Ideas

Tile is good for any wall space. As a wall covering, tile is no longer a simple and single color surface. If you don’t want wood paneling, tile is your best option.

Tile Wall Art

The hand-painted Ripple"pattern.
The hand-painted ripple pattern.

“Sketchbook” is another popular tile line. Their style inspires retro appeal. Featuring organic and geometric designs in black, blue-grey, and yellow, what space wouldn’t look great with this tile? The delicate black lines are hand-painted, making each piece an original work.

Whoever said tile isn’t wall art never saw tile designs like this. There isn’t an end to unique wall coverings, and tile proves this. 

Boho Tile

Flame by Walker Zanger.
Flame by Walker Zanger.

They everything from basic tile designs to boho styles. This example creates a feel that is fit enough for most rooms. The thing about unique wall coverings is how they can be applied to any space, with tile as no exception.

Sunshine Pattern

The lowly Dandelion is elevated to a fantastic tile design.
The lowly Dandelion is elevated to a fantastic tile design.

This tile pattern is tailored made for any bathroom space. The beauty of this design is its subtle grace enhanced with different colors. 

House Walls

Simple concentric circles become a dramatic tile backdrop.
Simple concentric circles become a dramatic tile backdrop.

This tile pattern would look good in an entryway or foyer space. You could also install it in a hallway. If you have a business, and you’re looking for a backdrop, your search could end here and you’d be just as happy.

Walker zanger large circles

3D Texture

Most people may not realize that wall coverings are available in 3D designs. Here are a few fine examples that will inspire you to think outside of the box.

Wood Panels

Phoenix is made of furniture-grade hardwood and carvings.
Phoenix is made of furniture-grade hardwood and carvings.

If you prefer your 3D wall treatment with a more rustic touch, Wonderwall Studios wall panels are a unique choice. Using salvaged wood from derelict houses, old barns, and other sources, the design team creates panels that you can use anywhere in your home.

Natural Wall Panel

Mercury is the lightest colored wall panel option.
Mercury is the lightest colored wall panel option. The fine details here look like a wood-made cabin wall from the 18th century.

It doesn’t matter what you choose to cover your walls as long it makes your space better. Most importantly, with the wide range of choices available, you can create a chic and stylish interior that will inspire your visitors to do the same. 

FAQs

How Many Types Of Wall Coverings Are There?

The various types of wall coverings include paper backed vinyl, silk, tweed, Bessain, cork, grass paper, wood, stone, or brick. 

How Do You Hang Fabric On A Cement Wall?

Pull the top of your fabric over to the next furring strip and tack it in place. Pull the bottom edge over and tack it as well. Place upholstery tacks every six inches between the top and bottom tack on the furring strip to hold the fabric in place. Continue attaching your fabric until the entire wall is covered.

What Is The Most Common Wall Covering?

The most common types of wall coverings are paint, wallpaper, and tiles. Some less traditional options are wood, fabric, and mirrors. Paint and wallpaper come in a variety of colors and finishes. Tiles are the best choice for kitchen backsplashes and bathrooms.

What Is Temporary Wallpaper?

Removable wallpaper is exactly what sounds like: a wallpaper option that is easy to remove. You may also know it as peel and stick or temporary wallpaper. Whether you are a renter, in college, or just like change, removable wallpaper is an affordable and amazing solution to add character and color to any dull room.

Is Peel And Stick Wallpaper Expensive?

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is expensive to produce and therefore hard to find at  reasonable prices. Ironically, using regular wallpaper can often be much cheaper.

Wall Covering Ideas Conclusion

Now you know more about wall coverings, you should have plenty of ideas on how to cover your walls. If you’re covering a dining room, for example, be careful when using different colors. With a space like a dining room, you don’t want your walls to be a distraction. 

Unique wall coverings are fun to play with, and you they’re available in a variety of styles. When covering walls, hanging wallpaper is a hassle, so you want to go with an easier option. 

You should cover your walls with nature themes, as one idea. The wall should capture the beauty and provide warmth for the space. If you want luxury, then go with bold colors. When redecorating a bedroom, take into account the person who occupies the space.