Bedroom wallpaper ideas - 17 bold looks for patterned perfection

Bedroom wallpaper ideas for spaces where the walls do the talking

bedroom wallpaper ideas - modern graphic wallpaper in bedroom
(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)

Modern bedroom wallpaper ideas cover everything from map walls and statement murals, to industrial-inspired concrete and cement effects and even purposefully distressed looks.

Fancy a floral? Highlight the delicate pattern by keeping adjoining walls in exposed brick for a refreshingly modern spin.

Murals don't have to be overpowering, and can actually create a very zen-like space in which to sleep. By using gentle blues and picking out the same shade in the scatter cushions, the effect is one of overall calm.

Prefer something plain? Go for all-over colour in a subtly textured paper to let the art and furniture do the talking. And for something in between, botanical inspired wallpapers are great for creating a restful, neutral scheme.

These modern bedroom ideas showcase a whole host of fabulous and fascinating wallpapers...

1. The new statement wall

The phrase 'statement wall' can feel a bit Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, but there's a modern way to achieve this bedroom wallpaper idea which creates maximum impact while leaving memories of Changing Rooms behind. 

Here, the wallpaper mimics the pattern of the bedhead and frame, while clashing boldly with the blinds. And for extra oomph, the walls that are left un-papered are painted in a vivid blue the same as the statement wall - there is a thread that runs through the whole space, linking the area together. The statement wall is less of a statement, more part of a conversation. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

(Image credit: Future)

2. The bold repeat

And you thought bedrooms had to be calming spaces! How enlivening is this strong pattern, how energised do you think it will make you feel each morning? The trick is to keep everything else quite simple - note the thin bedframe and white sheets so that the room is not overwhelming.

bedroom wallpaper ideas

(Image credit: Future)

3. Tropical backdrops

One design trend to take note of is the rise of decorative scenic wallpapers and wall art panels. These can be interpreted in many ways, from abstract patterns to lively florals. Be wary of the feature wall, and instead take a maximalist approach and cover all four aspects. This monochromatic jungle mural evokes faraway shores. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: Panoramic Escape wall panel, £175, Caselio. Find a similar sage green linen double duvet cover, £160, Piglet

(Image credit: Future)

4. Back to nature

A pretty, nature-inspired wallpaper pattern strikes a laid-back, easy note, especially when seen in a restful hue such as green or blue. Here, strong blocks of colour ensure the overall scheme looks chic and modern. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: Old Oak wallpaper in Pomona Green/Fawn, £140 a roll, Common Room. Easton chest in Orange, £3,202, Nina Campbell. Lillee table lamp in Ebony, £63, Pooky. Signature small scallop lampshade in raffia with red trim, £132, Matilda Goad. Solo picture, £175, Mary Norden.

(Image credit: Polly Wreford)

5. Modern classic

A floral William Morris wallpaper stretches across the whole of this master bedroom. The paper feels neutral and quiet, despite the zany all-over pattern. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: Wallpaper is William Morris’ “Blackthorn”

(Image credit: Stacy Zarin Goldberg)

6. All mapped out

As the house was built in 1893, the enlarged map on the wall is of the area from 1892. It’s fascinating to really look at what London was like then. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: The map wallpaper is by Love Maps On… The bespoke headboard was designed by Paul and Tim and made by Material Concepts. This is the Tribeca Duane pendant light by Søren Rose for Menu at Nest. The bespoke Andwoodcraft side table includes a Buster + Punch pull handle.

(Image credit: Paul Craig)

7. Sophisticated grasscloth

The grasscloth wallpaper adds texture while the brass accents add warmth.

bedroom wallpaper ideas

(Image credit: Lindsay Salazar)

8. Mellow yellow

A yellow botanical print wallpaper creates an upbeat, sunny bedroom. The upholstered headboard, Kilim rug and inlay side table are all a nod to somewhere more exotic. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: Wallpaper is by Marta Armitage. Bed was custom made. Kilim rug is antique.

(Image credit: Photography by Suzanna Scott)

9. Round the corner

A fun wallpaper by Osborne and Little creates a feature wall in this guest bedroom. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: wallpaper by Osborne and Little. B&W photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)

10. Up to the ceiling

This pattern rich wallpaper continues onto the ceiling in this attic bedroom. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: The walls and ceiling are covered in Khaki Fantasy wallpaper by Susi Bellamy. The vintage Sixties armchair is Italian.

(Image credit: Future)

11. Set the tone

Here, the walls glow in a bespoke, hand-painted Chinese wallpaper by de Gournay.

Yes, this is a pretty dramatic look, but by keeping the wallpaper tonally similar to the headboard and accessories, it blends together into one cocooning space.

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look The wallpaper is by de Gournay.

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

12. Silk wallcovering

Like grasscloth wallcoverings, silk wallcoverings are also ideal for creating a grown-up, chic and sophisticated look.

bedroom wallpaper ideas

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

13. Ombre effect

In this girls bedroom, a modern ombre effect wallpaper sets the tone and colour scheme for the rest of the room.

bedroom wallpaper ideas

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

14. Charming contrast

The bare brick wall and roof rafters are exposed, the roughness of the exposed brick highlighted by the decorative wallpaper. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: This is Earlham wallpaper by de Gournay. The bed is from Poliform. The floral cushion is from Mint.

(Image credit: Future)

15. Touch of drama

There’s a certain sumptuousness to this space, with its rich textures and colours. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: The Night Indigo wallpaper is from the Calico Collection at Calico. The bedside table and mirror are by B&B Italia. The lamp is by Porta Romana.

(Image credit: Future)

16. Distressed effect

The chimney breast was extended to match the exact width of the super-king-size bed and the walls have been distressed and painted to resemble the musty mystique of a flooded château. Layers of paint and varnish were added to build up the elegantly decayed look. A distressed-effect wallpaper could achieve the same effect. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: The paint effect was created by Jason Hawkridge using Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue estate emulsion. The rattan bed is from Crown French Furniture. The bed linen is by Larusi.

(Image credit: Future)

17. Concrete contrast

Choose a concrete wall or concrete-effect wallpaper. This master bedroom been transformed into something really rather gorgeous with the gold-leaf ceiling, one raw concrete wall and lacquered green elsewhere. We love the mix-up of modern and traditional. 

bedroom wallpaper ideas

Get the look: The gold-leaf ceiling was applied by Clare Lewis. The Christy duvet cover and Biba pillowcases are from House of Fraser. The Infamous Sex Etching in the Boudoir print is by LE GUN at Cob Gallery. The parquet floor is antique charred Japanese ash from Victorian Woodworks.

(Image credit: Future)
Lotte Brouwer

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.