I Asked 5 Designers What Wallpaper Trends Are Out for 2026, and They All Agreed
As the design pendulum sits squarely in maximalist territory, it’s safe to say that wallpaper is here to stay. A fun pattern can add a bold, undeniable touch of whimsy to virtually any space. But just because wallpaper has staying power doesn’t mean that any old roll will do. Turns out, the prints that were once all the rage might make your place look old or outdated today.
I asked a few designers about the wallpaper styles that are on the outs — and what they predict will be all the rage in no time. Does this mean you should re-wallpaper your entire home? Not if you don’t want to. Ultimately, your space should be a reflection of you, so if you love these wallpaper styles in your place, keep ’em. However, if you want to freshen up your space in 2026, here are a few you may want to reconsider.
3 Wallpaper Trends That are “Out” for 2025
The three trends that designers agreed were on the outs have all been popular in recent years. The consensus? Large-format repetitive prints and faux-textures are simply not it for 2026.
Goodbye, Geometric
While bold, geometric shapes might conjure groovy vibes of the 1970s, designers say this look is reaching its expiration date. “They had their moment, but they can feel harsh and dated now, especially in small spaces,” explains Jade Joyner, owner of Metal + Petal in Athens, Georgia. Hill Rondero of Ro House Studio agrees, noting these graphic prints can “quickly overwhelm a space and feel [too] trendy.”
For a punchy alternative, Rondero says you can’t go wrong with the classics. “I’m drawn to stripes, plaids, florals, even animal prints,” the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, designer explains. “They bring depth and personality without the visual fatigue, and they age with more grace.”
Buh-Bye, Bold Florals
Flowers? On your walls? Groundbreaking. While floral repeats will likely not leave for good, New York designer Lara Apelian says big blooms can conjure “grandmom’s attic vibes.” Not to mention a large-scale repeat can totally overwhelm your walls. “Large floral wallpapers can dominate spaces and feel visually chaotic,” adds Killy Scheer, Austin-based designer.
Instead, Scheer leans toward “restrained botanicals.” As she says, “Stylized foliage or smaller scale graphic florals, which make it easier to layer in other patterns, textures, and elements.”
Farewell, Faux Texture
Shiplap and exposed brick can definitely give your walls some textured charm, but designers are begging you not to try to fake the look with wallpaper. Joyner says these patterns can “quickly cheapen” a room — and she’s not alone. “Wallpapers that mimic wood paneling, brick, or stone can come off as gimmicky,” Scheer notes.
This is because the quality of these prints “is often low, with pixelation or less optimal printing practices,” she adds. “For example, an overly glossy or an ‘Inkjet feel.’” If you do want to add a touch of texture to your walls, opt instead for softer and more authentic textured materials. “Grass cloth, silks, or natural weaves that add depth without screaming for attention,” Joyner says.
2 Wallpaper Trends That are “In” for 2025
So what to do instead? I also asked the designers which trends they thought might replace the old-fashioned styles above, and I am loving their answers.
Make Way for Murals
Why settle for an accent wall when the entire room can be your canvas? “Scenic murals are trending,” says Tracy Morris, an interior designer in McLean, Virginia. “They let walls tell a story with large-scale, immersive imagery instead of relying on accent walls.”
Covering all four walls in a dynamic fresco can offer a cozy, fully immersive experience. “No accent walls here!” Scheer says. As for the subject of your mural, Apelian says you can’t go wrong with landscapes and (subtler) botanicals. “They envelop a room and transport you,” she notes. “We love them!”
Wow with Wallpaper-Drenching
Color and pattern-drenching are so in right now. So why not wallpaper drenching? “Rather than defining one wall plane, we see a general proclivity towards the wallpaper encompassing a room holistically,” Apelian says. The secret, according to Morris, is to give every surface the same treatment. “Wallpapered ceilings — treating the overhead space as the ‘fifth wall’ — are being used in more rooms to bring cohesion and surprise,” she explains.