7 Dining Spaces Where Wallpaper Makes the Room
Bold color and pattern elevate these dining rooms in a range of styles
If you’re looking to spruce up your dining room, have you considered wallpaper? Since most of us don’t spend hours a day in this space — especially if we have a dedicated dining room — it can be the perfect place to experiment. Plus, adding wallpaper can be a relatively cost-efficient way to bring a dose of style to your dining room when compared with a full redecorating project that involves buying a new rug, furniture and lighting. Let one of these seven stylish rooms inspire your own wallpaper dreams.
2. Chinoiserie Chic
Chinoiserie style originated in the 17th and 18th century as a romanticized European interpretation of the Chinese aesthetic. In wallpaper, lush chinoiserie images can be very colorful or have a subtle palette. Either way, they make an elegant impact.
Why it works: In this beautiful dining room by Patrick Ahearn Architect, the white birds-and-trees motif stands out against a gorgeous blue background. Although the design is detailed, its simple colors allow the silhouettes to be the room’s focal point without overwhelming it. Everything in the room works together to allow the wallpaper to take center stage: White wainscoting and pale textiles and chairs highlight the wallpaper’s motif color, while a wood table and credenza act as complementary warm neutrals.
How to Try the Chinoiserie Trend at Home
Chinoiserie style originated in the 17th and 18th century as a romanticized European interpretation of the Chinese aesthetic. In wallpaper, lush chinoiserie images can be very colorful or have a subtle palette. Either way, they make an elegant impact.
Why it works: In this beautiful dining room by Patrick Ahearn Architect, the white birds-and-trees motif stands out against a gorgeous blue background. Although the design is detailed, its simple colors allow the silhouettes to be the room’s focal point without overwhelming it. Everything in the room works together to allow the wallpaper to take center stage: White wainscoting and pale textiles and chairs highlight the wallpaper’s motif color, while a wood table and credenza act as complementary warm neutrals.
How to Try the Chinoiserie Trend at Home
3. Black Beauty
This dramatic dining room by StyleHaus Interiors owes its debonair style in large part to its glamorous black-and-gold peacock wallpaper. Black and very dark colors are sure bets for elevating your dining room style. I recommend that you look for dark wallpaper with texture or subtle pattern to break the intensity of the color a bit.
Why it works: Plenty of light streaming through the windows and a large opening to another room with windows help balance this wallpaper’s dark hue. The light illuminates the gold details in the wallpaper (see the next photo for a closer look). The ceiling inset and the striking light fixture echo the dramatic hue of the wallpaper, creating a cohesive room.
This dramatic dining room by StyleHaus Interiors owes its debonair style in large part to its glamorous black-and-gold peacock wallpaper. Black and very dark colors are sure bets for elevating your dining room style. I recommend that you look for dark wallpaper with texture or subtle pattern to break the intensity of the color a bit.
Why it works: Plenty of light streaming through the windows and a large opening to another room with windows help balance this wallpaper’s dark hue. The light illuminates the gold details in the wallpaper (see the next photo for a closer look). The ceiling inset and the striking light fixture echo the dramatic hue of the wallpaper, creating a cohesive room.
Here’s a closer look at the wallpaper pattern and the chandelier.
Find an interior designer on Houzz to help you pick the perfect wallpaper
Find an interior designer on Houzz to help you pick the perfect wallpaper
4. Modern Wood
Installing a textured or printed wood-look wallpaper is a simple way to add a natural element to your room without investing in wood paneling or shiplap. Just like real wood, wood-inspired wallpapers come in a variety of hues. Wallpaper can convey vertical paneling, seamless panels or horizontal shiplap patterns, as seen in this room by Benjamin Dhong Interiors.
Why it works: Adding textured wallpaper gives the modern dining room a styled look without overwhelming the other elements of the design. The pale hue of the wallpaper pairs beautifully with the room’s creamy blond textiles and wood furnishings. An organically shaped light fixture adds a little glitz to this beautiful, fresh space.
Browse wood-look wallcoverings in the Houzz Shop
Installing a textured or printed wood-look wallpaper is a simple way to add a natural element to your room without investing in wood paneling or shiplap. Just like real wood, wood-inspired wallpapers come in a variety of hues. Wallpaper can convey vertical paneling, seamless panels or horizontal shiplap patterns, as seen in this room by Benjamin Dhong Interiors.
Why it works: Adding textured wallpaper gives the modern dining room a styled look without overwhelming the other elements of the design. The pale hue of the wallpaper pairs beautifully with the room’s creamy blond textiles and wood furnishings. An organically shaped light fixture adds a little glitz to this beautiful, fresh space.
Browse wood-look wallcoverings in the Houzz Shop
5. Jungle Love
Adding lush greenery via dining room wallpaper can bring a sophisticated garden aesthetic to your dining experience. Leaves and trees lend movement and visual interest, turning a plain room into a showcase space.
Why it works: In this dining room, Agence Véronique Cotrel created an accent wall by featuring a wallpaper with a dense repeat of lush leaves. The busy pattern of the greenery pairs well with the modern and minimal furnishings. The dark blue built-in shelving ties to the darker hues of the wallpaper, pulling the space together.
Adding lush greenery via dining room wallpaper can bring a sophisticated garden aesthetic to your dining experience. Leaves and trees lend movement and visual interest, turning a plain room into a showcase space.
Why it works: In this dining room, Agence Véronique Cotrel created an accent wall by featuring a wallpaper with a dense repeat of lush leaves. The busy pattern of the greenery pairs well with the modern and minimal furnishings. The dark blue built-in shelving ties to the darker hues of the wallpaper, pulling the space together.
6. Gingham Classic
Like stripes, gingham is a classic pattern seen throughout home decor. In fabrics, carpets and even wallpaper, gingham — as well as its close cousin plaid — is timeless and sophisticated with many options to choose from.
Why it works: In this cheerful dining room by Traci Connell Interiors, enlarged gingham wallpaper works as the focal point of the room. Its cadet blue hue is echoed in the paint color of the solid walls as well as the dining table and rug. Bursts of yellow and pink give the room a lively, sunny feeling.
Shop for plaid and gingham wallcoverings on Houzz
Like stripes, gingham is a classic pattern seen throughout home decor. In fabrics, carpets and even wallpaper, gingham — as well as its close cousin plaid — is timeless and sophisticated with many options to choose from.
Why it works: In this cheerful dining room by Traci Connell Interiors, enlarged gingham wallpaper works as the focal point of the room. Its cadet blue hue is echoed in the paint color of the solid walls as well as the dining table and rug. Bursts of yellow and pink give the room a lively, sunny feeling.
Shop for plaid and gingham wallcoverings on Houzz
7. Sensational Stripes
Stripes are a timeless design element that have adorned walls for decades. Simple, clean and versatile, striped wallpaper can assimilate into any room’s decor. Options range from wide to narrow widths and from sharply contrasting colors — as shown in this whimsical dining room by Spacetime — to more tonal pairings, such as two similar hues of blue.
Why it works: The black and white stripes act as a neutral backdrop for colorful chairs and accessories. The stripes are on two accent walls, so they don’t overwhelm the space. Dark built-ins complement the black stripes and balance the room’s palette.
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Stripes are a timeless design element that have adorned walls for decades. Simple, clean and versatile, striped wallpaper can assimilate into any room’s decor. Options range from wide to narrow widths and from sharply contrasting colors — as shown in this whimsical dining room by Spacetime — to more tonal pairings, such as two similar hues of blue.
Why it works: The black and white stripes act as a neutral backdrop for colorful chairs and accessories. The stripes are on two accent walls, so they don’t overwhelm the space. Dark built-ins complement the black stripes and balance the room’s palette.
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Grasscloth has been a versatile classic in homes for years. It comes in many shades that are like solids but better, because the textured surface of the grasscloth infuses elegant color while adding subtle interest and depth to walls.
Why it works: The blue grasscloth wallcovering works in this Kristina Crestin Design dining room for a variety of reasons. First, the wallpaper’s texture has a horizontal direction that pleasantly emphasizes the angled walls. Second, the color of the wallpaper creates a harmonious palette with the other blues in the room. Finally, light and medium wood furniture complements the sunny blue of the wallpaper.
Browse grasscloth wallcoverings in the Houzz Shop