Wallpaper trends for 2023

Add a splash of life to your home.

Yada yada yada… “We all know what a difference a fresh coat of paint can make. Adding a splash of colour can instantly pull together your décor and design choices…” blah blah blah…

Stop right there! Yes, paint is cool, but have you ever experimented with wallpaper?

It is a completely different experience and if you think a feature wall in an eye-catching colour elevates your bedroom – wait till you’ve seen what wallpaper can do!

The thing about wallpaper is that its not just a wall covering. In fact, if you pick your pattern or design carefully, it’s more like massive functional art. Well designed wallpaper is literally a wall of art. Cornice to skirting, corner to corner.

For inspiration and confirmation that wallpaper can be fantastic, click here

Not all wallpaper is created equally.

Like any home improvement tools or materials, it’s important to understand what you are buying.

First of all, what do you want to put on your walls?

Permanent/Traditional wallpaper can be made from only paper, paper backing with a vinyl coating, fabric with a vinyl coating or just plain vinyl. Usually it is applied with a heavy duty paste

Semi-permanent and DIY fabric wallpaper is applied with a much lighter paste and can be easily removed if the mood strikes you. (Well, easier than traditional wallpaper at least…)

Secondly, you need to decide how big your commitment will be.

Are you adding a muted feature wall to a child’s bedroom or are you going all out and papering your entire entryway?

Depending on which patterns and colours you choose you can make a room appear bigger, you can create a feeling of cosiness in an otherwise sterile room and you can even let your walls speak for you and make a statement.

Know your history.

Wallpaper has a rich history. It was first invented in the 16th century, and has remained in vogue ever since, simply slipping in and out of décor trends every couple of years.

Wallpaper has always had a creative and artistic flair, embracing the zeitgeist of the time and allowing even the most modest of home owners to put their own personal stamp on their homes in a way that paint alone could not do.

For a full (and very interesting) history of Wallpaper, click here.

Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, be sure to shop around and get the perfect wallpaper to express your unique design style.

Here’s a list of our favourite decorative wallpaper retailers in South Africa

Unique impressions

Sasi Wallpaper

Wallpaper murals

Leroy Merlin

Wallpaper Inn