Step Aside Gallery Walls: Thick Wall Tapestries Are The Latest Fall Trend

When it comes to home decor, walls are truly a blank canvas — the right pieces can transform the entire space and style of a room. For years, gallery walls have been a great, go-to choice to dress walls with a touch of personalization, but after years of being the norm, people are now left wondering if gallery walls are still trendy or out of style. Although the displays of your gallery wall may be unique, the concept of this style can feel overdone once you've seen them featured in almost every home you walk into. While some of us may have the means to replace framed displays with some show-stopping, prized artwork, others are left looking for a solution that feels accessible but still tasteful and trendy. Enter: thick wall tapestries.

Tapestries may have once been thought of as designated dorm room decor, but now, they're getting an upgrade that aligns perfectly with the latest cozy trends. Rather than a cheap, flimsy printed tapestry, designers are shifting towards the bold textures and sophisticated appeal of thick tapestries to give spaces an extra layer of those warm and comforting vibes. With so many design benefits and styles to explore, this latest trend might be worth considering for your next home refresh.

Tapestries are having a moment this year, and it's taking note from what we've seen in the past. This unique style first reigned back in the 15th and 18th centuries, often made with expensive materials to create large, intricate woven scenes in extravagant, wealthy homes and castles. They eventually made their mark again in recent years as an easy way to cover up bleak dorm room walls, often made with sheet-like fabrics that featured a trendy print. This fall, we're seeing the trend come back, but in a way that emphasizes both function and stylish interior design with heavy fabrics and warm, neutral color palettes. Designers note that authentic tapestries made with artistic details, colors, and handwoven designs can transform a space with a sense of warmth and sophistication that nods to their historical appeal.

In addition to their traditional charm, tapestries can also be a great way to add texture to your home decor. When autumn comes around, we want our spaces to feel cozy and welcoming, and layering your wall with a thick, comforting textile can offer the perfect touch of character. As they begin to make their comeback, today's trends are embracing large-scale tapestries in a variety of styles that can appeal to modern and classic designs. This versatility is one of the biggest perks of the trend, letting you add stylish texture in a variety of ways to complement aesthetics from antique and bohemian, to contemporary and beyond.

There are plenty of ways to use a tapestry as wall decor without feeling like you're in a dorm room, but the best place to start is by finding the right approach that speaks to your style. For that comforting, traditional look that is perfect for fall, designers recommend opting for neutral, warm styles and pairing them with wooden accents and vintage decor. That said, it's best to avoid tapestries that lack depth, and instead look for rich, thick textiles to create a more artistic and intentional look. You'll also want to consider how and where you'll display your tapestry — on a large wall, above a sofa, or as a headboard, using a rod or frame.

As for the patterns, designers express that people are loving tapestries that bring the outdoors inside with florals or scenic landscapes, as well as designs that create a bold focal point. If your space has a modern aesthetic, look for pieces made by contemporary artists, designs with sculptural elements, or subtle designs that showcase natural textures for an organic modern feel. To align with other popular trends, thick, jewel toned tapestries can create a more striking look that balances with neutral schemes while embracing some of the rich colors of the fall season. However, it seems that heavy, historical tapestries are gaining the most attention, often with designs that showcase pastoral, mythological, or even medieval-inspired designs to bring a timeless sense of character into any space.