The Timeless Wallpaper Debate Is Coming Back Again In 2026

When it comes to establishing the design atmosphere of a room, the wall space is perhaps the most prominent canvas there is to work with. Choosing how to cover your walls can be a big decision, and it's hard to know whether you should opt for an age-old design choice or if that will result in a tired-looking space. We're talking about wallpaper — the material that can modify the appearance of a space in mere minutes. 

Everyone is familiar with wallpaper, but the public at large has spent quite a long time questioning whether it is an appropriate pick for their own home. DIYers like that it comes without the mess of painting. And, it's much more affordable than other wall coverings, like paneling. The right wallpaper can actually make your home easier to sell. On the other hand, many have come to associate it with tacky styles and outdated aesthetics. In 2021, Apartment Therapy described wallpaper as a design element that was "once considered an eyesore." But, in 2026, House Beautiful cited a number of tasteful, designer-approved ways to use wallpaper, from coordinating your paper with your furniture to drenching an entire room in wallpaper. Whatever your opinion of wallpaper may be, the conversation around wallpaper is something you can expect to continue hearing in 2026. Since wallpaper options continue to proliferate (you can even make your own custom patterns through companies like Spoonflower), it's likely that wallpaper will continue to be used throughout 2026 when it can fit properly among the year's other trending designs. 

Wallpaper has been around for centuries, but it'll be talked about this year in terms of how it can deliver on modern design preferences. The biggest wallpaper trend for 2025 showed that pattern and playful expressions of color and artistry were in, and they are expected to continue in 2026 as people are increasingly favoring more detailed and larger-scale designs. Homeowners are choosing to experiment with designs that evoke a feeling of naturalism or whimsy while still striking a comforting balance. And that could work in wallpaper's favor as the product can be printed to illustrate a wide variety of visuals. But, some designers also say that overly ornate wallpapers can make your room look too busy and tacky. And, if you choose the wrong type of wallpaper for the wrong room, it can look age quickly and become grimy-looking.

Will wallpaper grow to become a design favorite during the second half of the 2020s? Or is it doomed to see more backlash? There doesn't seem to be one clear-cut answer, but wallpaper will definitely be on people's minds in 2026. This year, it will continue to maintain its popularity among lovers of maximalist and vintage styles while some designers and homeowners will continue to favor cleaner, less intricate wall decor.