Decorating a child’s room is a brilliant opportunity to break out from the mundane. It’s a chance to blend creativity with fun to create a space your little one will love. At the heart of every memorable room is kids wallpaper: a design choice that not only elevates the décor but also shapes the mood, fosters imagination, and grows with your child.
In this post, we’ll explore why kids wallpaper is the perfect choice. Plus current trends in the UK, practical advice for choosing the right design, and real-life examples from some of the best online sources.
When I was pregnant with our twins, we didn’t know the sex of the babies, so I opted for something unisex.
I was so happy with how the twin’s nursery turned out — and I absolutely love the wallpaper that we chose.
As they got older we decided to switch things up and I scoured the internet looking for boys room ideas.
A lot of the best sources of room inspiration included wallpaper. So I thought I’d gather together a selection to show why I think wallpaper is such a great choice for kids rooms.
Quick View of What You'll Find on This Page
Why Choose Wallpaper for Kids Rooms?
Wallpaper for children’s rooms goes far beyond simple aesthetics. It offers a host of benefits:
- Stimulates imagination: Designs featuring animals, jungles, stars, or favourite characters spark creativity and role play.
- Creates distinct zones: Wallpaper helps define spaces for sleeping, reading, or playing, especially in shared rooms.
- Grows with your child: Opt for age-neutral or timeless themes, so the room adapts as your little one matures.
- Easy to update: Many modern wallpapers are easy to apply and remove, making redecorating a breeze as tastes change.
- Personalises the space: With endless themes and colours, you can really express a child’s personality and interests.
Application Methods: Paste, Peel, and Stick
As well as traditional paste-the-wall wallpapers, many UK retailers now offer modern peel-and-stick kids wallpaper options, making DIY installation easier than ever. Peel-and-stick papers are ideal for renters or quick updates, while traditional wallpapers often provide a more luxurious finish.
How to Style Kids Wallpaper
- Feature Wall: Use wallpaper on one wall as a bold statement behind a bed or play area.
- Full Room: Drench the entire space in pattern for a themed, immersive feel – best with softer, less busy designs.
- Zoning: Different wallpapers can mark zones for sleep, study, or play, especially in larger rooms or shared bedrooms.
Accessorise with matching or complementary textiles, prints, and soft furnishings for a harmonious look.
Where to Find the Best Kids Wallpaper Online
Here are top UK-based sites loaded with inspiration and shopping options:
- Wallpaper Direct: Extensive collection, from Disney to nature and modern classics.
- Jane Clayton: Stylish brands and playful prints, with trend-led and traditional options.
- Decorating Centre Online: Huge range, with spotlights on superhero, rainbow, and animal-themed papers.
- Wallpaper Shop: Affordable and on-trend designs for babies, children, and teens.
- Dunelm: A broad range of wallpapers at value prices.
- Livettes Wallpaper: Customisable and minimalist kids wallpaper options. Great Scandi designs.
- World of Wallpaper: Classic, trendy, and educational choices for every personality.
Top Trends in Kids Wallpaper for UK Homes
The UK market offers a really broad range of kids wallpaper styles to suit every taste and budget. Here are some leading trends:
1. Nature-Inspired Themes
Wallpapers featuring woodland creatures, florals, jungles, and safari animals remain perennially popular. These designs bring the outdoors in.
2. Educational & Interactive Designs
Wallpapers featuring alphabet letters, numbers, maps, or geometric shapes help create a stimulating learning environment — perfect for nurseries, early-years and primary-school aged children.
3. Superheroes & Favourite Characters
From Marvel superheroes to iconic Disney characters, beloved TV and film wallpapers inject fun and energy, making bedtime a little more magical.
4. Minimalist & Scandinavian Styles
Muted palettes, abstract shapes, and gentle lines offer a calm, timeless feel. These designs are perfect for longevity, easily transitioning from toddler to teen years. This gorgeous hot-air balloon wallpaper would work as well in a nursery as it would in a teen’s bedroom.
5. Bold Colour and Pattern
Stripes, polka dots, rainbows, and bright geometrics — these cheerful motifs are ideal for accent walls or play zones, adding vibrancy to any space.
As you can see from the image below, this kind of fun, gender-neutral design would work equally well for both boys and girls.
Practical Tips for Selecting Kids Wallpaper
When browsing for kids wallpaper, keep these important factors in mind:
Safety First
Always choose wallpapers made with non-toxic inks and materials, especially for nurseries and young children’s bedrooms.
Durability & Cleanability
Opt for wipeable wallpapers. Kids’ rooms are high-traffic, messy zones, so durable and easy-clean finishes go a long way.
Involve Your Child
Bring your little decorator into the decision-making process. Let them choose colours or themes to help them feel proud of their space.
Consider Longevity
Design choices that age well save time and money. Seek out designs that can grow with your child or be easily accented with artwork, soft furnishings, or decals when tastes evolve.
5 of The Best Kids Wallpaper Round-Up
Here are some of my favourite kids wallpaper choices. Whether you decide to paper a single wall, or wrap the entire space, these fantastic examples offer the very best in wallpaper for kids rooms.
Dinosaur Wallpaper
Colouring-In Wallpaper
Let your kids creativity run wild with this colouring-in wallpaper. Or — if the thought of letting your child loose with the Crayolas sets your teeth on edge — just stick to these friendly monochrome monsters!
Mermaid Wallpaper
Pique a child’s imagination with this pastel underwater scene. This mermaid mural would work well for slightly older children as well as nursery age.
Tractor Wallpaper
Farm-loving kids will be obsessed with this retro-inspired tractor wallpaper from Cath Kidston.
Outer Space Themed Wallpaper For Kids Bedrooms
This outer-space themed wallpaper is out of this world… be sure to pair it with some space themed artwork from Desenio.
Final Thoughts
Kids wallpaper is more than just a wall covering; it’s an imaginative canvas that brings a child’s world to life. Whether your little one dreams of adventure in a jungle, a star-filled sky, or a room ruled by superheroes, you’ll find an abundance of choices online — from bold and playful to calm and minimalist. Remember, the best kids wallpaper reflects your child’s individuality and creates a space where they feel truly at home.
So embrace the possibilities, have fun with the process, and let kids wallpaper transform your child’s room into their favourite place in the house!
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Caro I noticed that paper too, how incredible and looks so so cool x
Amazing wasn’t it? I’d probably get a bit anally retentive about the boys colouring out of the lines and want to colour it in all myself!! I absolutely love the Periodic Table paper — I’d like it in my kitchen! :)
I want that colouring in wallpaper it is amazing. I might have to wait until the girls can colour in a bit better though as my OCD wouldn’t stand it otherwise!
Haha! I totally get that!! I’m a bit of a stickler for colouring in the lines too!! ;) X
I love all of them, this magnetic one is so cool! I would like to have a world map wallpaper!
World map wallpaper would be excellent! I’m useless at geography so having a constant reminder on the wall at home would be fabulous! :)
Wow fab paper! Thanks for sharing will absolutely be using these in the new house xx
SO excited for you that you’ll have a new house soon!! Oooh — a totally blank canvas!! Am a little bit envious!! ;) X
I would like the colouring in wallpaper! I really miss that my daughters don’t get colouring books anymore. I have one for when little visitors come to visit but I’ve nearly filled it ha! X
Aaah Lisa! You’d absolutely LOVE the adult colouring books I’ve got!! They’re SO beautiful — really intricate — and designed with ‘big kids’ in mind! :) I’ll be writing a post about them in the next week or so and will give you a shout when I’ve posted it, so you can see for yourself! x
Ha that’s so funny!I was just in your shop showing my husband your family recipe! Now I will have to order that print because once I was looking at it and then went to Jess’s blog and, she had one and just posted about it. Then I was looking just now when you were answering my comment – ha! Going to order now xxx I have heard of those books but not seen them, I will be very interested in your post xx
I like the idea of this, but it worries me too – what if they go over the lines? what if they move onto other wallpaper? (maybe they do that anyway) – but I think my worries say more about me, than anything else! It’s great to have so much choice in wallpaper now though isn’t it, and it means that no one needs to buy that horrible anaglypta-type stuff! #homecorner
Haha! Going over the lines would be inevitable with a little child, I think!! Totally agree though, about moving onto other wallpaper!!! That’s one reason why I wouldn’t be so keen. We’re so lucky these days aren’t we? SO much choice available! x
How cool is magnetic paper?? I want some!!!! This is a great selection, who knew wallpaper could be so much fun? Thank you so much for sharing in #KidsCorner x
Amazing isn’t it?! I’d LOVE some magnetic paper! It would certainly save having to stick everything onto my fridge!! Could just peg everything to the wall! ;)
Oh wow love the idea of colouring in wallpaper although id wait until mine can stay in the lines a little better hehe ;) thanks for linking up to #kidscorner xx
Haha! Me too Amy ;) Or I would keep it for myself — maybe I’ll paper my new garden office in it! x
What fantastic wallpaper, I love the colouring in one =)
Me too Jenni! It definitely appeals to the creative side of me!! ;)
Love them all! Do you think it would be over the top to have them all? #homecorner
Not at all Lindy! One on each wall maybe? I think that would work!! ;)