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Why Flower Wallpaper is a Perrenial Favourite
Whilst trends come and go — Cottagecore, Coastal-Grandmother, Barbiecore — (the list is seemingly endless) one trend that never seems to go out of fashion is flower wallpaper. It’s a perennial favourite among both homeowners and interior designers that doesn’t seem to waver in popularity.
These days, when we’re planning to decorate, the choice can seem overwhelming. With apps such as Pinterest and Instagram showing every interior aesthetic imaginable, it makes pinpointing the perfect choice, which not only shows off our personality but also delivers the look and feel we’re after, quite tricky.
But wallpaper has been adorning the walls of homes since the Renaissance period, and this classic — yet surprisingly contemporary— decor option doesn’t show any signs of falling out of favour any time soon.
Bringing Nature Indoors
The desire to surround ourselves with nature is an inherent human instinct. Particularly in a world that appears to be dominated by technology and urbanization. This often manifests in the form of interior design.
Biophilic design uses nature-inspired components and natural materials to connect humans with the natural world. It’s a favourite technique among interior designers, with the aim of creating an environment to enhance our mood and make us feel at one with nature and the living world.
Biophilic design is proven to positively affect our physical and mental health and a general sense of well-being. A link to nature in our homes is proven to calm the soul and mind.
Although this connection with the natural world might not be the first thing on our minds when choosing wallpaper, by bringing floral motifs indoors, we create that connection to nature.
It serves as an everyday reminder of the natural world that lies beyond our screens and busy, urban lives. This reconnection can provide a sense of serenity and balance, making our living spaces more relaxing and inviting.
How Flower Wallpaper Can Enhance Our Mood
Colour psychologists have long understood that colours and patterns can evoke emotions and influence mood. For example, colourful flower wallpaper can stimulate feelings of joy, creativity, and inspiration. So, not only does the ‘nature’ aspect make us feel good, but surrounding ourselves with beautiful colours or intricate designs is a natural mood booster.
The natural world affects our moods in a positive way: think about walking through woods —or a field of flowers— it’s something that would make most humans feel relaxed and happy. That’s why floral wallpapers are so loved: they make us feel like we’re surrounded by nature at all times in our own homes.
Choosing The Right Colours For Your Home
Choosing the right colour for a particular room can enhance its intended purpose and mood. We instinctively know there’s a relationship between colours and emotions, so why not apply this philosophy to choosing your wallpaper?
Here are some general recommendations for room colours in the home:
Living Room
- Green: A calming colour that represents nature and relaxation. Pale sage greens can make the living room feel fresh and serene. Deep dark greens can be cosy and relaxing.
- Orange: A more energetic colour, suitable for lively living spaces where you want to encourage activity and interaction. Think terracotta and rust shades, for a sophisticated feel.
- Blue: Encourages relaxation and conversation. It’s calming and can be particularly suitable for high-traffic living areas.
Kitchen
- Yellow: Evokes feelings of happiness and warmth. It’s a cheerful colour that can stimulate conversation and appetite.
- Green: Works equally well in contemporary and traditional kitchens.
- White: Promotes cleanliness and brightness.
Bathroom
- Blue and Green: Both colours evoke a sense of cleanliness and freshness, akin to water and nature.
- White: Gives a crisp, clean, and spa-like feel.
- Lavender: This can provide a luxurious and calming ambience.
Dining Room
- Neutrals: Warm neutrals with chocolate and bronze tones are a great backdrop to a cosy evening meal.
- Red: In softer hues, it can stimulate appetite and conversation.
- Yellow: Inviting and cheerful, perfect for lively family meals. Or lux gold tones for glamorous dining.
Bedroom
- Blue: Promotes relaxation and tranquillity, helping with sleep and calmness.
- Green: Has a calming effect, promoting relaxation and restfulness.
- Pink or Lavender: These can be calming and relaxing, inducing a sense of luxury.
Home Office
- Neutrals: Neutral tones can create a focused and efficient workspace.
- Blue: Enhances productivity and focus. Lighter shades are calming, while deeper shades can increase concentration.
- Green: Reduces anxiety and is easy on the eyes for long durations, ideal for workspaces.
Nursery/Children’s Room
- Soft Blue or Green: Calming colours can help with sleep.
- Yellow: Bright and cheerful, it can stimulate play and activity.
- Pastel Shades: Generally calming and suitable for children.
Remember, lighting, furniture, and decor accessories can all affect how a colour feels in a space.
And the tone of colour can also dramatically change the feel. For example, deep red flowers may be a little overwhelming in a bedroom, while soft pink floral wallpaper could be the perfect choice.
The Versatility of Wallpaper
Flower wallpaper has been a staple in wallpaper design since the early 1500s, so it’s no wonder that there are so many floral print options to choose from.
There’s a flower wallpaper to suit every space and every aesthetic preference. From beautiful William Morris prints that have withstood the test of time — and are as popular today as they were more than 100 years ago, to modern-day photo-realistic mural wallpaper printed to exactly fit your walls.
Whether you prefer a classic, understated look or a more vibrant, modern style, wallpaper is undeniably the most versatile decor option.
You might be aiming for a modern minimalist vibe, in which case photo-murals offer the perfect solution. They can range from a single, giant bloom to stunning branches of blossom, and these show-stopping designs work perfectly in a minimalist interior.
Or you may be a fan of Cottagecore and would love to fill your home with vintage decor. Ditsy floral prints are perfect for this look. Team flower scattered wallpaper with colour-coordinated woodwork for the perfect vintage vibe.
Or you may prefer an extravagant maximalist style. Some incredible new wallpaper brands have exploded onto the scene, offering bright and beautiful floral designs that pack a visual punch.
So hand-in-hand with how it makes us feel, the fact that there’s so much choice — and a design to suit everyone — is probably why floral wallpaper designs are perpetually popular. And have been since wallpaper’s invention.
Whatever your taste, there’s a flower wallpaper to match.
The Retro Appeal of Vintage Inspired Wallpaper
Modern design trends can often lean towards sleek lines and neutral tones, and as a direct kick-back against this, there is an ever-growing appreciation for the charm and comfort of yesteryears.
Flower wallpaper, reminiscent of the homes of our grandparents or even the manor houses of period films or TV series (think Bridgerton or Downton Abbey), brings a touch of nostalgia to our living spaces.
When paired with the clean lines or hard corners of modern furniture, adding wallpaper to an interior space can soften the edges and create a stunning juxtaposition that is both comforting and visually interesting.
When combined with modern design elements, the retro appeal of vintage floral wallpaper designs can give a home personality and a natural charm. Creating something unique that represents the homeowner is the holy grail of interior design, and this is a brilliant way of achieving that.
Using Flower Wallpaper to Make a Statement
Early wallpaper relied on block printing, hence the smaller, tightly packed patterns of vintage wallpaper designs. Then, as time went on and printing techniques advanced, patterns expanded in size to take advantage of the new technology in print production.
In the early 1950s, flat-bed printing was introduced, which meant a continuous ream of moving paper could be printed, as opposed to just 30m, which it had been previously.
Modern-day printing has moved on even further, and wallpaper production is almost unrecognizable from when it first began.
State-of-the-art digital printers can produce no limit on vertical repeat, which means wallpaper featuring giant-sized flowers and trees can now be designed to fit any sized wall.
These large-scale murals can dramatically alter the feel and vibe of a room. A well-chosen mural can make a space feel bigger, bring in elements of nature, or even evoke specific moods and emotions.
Photo wallpaper murals can be show-stopping statement pieces, transforming a plain wall into a work of art.
They add a dynamic visual interest to the room, making the space feel more personalized and distinctive. The ability of large-scale wallpaper designs to immediately draw the eye and dictate the color scheme of a room makes them a popular choice for those looking to create a strong design impact.
Over the last decade, particularly, there has been a real surge in large-scale floral wallpapers. With the rise of digital printing technologies, the range of images and designs available has exploded. This availability allows homeowners to find or create the perfect vision for their space.
How Wallpaper Can Transform a Room
Lastly, installing wallpaper offers interior designers and homeowners an easy and affordable way to transform the look and feel of a room completely.
It’s much simpler and quicker to change wallpaper than to remodel a room or buy brand-new furniture!
These days, thanks to modern printing techniques, we’re able to update our spaces easily with beautiful, aesthetically pleasing designs. And luckily, we’re not spoilt for choice either. There are so many beautiful flower wallpaper designs to choose from, and thanks to the marvel of the internet, we can access them all.
This availability allows us to update our spaces to reflect our own personal style — whether it’s in line with the latest trends or our own unique taste.
Why the Popularity of Flower Wallpaper will Never Fade
The rise of flower wallpaper in contemporary design can be attributed to several factors.
Its natural appeal, emotional resonance, design versatility, nostalgic charm, striking impact, ease of use, and transformative powers all contribute to its popularity.
As we continue to navigate our increasingly digitized lives, the trend of flower wallpapers serves as a testament to our enduring desire to remain connected to nature and our inherent need for beauty and personal expression in our daily lives.
So, if you haven’t yet, maybe it’s time you considered a floral makeover for your walls.
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.
