While there's nothing wrong with simple white walls, you can elevate the decor of any room with wall covering ideas in a range of materials, textures, and finishes. From textured wallpaper to cozy wood paneling or patterned floor-to-ceiling tile, there is a wall covering to complement any style and every room.
Whether you're looking for a statement wall covering that sets the tone for the room, an accent wall, or a more subtle backdrop for wall decor or large-scale wall art, these wall covering ideas will show you how to give your room a new identity with this decorating power move that doesn't require an inch of space to pack a punch.
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Removable Wallpaper
Removable wallpaper that doesn't damage walls is a renter's friend and a gift to those looking for a low stakes way to take more risks with their decor. This Florida bedroom from interior designer Maite Granda features a royal blue accent wall with a white Arabesque pattern behind the bed that adds dynamism and interest to the contemporary space.
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Wood Paneling
This home library from Leanne Ford Interiors has rich wood paneling that matches the stain on the hardwood flooring to create an enveloping feel.
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Wainscoting
Classic wainscoting makes this Swedish country house dining room from Fantastic Frank feel timeless and warm. Dark gray paint grounds the space, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere when seated at the table.
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Wallpaper Mural
A large wallpaper mural sourced from a retailer or custom made from a favorite image is a dramatic way to cover your walls that has a long history in the world of interior design but was once reserved for the wealthy and is now more widely accessible. In this NYC dining room from interior designer Alvin Wayne, with its skyline views from the window, a bucolic wall mural has an escapist quality that changes the mood.
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Upholstery Panels
This bedroom from interior designer Kara Mann has an upholstered fabric chocolate brown accent wall behind the bed that creates a rich and luxurious feel.
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Mirrored Wall Panels
Large mirrored wall panels reflect light and views and double the perception of space in this space from Kate Marker Interiors.
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Hand-Painted Wallpaper
Forbes + Masters covered the walls of this formal dining room with dramatic hand-painted walls and window treatments. Carrying the bold, abstract pattern around the neutral-toned space makes it feel intentional and considered.
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Living Wall
An indoor plant wall is a life-affirming way to add a focal point to any space. This Florida dining room from Maite Granda has a floor-to-ceiling living wall that brings the outdoors inside. The vibrant plant wall energizes the dining room when not in use, and makes a great conversation starter when entertaining. If you don't have the budget for a floor-to-ceiling green wall, adding plants or a preserved moss wall hanging will create a similar if less dramatic effect.
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Beaded Shiplap
Custom clad beaded shiplap walls add subtle coastal flair to this Southampton Village, NY, dining room from Becca Interiors.
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Concrete Skim Coat
Leanne Ford Interiors added texture to white walls with a thin concrete skim coat that adds interest and dimension to this neutral-toned bathroom.
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Subway Tile
The walls of this Victorian kitchen remodel from Leanne Ford Interiors are covered in floor-to-ceiling white subway tile with black grout that create a whole-room backsplash and complement the mosaic penny tile floors and black-and-white palette of the room.
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Handmade Brick
Award-winning renowned minimalist designer John Pawson designed this spare living room for Living Architecture in a Welsh country holiday house. The beige-colored bricks add subtle texture to the walls and complement polished concrete floors and Douglas fir timber ceilings, doors, and furniture.
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Heavily Veined Marble
This glam rock bathroom from interior designer Kara Mann is a study in the power of making bold design choices. A heavily veined black-and-white accent wall is carried onto the floor, shower half-wall, vanity, and bathtub, balanced with plenty of white to keep it from overwhelming. To achieve this effect, opt for classic marble or low-maintenance quartz.
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Patterned Tile
The walls of this kitchen from Studio Surface are covered in neutral patterned tile that makes a statement without compromising the streamlined feel of the room.
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3D Wall Panels
In this Palm Springs bedroom from Michelle Boudreau Design, the feature wall behind the bed is covered in wall panels that give it a 3D effect. You can find paintable wall panels in a multitude of patterns, including some made from sustainable materials such as bamboo fibers. Or if you're a light sleeper or live in a noisy environment, you can find acoustic wall panels in materials like felt that will add a sound-dampening as well as a decorative effect.
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Lime + Clay Wash
This kitchen space from Leanne Ford Interiors gains texture and dimension thanks to a clay wash on the walls and a lime wash on the brick in soothing shades of medium-toned gray.
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Dark Stained Wood
In this sleek NYC apartment from Tina Ramchandani Creative, a dark stained wood accent wall includes a seamlessly built-in niche for a large flat screen that helps to camouflage the TV when it's not in use.
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Whitewashed Wood Panels
Leanne Ford Interiors added texture to the walls of this black-and-white nursery with whitewashed wood panels.
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Framed Wallpaper Panels
In this dining room from Candace Mary Interiors, wallpaper is applied in panels that are framed out by painted wood moldings for a slightly formal effect.
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Reclaimed Wood Ceiling
Reclaimed wood isn't just for rustic spaces; here it adds warmth to the ceiling of an eclectic coastal style dining room from Christina Kim Interior Design.
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Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains
Cathie Hong Interiors used floor-to-ceiling curtains as a wall covering in this Pacific Northwest bedroom. The neutral drapes block excess light from the room's wrap-around windows, and create a textural backdrop for the bed in the minimalist space.
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Exposed Vintage Brick
Sometimes the best wall covering is the original brick wall of an older property that becomes a beautiful exposed vintage brick feature, like this rustic chic space from deVOL Kitchens. Open shelving styled with wood cutting boards and framed illustrations of vintage baked goods adds an extra layer of charm.
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Ceiling Wallpaper
Alvin Wayne embellished this streamlined modern bedroom with large-scale floral ceiling wallpaper that adds a whimsical but sophisticated note.
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Grasscloth
Mary Patton Design added wainscoting and forest green grasscloth wallpaper that brings color and textural variation to the wall surface that makes the space feel cozy and inviting.
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Rustic Stone
An original stone wall adds rustic charm to this 1950s Texas lake house from Erin Williamson Design. If your home doesn't include original features, you can add character with a stone veneer.
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Custom Color Block Mural
Emily Henderson Design responded to a client's desire to add some ’80s vibes to a girls' room by adding a custom color block mural in shades of purple, pink, and peach.
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Wood Slats
Wood slat walls bring retro flair to a modern living room. Michelle Boudreau Design layered colorful art over a wood slat accent wall to create a backdrop for a pair of bubble chairs in this midcentury modern living room.
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Wood Trim
Simple wood trim details will add a hint of depth and elegance to a bedroom, bathroom, dining room, living room, or any room. Brexton Cole Interiors painted the wood trim in the same light blue as the rest of the walls in this elegant bedroom.
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Weathered Wood
Weathered wood panels will add a rustic feel that can work with many styles. Kendall Wilkinson Design used the gray-toned wood to soften the clean lines, wall of glass, and slick feel of this midcentury modern home.
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Board and Batten
Board and batten will add texture to traditional or modern spaces. Louis Duncan-He Designs used this classic wall covering in a neutral modern dining room as an accent wall, installing sconces between the raised wood strips.
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Beadboard
Combine a beadboard half wall with wallpaper for a classic feel. Desiree Burns Interiors combined white beadboard with gray-and-white patterned wallpaper to elevate this powder room.
What is the most affordable material to cover a wall with?
The most affordable new wall covering is paint. Other affordable options include removable wallpaper, fabric, pegboard, plywood, or reclaimed wood panels.
Are there any wall coverings that are currently in style?
Many wall coverings that are currently in style are variations of wall coverings that have existed throughout history. Wallpaper, wood slats, shiplap, beadboard, and wood paneling are some of the classic wall coverings that are currently in style.