By Jaimee Vilela
Forget everything you thought you knew about wallpaper. We’re not talking floor to ceiling lounge room prints anymore – 2025 is all about unexpected placement. Creative, non-traditional wallpaper placement is officially having a moment, bringing unexpected flair and personality to Australian homes in ways we haven’t seen before.
Whether it’s wallpapering only the ceiling, creating an art-like vignette in a forgotten corner, or combining two or three prints in one room, this global trend is seeping into Aussie interiors and it’s one of our favourites yet. Even if you’re not quite brave enough to try those examples, there are plenty of ways to dip your toe in.
Start small
If you’re not ready to go full commitment mode, you can still get amongst this trend by wallpapering the inside of a cupboard or wardrobe. Opening your linen cupboard or an antique dresser to reveal a bold print is like a little visual gift that keeps on giving. Alternatively, try framing sections of beautiful wallpaper as art: ideal along a hallway or gallery wall, and a clever way to use expensive designer paper without breaking the bank. It’s also a low-commitment way to trial a pattern before forking out for a full wall.
Rethink your ceiling
The ceiling, aka ‘the fifth wall,’ is often overlooked, but in 2025 it’s back in the spotlight. Designers are leaving walls bare and using the ceiling as the focal point, with bold, textured wallpaper. In bedrooms especially, it creates a cosy, cocoon-like vibe that’s perfect for winding down. In kids’ rooms, starry skies, fluffy clouds or animals add playful personality, plus it’s easy to swap out as they grow. Try keeping the walls simple and letting the ceiling do the talking on your next reno.
Creative corners
Bookshelves, kitchen cabinets, and glass display cases are ideal spots to add wallpaper impact with less commitment. Inside wardrobes especially, you can go wild with patterns and colours – use that vintage flamingo print you’ve been obsessing over, but couldn’t imagine seeing en masse every day.
You can also line floating shelves, create a feature panel behind your bed, or add pattern to a single cabinet interior. These mini statements create an impact without overwhelming the space.
Arches and nooks
Got an archway or alcove that’s looking a bit boring? These naturally defined spaces are begging for wallpaper. Because they’re contained, they can handle bolder prints and colours without feeling too much. A patterned reading nook or niche instantly becomes a focal point that makes your home feel more layered and interesting.
Staircase walls are another winner. Instead of just a bland transition space, you get a beautiful visual journey, especially in older homes where a bit of decorative flair feels right at home with the architecture.
Mixing prints
For the truly adventurous, combining multiple wallpapers in the same space is where the magic happens. The trick is sticking to complementary colour palettes while mixing up the scale and style. Try pairing oversized florals with smaller geometrics, or textural grasscloth with delicate patterns.
This works brilliantly in open-plan spaces – use one wallpaper to define the dining zone, another for the living area – to add visual flow without adding walls.
Before you start
Wallpapering ceilings and curved surfaces does take a bit more care than flat walls. Ceilings need strong expert use of adhesive and a bit of patience. Archways and nooks work best with flexible papers.
Why it works in Australia
Australian homes are perfect for this trend. Our love of indoor-outdoor living and light-filled spaces create the ideal backdrops for these creative wallpaper moments. Plus, after years of playing it safe with neutral everything, we’re ready for some pattern and personality again.
Local designers are absolutely embracing it too, because homeowners want spaces that feel like them, not just what’s trending. This approach brings a unique energy to any home, combining bold choices with a relaxed, liveable vibe.
Making it work in your space
The key to nailing this trend is really understanding your space. Darker rooms can handle bold patterns and rich colours, while bright, airy rooms benefit from subtler textures.
Think about sightlines too – how will that wallpapered alcove look from the kitchen? Does the ceiling pattern make sense from all angles? A little planning up front helps everything feel intentional.
The beauty of unexpected placement is that it isn’t just about following trends – it’s about using wallpaper in fun, personal ways that surprise and delight. Whether you start with one small accent or go full pattern-mixing maximalist, there are endless ways to make wallpaper work harder and smarter in your home.
-Jaimee Vilela is director of Eurowalls. Since 2008, they’ve been bringing high-quality, European-made wallpapers home to interior designers and renovators across Australia and New Zealand. From botanical prints and grasscloth to cork and custom murals, they offer a curated selection at great value makes it easy to choose the perfect style for your project.
