Wallpaper Trends 2025: Fresh Styles, Colors & Patterns We Recommend
- capelily
- 9 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Wallpaper is a go-to tool in interior design to make a bold statement, create striking accent walls, or bring personality to living rooms, bedrooms, powder rooms, nurseries or any room in the house! In 2025, the wallpaper trends we're seeing shift focus towards tactility, texture, and a deeply personal approach to creating striking focal points. This year’s wallpaper trends lean into thoughtful patterns with a nostaligic throwback to some classics like stripes and nature-inspired prints. We're also seeing a focus on more eco-conscious purchasing , biophilic designs, and unique artful expression like more bold murals, to create a unique wow factor.
Whether you're a designer crafting creative spaces, or a homeowner looking to make a statement, these are the trends worth paying attention to.
Textured Wallpapers That Invite Interaction
2025 is all about how something feels as much as how it looks. We're gravitating toward movement and textured wallpapers; think grasscloth as well as embossed, flocked, embroidered, silks, linens and corks. Side note: we're obsessed with cork and can't wait to introduce it to the Cape Lily collection! These materials (technically substrates that the wallpaper is printed on) add a textural flair and a refined, lived-in warmth to a space, pairing beautifully with natural earth tones and contemporary furniture. This richly textured wallpaper has become a fast favorite in interior design and we think it is going to become the norm going forward.
The appeal is a subtle sophistication and that quiet luxury look and feel that commands attention, perfect for both modern interiors and more transitional spaces. Why have paper when you can have linen?
Metallic Elements, Glossy Touches and Embroidery Wallpaper Trends
Metallic finishes aren’t just for accessories. In 2025, metallic wallpaper designs with a subtle (or not) sheen are having a bold comeback. Think copper tones, metallic leaf, silver and gold foils, patterns printed with white ink or a soft metallic sheen layered under tonal patterns.
Used in the right space, a glistening gold wall can elevate a room, particularly in dining rooms, entryways, or spaces that benefit from a bit of drama after dark.
Another rising trend in luxury wall coverings is embroidered wallpaper or panels featuring passementerie or trim style details. These tactile, fabric-backed wallpapers often include stitched motifs, delicate trims, or applied embellishments that bring couture-level craft to walls. They’re especially impactful in intimate spaces like bedrooms, libraries, or powder rooms, anywhere a soft layer of artistry can elevate the atmosphere.
Floral Patterns with a Contemporary or Nostalgic Edge
Floral wallpaper remains a staple in wallpaper trends, but with a twist: oversized florals, moody color palettes, and abstract floral wallpaper inspired by botanical prints and leafy or floral motifs. Think less “cutesy cottage” and more House & Garden or Architectural Digest luxe editorial spread. Botanical murals are on the rise, whether its repeating patterns you can wrap around a room or custom sizing an image to fit a feature wall.
Contradictorily, designers are increasingly drawn to designs with nature-inspired repeats, perfectly reflecting the essence of the natural world. The influence of traditional florals, particularly from the Arts and Crafts movement, remains prominent. William Morris's timeless prints can be seen in collaborations everywhere, with standout examples from House of Hackney's "Nature of Morris," the Ruggable X Morris & Co collection, and the enduring original designs flourishing at Morris & Co.
The result is a rich, tactile story that brings a sense of tranquility to living spaces, whether it's through large scale floral images or smaller botanical prints.
Geometric and Abstract Takes on Pattern
There’s been a noticeable return to structure, with geometric wallpapers offering a modern way to anchor a space. Look for geometric design wallpapers with abstract patterns, angular geometric shapes, and even 3D effects that introduce shadow and depth.
This trend bridges minimalist decor and bold design, offering options for both restraint and expression. Geometric patterns in shades of warm terracotta or rich burgundies create sophisticated spaces, The interplay of geometric shapes paired with patterned fabric or tiles can create a dynamic, architectural and modern look.
Natural-Inspired Prints & Biophilic Design
The world's heightened love affair with nature post Covid continues and is seen through biophilic and botanical wallpaper trends. But what does this buzzword mean exactly? Essentially, its as simple as humans trying to connect our living spaces more closely with nature through elements like natural light, plants, and organic materials.
For wallpaper, this could be more lush greenery and leafy wallpapers or painterly scenes that evoke an atmosphere of woodland, the beauty of grasslands or just plain grasses themselves.This trend is popular for its beauty but also because it can create a home sanctuary and a visual way to create more calm in the fast-paced existence we find ourselves in.
Murals and Wallpaper as Wall Art
As digital printing becomes increasingly sophisticated and is able to turn hand crafted art forms like painting and even Floristry into a sophisticated and more affordable digital print, more customers are requesting wallcoverings as wall art.
We love the trend of using decorative frames, trim or moulding to lay out a beautiful wallpaper panels side by side. This has the added advantage of being more cost effective than Wallpapering the whole room, while looking more thoughtful than a feature wall.
A standalone frame of an intricate wallpaper design can also be a string way of highlighting wallpaper as artwork.
Murals in general are on the rise. We love Rebecca Atwood’s new Mural Collection featuring a large-scale landscape of Charleston’s Hampton Park, and of course Cape Lily's Blushing Bride Wallpaper.
Custom Wallpaper Design
Alongside murals, fully custom wallpaper is also gaining momentum. Designers and homeowners are commissioning bespoke patterns, colors, and scale to match unique spaces and stories. Companies like Astek, Wallism and others are making this more achievable than ever before.
A custom design might reinterpret vintage botanical drawings, transform a child’s sketch into a whimsical wall covering, or turn a favorite landscape into an entire wall.
Eco-Conscious Design Takes Root
As the industry continues to reckon with sustainability, eco-friendly wallpapers are evolving fast. Look for eco-friendly wallpapers made from recycled materials, natural fibers, and biodegradable substrates dyed with non-toxic inks. Vinyl wallpaper, made from PVC, is less planet-friendly, it’s non-biodegradable, releases harmful VOCs, and is difficult to recycle or dispose of safely. For these reasons, Cape Lily does not print on vinyl.
Designers now choose wallpapers based on their pattern and their environmental impact. You will see terms like sustainable forestry, natural wallcovering, and biophilic design on spec sheets and moodboards.
At Cape Lily, sustainability is incredibly important. We print only on FSC-certified, non-vinyl papers using water-based inks and minimal waste processes. It’s our way of helping your walls look good and do good, too.
Stripes and Plaids Reimagined
The resurgence of stripes and plaids in wallpaper design has become a notable trend in 2025. Classic patterns are being re-imagined with a modern twist. The rise of stripes and plaids can be attributed to their versatility and ability to add depth and character to any space. While stripes can elongate walls and create a sense of height, plaids bring a cozy, layered look that adds warmth and texture to a room. Designers are experimenting with bold color palettes and varying scales, making these patterns more dynamic and adaptable to both modern and traditional settings. There's something preppy about this trend that makes us think of Classic Ralph Lauren and some distant family tartan.
We love this vertical floral print by studio Lisa Bengtsson available via the Pattern Collective:
Animal Print as a Neutral
This year, we're witnessing a revival of timeless animal prints, creatively reinterpreted for modern interiors. Classic patterns like leopard and zebra are making a significant comeback, accompanied by the bold emergence of snake designs. These prints, both traditional and newly imagined are adding a touch of wild elegance and edginess.
Being from South Africa, we don't think animal print ever goes out of style and it always pairs beautifully with floral prints. One of our favorite snake designs is Snake Party by Merenda Wallpaper - how gorgeous is this gold on black color way:
Whether you are drawn to textured wallpapers, statement florals, or artistic and mural-like wallpapers, there are a myriad of unique and fun options to choose from this year. We see these trends continuing into 2026 and beyond due to their classic staying power so
don't be afraid to commit to a flash in the pan trend.
For more of our favorite designs and independent wallpaper brands see our article: Best Wallpaper by Independent Artists and Heritage Brands in 2025