Moody Blues and Rich Greens: How Vibrant Wallpapers Can Transform Your Space

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Wallpaper is back on trend in a big way; many leading interior designers are currently using colourful, vibrant wallpapers as a base upon which to mix and match patterns within their interior schemes. Dark, moody blue and striking lush green wallpapers are currently the most sought-after wallpaper colourways (according to the largest wallpaper manufacturers and suppliers), so let’s analyse just how hanging a flamboyant blue or green wallpaper can have a profound effect on a space and elevate various rooms within the home.

The Power of Colour

Using blue and green tones within our interiors are popular choices as they are colours found in the natural world, so they are often associated with being soothing and gentle on the eye. Soft blues can be calming and restorative, while green is a hue that can balance out even the most urban property to make it feel more tranquil and organic. Rather than painting a wall in a block shade of blue or green, wallpaper allows for the mixing up of colours within its prints and patterns for greater visual interest. A classic blue and white wallpaper can exude timeless charm and elegance, while green and pink wallpaper can be modern and stylish.

A blue and white mural by Kit Kemp in the Ham Yard Hotel, Soho.

Layer up pattern

Combining large-scale patterns with smaller prints is a clever way to add visual interest and depth to a space. Consider adding a large-scale pattern to your walls via wallpaper (this could be via a geometric print or a block stripe), then layer up the room with small-scale, repetitive prints via the curtains, blinds, cushions, or upholstery fabrics. The mix and match of pattern sizes makes the room feel cohesive (rather than too busy).

Exceptional layering of patterns in front of a blue-based MINDTHEGAP La Dolce Vita wallpaper.

Consider a mural

Wall murals are becoming increasingly popular as a wider range of designs are being made available at more affordable price points. Wall murals differ from general wallpaper rolls in that the design is made up of panels - you’ll get three or four panels per roll which will essentially create a large piece of artwork for your wall. Wall panels offer a more bespoke, high-end look for your home, but they are trickier to hang and install and there is less room for making mistakes during application!

The wall mural is by Little Greene.

Go half and half

If you love the look of wallpaper but the area where you want to hang it is a hard-working or high-traffic area (such as a hallway), consider combining the wallpaper with wall panelling on the bottom half of the wall, or separating the wall in two with a dado rail. Only papering the top half of the wall reduces the risk of wallpaper getting torn or stained, while the bottom wall half or panelled area can be painted in a hard-wearing eggshell or satinwood that can be cleaned easily or take knocks and dents. A good idea to protect your wallpaper in busy or humid areas is to use two coats of Polyvine varnish on top - this will protect your wallpaper from fingermarks, dirt, splashes or UV light. It will also make any wallpaper moisture-resistant.

This Bobbi Beck wallpaper is combined with durable green panelling in this hard-working bathroom.

By only wallpapering the top half of the wall, you can feel more confident with using a busy, striking wallpaper as it will be less dominating when paired with a simple block of colour on the bottom half. If you love a distinct wallpaper but are nervous about papering all your walls in it, adding wallpaper inside alcoves, bookcases or squared-off panels is a clever way to include a dramatic wallpaper print without creating an overly maximalist look.

Portobello Parade wallpaper by Divine Savages

Easy Updates and Transformations

There are so many options when it comes to wallpaper in 2024, it does not need to be the preserve of homeowners or DIY experts. Renters can use removable wallpaper where no paste is required which can be taken down quickly and easily without causing any damage to the walls. If you are not DIY savvy, peel-and-stick wallpapers are easy to apply without the need for a pasting table and all the equipment required when installing traditional wallpaper.

Vibrant wallpapers featuring moody blues and rich greens can offer a transformative power that can redefine any space in the home, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a room and creating a more bespoke, authentic interior scheme. Whether opting for temporary options or a luxury mural, the right wallpaper used correctly can overhaul a plain wall or a dead area.