A stepping stone between painting your walls solid color and going all out with a bold pattern, subtle wallpaper delivers a delicate design that complements any room. From floral patterns to geometric styles, these wallpapers will give your home a fresh look without overwhelming it with too much visual noise. Featuring neutral colors and soft pastels, our subtle wallpaper collection has something to suit any interior style and budget.

Before choosing your new wallpaper, take the time to consider what your goal is for the space. Do you want it to brighten up a small, jewel box-like space or do you want it to create depth and dimension in a more expansive area? If you’re not sure, start by clipping images from Houzz or taking photos of rooms in hotels and cafes that you love. Take a close look at these images and see what common themes emerge. Then, use those colors as your base to search for the perfect wallpaper for your project.

When shopping for a patterned wallpaper, it’s important to consider the scale of the pattern and how it will work with your furniture. If you plan to cover an entire wall, it’s best to choose a larger-scale print or a solid color that will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your decor. On the other hand, if you plan to use your patterned wallpaper as an accent wall or on one wall in a smaller room, opt for a smaller-scale print and keep your other furniture and accessories simple so the wallpaper doesn’t overwhelm your home.

Another aspect to consider when selecting a patterned wallpaper is how it will coordinate with your existing trim and fixtures, especially the paint color. A good idea is to test your wallpaper by holding it up against the light fixture and trim to ensure you get a perfect match. Also, be sure to view the wallpaper from several angles when you’re looking at it in your home, as it will look a little different in some lighting and in other rooms than in yours.

While many of Morris’s designs evoked the 1860s, his wallpapers weren’t always appreciated in their day, and they often fell out of fashion. His use of illusory effects and trompe l’oeil, for example, didn’t appeal to the more puritanical tastes of the period.

If you’re worried that your patterned wallpaper will feel too dated, try using a more modern color scheme and choosing a textured or metallic finish for the pattern. This will help your patterned wallpaper feel more contemporary and current.