Dear Danica, What Are Some Timeless Wallpaper Options? (Plus 5 Tips To Ensure The Pattern Is Timeless)

I’m always so nervous to talk about trends vs timeless pieces because everything is subjective no matter how much I try to keep it factual. So with that being said, take everything I say with a grain of salt. And as always, do what you want regardless of what I say.

If you’re curious what timeless/fad/trend post Kelsey mentioned, you can read it here. It’s a quick overview of 11 design elements that I find either a fad or timeless, and how to identify them.

Before I dive into a roundup of timeless wallpaper options, I want to explain what I believe makes a wallpaper timeless. I mentioned in the trend article that wallpaper can be timeless if you pick the right pattern.

Generally speaking, there are some wallpapers that tend to be more timeless than others. Let’s talk more about that –

PERIOD APPROPRIATE

The very first recommendation I have when selecting wallpaper is to look at the architecture of your home. “It is wise to be aware of the patterns and forms that were current when the house was designed. Every period has styles and pattens typical of the time.” – Frida Ramstedt.

I believe that when you use the architecture of your home as a guide for selecting period appropriate wallpaper, that is when the wallpaper will feel the most timeless. This doesn’t mean the pattern you pick needs to be 100% historically accurate, you can also look at new interpretations that are reminiscent of classic patterns.

With that being said, not every home has a strong architectural style that you can use as a starting point. In that case –

PATTERN

There’s one particular wallpaper pattern that seems to be the least timeless. Floral. Look at the set of The Goldbergs (which is dated back to the 80’s). The home is covered in wallpaper and nearly every single one of them is floral. Granted, some people will say the wallpaper in that show is back in style, and I won’t disagree. But there was also a period, not that long ago, where we were ripping out that very wallpaper in every home because it was “dated”. Because floral wallpaper fades in and out so boldly, I can’t say it’s timeless. That’s not to say I don’t like floral wallpaper or that you should avoid it. There are many beautiful options, but if we’re going for timeless, this is something to consider.

One pattern that is more timeless (in my opinion) is geometric. Stripes, squares, diamonds…the simplicity of geometric patterns is far more versatile.

PATTERN SIZE

Beyond just the shape, the size of the pattern also plays a vital role in whether or not a paper is timeless. The larger the pattern, the bolder the choice and the more attention it demands. When you make a bold choice with patterns and color, you’re risking the possibility that it will become outdated when the trends inevitably change. That’s not to say that 100% of large patterned wallpapers show their age after a few years, but that’s always a risk. The smaller the motif, the more it acts as a backdrop to your furnishings rather than the star of the show. And as a result, it’s likely to fade out of style much slower, if ever.

Keep in mind that small motifs are best in smaller rooms. Small patterns in large rooms can visually melt together when you’re standing from afar.

COLOR

Perhaps the #1 thing that dates wallpaper is the color choice. Color trends are constantly changing and specific colors are often tied to a time period. Orange, olive green, and mustard yellow are reminiscent of the 70’s. Any sort of vibrant or neon color reminds us of the 80’s. Inevitably, 20 years for now, today’s popular colors will be dated to the 2000’s and we’ll know at first glance what time period it’s reminiscent of. All this to say, the more neutral or monochromatic you go with wallpaper, the less likely you’ll be able to pinpoint its era. You don’t have to avoid color at all costs, maybe just pick wallpaper that highlights 1-2 subtle colors instead of 3 or 4.

MATERIAL

There’s one specific material of wall coverings that I can confidently say is just as popular today as it was 10 years ago. Natural materials like grasscloth. That’s because this type of wall covering is more about texture than it is pattern.

For clarification, Schumacher says, “While grasscloth can be made from natural grasses like arrowroot, it’s a catch-all term used for wallcoverings made of natural fibers with a paper backing. The fiber can be anything from hemp, jute, bamboo or raffia to seagrass and sisal.”

Natural wallpapers can be dyed, but they often feature neutral or muted colors. Yet they’re far from boring because of the natural color variation and the dimension created from texture. You just don’t get that same effect with traditional paper coverings. That being said, natural wall coverings are far more expensive than paper. You’re paying for uniqueness, texture, and luxury. But when it comes to wallpaper, quality matters.