In today’s post, I’m very excited to introduce you to our dining room wallpaper. When designing a small space like our breakfast nook (next to our kitchen), wallpaper can make a big impact and be truly transformative.
The key is choosing a wallpaper that evokes your ideal mood (mine is warm and cozy). In this post, I share photos of my wallpapered dining room, tips on choosing the right wallpaper for your space, and everything you need to know about installing wallpaper.
Related posts: 5 Creative Uses for Peel and Stick Wallpaper, Best Flower Wallpaper, Affordable DIY Wallpaper Hack, Wallpaper Removal Tips, Painted Daisy Wallpaper and Removable Wallpaper on Etsy.
Transform our dining room with wallpaper
When we bought this house we immediately fell in love with this little corner with original fixtures. It’s such a happy, sunny space and I couldn’t wait to decorate it!
The room was previously papered with whimsical modern monkey wallpaper. When I shared it in my Empty House Tour video, a lot of people said we should keep the monkey wallpaper. For me, that’s the beauty of wallpaper – it can be so incredibly personal and expressive!
I knew I wanted a wallpaper that felt warm and cozy – almost an autumnal vibe that lasts all year round. I also wanted a paper that could date from when our house was built in 1904.
I thought about many different papers and made sure to envision each one decorated with Halloween, Christmas or children’s birthday decorations. In the end I settled on this medlar pattern. The floral pattern seemed the perfect mix of cozy, inviting, and historic.
What to consider when choosing wallpaper for your dining room
- Always buy wallpaper samples. Background images may appear different in person than they appear online. If you’re buying from a supplier like Anthropologie that doesn’t have patterns, look elsewhere for wallpaper that has them. It’s always worth the extra $5-$10 per sample to see them in person. I keep a collection of patterns because sometimes I later find a home for a particular pattern.
- Consider the size and amenities of your home. Large format prints look better in large, open spaces, while super dense repeats can look nicer in smaller spaces. I always ask my wallpaper installer for advice on whether or not he thinks a pattern will look good in a room. Rooms with many angles need more forgiving patterns to make them less noticeable.
- Think about the era of your home. For my historic home, I want to use patterns that may have existed at the time of construction. More modern and quirky patterns suit newer or mid-century homes better in my opinion. It’s worth considering whether you can find a wallpaper option that you like and that fits the era of your home. Of course, it’s your home and the final decision is yours – so choose what appeals to you and that you know will give you long-lasting pleasure.
- I always use a professional installer. In my experience, the price of the wallpaper often roughly reflects the amount of work the installer has to do. For example, installing a large room with lots of angles can cost several thousand dollars, and installing a small room like this breakfast nook typically costs less than $1,000. The reason I always hire a professional is because I’m not a perfectionist and this job requires precision and skill. For me it is worth hiring a professional for this job.
- Many wallpaper installers do not install peel and stick wallpaper. So be sure to check this out. I prefer traditional wallpaper over peel and stick wallpaper unless it’s intended for a very small space (e.g. lining shelves or a closet). I have had many issues with peel and stick wallpaper over the years that I have not experienced with traditional wallpaper.
This is how the wallpaper in our breakfast corner turned out. I like how it highlights the original fixtures and large windows. It’s such a warm and friendly place!
Wallpapers I considered for this room
Elsie’s dining room sources
Thank you for reading! I am so excited to take you as I slowly decorate our historic home. Let me know in the comments section if you have any questions. Love, Elsie
If you want to get more insights into the rooms, subscribe to our newsletter.
English
العربية
Nederlands
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
日本語
한국어
Русский
Español
Svenska
Türkçe
اردو
Tiếng Việt