Home Improvement Interior Remodel Walls & Ceilings

31 Wall Covering Ideas to Add Color, Pattern, Texture, and Interest to Any Room

Nursery room with animal and foliage wallpaper next to white crib and dark brown dresser

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

While there's nothing wrong with simple white walls, you can elevate the decor of any room with wall covering ideas in a range of materials, textures, and finishes. From textured wallpaper to cozy wood paneling or patterned floor-to-ceiling tile, there is a wall covering to complement any style and every room.

Whether you're looking for a statement wall covering that sets the tone for the room, an accent wall, or a more subtle backdrop for wall decor or large-scale wall art, these wall covering ideas will show you how to give your room a new identity with this decorating power move that doesn't require an inch of space to pack a punch.

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    Removable Wallpaper

    removable wallpaper

    Maite Granda

    Removable wallpaper that doesn't damage walls is a renter's friend and a gift to those looking for a low stakes way to take more risks with their decor. This Florida bedroom from interior designer Maite Granda features a royal blue accent wall with a white Arabesque pattern behind the bed that adds dynamism and interest to the contemporary space.

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    Wood Paneling

    wood paneled walls

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Amy Neunsinger

    This home library from Leanne Ford Interiors has rich wood paneling that matches the stain on the hardwood flooring to create an enveloping feel.

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    Wainscoting

    dining room wainscoting

    Fantastic Frank

    Classic wainscoting makes this Swedish country house dining room from Fantastic Frank feel timeless and warm. Dark gray paint grounds the space, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere when seated at the table.

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    Wallpaper Mural

    wall mural

    Alvin Wayne

    A large wallpaper mural sourced from a retailer or custom made from a favorite image is a dramatic way to cover your walls that has a long history in the world of interior design but was once reserved for the wealthy and is now more widely accessible. In this NYC dining room from interior designer Alvin Wayne, with its skyline views from the window, a bucolic wall mural has an escapist quality that changes the mood.

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    Upholstery Panels

    upholstered bedroom walls

    Kara Mann

    This bedroom from interior designer Kara Mann has an upholstered fabric chocolate brown accent wall behind the bed that creates a rich and luxurious feel.

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    Mirrored Wall Panels

    mirrored wall

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Large mirrored wall panels reflect light and views and double the perception of space in this space from Kate Marker Interiors.

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    Hand-Painted Wallpaper

    hand-painted wallpaper

    Forbes + Masters

    Forbes + Masters covered the walls of this formal dining room with dramatic hand-painted walls and window treatments. Carrying the bold, abstract pattern around the neutral-toned space makes it feel intentional and considered.

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    Living Wall

    indoor living wall

    Maite Granda

    An indoor plant wall is a life-affirming way to add a focal point to any space. This Florida dining room from Maite Granda has a floor-to-ceiling living wall that brings the outdoors inside. The vibrant plant wall energizes the dining room when not in use, and makes a great conversation starter when entertaining. If you don't have the budget for a floor-to-ceiling green wall, adding plants or a preserved moss wall hanging will create a similar if less dramatic effect.

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    Beaded Shiplap

    beaded shiplap walls

    Becca Interiors

    Custom clad beaded shiplap walls add subtle coastal flair to this Southampton Village, NY, dining room from Becca Interiors.

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    Concrete Skim Coat

    concrete skim coat bathroom wall

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Erin Kelly

    Leanne Ford Interiors added texture to white walls with a thin concrete skim coat that adds interest and dimension to this neutral-toned bathroom.

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    Subway Tile

    subway tile wall

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Alexandra Ribar

    The walls of this Victorian kitchen remodel from Leanne Ford Interiors are covered in floor-to-ceiling white subway tile with black grout that create a whole-room backsplash and complement the mosaic penny tile floors and black-and-white palette of the room.

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    Handmade Brick

    exposed brick wall

    Design by John Pawson for Living Architecture / Photo by Jack Hobhouse

    Award-winning renowned minimalist designer John Pawson designed this spare living room for Living Architecture in a Welsh country holiday house. The beige-colored bricks add subtle texture to the walls and complement polished concrete floors and Douglas fir timber ceilings, doors, and furniture.

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    Heavily Veined Marble

    marble floor and wall

    Kara Mann

    This glam rock bathroom from interior designer Kara Mann is a study in the power of making bold design choices. A heavily veined black-and-white accent wall is carried onto the floor, shower half-wall, vanity, and bathtub, balanced with plenty of white to keep it from overwhelming. To achieve this effect, opt for classic marble or low-maintenance quartz.

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    Patterned Tile

    patterned tile full wall

    Design by Studio Surface / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

    The walls of this kitchen from Studio Surface are covered in neutral patterned tile that makes a statement without compromising the streamlined feel of the room.

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    3D Wall Panels

    3-D wall panels

    Michelle Boudreau Design

    In this Palm Springs bedroom from Michelle Boudreau Design, the feature wall behind the bed is covered in wall panels that give it a 3D effect. You can find paintable wall panels in a multitude of patterns, including some made from sustainable materials such as bamboo fibers. Or if you're a light sleeper or live in a noisy environment, you can find acoustic wall panels in materials like felt that will add a sound-dampening as well as a decorative effect.

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    Lime + Clay Wash

    lime and clay wash walls

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls

    This kitchen space from Leanne Ford Interiors gains texture and dimension thanks to a clay wash on the walls and a lime wash on the brick in soothing shades of medium-toned gray.

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    Dark Stained Wood

    dark wood wall covering

    Tina Ramchandani Creative

    In this sleek NYC apartment from Tina Ramchandani Creative, a dark stained wood accent wall includes a seamlessly built-in niche for a large flat screen that helps to camouflage the TV when it's not in use.

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    Whitewashed Wood Panels

    whitewashed wood panels

    Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Erin Kelly

    Leanne Ford Interiors added texture to the walls of this black-and-white nursery with whitewashed wood panels.

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    Framed Wallpaper Panels

    framed wallpaper panels

    Design by Candace Mary Interiors / Photo by Martin Vecchio

    In this dining room from Candace Mary Interiors, wallpaper is applied in panels that are framed out by painted wood moldings for a slightly formal effect.

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    Reclaimed Wood Ceiling

    reclaimed wood ceiling

    Design by Christina Kim Interior Design / Photo by Raquel Langworthy

    Reclaimed wood isn't just for rustic spaces; here it adds warmth to the ceiling of an eclectic coastal style dining room from Christina Kim Interior Design.

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    Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains

    floor to ceiling curtain wall

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Talitha Photos

    Cathie Hong Interiors used floor-to-ceiling curtains as a wall covering in this Pacific Northwest bedroom. The neutral drapes block excess light from the room's wrap-around windows, and create a textural backdrop for the bed in the minimalist space.

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    Exposed Vintage Brick

    exposed vintage brick

    deVOL Kitchens

    Sometimes the best wall covering is the original brick wall of an older property that becomes a beautiful exposed vintage brick feature, like this rustic chic space from deVOL Kitchens. Open shelving styled with wood cutting boards and framed illustrations of vintage baked goods adds an extra layer of charm.

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    Ceiling Wallpaper

    ceiling wallpaper

    Alvin Wayne

    Alvin Wayne embellished this streamlined modern bedroom with large-scale floral ceiling wallpaper that adds a whimsical but sophisticated note.

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    Grasscloth

    grasscloth wallpaper

    Mary Patton Design

    Mary Patton Design added wainscoting and forest green grasscloth wallpaper that brings color and textural variation to the wall surface that makes the space feel cozy and inviting.

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    Rustic Stone

    exposed stone wall

    Erin Williamson Design

    An original stone wall adds rustic charm to this 1950s Texas lake house from Erin Williamson Design. If your home doesn't include original features, you can add character with a stone veneer.

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    Custom Color Block Mural

    hand painted color block mural

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Emily Henderson Design responded to a client's desire to add some ’80s vibes to a girls' room by adding a custom color block mural in shades of purple, pink, and peach.

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    Wood Slats

    wood slat wall covering ideas

    Michelle Boudreau Design

    Wood slat walls bring retro flair to a modern living room. Michelle Boudreau Design layered colorful art over a wood slat accent wall to create a backdrop for a pair of bubble chairs in this midcentury modern living room.

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    Wood Trim

    wood trim wall covering ideas

    Brexton Cole Interiors

    Simple wood trim details will add a hint of depth and elegance to a bedroom, bathroom, dining room, living room, or any room. Brexton Cole Interiors painted the wood trim in the same light blue as the rest of the walls in this elegant bedroom.

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    Weathered Wood

    weathered wood wall covering ideas

    Kendall Wilkinson Design

    Weathered wood panels will add a rustic feel that can work with many styles. Kendall Wilkinson Design used the gray-toned wood to soften the clean lines, wall of glass, and slick feel of this midcentury modern home.

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    Board and Batten

    board and batten wall covering ideas

    Louis Duncan-He Designs

    Board and batten will add texture to traditional or modern spaces. Louis Duncan-He Designs used this classic wall covering in a neutral modern dining room as an accent wall, installing sconces between the raised wood strips.

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    Beadboard

    beadboard half wall covering ideas

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Combine a beadboard half wall with wallpaper for a classic feel. Desiree Burns Interiors combined white beadboard with gray-and-white patterned wallpaper to elevate this powder room.

What is the most affordable material to cover a wall with? 

The most affordable new wall covering is paint. Other affordable options include removable wallpaper, fabric, pegboard, plywood, or reclaimed wood panels. 

Are there any wall coverings that are currently in style?

Many wall coverings that are currently in style are variations of wall coverings that have existed throughout history. Wallpaper, wood slats, shiplap, beadboard, and wood paneling are some of the classic wall coverings that are currently in style.