Beyond the Walls: A Fresh Take on Wallpaper

Wallpaper can do more than add color to a room. It can establish a design direction, introduce personality, and help tie a home’s finishes together. We asked the designers at Twin Construction to share how they approach wallpaper, where they like to use it, and what they consider when choosing patterns for their clients.

Laurie Fulkerson

When you’re beginning a project, how do you approach the idea of using wallpaper?

I like to consider wallpaper early in the design process because it can really set the tone for a room. It’s a great way to introduce color, pattern, texture, and personality, and it often helps guide other selections, such as paint colors, fabrics, and finishes. I look at how the room will be used, the overall feel we want to create, and whether wallpaper will complement the surrounding spaces. Sometimes it becomes the focal point, and other times it adds a subtle layer of interest. I love how wallpaper can make a space feel special and finished in a way that paint alone sometimes can’t.

Where in a home do you most like to use wallpaper, and why?

I love using wallpaper in powder rooms, bedrooms, butler pantries, and even spaces like laundry rooms and kid spaces. Powder rooms are a great place to be a little bold and have fun with color and pattern. I also love wallpaper in bedrooms because it adds so much warmth and personality. Really, I think wallpaper can work just about anywhere, and it’s a great way to make a room feel a little more special!

Charlotte Neely

How do you decide whether a wallpaper should be a major statement or more of a subtle layer in a room? What are you considering when choosing between a bold pattern and something quieter?

I think it really comes down to what role I want the wallpaper to play in the overall design. I always consider the architecture of the room, the natural light, the scale of the space, and what other elements are already making a statement.

If a room has fairly simple architectural details or the goal is to add more personality, I love using a bold wallpaper to create a focal point and bring the space to life. On the other hand, if there are already beautiful fabrics, interesting textures, or standout furniture pieces, I tend to lean toward something quieter that adds depth without competing for attention.

I also think about how I want someone to feel in the space. A bold pattern can bring drama and personality, while a subtle wallpaper can create warmth and softness. Ultimately, it’s all about balance. I want the wallpaper to feel intentional and complement the entire room, whether it’s the star of the show or a beautiful backdrop that quietly ties everything together.

How does wallpaper influence the rest of the room’s color palette? Do you typically choose the wallpaper first and pull colors from it, or do you establish the palette first and find a wallpaper that works within it?

Wallpaper can really set the tone for the entire room, so I often look at it as a starting point for building the color palette. If I find a wallpaper I absolutely love, especially one with a beautiful pattern or a mix of interesting colors, I like to pull tones from it and carry those throughout the space in fabrics, furniture, and paint colors.

I tend to love pulling out some of the less obvious colors in a wallpaper. Sometimes it’s that tiny hint of blue, green, or a warmer neutral that can inspire an entire room and make the design feel cohesive and layered without everything feeling too contrived or matching.

That being said, it definitely depends on the room and what we’re working with. If there are already fabrics we love, existing pieces, or architectural elements that we want to highlight, I may establish the color palette first and then find a wallpaper that complements those elements.

Ultimately, I don’t think there’s one right order. I think the best spaces come together when there’s a balance between color, pattern, and texture. Whether the wallpaper inspires the palette or simply enhances it, I want everything to feel connected, intentional, and effortlessly layered.

Lydia Hurt

What do you look for when selecting a wallpaper for a particular client? How does the homeowner’s personality, lifestyle, age of the home, or overall design style influence your choices?

I start with the people who live in the home: what they’re drawn to, how they want a room to feel, and how they use it every day. Someone who loves color and entertaining may welcome a bold, expressive pattern, while someone looking for a quiet retreat might prefer a subtle print or natural texture. Lifestyle also guides practical choices, especially where children, pets, moisture, or everyday wear make durability and cleanability important.

The age and architecture of the home help shape the direction, too. A historic home might inspire a paper with a traditional motif, although a more contemporary pattern can create a beautiful balance. I also consider the room’s light, proportions, furnishings, and connection to adjoining spaces. Ultimately, I want the wallpaper to feel personal to the homeowner and thoughtful within the home: something they’ll enjoy living with beyond the initial excitement.

Are there any rooms where you think homeowners are sometimes hesitant to use wallpaper, but you think it can work especially well? What would you tell someone who loves wallpaper but isn’t sure where to use it?

People are sometimes hesitant to use wallpaper in a small room, worried that a pattern will overwhelm it. But a powder room, entryway, or small hallway can be a wonderful place to use it. Wallpaper can give these spaces a sense of purpose and personality, and a generous pattern can be surprisingly beautiful in a compact room.

I also love wallpaper in bedrooms, where a softer pattern or texture can make the space feel warm and restful. It doesn’t have to be bold to make an impact.

For someone who loves wallpaper but isn’t sure where to begin, I’d suggest choosing a space that would make them happy to see every day. A powder room is a great starting point, but even the back of a bookcase or a small breakfast nook can be an opportunity. Bring home samples and look at them in the room throughout the day. The right paper should feel like something you’re excited to live with.

Whether it’s a bold pattern in a powder room, a softer print in a bedroom, or a wallpaper that helps establish the color palette for an entire space, the right choice depends on the home and the people who live in it. As the Twin Construction designers shared, wallpaper can be a statement or a subtle finishing touch. The key is choosing something that feels intentional, works with the surrounding design, and brings a little more personality to the home.