Small rooms present special challenges when it comes to decorating - but at the same time offer plenty of potential for creative design ideas. When choosing wallpaper, the right combination of colour, pattern and material can create an amazing effect: more light, more depth, more personality.
Delicate patterns instead of loud statements
Contrary to what is often claimed, small rooms are ideal for designing with wallpaper. However, large-format designs with bold colours can quickly appear overwhelming in small rooms. Subtle patterns, on the other hand, bring structure and vibrancy to the wall without being visually overwhelming. Fine lines, small floral prints or geometric mini patterns are ideal for stylishly enhancing a room.
Thanks to their typically Scandinavian, understated colour schemes, the Karolina, Mollys Meadow, Hugo and Skogsstjärna wallpapers by the traditional Swedish brands Sandberg and Boråstapeter fulfil this function perfectly.
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Clever accents
If you still want to create a highlight, choose a single wall as an accent area - behind the bed or sofa, for example. This creates an attractive eye-catcher without the room losing any of its width.
The Hippo wallpaper by Studio Lisa Bengtsson is a classic with our customers that is used time and again for this purpose.
Hippo wallpaper by Studio Lisa Bengtsson
Bright colours provide visual size
Colours have a significant influence on the feeling of a room. Light colours such as white, cream, sand or pastel shades reflect the light and make walls recede visually. This creates an airy, open impression - especially in rooms with little natural light.
Darker colours are not out of the question, but should be used selectively - for example in combination with light-coloured furniture or accessories. A deep blue wall with a subtle gold pattern, for example, can make a small room look surprisingly elegant.
If you want to create a light, Scandinavian style in the room, you should shortlist wallpapers such as Northern Stone from Boråstapeter or Rob Leaves from Coordonné.
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Stripes make a difference
Vertical stripes visually stretch the room upwards - ideal for rooms with low ceilings. Horizontal stripes, on the other hand, make narrow rooms appear wider. Combinations of tone-on-tone colours are particularly effective, drawing the eye but not distracting it. Swedish wallpaper manufacturers such as Boråstapeter offer a large selection here. The Falsterbo wallpaper, for example, remains in the background but still organises the room.
Falsterbo wallpaper by Boråstapeter
Textures and gloss bring depth
Wallpapers with fine embossing or a slight shimmer create interesting light and shadow effects that add depth and elegance to the room. The interplay with natural light is particularly beautiful, subtly emphasising the texture of the wallpaper and giving the room a high-quality atmosphere. The Belgian wallpaper brand Arte realises this masterfully with the Facet wallpaper.
Facet wallpaper by Arte
Spatial depth through perspective
Photomurals with a wide view - such as landscapes, paths or architectural motifs with perspective - open up small rooms visually. It is important that the motif does not appear too overloaded and is harmoniously integrated into the existing room concept in terms of colour. Examples of this are the two panoramic wallpapers Nunavut and Vallée du Rift by Isidore Leroy. The French manufacturer based in Bordeaux specialises in murals and panoramic wallpapers.
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My bottom line
With the right wallpaper, small rooms can not only be visually enlarged, but also stylishly staged. Bright colours, subtle patterns, textured surfaces or a targeted eye-catcher add size to any room - without adding any extra square metres.
At meinewand.com, you can discover perfect wallpaper ideas for your home - for small rooms that will make a big impression.
Find matching colours in the MEINEWAND shop
In the MEINEWAND shop, our interior decorator Kai Bergen has already put together matching shades for many wallpapers. You will find them below the respective wallpaper.
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Image sources: Coordonné, Boråstapeter, Sandberg, Isidore Leroy, Studio Lisa Bengtsson