Wallpaper is having a wow moment—and when you see the new designs, textures, colors and special effects that are available, you’ll know why. Calico recently collaborated with five designers who chose wallcoverings to transform rooms into memorable spaces. As one homeowner noted, “Wallpaper is a game changer—and Calico offers 15% off wallpaper every day.” Let’s go on a house tour!

Samantha Regan, Charleston, SC: Changing up an entry & foyer

“Our entryway refresh is complete, and wallpaper made all the difference. Simple updates can have a big impact!” said Samantha. For the large wall, she chose Lunaria, a design of climbing branches in soft blues to complement the ottomans that tuck under a side table (also a Calico project).

Samantha gave the ceiling a new look with wood beams—and a textured grasscloth wallcovering in a chevron pattern. “It was such a quick way to elevate this space,” she recalled. “Now this entryway makes me happy every time I walk in the front door!”

Note: Shop and sample from 180 grasscloth and other unique papers made with natural materials in this new wallcovering book from York, available at all Calico stores.

Instagram: @samantharegan

Entryways and foyers are a perfect place to add personality with a distinctive wallpaper. You can go big and bold, as these are pass-through spaces. Beautiful wallpaper can also stand-in for paintings and art. Note that Samantha exchanged a painting in the Before image for a stunning mirror in the After image to avoid competing with the wallpaper.

Botanical patterns are fresh, fun and can envelop us in the natural world—a lovely antidote to our high-tech lives. Here are a few more options from Calico’s extensive collection:

Brittany Palazzo, Atlanta, GA: A cottage bathroom re-do

Brittany and her husband are renovating a historic home that she calls a cottage (two bedrooms and one bath). The bathroom is tiny, “but I was on a mission to make it pack a big punch! I really wanted to go all out with color and pattern,” she noted. Brittany fell in love with this Menagerie Toile wallpaper and then selected a Zellige tile from Morocco to go in the shower.

“Pattern on pattern is my love language,” said Brittany. “I took one look at this gorgeous paper at Calico—and I was in love! It was the perfect starting point for the design of this fun space.”

“Where do I often start when I want a space to make a statement?” asked Brittany. “Wallpaper of course! I was a little bit nervous about this combo when I first put it together, but it turned out so fun!”

Instagram: @addisonswonderland

Blog post: The Reveal of Our Pattern Filled Cottage Bathroom Renovation!

Flora and fauna designs printed on a dark ground can create dramatic backdrops for interiors. Here are a few more options from Calico’s collection of wallcoverings:

Taryn Whiteaker, Dallas, TX: A bold wallpaper and DIY renovation totally changes a mudroom and hallway

Eleven years ago, Taryn Whiteaker asked her husband to teach her how to use a circular saw. “Now I’m the one who uses all the power tools in the house!” she notes. And does she! Taryn used many of them to transform this entry from their garage which leads to a mudroom area, laundry room and downstairs bath off the main living space. “This tiny corner of our house is walked through a million times a day,” said Taryn. “I wanted this small hallway to feel like an intentional design that was a bit of a surprise.” And now, her “Moody Modern Entry Mudroom Décor” is a big surprise!

“The original hallway and mudroom area was all beige and cream,” said Taryn. “Completely fine, but I wanted it to feel more luxe and custom.” Taryn first installed reeded paneling and chair rail on the lower walls and painted them black. Then she chose a high contrast Brushed Ink wallpaper from Calico for the top part of the walls. “I love that it combines a bold pattern with neutral hues and brings the entire space together,” she added.

“I always envisioned a bold unexpected look in this hallway,” explained Taryn. “You see a peek of it from our main living space, just enough to make you want to know what’s down that hallway.” The space is now full of character and unique details, she adds. “I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out!”

Instagram: @tarynwhiteaker_designs

Blog Post: Moody Modern Entry Mudroom

Wallcoverings in bold patterns or textures are art for your walls! Here are a few more options from Calico’s collection of wallcoverings:

Emily Starr Alfano, Natick, MA: A papered ceiling makes this refreshed entry shine

Emily’s wallpaper project started with paint! After painting the trim in the entryway of her 1898 home, she started looking up—and decided to wallpaper the L-shaped ceiling. “The entry is small, but a central pass-through space,” said Emily. Ceilings catch light differently than walls, she noted—and so she chose “Petal” in white and metallic gold. “It’s a delicate fleur-de-lis style pattern with just a hint of shine,” she stated, “perfect for adding a little sparkle.”

In the 19th century, pattern on ceilings was popular. Today, it’s an unexpected accent and adds visual interest to a small space such as an entryway, closet or powder room. In a bedroom, it can also be enjoyed while lying in bed. Adding wallpaper to the “fifth wall” can make the room feel warm and welcoming.

“The wallpaper update makes the entry feel more polished and cohesive,” observed Emily. “Plus, the versatility of its design means it works now—and with any future paint or décor changes!” Good thing, as her long term plans include smoothing the walls to make them ready for wallpaper and installing a stair runner.

An advisory note for ceilings: if selecting a wallcovering for a ceiling, be careful about wallpapers that are very directional, especially if the room has multiple doorways and entry points. If you want something more subtle, choose a neutral texture, as Samantha Regan did. Finally, a standard wallpaper that is applied with paste will be easier to install than a peel-and-stick type. Ceilings should be smooth and clean before application.

Instagram: @mstarrevdesign

Mini-pattern papers work well on ceilings in addition to subtle textures in tones that complement the color or pattern on the walls:

Arielle Vey, San Diego, CA: Night and day transformation of a guest bathroom

“Any time I’ve walked into a moody bathroom at a cute hotel, I thought about our hall bathroom and how fun it would be to transform the space into something with a ton of character,” recalled Arielle.

“At Calico, there are so many designs and patterns to choose from in every color family,” added Arielle. “This Strawberry Fields wallpaper makes me so happy every time I walk into the room.” Arielle and her husband painted the ceiling black and found gold hardware for the vanity to add a little glam. “It’s my new favorite room in the house,” she enthused. “I love how this turned out!”

Instagram: @ariellevey

Blog Post: Hall Bathroom Refresh

“Wallpaper is such a fun and quick way to transform the aesthetics of any room,” said Arielle. Here are a few more options for a similar look: