This Old-World Wallpaper Trend Is the Latest Home Decor Obsession—Here’s How to Make It Work for You

Step into any stylishly layered interior today, and chances are, you’ll spot a hint of history on the walls. From romantic florals to elegant damasks and bucolic toile scenes, old-world wallpaper is making a grand and graceful return. Once a hallmark of manor houses and European estates, these richly detailed patterns are gracing homes with a newfound relevance and charm.

To explore this revival, we turned to Paula Taylor, senior stylist and trend specialist at Graham & Brown, James Yarosh, interior designer and gallerist of James Yarosh Associates, and Jennifer Daltorio, content marketing manager for York Design Group. Together, they unpack why these timeless prints are resonating again, how today’s tastemakers are reinterpreting them, and how to bring their character-rich appeal into your own space.

Paula Taylor is the senior stylist and trend specialist at Graham & Brown, a British interiors brand and leader in wallpaper.
James Yarosh is an artist and the lead interior designer and gallerist of James Yarosh Associates, a fine art gallery and interior design firm.
Jennifer Daltorio is the content marketing manager for York Design Group, a manufacturer

What to Know About the Trend

“Old-world wallpaper typically refers to patterns that draw from classical European design traditions—damasks, toiles, baroque florals, architectural etchings, and pastoral vignettes,” explains Taylor. These motifs, she notes, often originate from the 18th and 19th centuries, when wallpaper functioned as both a luxurious decorative art and a medium for layered storytelling, reflecting cultural aspirations and intellectual ideas. “Today, we're bringing that artistry back, but with modern tools and sensibilities.”“There’s a collective craving right now for comfort, character, and connection to the past—and old-world wallpaper delivers all three,” says Taylor, reflecting on the impetus behind the revival. After years of minimalism and contemporary, pared-back interiors, people are seeking depth, storytelling, and artistry in their interiors. “Wallpapers with historical motifs, like pastoral scenes, classical landscapes, or intricate damasks, offer an immediate sense of tradition and timelessness, which feels deeply grounding in today’s fast-paced world.”This return to tradition isn’t simply nostalgic. In a fast-paced, digital, and uncertain world, wallpaper offers both emotional and sensory reprieve. “People have responded to the current world context by making their homes as comfortable and personal as possible,” says Daltorio. “There’s great comfort in embracing familiar patterns, especially those that remind us of childhood homes or family heirlooms.” Even if the era isn’t one we personally lived through, these designs evoke a sense of warmth, safety, and romanticized stability.

How Designers Are Modernizing History

While these wallpapers draw from history, today’s designers are giving them new life. “One of the most impactful ways designers are revitalizing old prints is through color,” says Daltorio. “Jewel tones, like burgundy and plum, embody the drama the classics have always maintained, while offering updated richness and saturation that feels distinctly fresh and modern.”

Scale is another key modernizing tool. Traditional prints are being enlarged to create bold, graphic statements and a gallery-like presence. “A larger scale floral print feels dramatic and fresh, whereas more structured designs, like block prints, make a wonderful complement at a smaller scale,” says Daltorio. Taylor agrees, using Graham & Brown’s Tate Collection as a case in point. “Our Tate x Graham & Brown murals take classical works and reframe them for modern homes, allowing customers to experience history in a fresh, approachable way,” she says. “It’s not about replicating the past, it’s about reimagining it.”

Texture also plays a critical role. From grasscloth and linen-look finishes to matte and mica fibrous effects, new wallpaper substrates soften formal designs and introduce a tactile, modern quality. “Homeowners can choose finishes that suit their personal style, whether that leans traditional or modern,” says Taylor. “This versatility lets Old-World-inspired art feel fresh, immersive, and completely at home in today’s interiors.”

Telling New Stories with Old Prints

For Yarosh, historical wallpaper isn’t about recreating the past; it’s about layering it meaningfully into the present. “Designing a space that weaves in historical references alongside new elements creates depth and visual interest,” he says. “Patterns become storytelling devices, adding layers of narrative to a space.”

A project in one of Yarosh’s NYC apartment projects exemplifies this approach. An oversized heron print by Gucci on a retro pink backdrop forms a striking focal point, offset by the clean geometry of the Manhattan skyline. “It evoked the spirit of 1920s cocktail culture and helped set the tone for entertaining,” he notes. Elsewhere in the apartment, a small Hermès mosaic wallpaper echoes the city’s gridlines, creating a visual bridge between interior and exterior.

How to Use Old-World Wallpaper Today

If you plan to feature old-world wallpaper as a room’s visual anchor, Daltorio recommends letting the print guide the rest of your design and keeping the surrounding elements subtle and cohesive. “Choose your color palette based on the wallpaper, either pulling hues from the design or, for more monotone patterns, choosing complementary tones to round out the remaining space,” she says. “Accent patterns should contrast in scale to keep the look layered but not chaotic.”

Contrasting traditional and modern patterns and furniture makes a space feel more intentionally curated and unique. “Balance is everything,” says Taylor. “When working with a highly detailed mural or wallpaper, we recommend pairing it with clean-lined furniture, natural materials, and layered textures like linen or velvet.” Daltorio agrees and recommends balancing bold wallpaper prints with a few moments of rest via solid colors and negative space, so the pattern can be truly appreciated. “Building in this contrast heightens the impact and intentionality of bolder selections.”

That said, if you’re worried about the contrast between your decor and wallpaper being too stark, Daltorio suggests ‘bridging’ eras by layering vintage accessories, like lamps or decorative trinkets, amongst modern furnishings. “These details extend your wallpaper’s ambiance throughout the entire space and create a sense of visual cohesion.”

Wallpaper samples are your best friend—if you’re exploring full-room wallpaper, Daltorio recommends ordering a sample for each wall to compare how it looks on your walls throughout the day. “Leave your wallpaper samples up for at least a week and make a note of your gut instinct selection,” she says.

Credit:

Paul Costello

Where Old-World Wallpaper Works Best

Historically, wallpaper began adorning cupboard interiors and modest rooms of merchant homes. Five centuries on, and designers have come full circle, returning to small, utilitarian spaces to make big decorative statements. “Bathrooms are the perfect place for dramatic wallpaper,” says Yarosh. “Damask and panoramic designs soften hard surfaces like tile and porcelain, and turn a basic necessity into an unexpected experience for guests.”

Home offices also benefit from old-world wallpaper. “The grandeur these styles impart gives the space a sense of self-importance that makes you excited to be working in there, and the distinctive look helps visually separate work from home life,” says Daltorio.

“These patterns work best where bold design can feel intentional rather than out of place,” summarizes Taylor. For her, bedrooms and dining rooms, in particular, benefit from the romance and visual depth these prints offer. “We've even seen them applied to ceilings—which we like to call the fifth wall—with striking effect, adding an unexpected sense of grandeur.”

Will the Trend Last?

Has this trend got staying power? Our experts think so. “I see old-world wallpaper as a lasting movement. While the visual language might evolve, the desire to surround ourselves with meaning, history, and beauty isn’t going to change. Bringing old-world wallpaper into our homes gives us a way to live with culture, every day.”

Yarosh echoes this sentiment: “With today’s focus on personal interiors, the lifespan of a ‘trend’ has stretched—but old-world wallpaper was never just a trend to begin with,” he says. “These designs have endured for centuries, and they have lasted this long because they stand the test of time. Beautiful is beautiful is beautiful.”