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Calm Wallpapers That Create a Soothing Atmosphere

Don’t you love how wallpaper has gone from outdated to ultra desirable?! An array of fabulous wallpaper patterns awaits design enthusiasts, thanks to the current wallpaper revival. On the other hand, it’s because of these refreshed, updated patterns that the revival occurred in the first place. It’s also interesting how people once referred to rooms covered in wallpaper as “busy.” In reality, wallpaper can have a variety of effects on a space. Energizing. Modernizing. Calming. Today we feature calm wallpapers that create a soothing effect. Check out the rooms and patterns below, and don’t forget to leave a comment at the end of the post telling us which selections made you feel peaceful and carefree…

Wallpaper in Solid Hues

Why go to the trouble of wallpapering a room if you’re simply going to go solid? Because slight variations in color and texture within the pattern add an element of depth and dimension to the space. Take the gray room below… the color is steady and strong, and the repetition of horizontal lines creates a peaceful effect. [from Space Architects & Planners]

Calming gray wallpaper

Sometimes going solid actually means selecting a pattern. But if the pattern involves shades of the same hue, the effect is calming rather than distracting. And that’s just the vibe you want for a sleeping space like the one below. [from Lonny]

Cream patterned wallpaper in a relaxing bedroom

Geometric Wallpaper

Geometric wallpaper involves repetition and bold forms. While you may be wondering how vibrant geometry can be calming, the key is in the color. If you’re going for a soothing effect, select shades that are known for their tranquil vibe, such as rosy neutrals or soft blues. If the color is calming, the pattern can be as angular or curvy as they come. The effect will still be subtle. Below we see two shades of Graham & Brown Steve Leung Ling wallpaper from Design Public

Graham and Brown wallpaper

A background of gray and a soft geometric pattern give this next room its elegant allure. The space is an inviting one, thanks to a cool-toned hue and a repetitive motif that is more whimsical than assertive. [from Laura Martin Bovard Interiors]

Soft geometric wallpaper

Chic Damask Patterns

Another way to create a calming effect? Go with wallpaper in a timeless pattern, such as damask. It’s elegant without being stuffy. It’s upscale without being rigid. And when selected in soft tones, it really dresses up a space. In fact, the room below is filled with simple forms and furnishings. Yet the damask wallpaper transports it to another time. [from Rachel Reider]

Damask wallpaper

Wallpaper with a silky finish is enchanting, and that quality might be just what you need to drift off into a refreshing sleep. This next featured space glows with a soft sheen. The damask pattern adds stately style, thanks to a cream and blue color combination. [from Pure Bliss Creative Design via Houzz, photo by Meghan Liddle Photography]

Cool-toned damask wallpaper

Natural Wonders

We end today’s post with a series of wallpaper selections that celebrate motifs from nature. Blossom-filled trees, beautiful birds and tropical plants are depicted in the patterns that follow. By bringing the outdoors in, this wallpaper reminds us that the softness of nature can be celebrated on a daily basis. Below we see Schumacher wallpaper with an aqua background and a floral motif. What’s better than taking a bath while surrounded by the promise of fragrant blooms? [from Leland Interiors, photo by Shannon Fontaine]

Floral wallpaper for a serene bathroom

If you’re looking to add a touch of wallpaper to your interior but you don’t want to commit to an entire room (or wall), try incorporating patterns through a series of framed panels. Birds and branches are the focal point of the wallpaper pattern below, which is soothing with its delicate shade of blue… [from Turquoise]

Soothing wallpaper panels

Vibrant pillows wake up the room below. Yet the space is anchored by a warm shade of wallpaper boasting a bird- and tree-themed silhouette. Even though this paper is patterned, it’s a calming counterpart to the room’s brighter colors. [from Loadingdock5 Architecture]

Bird and tree wallpaper

A tried and true wallpaper strategy for creating a calming space: go with a pattern that reminds you of being on vacation! And what could be more breezy than palm trees and tropical plants? A rich green accent shade adds a sense of luxury to our last featured room. Close your eyes and you just might hear the sound of the waves hitting the shoreline… [from Lonny]

Tropical wallpaper

Solids. Florals. Damask. Geometrics. A range of colors. Today we featured a variety of wallpaper selections. Did anything in particular grab your attention? Tell us about your favorite rooms and patterns below…

Kate Simmons

Kate Simmons is a freelance writer and design blogger with a love of all things decor. She spent her childhood writing stories and working on interior design-themed DIY projects. Kate’s published writing reflects her special interest in how design has changed through the decades. Her blog Mirror80 ( http://mirror80.com/) explores the fashion and [...]

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