5 Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper

I love wallpaper, however if you’re a renter like me, it’s not always an option to hang it on your walls … or maybe you just don’t want to commit!

Have you found a pattern you love but don’t want to hang it? Here are five creative ways to use wallpaper, other than on your walls!

This post contains affiliate links.

As you know, I’m a Brand Ambassador for Graham & Brown, a British company that has been innovating the home improvement market for 70 years. Graham & Brown has predicted a number of fun interior design trends for 2015, and I’m sharing a new trend with you each month! (Check out my post on last month’s trend, Horizon.)

This month’s trend is Discovery, and Graham & Brown invited me to join in their first ever Wallpaper Week, October 5 – 11! To celebrate, they developed “7 Feelings of Wallpaper,” one for each day of the week:

• Monday: Date Night (October 5)
• Tuesday: Calm (October 6)
• Wednesday: Inspired (October 7)
• Thursday: Nostalgic (October 8)
• Friday: Funky (October 9)
• Saturday: Glamorous (October 10)
• Sunday: Social (October 11)

The trend that spoke to me was Funky! Here’s how Graham & Brown describes it:

Get that funky feeling, it’s Friday! This theme is for all of those living for the weekend. Fridays are the perfect opportunity to entertain guests and stay up late. With work done for the week, you have no excuses, so unleash this theme in your home with vibrant shades and bold designs. From sharp geometrics to bold stripes, we’re not going to be too intricate as we want to ensure that we still have that laid back Friday vibe.

I love entertaining, and I’ve been known to count down to Friday, so funky it is. Try one of these 5 creative ways to use wallpaper, and you can have this trend, too!

Frames by Taylor & Wood Wallpaper, Acrylic Tray, Carved Wood Coffee Table, Stemless Wine Glasses, Snapshots Pillow, Forget Rules Pillow, NY Type Pillow, Orange & Blue Pillows

Dress Up a Tray

I absolutely love this Frames wallpaper! It’s so fun, and I thought it would look awesome lining an acrylic tray. You could even add some of your favorite photos to the frames. Attach the pics with washi tape for a unique look, then add a piece of glass to protect the paper.

This dressed up tray is perfect for entertaining. To keep things casual, I’d surround my coffee table (I have the exact one shown!) with cushy pillows. Everyone could sit on the floor and enjoy wonderful wine and delicious food … sounds like the perfect night to me!

Kelly Ikat by Kelly Hoppen Wallpaper, Bookcase, Framed Corsage Heart Art, Coral Sculpture, Ceramic Elephant Bookends, Chalkboard Dreams and Wishes Printed Canvas

Line a Bookcase

Another great way to use wallpaper is to line a bookcase. I chose a bold ikat wallpaper that would add a ton of personality to a plain set of shelves. Use double-sided tape to adhere the wallpaper to the back panel of your bookcase, and it will be easy to remove if you get tired of it.

To create a beautifully curated bookcase, intersperse your books with a mixture of figurines, art, and other favorite objects. Make sure to leave a little white space … you want to show of that gorgeous wallpaper!

Graham & Brown On the Menu Wallpaper, Frame, Lamp (similar), Elephant Garden Stool, Lit Arrow Metal Art, Ornate Ethnic Panel, Meadow Pillow, Upholstered Chair

Frame it

Have you fallen in love with a pretty wallpaper pattern? Why not frame it?

I used Graham & Brown’s On the Menu paper when I created DIY removable wallpaper (perfect for renters) in my kitchen, and I’m still in love with it. There’s still plenty of paper left on the roll, and the pattern would look amazing shown off in an oversize frame.

This paper is plenty funky on it’s own, but I love the idea of pairing it with fun accessories like a elephant garden stool and an oversized arrow marquee light!

Graham & Brown Desire Pink Damask Wallpaper, The Hypnotist by Barbara Hulanicki Wallpaper, Graham & Brown Botanic Floral Wallpaper, Clipboard Set, Good Things Are Going to Happen Print, Wire Basket, Chair, Desk

Decorate a Clipboard

Who says offices have to be boring? Another creative way to use wallpaper is to decorate a clipboard with it. Hang the clipboards, then use them in place of a bulletin board to hold paper work and odds and ends.

To keep with the funky theme, I chose three bold wallpaper patterns: a pink damask, lime geometric, and a graphic blue floral. I love the lively mix of patterns and colors!

A simple white desk is a great neutral backdrop for the bright office chair. You’ll stay motivated gazing at the Good Things Are Going to Happen Print!

Wallpaper would also make an excellent desk blotter or use it to cover a damaged desk top.

Isabelle Blue by Monsoon Wallpaper, Dresser, Amour Pillow, Mint Pillow, London Watercolor Print, Upholstered Headboard, Duvet Set

Makeover Your Furniture

Have you ever thought of applying wallpaper to your furniture? You can easily take a plain white dresser from boring to one-of-a-kind by applying beautiful paper to the drawer fronts. I chose Isabelle by Monsoon, a paper that equal parts pretty, traditional, and quirky.

Bedrooms should be serene and relaxing, so I kept the headboard and bedding neutral. Fun pillows and a watercolor print of London complete the room.

Which of the “7 Feelings of Wallpaper” do you most relate to?

This post is supported by Graham & Brown, a company I love! All opinions are my own.

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