Wallpaper Art: How to Turn Your Walls Into Art

What If Wallpaper Is Art?

Have you ever thought about wallpaper as art? Not as a backdrop, not as "the thing behind the art," but as the art itself? My friendship with Liz Lidgett, and getting to be part of her book, Art for Everyone, has had me noodling on this more than usual lately. We tend to think about art so one-dimensionally: something you buy, frame, and hang. But my job is to make a home feel unmistakably like the people who live in it, which means I'm always hunting for unconventional ways to sneak personality into a space. Wallpaper is one of my favorite tricks. It lets us pull art right out of the frame and let it take over an entire wall.

So what do we mean by wallpaper art? Think of it as wallpaper that plays the role traditional artwork might play in a room: creating a focal point, adding personality, and setting the mood rather than simply filling an empty wall.

Wallpaper Art Ideas From Our Recent Projects

I've been obsessed with wallpaper for years. It is, hands down, one of the fastest ways to completely shift the mood of a room – cozy, glamorous, moody, playful, you name it. Here are a few of my favorite wallpaper art moments from recent projects.

Oversized Floral Wallpaper as Art in a Feminine Primary Bedroom

Confession: I had this peony wallpaper tucked away for years before it finally found its home. I'm talking years, just sitting there, waiting for the right project to come along and deserve it. The second I saw this Clearwater condo's primary bedroom, I knew. Those oversized blooms practically take up the whole wall, and they do more heavy lifting than any framed piece could: instant softness, instant romance, zero extra effort. Moral of the story: if you love a wallpaper enough, hold onto it. Its moment will come.

photo: Floral Wallpaper - Lisa Gilmore Design

Geometric Wallpaper Shines in a Midcentury Primary Suite

This one started with a daydream about New York City hotel suites and that boutique, tailored-suit feeling they always seem to nail. I wanted this waterfront midcentury primary suite to have that same energy, so we built the room around a bold geometric wallpaper that channels it.

photo: Midcentury Wallpaper - Lisa Gilmore Design

The house has good bones and history we wanted to honor, not erase, but the goal was never to make it feel like a museum. It needed to actually work for the people living there today. That geometric print became the bridge: a little retro, a little unexpected, incredibly alive.

photo: Geometric Wallpaper - Lisa Gilmore Design

Statement Wallpaper Transforms a Coastal Condo Entry

A retired couple bought this condo with one very clear request: give us a Florida retreat that does not look like every other Florida condo. No seashells, no "beachy," thank you very much.

photo: Statement Wallpaper - Lisa Gilmore Design

They wanted to feel like they'd checked into a beautiful boutique hotel every time they walked through their own front door. So that's exactly where we started, right at the entry, with a wallpaper so striking it sets the whole tone before you've even made it to the living room.

photo: Wallpaper Entry - Lisa Gilmore Design

Wallpaper Art on the Ceiling: A Snake Print Surprise

This little second bedroom got a glow-up into a dressing room, and I was not about to let the ceiling be an afterthought.

photo: Ceiling Wallpaper - Lisa Gilmore Design

We papered it in a bold snake print, a choice that has no business working in a room this soft and feminine, and yet, it absolutely does. There's something so fun about looking up and getting a little surprise the rest of the room doesn't warn you about.

photo: Dressing Room Wallpaper - Lisa Gilmore Design

FAQs: Using Wallpaper as Art

1. What is wallpaper art?

Wallpaper art is wallpaper used as a statement-making design element rather than simply as a background. Oversized florals, murals, geometric patterns, and even ceiling wallpaper can function much like artwork in a room.

2. How can I use wallpaper as art?

Think of the wallpaper as the focal point. A bold mural behind a bed, a dramatic pattern in an entry, or an unexpected print on the ceiling can create the same visual impact as a large piece of artwork.

3. Is wallpaper art still in style?

Absolutely. Wallpaper is having a major moment, especially bold patterns, murals, textured designs, and wallpaper used in unexpected places. The key is choosing something that feels personal rather than simply following a trend.

4. Can wallpaper really replace artwork on a wall?

Definitely. A large-scale mural or bold pattern can create the same focal-point effect as a statement piece of art. The trick is to treat the wallpaper intentionally, considering scale, color, and what you want the eye to notice first.

So here's the thing about wallpaper art: it's not really about the wallpaper. It's about giving yourself permission to be a little bolder than you thought you were allowed to be. A peony wall, a geometric ceiling, a snake print where you least expect it. None of it is “safe,” and that's exactly the point. If there's a pattern you keep circling back to, take that as your sign. 

Ready to bring your own vision to life? Fill out our design inquiry form and we’ll be in touch to talk through the details. Want more of this kind of thing: behind-the-scenes project peeks, wallpaper obsessions, everyday liveable glamour? Come hang out with me on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter. 

Lisa Gilmore Design is a full-service interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida, helping busy professionals fall back in love with their homes, from first consultation all the way to reveal. We work with homeowners in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, South Tampa, Hyde Park, and beyond.

Rethinking Art: Wall Decor Ideas That Go Beyond the Expected

Creative Wall Decor Ideas That Feel Personal, Layered, and Unexpected

For a lot of people, choosing art for their home feels like one of the hardest parts of the entire design process.

It feels expensive. Permanent. A little intimidating. Like you’re supposed to get it exactly right the first time.

So instead, most people default to what feels safe… or they leave their walls blank, waiting for the “perfect” piece to show up.

That’s why I love what Liz Lidgett is doing with her new book Art for Everyone. It opens up the conversation around collecting art in a way that feels approachable and doable, whether you’re just starting out or building a collection over time.

But there’s another layer to this that I think matters just as much.

Some of the most interesting wall decor ideas don’t come from traditional artwork at all.

Wall Decor Ideas Don’t Have to Come from a Gallery

When most people think about art, they picture framed prints, paintings, or something they’ve seen in a showroom.

And while those pieces absolutely have their place, they’re only one option.

Some of the most memorable spaces are built around pieces that were never meant to be “art” in the traditional sense.

Because when you expand your definition of art, you expand what’s possible in your home.

The Pieces People Remember Are the Ones They Didn’t Expect

The homes that stay with you aren’t always the ones filled with perfectly matched frames.

They’re the ones with a little personality.

A collection of vintage tennis rackets displayed like sculpture.
A series of oversized lollipops adding color and humor.
A grouping of wine bottles that feels more like an installation than storage.
Scarves framed like artwork.
Paper mâché pieces that bring texture and movement to a wall.
Musical instruments that double as both décor and storytelling.

These are the pieces that start conversations.

They feel collected, not decorated. Chosen, not assigned.

And more importantly, they reflect the person living there.

Art Is Less About Category… and More About Expression

One of the biggest shifts I encourage clients to make is this:

Stop asking, “Is this art?”
Start asking, “Do I love this enough to live with it?”

Because the moment you stop trying to categorize something, your options open up completely.

Objects, textiles, collections, and found pieces can all become part of your wall decor when they’re used with intention.

And at the end of the day, it really comes down to this:

Art is about what speaks to you. If you follow your instincts, it will work in your space.

This is where a home starts to feel personal.

Not because everything matches… but because everything belongs.

It’s Not What the Piece Is. It’s How It’s Used.

This is where design really comes into play.

A tennis racket on its own might just feel like a tennis racket.
A scarf might feel like something that belongs in a drawer.
A collection of bottles might feel like clutter.

But when those pieces are thoughtfully arranged, scaled, framed, or grouped, they take on a completely different presence.

They become part of the architecture of the room.

The way something is placed, the way it relates to the space around it, and the way it’s repeated or contrasted with other elements… that’s what elevates it.

That’s what turns an object into something that feels intentional.

The Right Pieces Change the Entire Energy of a Room

Art has a way of anchoring a space.

It adds movement. Emotion. Contrast.

It’s often the thing that takes a room from feeling finished… to feeling alive.

And when you start thinking beyond traditional artwork, your walls become an opportunity to create something far more layered and interesting.

This is why building a collection over time can be so powerful.

Not everything has to be decided at once. The best spaces usually evolve.

They gather pieces along the way.

This Is Where Most People Get Stuck

Even with all of this in mind, choosing art can still feel overwhelming.

There are too many options. Too many directions. Too many decisions.

And it’s not always obvious how to take a mix of pieces and make them feel cohesive in a space.

This is where having a designer changes everything.

My role is to take what you’re drawn to and shape it into something that feels elevated, intentional, and completely reflective of you… often in ways you didn’t even know were possible.

Or as I like to say, creating something you never knew could exist.

Bringing This to Life

Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Liz Lidgett, author of Art for Everyone, to talk about the joy of curating art for your home and expanding what that can look like in real life.

What I loved most about the conversation was how aligned it felt with the way I approach design — that art doesn’t have to fit into a specific category to be meaningful. It just needs to feel personal, intentional, and connected to the space around it.

We talked through everything from traditional collecting to more unexpected pieces, and how the most memorable homes are often the ones that take a more layered, expressive approach.

When It Works, It Doesn’t Feel Styled… It Feels Like You

The goal isn’t to fill your walls.

It’s to create a home that feels layered, expressive, and personal.

Because the most interesting spaces aren’t the ones that follow a formula.

They’re the ones that chose personality on purpose.

And sometimes, the pieces that do that best aren’t the ones you’d ever find in a gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wall Decor Ideas

1. What are some unique wall decor ideas for a home?

Some of the most interesting wall decor ideas go beyond traditional artwork. Items like vintage tennis rackets, musical instruments, framed textiles, collections of bottles, or sculptural objects can all be used as wall décor when styled with intention. The key is choosing pieces that feel personal and arranging them in a way that feels cohesive within the space.

2. Do wall decor ideas have to include traditional art?

Not at all. While paintings and prints are always a beautiful option, wall decor ideas can include a wide range of objects and materials. Scarves, paper mâché pieces, collections, and even everyday items can become art when they are thoughtfully displayed. What matters most is how the pieces are used, not whether they fit a traditional definition of art.

3. How do you make wall decor feel cohesive instead of cluttered?

Cohesion comes from how pieces are arranged and how they relate to each other within a room. Scale, spacing, repetition, and color all play a role in creating balance. Even a mix of unexpected items can feel elevated when they are curated with intention and connected to the overall design of the space.

If you’re ready for a home that feels more layered, more personal, and fully reflective of where you are now, we’d love to help bring that vision to life. You can start by filling out our design inquiry form, and we’ll be in touch with next steps.

For more inspiration, behind-the-scenes projects, and fresh wall decor ideas, follow along on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is a Tampa Bay–based interior design firm specializing in luxury residential design for busy professionals. The firm leads both renovations and new construction projects from early planning through final installation, creating homes that feel vibrant, layered, and deeply personal. Lisa Gilmore Design serves clients throughout St. Petersburg, Clearwater, South Tampa, Hyde Park, and beyond.

How to Mix Patterns in Interior Design Without It Feeling Chaotic

Mixing Patterns in Interior Design: Why It Works (and Why It Sometimes Doesn’t)

Mixing patterns is having a moment right now.

Maximalism is back in the conversation. Pattern play is everywhere. Color is finally getting the attention it deserves. And while that’s exciting… it can also feel like a lot.

Because mixing patterns in interior design is one of the quickest ways to make a home feel layered, interesting, and full of personality.

It’s also the fastest way to make a room feel like it got away from you.

Most people don’t avoid pattern because they don’t like it. They avoid it because they’re not sure where the line is between curated and chaotic.

But here’s the part most people don’t realize.

This isn’t new.

Lisa Gilmore Design has been designing with color and pattern since the very beginning - long before it was trending, long before it felt safe. It’s always been part of how we see a space. Not as something to tone down, but something to build with.

Because when it’s done well, pattern doesn’t feel chaotic at all.

It feels layered. Collected. Full of personality.

And while you can absolutely experiment with this on your own, this is also where working with a designer makes all the difference. Our job is to create spaces that feel cohesive and elevated… often in ways our clients didn’t even know were possible.

Or as we like to say, creating something you never knew could exist.

Pattern Isn’t the Problem. Lack of Direction Is.

Some of the most beautiful rooms are full of pattern - florals, stripes, geometric shapes, textures - all layered together in a way that feels effortless.

And then you walk into another space with far less pattern… and somehow it feels busy.

The difference isn’t quantity. It’s direction.

When a room feels chaotic, it’s usually because nothing is leading. Every piece is trying to have a moment, but nothing is actually guiding the eye.

The rooms that work always have a starting point.

A rug. A fabric. A piece of art. A color story.

Something that quietly sets the tone and allows everything else to fall into place.

Once that anchor is established, pattern stops competing for attention and starts working together.

The Best Recipe for Patterns in Interior Design

There’s a difference between a room that feels decorated and one that feels collected.

A decorated room often looks like everything came from the same retailer. The patterns match, the colors coordinate, and everything feels… finished. In a way that can feel a little flat.

A collected room has more life to it.

There’s variation. A mix of scale. A little contrast. Pieces that feel chosen rather than assigned.

And this is where pattern really starts to shine.

When everything is trying to match, pattern can feel forced. But when a room is allowed to have personality, pattern becomes the layer that adds depth.

It should feel like the room came together… not like it was instructed to.

Because the goal isn’t perfection.

It’s presence.

Color Is What Keeps a Bold Room Feeling Calm

When people think about mixing patterns in interior design, they tend to focus on the patterns themselves.

But what actually holds a room together is color.

Color creates a sense of continuity. It gives your eye something familiar to land on as it moves through the space.

When patterns share a common color story, they stop competing and start relating to each other. A floral, a stripe, and a geometric can all live in the same room and still feel cohesive when color is doing its job.

Without that connection, even a few patterns can feel disjointed.

It’s not about limiting how many colors you use. It’s about choosing colors that belong together and allowing them to repeat in a way that creates rhythm.

That’s what makes a room feel layered… instead of overwhelming.

It’s Not About Doing More. It’s About Choosing Better.

There’s a common assumption that mixing patterns means adding more.

More pillows. More prints. More layers.

But the most elevated spaces aren’t the ones with the most going on… they’re the ones where every piece has a role.

A bold pattern that anchors the room.
A secondary pattern that adds contrast.
A quieter element that gives your eye a place to rest.

When everything is trying to stand out, nothing really does.

But when each piece is chosen with intention, the room starts to feel composed - even if it’s full of personality.

That’s the difference.

Not more pattern.

Better pattern.

FAQs: Mixing Patterns in Interior Design

1. How do you mix patterns in interior design?

Mixing patterns in interior design works best when the room has a clear direction. Designers focus on scale, color relationships, and balance so patterns feel intentional rather than overwhelming.

2. How many patterns can you use in one room?

There isn’t a fixed number. A room can handle multiple patterns when they are tied together through a cohesive color palette and thoughtful composition.

3. What patterns go well together in a room?

Patterns with varying scale - such as a large floral, a medium geometric, and a subtle texture - often work well together. The key is contrast with connection, so each element feels distinct but still part of the overall design.

At the end of the day, mixing patterns in interior design isn’t about getting it exactly right.

It’s about creating a space that feels layered, expressive, and a little more reflective of who you are now.

Because the most interesting homes aren’t the ones that played it safe.

They’re the ones that chose personality on purpose. The ones that allowed for color, contrast, and pieces that don’t all match perfectly… but somehow still belong together.

And when it’s done well, it doesn’t feel chaotic at all.

It feels settled. Comfortable. Lived in, in the best way.

If you’re ready to start designing a space that feels unapologetically you, we’d love to help you explore what’s possible. Follow along on Instagram, join our newsletter, or reach out when you’re ready to begin. Because the most beautiful homes aren’t designed for approval - they’re designed for living.

Lisa Gilmore Design is a Tampa Bay–based interior design firm specializing in luxury residential design for busy professionals. Known for creating vibrant, personality-filled homes, the firm blends artisan-crafted pieces, antiques, and custom elements to produce spaces that feel layered, distinctive, and deeply personal. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners throughout Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Hyde Park, South Tampa, and clients around the world.

Interior Design Trends 2026: What Designers Are Actually Doing (and What They're Leaving Behind)

Which 2026 Interior Design Trends Are Worth It and Which Ones Are Fading

Every year, a fresh batch of interior design trends starts making the rounds. One list insists everything should be minimalist. Another declares color is back. Someone else says pattern is over. Then a week later… pattern is the most exciting thing happening in design.

It can start to feel like your home is supposed to reinvent itself every six months.

But the truth is, beautiful homes don’t work that way.

When clients ask me about interior design trends in 2026, what they’re usually asking is something much simpler: What still feels fresh… and what is starting to feel a little tired?

Because most people aren’t trying to chase trends. They just want their home to feel current, personal, and a little more reflective of who they are now.

And that’s where good design actually lives.

Interior Design Trends 2026: What Designers Are Actually Seeing

There are definitely shifts happening in interior design right now. Some trends are evolving in really interesting ways, while others are quietly stepping out of the spotlight.

What I hear most often from homeowners tends to sound like this.

Are Accent Walls Still in Style?

Accent walls haven’t disappeared… they’ve just grown up a little.

The old version of an accent wall was usually one random painted wall that didn’t quite relate to anything else in the room. Today, designers are creating intentional focal moments instead.

That might be wallpaper with personality, architectural paneling, a dramatic paint color, or built-ins that give the room a strong point of view.

The difference is that the moment feels connected to the whole design rather than looking like it wandered in from another room.

Are White Kitchens Going Out of Style?

White kitchens are not packing their bags and leaving anytime soon.

They’re timeless for a reason. White reflects light beautifully, it plays well with almost every material, and it gives a kitchen a sense of openness that people still love.

What is changing in many interior design trends for 2026 is how white kitchens are layered.

Designers are bringing in warmer wood tones, stone with natural movement, darker islands, and mixed metals to give white kitchens more depth and personality. Think of it less as stark white and more as white with character.

Are Black Finishes Still Trending?

Black is still very much in the conversation… but it’s being used more thoughtfully.

Instead of black showing up everywhere, designers are placing it strategically. A black window frame, a darker kitchen island, or matte black hardware can add just enough contrast to give a space some architectural backbone.

A little black can do a lot of heavy lifting.

Are Valences and Traditional Window Treatments Coming Back?

Window treatments never really disappear - they just get reinvented.

The overly formal, heavy valences of decades past aren’t exactly making a full comeback. But valances and more structured drapery designs are quietly returning, just in a much more tailored way.

Instead of layers of heavy fabric and elaborate swags, today’s versions feel cleaner and more intentional. Think structured valances, tailored drapery panels, and fabrics that frame the window beautifully without overwhelming the room.

When done well, they add softness, polish, and a finished look that simple blinds alone just can’t achieve.

The Real Trend: More Personal Homes

The biggest shift happening in design right now isn’t tied to any single material, color, or style.

It’s confidence.

Homeowners are becoming more comfortable creating homes that reflect their own personality instead of following every new trend that appears online. That might mean mixing patterns, layering color, displaying meaningful pieces, or simply choosing what they love and committing to it.

And honestly… that’s when design becomes interesting.

A home should feel like it belongs to the person living in it. Not like it was assembled from the latest trend forecast.

FAQs: 2026 Interior Design Trends

What are the biggest interior design trends for 2026?

Many interior design trends for 2026 are moving toward warmer, more personal spaces. Designers are incorporating layered materials, richer colors, natural textures, and custom details that give homes more depth and individuality.

Are accent walls outdated?

Accent walls aren’t outdated, but the approach has evolved. Instead of a single contrasting paint color, designers are creating focal moments through wallpaper, architectural details, or built-ins that feel intentional and integrated into the room.

Are white kitchens still popular in 2026?

Yes. White kitchens remain incredibly popular because they are timeless and versatile. Designers are simply pairing them with warmer materials like wood cabinetry, textured stone, and mixed metals to give them more personality and balance.

Trends will always come and go, but the most successful homes aren’t built around trends alone.

When you approach interior design trends in 2026 with a clear point of view, your home becomes something far more interesting. It reflects your life, your style, and the season you’re living in now.

And that will always feel better than trying to keep up with whatever the internet decides is trending next.

If you’re ready to start designing a space that feels unapologetically you, we’d love to help you explore what’s possible. Follow along on Instagram, join our newsletter, or reach out when you’re ready to begin. Because the most beautiful homes aren’t designed for approval - they’re designed for living.

Lisa Gilmore Design is a Tampa Bay–based interior design firm specializing in luxury residential design for busy professionals. Known for creating vibrant, personality-filled homes, the firm blends artisan-crafted pieces, antiques, and custom elements to produce spaces that feel layered, distinctive, and deeply personal. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners throughout Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Hyde Park, South Tampa, and clients around the world.