How to Choose the Right Wallpaper for a Small Space

Decorating a small room can be a big design challenge, but the right wallpaper can completely transform how the space feels. Whether you're refreshing a powder room, styling a studio apartment, or updating a cosy bedroom, wallpaper offers endless possibilities to add depth, character, and style - without taking up a single centimetre of floor space.

To make your small space feel larger, lighter, and more luxurious, it’s all about choosing the right patterns, colours, and finishes. Here's how to do it.

1. Light Colours That Open Up the Room

One of the simplest tricks in interior design is using light and airy colours to reflect more light and make a room feel spacious. Soft whites, creams, dusty pinks, pale greys, and pastels are ideal choices for small rooms. These hues help walls recede visually, giving the illusion of a larger, more open space.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-apply solution, our Peel and Stick Wallpaper range includes beautiful light-toned designs that brighten walls instantly - and are renter-friendly too.

2. Subtle Patterns & Small-Scale Prints

In tight spaces, delicate geometric prints, fine florals, and thin stripes work wonders. These small-scale patterns add visual texture without overwhelming the room. Stripes, especially vertical ones, can also elongate the walls and make ceilings feel higher, adding perceived height and structure.

Avoid overly busy or densely packed designs. Instead, choose wallpaper with breathing room, or patterns that incorporate plenty of negative space, helping your eyes travel more easily across the walls.

3. Accent Walls: Big Impact Without Clutter

Want to go bold without closing in the room? Create a feature wall behind a bed, sofa, or hallway console. This approach lets you experiment with bold patterns, moody tones, or textured finishes like grasscloth or faux linen without overpowering the space.

A mural or large-scale wallpaper can also be incredibly effective on just one wall. Think of a soft forest print, abstract wash, or beachy vista to pull the eye outward and add dimension.

Explore our Nature Murals for options that offer instant wow-factor while still feeling serene and expansive.

4. Reflective & Textured Finishes That Bounce Light

Another clever design move? Opt for wallpaper with a slight sheen, metallic accents, or natural texture. Glossy finishes and materials like grasscloth wallpaper can bounce natural or artificial light around the room, adding brightness and depth.

Even if you love moody colour palettes, you can still create a sense of spaciousness by layering textures and ensuring your lighting plan is on point.

5. Natural Motifs That Breathe Life Into Small Rooms

Organic imagery like trees, florals, leaves, or soft clouds can make a room feel fresh and expansive. Nature has a calming, grounding effect, especially when paired with earthy tones or soft greens and blues. For a contemporary twist, try minimalist floral linework or pastel-hued botanicals.

Our Floral and Botanical Wallpaper collection includes designs that work beautifully in small bedrooms, bathrooms, or even nurseries—adding personality without shrinking the space.

Make Every Square Metre Count

Choosing wallpaper for a small space isn’t just about colour, it’s about illusion, mood, and strategy. By embracing light tones, subtle patterns, natural motifs, and thoughtful placement, you can turn even the tiniest room into a standout space that feels polished and personal.

Explore our full wallpaper range!