Your living room is the center of your everyday life. It’s often where you unwind, host friends/family, and are likely to spend most of the time you will be at home so it makes sense that the walls in your living room set the mood for the entire space.
Living rooms in most Australian homes typically connect to either the kitchen or dining room due to their open space design. Because of this fluidity between areas, using wallpaper as an instrument to create visual balance, structure, and personality is vital to ensure you create a clutter-free appearance.
Set the Mood Before Choosing a Design
Rather than beginning with specifications (patterns), it can be more useful to first determine the "feeling" you would like the area to evoke.
For example, if you would like a peaceful and inviting area, use soft earthy colors and soft textures. They create a peaceful and inviting area. For an area to have character and depth, use large patterns and dark colors. However, light/neutral colored wallpaper works well in bright, sun-filled homes in Australia because they will help keep a clean and airy feel in the space.
Designers frequently recommend that wallpaper be considered one of the "mood layers" of the room as opposed to being simply decorative. How the wallpaper is installed to work with the atmosphere of the room is significantly more important than how it looks in isolation.
Feature Walls That Define the Space
One of the best uses for wallpaper in a living room is to create a feature wall. This creates a clear point of focus and doesn’t over-power the rest of the room.
Some common choices for creating a feature wall include: the wall behind the sofa, the television unit, or the fireplace. By creating a strong feature wall, you will have an anchor for the room, which will help to direct your furniture layout and add structure to open plan living areas. This method is often used in Australian homes, especially since open-plan areas greatly benefit from subtle visual zoning compared to physical barriers.
Light and Space Matter More Than You Think
Natural light affects how wallpaper looks at different times of the day. Bright, sunny rooms may have darker colours, bolder textures and more dramatic patterns than smaller dark living rooms, which are best with lighter colours that reflect light and make them look larger.
The size of patterns is also important. A larger pattern can often feel more balanced in a larger room, while a smaller pattern may feel cluttered and overwhelming in a smaller space. See Wallpaper Ideas for Different Room Sizes of different styles and pattern scales for living room ideas by visiting Mister Wallpaper's curated collection.
Texture Is Leading Modern Interiors
Australia's current trend is textural wallpaper used for modernising interior spaces. Homeowners are opting for linen-look, grass cloth, plaster-look and soft woven finishes instead of bulky, patterned wallpapers. This allows you to create an interesting depth to the space without creating a heavy presence within the room. Additionally, they all work in harmony with natural materials like timber, stone and neutral colour fabrics/mix of colours.
This style of decorating reflects the overall trend towards warm, minimalist/nature-inspired interiors increasing within Australia. You can explore real wallpaper examples and room inspirations through the Mister Wallpaper image gallery. View Real Room Wallpaper Examples
Balancing Wallpaper With Furniture
To achieve balance in a space, ensure the design of your living room doesn’t seem cluttered by using bold patterned furniture paired with softly coloured wallpaper; alternatively, if you have unused or neutral coloured furnishings, you can use wallpaper as a method of adding character and visual interest to that room.
The objective of your living room has nothing to do with perfectly matching items to each other, but rather with ensuring that all objects appear as if they exist within the same decor.
Australian Living Room Inspiration
The design of many modern Australian homes is frequently open-plan and full of natural light, with an emphasis on being laid-back. Wallpaper has become a popular means of introducing warm tones and personality into a room without having to physically alter its structure.
Wallpaper might be used in both coastal styles with natural materials such as sea grass; or contemporary styles such as modern geometric prints, to create the atmosphere of your living area to reflect your own personal style. The Mister Wallpaper inspiration gallery allows you to see how our wallpapers will look in actual homes by comparing different coastal, modern, and textured style options before you make your final decision. Explore the Inspiration Gallery.
Bringing the Space Together
The wallpaper in your living room is not simply a decoration; it’s an integral part of how you experience your home each day.
Done well, wallpaper will create warmth, add depth, and introduce personality into your living space, but also make it comfortable and functional. The best designs are those that ‘feel’ like they belong in that room, rather than ‘just’ looking good.
FAQ
1. Will wallpaper make my living room look smaller?
Yes, it can make a room feel smaller if the wrong design is used. Dark colours and busy, oversized patterns in compact spaces can create a closed-in effect.
You can explore suitable styles here: Mister Wallpaper Collection
2. Is wallpaper hard to remove later?
Yes, it depends on the type of wallpaper used. Traditional wallpapers can be more difficult to remove, while modern peelable and removable options are designed for easier updates.
3. Can I mix wallpaper with painted walls in the same room?
Yes, combining wallpaper with painted walls is very common. A feature wallpaper wall paired with neutral paint creates balance while adding depth, personality, and a designer look to your space.
See design inspiration here: Mister Wallpaper Ideas
4. Will wallpaper go out of style quickly?
No, not if you choose timeless designs. While bold patterns may follow trends, natural textures, subtle patterns, and neutral tones remain stylish for years.
5. Is wallpaper suitable for open-plan living spaces?
Yes, wallpaper works very well in open-plan layouts. It helps define different zones such as dining, living, or study areas without using physical barriers, making the space feel structured yet cohesive.
Discover more options here: Mister Wallpaper Collection