In today’s post, I’m excited to share my dining room wallpaper. When designing a small space like our breakfast nook (located near our kitchen), wallpaper can make a big impact and really make a difference.
Choosing a wallpaper that evokes your ideal mood (mine is warm and cozy) is key. In this post, I’ll share photos of my wallpapered dining room, tips for choosing the right wallpaper for your space, and everything you need to know about installing wallpaper.
Related Posts: 5 Creative Uses for Peel and Stick Wallpaper, Best Floral Wallpaper, Inexpensive DIY Wallpaper Hack, Wallpaper Removal Tips, Painted Daisy Wallpaper, and Removable Wallpaper on Etsy.
Transforming our dining room with wallpaper
When we bought this home, we instantly fell in love with this little nook with original built-ins. It’s such a happy, sunny space and I couldn’t wait to decorate it!
This room was previously wallpapered with a quirky, modern wallpaper featuring monkeys. When I shared it in my empty house tour video, many people commented that we should have monkey wallpaper. To me, that’s the most beautiful thing about wallpaper — it can be so incredibly personal and expressive!
I knew I wanted a wallpaper that felt warm and cozy—almost a fall year-round vibe. I also wanted a paper that dated back to when our house was built in 1904.
I considered a lot of different papers, thinking each one could be decorated with Halloween, Christmas, or children’s birthday party decorations. I ended up choosing this Medlar pattern. The floral pattern felt the perfect blend of cozy, inviting and historic.
What to consider when choosing wallpaper for your dining room
- Always buy wallpaper samples. Wallpapers may vary in person from what appears online. If you’re buying from a place like Anthropologie that doesn’t have samples, look elsewhere for wallpaper that offers them. It’s always worth the extra $5-$10 per sample to see them in person. I keep a collection of patterns because sometimes I find a home for a particular pattern later.
- Consider the size and features of your home. Large scale prints look good in large open rooms, while super tight repeats can look good in smaller rooms. I always ask my wallpaper installer for advice on whether they think a pattern will look good in a space. Rooms with lots of angles need more forgiving patterns so it’s less noticeable.
- Consider the age of your home. For my historic home, I like to use patterns that might have existed when it was built. I think more modern and funky patterns are better for newer or mid-century homes. It’s worth considering whether you can find a wallpaper option that you like that matches the era of your home. Of course, it’s your home and the final call is yours — so choose what speaks to you and what you know you’ll enjoy for a long time.
- I always use a professional installer. In my experience, the cost of the wallpaper often equals the cost of the installer’s labor. So, a large room with many angles can cost several thousand dollars to install, and a small room like this breakfast nook is usually less than $1,000 to install. The reason I always use a professional is because I am not a perfectionist and this job requires precision and skill. To me, it is worth hiring a professional for this task.
- Many wallpaper installers will not install peel and stick wallpaper, so be sure to check. I prefer traditional wallpaper over peel and stick unless it’s for a very small space (maybe lining a shelf or closet). I’ve had a lot of problems with peel and stick wallpaper that I haven’t experienced with traditional wallpaper.
How the wallpaper turned out at our breakfast. I love how it accents the original built-ins and large windows. This is such a warm and friendly place!
The wallpapers I considered for this room.
Sources of Elsie’s dining room
Thanks so much for reading! I am so excited to take you with me as I slowly decorate my historic home. Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section. Love, Elsie
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