6 Entries That Prove the Power of Wallpaper

A team of sleek pieces — including a lacquered black dining chair, a zebra-pattern rug and a kelly green campaign desk — puts floral paper firmly in the 21st century. Abstract art doesn’t compete with the lively pattern.

Wallpaper: Peonies wallpaper, $190 for a single roll, riflepaperco.com; Desk: Campaign desk, $399, landofnod.com; Chair: Chippendale chair, $495, wshome.com; Lamp: Lights Up! Pops Deluxe lamp, $350, 2modern.com; Art: Colorblock by Catherine Jones framed print, $169, onekingslane.com; Rug: Loloi Zadie 3'6" x 5'6" rug, $219, rugs-direct.com

This large-scale modified Greek key pattern is decidedly glam, but the perky pink accents make it feel foyer-friendly. Don’t be afraid to use it as a backdrop for art. Keep the frames simple and the colors will pop off the paper.

Wallpaper: Demetrius wallpaper, $53 for a single roll, thibautdesign.com for stores; Bench: Custom; for a similar look, try Polart Carroll outdoor bench, $699, onekingslane.com; Pillows: (from left) Kate Spade New York Hello pillow, $50, dillards.com; Tirisa pillow, $119, boleroadtextiles.com; ART (clockwise from left) Amelia unframed giclee print, $50, carolynshultzfineart.etsy.com; Navy Geo by Britt Bass Turner unframed giclee print, $77, artfullywalls.com; Tulum unframed print, $150, maxwangerprintshop.com; Rug: Ushak 4' x 6' rug, from $649, westofhudson.com

Cheerful paper right inside the front door is the perfect antidote to a long day. Add a modern storage bench and oversize hooks in preppy colors to help you take a load off when you walk in.  

Wallpaper: Fern Block by Little Rhody Design wallpaper, $60 for a single roll, spoonflower.com; Bench: Ferris bench, $799, roomandboard.com; Pillows: (from left) Level pillow, $200, judyrosstextiles.com; Belgian Flax pillow cover, $29.50, and insert, $14, both potterybarn.com; Umbrella stand: Kensington umbrella stand, $140, crateandbarrel.com; Hooks: Crew Triple wall hooks, $90 for a set of 3, roomandboard.com; Rug: Surya Chaz 5' x 8' rug, $394.50, allmodern.com

You don’t have to live in the tropics to appreciate paper with a big, breezy banana-leaf print. Paired with a raffia-wrapped console table, a navy-striped rug, and a duo of orange lamps, you can pull off the look even in the burbs. 

Wallpaper: Leaves Bananique by The British Eccentric Studio wallpaper, $60 for a single roll, spoonflower.com; Console Table: Blake console, $1,195, serenaandlily.com; Stool: Diamond accent table, $98, vivaterra.com; Mirror: Stockholm mirror, $100, IKEA stores; Lamps: Cybil lamps, $245 for a set of 2, safaviehhome.com; Rug: Falls Village 5' x 8' rug, $493, dashandalbert.com