The Power of Wallpaper: How to Add Personality to Any Room in Your Home
When thinking about the most transformative design tools we use at Riverbrook Design and Construction, wallpaper is always at the top of the list. It’s more than just a decorative finish - it’s a statement. Wallpaper has the ability to tell a story, set a mood, and completely change how a room feels. Unlike paint, which often acts as a subtle backdrop, wallpaper can infuse personality, depth, and even drama into a space. Over the years, we have worked on countless luxury home design projects and seen firsthand how wallpaper can elevate interiors from well-designed to unforgettable. Whether it’s a bold floral print in a powder room, a textured grasscloth in a dining space, or a subtle geometric pattern in a bedroom, each choice reflects the client’s personality while maintaining the timeless, cohesive aesthetic we know and love.
Why Wallpaper Works
One of the reasons that wallpaper is so powerful is its versatility. It isn’t just about covering walls, it’s about creating an experience. With wallpaper, you can:
• Add Texture: Grasscloths and woven wallpapers bring warmth and depth that paint alone can’t achieve.
• Introduce Pattern: From stripes to botanicals, wallpaper introduces rhythm and visual interest that make a space memorable.
• Layer Color: Instead of one flat tone, wallpaper combines hues that shift with light and shadow.
• Create a Mood: Dark, moody wallpaper makes a room feel dramatic and cozy, while light, airy prints can open up a space.
Wallpaper has the rare ability to balance design sophistication with personal expression - something we prioritize in every home.
Powder Rooms: Small Spaces, Big Personality
If there’s one space we always encourage clients to use wallpaper, it’s the powder room. Because the space is small and typically tucked away, it’s the perfect opportunity to take risks and be bold. An elegant floral, textured finish, or playful pattern makes the room unforgettable for guests while offering homeowners a private moment of delight every time they walk in. These spaces prove that even the smallest square footage can pack the biggest design punch.
Bedrooms: Creating Calm or Character
Bedrooms should feel like sanctuaries, and wallpaper can help achieve that in subtle yet impactful ways. For some projects, we’ve used soft, tonal wallpapers that add texture without overwhelming the room - perfect for creating a restful retreat. For others, bold patterned headboard walls frame the bed beautifully, giving the space a sense of drama and intention.
Wallpaper allows us to tailor bedrooms to the personalities of our clients. Whether it’s a romantic floral, a sophisticated damask, or a whimsical pattern in a child’s room, it becomes the backdrop to daily life. This balance of personalized interiors and timeless design is at the heart of Riverbrook’s approach.
Dining Rooms: Elevating the Everyday
Dining rooms often serve as both formal gathering places and family spaces. Wallpaper instantly elevates them by creating a sense of occasion. A hand-painted mural, grasscloth, or metallic geometric design can turn even a simple dinner into a special event.
A textured wallpaper introduced depth and elegance to the dining space, complementing the architecture while grounding the furniture selections. This harmony between structure and surface is exactly why we integrate architecture, interiors, and construction from the very beginning.
Laundry Rooms: Making the Everyday Beautiful
Laundry rooms are some of the hardest-working spaces in any home, but that doesn’t mean they have to feel purely utilitarian. In fact, we love using wallpaper in laundry rooms because it transforms a chore-driven environment into a place you actually enjoy spending time. A cheerful print, a soft geometric, or even an inspiring pattern can make the space feel uplifting and intentional.
We’ve added wallpaper to laundry rooms, and the difference is immediate. A simple floral or bold stripe above built-in cabinetry turns the space into something memorable, while a textured wallcovering can bring warmth and elegance to a room that might otherwise be overlooked. Because our design-build process integrates interiors and construction from the beginning, we’re able to choose wallpaper that works seamlessly with cabinetry finishes, countertops, and flooring - so the room feels cohesive and functional. Wallpaper in the laundry room is a reminder that every corner of your home deserves beauty. Even the most practical spaces can reflect your personality and bring you joy in the everyday.
Living Rooms: Defining Character and Flow
In larger living spaces, wallpaper can define zones and enhance architectural elements. For example, we might use wallpaper to highlight a fireplace wall or built-in shelving, drawing attention to the room’s focal points. Or we might choose a subtle pattern that works with the natural light to create an inviting, layered effect.
By thoughtfully placing wallpaper in living rooms, we ensure the space feels dynamic without being overwhelming. It’s all about balance - something we emphasize in every custom home design.
Bathrooms: Layering Luxury and Comfort
Beyond the powder room, wallpaper has an incredible impact in full bathrooms as well. These are spaces where function is critical, but that doesn’t mean beauty should be sacrificed. Wallpaper can be used in bathrooms to soften the clean lines of tile and cabinetry, adding warmth and dimension to a space that might otherwise feel stark.
In some of our luxury home design projects, we’ve installed subtle grasscloth wallpapers that bring organic texture to spa-like primary baths, making the room feel both elevated and serene. In secondary baths, a patterned or playful wallpaper can create personality and charm - perfect for kids’ spaces or guest baths where we want to surprise and delight.
The key is balance. Because our design-build team manages both the interiors and the construction, we can ensure wallpaper is placed thoughtfully - away from high-moisture zones, paired with proper ventilation, and coordinated with finishes like stone, tile, and fixtures. The result is a bathroom that feels cohesive, comfortable, and designed with the same intentionality as any other living space.
Hallways and Ceiling: The Unexpected Touch
Some of our favorite wallpaper moments happen in unexpected places. Imagine opening a closet door and finding a cheerful print inside, or looking up at a ceiling covered in a soft pattern that adds dimension to the room. These details are small but unforgettable, and they embody our belief that every element matters.
These little surprises often become clients’ favorite aspects of their homes - proof that interior design is about more than aesthetics; it’s about creating joy.
Choosing the Right Wallpaper as a Reflection of You
Selecting wallpaper can feel overwhelming because the options are endless. That’s where working with a design-build design firm like Riverbrook makes the difference. We don’t just pick pretty patterns - we evaluate wallpaper as part of the whole design. We consider:
• How the pattern relates to the room’s scale and architecture.
• How the colors connect with cabinetry, finishes, and furnishings.
• How textures will age over time and live well with your lifestyle.
• How light will interact with the surface throughout the day.
By integrating wallpaper decisions into the broader design process, we ensure that it feels intentional - not like an afterthought.
Ultimately, wallpaper is one of the most personal choices you can make in your home. It tells your story - your love of nature, your appreciation for bold design, your preference for subtle elegance. At Riverbrook, we believe that your home should reflect who you are in every detail. Wallpaper gives us the chance to layer your personality into your environment in a way that is both visible and lasting.
Our Approach
For us, wallpaper isn’t just a trend - it’s a timeless design tool that brings individuality and richness to interiors. By thoughtfully integrating wallpaper into our luxury homes, we create spaces that feel layered, lived in, and deeply personal.
At Riverbrook, our integrated approach to architecture, interiors, and construction ensures that wallpaper isn’t just decoration. It’s part of a larger vision, one that transforms houses into homes filled with personality, warmth, and enduring beauty.
Check out our latest blog posts: Blog — Riverbook
Want to see these timeless features in action? Click here!