Wallpaper Through the Ages: A Designer’s Quick History Lesson

As a designer, I’ve always loved how much history our materials hold — and wallpaper might just have one of the richest stories of all. Long before it became a modern design staple, wallpaper evolved through centuries of craft, culture, and creativity, shaping the way we decorate our homes today.

The Earliest Beginnings (200–1300s)

The story of wallpaper begins in ancient China, where decorators were applying hand-painted rice paper to walls as early as 200 B.C.E. These early designs were delicate, artistic, and a symbol of status.

By the 12th century, these ideas traveled along global trade routes and began appearing in Europe — the first hint of the wallpaper culture we know today.

The European Rise (1500s–1700s)

Once wallpaper reached Europe, it took off quickly. Craftsmen in France and England began block-printing repeating patterns, creating beautiful alternatives to the expensive wall tapestries used in wealthy homes. For many families, wallpaper was a quicker, more affordable way to achieve the same decorative look.

Not everyone embraced the trend, though. During the 17th-century Protectorate, Oliver Cromwell even banned wallpaper, calling it a “frivolous item.” Thankfully, creativity returned soon after, and wallpaper flourished again.

This era also introduced something revolutionary in design: the repeat pattern, still a foundation of wallpaper production today.

Industrial Boom & Victorian Era (1800s)

The Industrial Revolution changed wallpaper forever. With mechanized printing, wallpaper became widely accessible, and the Victorians took full advantage.

Walls were drenched in:

• Deep jewel tones

• Ornate florals

• Intricate damasks

Wallpaper wasn’t just decoration — it was a statement.

One of the most infamous designs from this era was a vivid green wallpaper colored with arsenic pigment. When moisture hit the walls, it could release poisonous gas. Some believe this trend may have contributed to Napoleon Bonaparte’s death during his exile — a chilling reminder that design history is full of surprises.

Wallpaper also played a practical role: it often hid cracked or damaged walls, instantly making rooms feel more polished and refined.

Arts & Crafts to Art Nouveau (Late 1800s–Early 1900s)

Design eventually shifted toward craftsmanship again. The Arts & Crafts movement, led by William Morris, emphasized hand-drawn beauty with lush botanicals, vines, and detailed natural motifs.

Shortly after, Art Nouveau brought graceful movement and romantic curves. Wallpaper became softer, more expressive, and deeply artistic during this period — a celebration of nature and fluid design.

Mid-Century Modern Simplicity (1940s–1960s)

By mid-century, wallpaper embraced the clean energy of modern design. Out went Victorian excess; in came:

• Playful geometrics

• Atomic motifs

• Bright, optimistic colors

• Simple, repeating shapes

This era also welcomed vinyl wallpaper, prized for its durability and easy maintenance. Homes became fresher, lighter, and more functional — with wallpaper as a stylish supporting player.

The Wild 70s, the Quiet 90s & the Big Comeback (1970s–2000s)

The 1970s loved a bold moment. Wallpaper exploded into oversized florals, earthy tones, psychedelic patterns, and dramatic murals.

Fast-forward to the 1990s, and the pendulum swung the other way. Minimalism took over, and many homeowners opted for neutral paint and faux finishes instead.

By the early 2000s, wallpaper resurfaced with a new identity — more curated, textural, and design-driven. Grasscloth, metallic inks, contemporary florals, and designer collaborations brought wallpaper back into the spotlight and into modern homes again.

A Few Fascinating Moments That Shaped Wallpaper’s Story

Across centuries, wallpaper picked up some memorable stories along the way. In the 1850s, a striking green pigment made with arsenic became wildly popular — until people realized damp rooms could release toxic fumes, a detail famously tied to speculation around Napoleon Bonaparte’s declining health. And then there’s Oscar Wilde, who delivered one of design history’s most quotable lines on his deathbed in a French hotel: “Either this wallpaper goes, or I do.”

Wallpaper has also seen extremes in value and taste. One of the most expensive examples ever sold, Les Guerres d’Independence, reached over £24,000 for just 32 panels — a reminder that wallpaper has long walked the line between everyday decoration and true collectible art. From bans under Cromwell to lavish Victorian salons, from handcrafted papers to industrial production, wallpaper’s past is full of unexpected twists that shaped the role it plays in design today.

Why Understanding Wallpaper History Matters

When you know the past, you start noticing how each era still echoes in today’s designs — the organic beauty of Arts & Crafts, the curves of Art Nouveau, the geometry of mid-century, the boldness of the 70s. Wallpaper’s evolution is part of what makes it so inspiring to work with now: it carries a legacy, yet never stops reinventing itself.

Stay tuned for next week’s post, where we explore iconic wallpaper prints through the ages and the patterns that truly defined each era.