Wallpaper is back, Chicago designers say
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Photos: Courtesy of Kate Marker Interiors
More Chicagoland homes are being plastered with tropical scenery and textured wallpapers, according to Kate Marker, who owns an interior design studio in northwest suburb Barrington.
The big picture: Designers have been wrapping rooms in personality-packed paper this year — and the trend is here to stay for 2025.
- Taskrabbit saw a 70% increase in wallpapering bookings nationwide from January to May 2024 compared to the same period last year.
What they're saying: Wallpapers bursting with lush botanicals, florals and nature scenes are hot, along with those that mimic materials like grasscloth, linen, and even wood or stone, Marker tells Axios.
The latest: It's not just bedrooms and dining rooms. Nooks and crannies, closets, bookshelves and laundry rooms are all getting makeovers, too.
- These small spaces are a playground for bold colors and patterns that might be overwhelming in main living areas, experts say.
Fun fact: Some people are adorning their walls with hometown pride. Texas-based company Katie Kime sells prints featuring iconic Chicago sights such as Navy Pier and Sue the T. rex.
- A double roll of traditional wallpaper starts at $188.
The other side: The wallpaper in Sue Blumberg's Highland Park home is "where it should be" — hidden in the closet.
Before you break out the toolkit or hit "order" online, consider these expert tips.
✂️ Buy 10-20% more wallpaper than you think you need to account for mistakes or any repeating patterns, since the wallpaper sheets will need to line up, says Marissa Nelums, CEO and founder of Glasshouse Interior.
🤔 Choose the right type of wallpaper.
- Vinyl is durable, easy to clean — good for kitchens and bathrooms, Marker says.
- Non-woven options are easy to apply and remove — "great for DIY."
- Peel-and-stick variations are ideal for renters because they're easy to change, she says.
The bottom line: Wallpaper is a must-have in most of the spaces that Nelums' South Side-based company designs.
- It "can be bold and be the center of attention in a space or it can act as a beautiful backdrop," she tells Axios.