Keep and Share logo     Log In  |  Mobile View  |  Help  
 
Visiting
 
Select a Color
   
 
Choosing the Right Wallpaper for a Small Living Room

Creation date: Oct 26, 2025 3:42pm     Last modified date: Oct 26, 2025 3:42pm   Last visit date: Dec 2, 2025 10:16pm
7 / 20 posts
Oct 26, 2025  ( 1 post, 6 replies )  
10/26/2025
3:42pm
Sally Beck (datami2479)

Hey everyone 👋
I’m redoing my small living room (about 12x14 ft) and thinking about using wallpaper instead of paint. I’ve seen some gorgeous modern designs lately, but I’m worried patterns might make the space feel even smaller. Any advice on what kind of wallpaper works best for small rooms?

 

3:52pm
Bagura Bagura (baguuura)

Hey, good question! Small rooms can totally handle wallpaper — it just depends on the design. Avoid large, high-contrast patterns; they can feel overwhelming. Go for light tones and subtle textures, like linen or grasscloth. There’s actually a nice summary of wallpaper types and materials on Wikipedia if you want to dig deeper into how each reacts to light and space. Personally, I love wallpapers with vertical stripes — they visually “stretch” the walls.

3:57pm
Jack Hood (jackhood)

Agree with @baguuura. Vertical lines or even soft geometric prints can make a small room feel taller. I made the mistake once of using dark floral wallpaper in a hallway — looked great for a week, then felt like a cave 😅 Also, if your room doesn’t get much natural light, stay away from matte finishes. A slight sheen helps bounce light around.

4:02pm
Sally Beck (datami2479)

That’s super helpful, thanks guys! I’m leaning toward something with texture now, maybe light gray or cream. Do you think peel-and-stick wallpapers are worth it? I’ve heard mixed reviews — some say they peel at the corners after a few months.

4:07pm
Bagura Bagura (baguuura)

Peel-and-stick is great if your walls are perfectly smooth. Any bump or dust spot can mess with adhesion. If you want it to last a few years, traditional paste wallpaper is more reliable. If you’re not confident doing it yourself, maybe hire a pro — there are some solid options like this wallpaper installer from Phoenix - https://bestwallpaperinstaller.com/locations/wallpaper-installers-phoenix/ that friends of mine used when they renovated. The finish looked flawless, no bubbles at all.

4:19pm
Jack Hood (jackhood)

Yeah, that’s good advice. I tried installing peel-and-stick myself and it was... let’s just say I invented new swear words that day 😂 Having someone experienced do it can save you a ton of stress (and wasted rolls).

4:23pm
Jack Hood (jackhood)

Hah, noted! I might just go pro on this one. Thanks a lot, folks — you’ve given me plenty to think about. I’ll post some before-and-after pics when it’s done!