Walls are no longer a backdrop. In 2026, they are becoming the emotional and visual centre of a space. Homeowners and designers alike are moving away from safe, generic finishes and toward wallcoverings that tell stories, create atmosphere, and feel deeply personal.

From immersive murals to natural, tactile surfaces and heritage-inspired patterns, this year’s trends are all about designing spaces that feel meaningful, calming, and beautifully curated.

Here’s what’s defining wallcoverings in 2026.

1. Statement Murals Take Centre Stage

Murals are no longer a niche product, in 2026 they are one of the strongest forces shaping interior design.

Instead of repeating patterns, people are choosing large-scale, artwork-like wallcoverings that create a focal point and set the mood of a room. Whether it’s a dreamy floral scene, a tropical canopy, a moody abstract, or a soft landscape, murals turn walls into immersive experiences. Browse the 'Into the Light' collection of locally designed and printed murals. 

Designers love murals because they:

• Create instant impact
• Make small rooms feel larger and more layered
• Replace the need for multiple pieces of wall art
• Allow clients to express personality in a bold but elegant way

Bedrooms, lounges, home offices, hallways and even guest bathrooms are now being anchored by a single, powerful mural that defines the entire space.

 'Into the Light' Botanica Mural / Magnifique Collection

2. Nature-Inspired Design & Biophilic Walls

Our desire to reconnect with nature continues to shape how we decorate. In 2026, this shows up strongly in wallcoverings that reference the natural world. From oversized botanicals and forests to clouds, oceans, stone, and organic textures.

These designs help create interiors that feel:

• Calmer
• More restorative
• More emotionally grounding

Nature-inspired murals and wallpapers are especially popular in urban homes where people want to soften hard architectural lines and bring a sense of the outdoors inside.

 'Into the Light' Magic Walk Mural / Grande Corniche Collection

3. The Rise of Natural & Sustainable Wallcoverings

One of the most important shifts for 2026 is the move toward natural, tactile wallcoverings.

Materials like grasscloth, linen, raffia, cork, woven fibres and novelty finishes are becoming increasingly sought after. These surfaces add warmth and subtle luxury while also responding to a growing desire for sustainability and authenticity in interiors.

Natural wallcoverings pair beautifully with:

• Soft mural designs
• Timber furniture
• Clay, stone and organic finishes
• Earthy, muted colour palettes

They bring depth without pattern, making them perfect for spaces where you want texture without visual overload. Browse the iconic Eijffinger collection of Natural Wallcoverings.

Eijffinger Natural Wallcoverings / JV Omnia Collection

4. Heritage & the Beauty of Time-Worn Design

A strong emotional thread running through 2026 interiors is a renewed love for heritage, craftsmanship and lived-in beauty.

Wallpaper designs are increasingly inspired by:

• Historic patterns
• Vintage murals and tapestries
• Hand-drawn illustrations
• Traditional printing techniques
• Aged, softly faded colour palettes

Rather than looking new and perfect, walls are designed to feel as though they’ve been there forever - collected, storied and gently worn. This heritage aesthetic pairs beautifully with murals, especially those that feel painterly, botanical or narrative in style.

It’s about creating homes that feel soulful, not staged.

5. Stripes: A Timeless Pattern with a Modern Edge

Stripes are making a strong return in 2026, reimagined for contemporary interiors while drawing on classic, heritage influences. From delicate pinstripes to wider, softly brushed bands, stripes are being used to bring structure, rhythm and elegance to walls.

Today’s striped wallpapers feel less formal and more relaxed and playful, often featuring a multicolour palettes and texture.

Stripes are especially popular because they:

• Add a sense of height or width, helping visually adjust proportions of a room
• Feel timeless while still looking current
• Pair beautifully with heritage and artisan-inspired interiors
• Work well as a full-room treatment or a subtle backdrop to murals
• Complement natural materials, timber and layered textures

In bedrooms, hallways and dining spaces, stripes bring confidence, offering tailored pattern and lots of energy.

6. Art-Led, Painterly Walls

Walls in 2026 are becoming more expressive and artistic. Many wallpapers and murals now resemble hand-painted artworks, featuring visible brushstrokes, layered pigments and soft, imperfect edges.

This trend brings a sense of humanity and creativity into interiors, allowing walls to feel emotional rather than purely decorative. Painterly wallcoverings are being chosen because they:

• Add depth and movement to a room
• Feel more like original artwork than printed pattern
• Pair beautifully with both murals and heritage designs
• Create warmth and visual softness
• Bring a handcrafted, artisanal quality to modern interiors

7. Soft, Organic Geometry

Geometry hasn’t disappeared, but it has softened. In 2026, structured patterns are inspired by nature rather than strict mathematical repetition. Think flowing lines, pebble-like shapes, gentle arches and petal forms.

These organic geometries are popular because they:

• Add structure without feeling harsh or rigid
• Create a sense of rhythm and flow
• Work well in both contemporary and heritage-inspired spaces
• Complement natural textures and earthy palettes
• Help rooms feel modern, calm and inviting

8. Mood-Driven Colour Palettes

Colour in 2026 is all about emotion. Designers are choosing hues that create specific feelings - calm, joy, creativity or comfort. Expect to see:

• Earthy neutrals and loads of chocolate brown
• Rich burgundy shades
• Inky blues and also some light glacial blues
• Warm rich greens and teals
• Hot terracotta and sand tones
• Subtle shimmer and metallic effects

These palettes work beautifully across both murals and natural wallcoverings, creating layered, harmonious interiors.

In Closing

Wallpaper and wallcoverings in 2026 are about experience, not just decoration. From immersive murals that turn walls into art, to natural textures that add warmth and authenticity, today’s interiors are designed to feel personal, restorative and inspiring.

Whether you’re creating a quiet retreat or a dramatic feature wall, your walls are now one of the most powerful design tools you have and 2026 is the year to let them speak.

To explore these trends in person, visit our showroom or browse our website to discover the latest wallcovering and mural collections designed to bring your walls and your spaces, beautifully to life.