Do you live in an open floor plan home where the walls flow from one room to the next and there is no place to transition wall color nicely, let alone wallpaper?

Maybe you are afraid to commit to a lot of pattern or texture because, well….we’ve swung away from all that before and peeling wallpaper off the walls isn’t your idea of fun. :-)

I have a suggestion today, especially after visiting High Point Market. There were lots of instances where wallcovering and patterns were incorporated in vignettes, without committing to a permanent installation. And no, I’m not talking about peel and stick wallpaper.

Wallcoverings Are Hot!

In case you had any doubts about wallcovering being a hot design item these days, all you have to do is look at the Kips Bay Showhouse in Dallas. Just about every room has wallcovering! There is a lot of pattern going on the walls there.

Also, check out the Homeworthy tours of designer homes, they almost all have wallpaper.

So how can you use some wallcovering in your home, leaving the option for an easier future change in trends or even just your preferences, later on down the road?

Use Wallcoverings on Panels!

Whether you want to cover a big area or even a smaller one, using fabric or wallpaper in a paneled situation can be a good way to get the look without committing every wall in your open plan house.

This scenic wallcovering on panels is great way to add pattern to space without glueing wallpaper to the walls.

The Thibaut showroom at Highpoint has some brick walls as they are in an old building, but they are a wallpaper and fabric showroom and need to show off their products. They use fabric wrapped panels like this to incorporate their patterns in a space.

If they can add art and sconces on top of these panels, so can you!

Here’s another showroom that used framed sections of pattern for a temporary installation of color and interest.

This corner looks like it is wallpapered, even though the paper has been framed in large panels. What a great way to add pattern to a room without wallpapering all the walls!

This showroom made a bold statement with the black and white patterned panel in this vignette, seen a few years ago in the Theodore Alexander showroom.

Use Screens or Architectural Panels

Screens or architectural panels work the same way. They can cover a large wall section and bring pattern or a scene, even architectural detailing, to a wall to add lots of interest.

A screen provides large wall coverage and makes a big impact in this showroom at High Point Market.

Screens can be great behind beds, adding height and filling the wall space with color and pattern.

These screens add privacy in the windows and help create a soothing backdrop for this bedroom.

This screen makes a lovely, intentionally designed backdrop for a small sofa.

What to do with an awkward corner? Screen it!

This wood panel made for a great backing of the art, grouping it together for a bigger impact.

Here’s a trellis panel that looks great as a backdrop for a sunburst mirror. What a nice way to add color, pattern and set the mood for a garden inspired room!

I saw this at a shop at Round Top, an architectural panel hung with a mirror on top. Same idea as the wallcovering, with a layered look.

In my recent trip to High Point, I saw this upholstered screen that creates a temporary upholstered wall look. Great idea and you can take it with you when you move! I love the little angles at the top, so much better than a straight screen look.