Trend Watch: Wallpaper Borders

Why Borders Are Back

“I grew up with a wallpaper border in my bedroom – they were the height of 80s chic. It went through the middle of my bedroom wall and I remember it vividly. Right now, I'm in the middle of a house renovation and we’ve wallpapered all the bedrooms and the hallway, but have opted for paint in the dining room and living room. We have beautiful Victorian features with a cornice and picture rail in each room, so I was thinking about how to sneak some pattern into these spaces – that’s when I decided to design some borders to sit between the two.” – Annika Reed, printmaker 

“It was the middle of lockdown and everyone was thinking about new ideas and how we frame (and could potentially reframe) spaces in our homes. Sarah and I are also 80s babies and grew up with Laura Ashley wallpaper borders. It proves everything really is cyclical. First, we felt it was a relatively fresh idea; no one was really doing wallpaper borders and done right, they can be a smart addition. We also felt it was playful and a bit irreverent – let’s be honest, they’ve never had the best reputation! I think they add interest and a sense of fun to a room without being a huge investment. If you’re a bit of a commitment-phobe or you’re worried about changing your mind, borders are a cost-effective way of adding a dash of colour and pattern.” – Kate Hawkins, co-founder of Common Room Co 

“The increased layering and bolder use of colour and pattern in interiors meant we were psychologically ready for adding in another visual accent. I looked at photos of my house visits to Strawberry Hill and Ham House, and books on the history of wallpaper. We loved the idea that, historically, borders were integral to hide the nails traditional wallpapers were tacked up with, starting off as complementary and then becoming contrasting. Our inspiration soon rolled from there into a full collection of borders.” – Juliet O'Carroll, co-founder of Parker & Jules

Where To Use Wallpaper Borders

“Traditionally, borders have been used below cornices and sometimes to create dado rails along the top or bottom third of a room. Less conventionally, we’ve experimented with installing them directly above skirtings and around doorways to add more interest. And there are many other places they can work, too – they can highlight any joinery detail or aspect of the room you want to draw attention to. We like to think of them as highlights – the lightest areas added at the end of paintings to give the subject shape and form.” – Kate

“I love using a wallpaper border up the stairs, to frame views or architectural features, or maybe just to distract from wonky proportions. It’s a fun way to frame panels, pictures or mirrors, too.” – Juliet

“Wallpaper borders are the perfect way to add a decorative feature without having to paper the entire room, or they can add focus to a doorway, shelf or even work as a dado rail. If you’re a pattern lover, then why not add a border to break up two wallpaper patterns in a room? Using them on painted walls is my favourite way to use them, especially as an accent to architectural features. You can also use them where the wall meets the ceiling to create extra height.” – Annika