You’ve probably noticed that Panoramic wallpaper is making a comeback in the world of interior design. That’s probably why you’re reading this article 😉.
I’m eager to be tempted by this trend too, which quickly dresses up a wall and creates a decorating ambience all its own. With its grandiose, immersive patterns, it can transform a space by adding depth, character and a unique artistic touch. To visually enlarge a small room or add style to a bare wall, panoramic wallpaper is a fun and more affordable solution than a mural.
What is Panoramic Wallpaper?
Panoramic wallpaper is distinguished by its large-scale motifs, often inspired by natural landscapes, artistic frescoes or urban scenes. Unlike classic wallpaper, which generally repeats a motif over its entire surface, panoramic wallpaper offers a continuous fresco, like a mural work of art. With its ancient origins, this technique is reminiscent of historic murals, but has reinvented itself to suit modern interiors.
Panoramic wallpaper plays on the immersion effect: it dresses a wall with a complete scene, creating a sense of depth. In a single glance, it can transport a room to a tropical forest, a mountain landscape, or a vibrant city scene. Far from repetitive patterned wallpapers, it tells a story and adds character to any space.
Panoramic wallpaper highlights
Create the illusion of depth and space:
One of the main advantages of panoramic wallpaper is its ability to visually enlarge a room. For example, a dense forest landscape or an expansive beach scene can give the impression of extending the walls, offering a heightened sense of space.
Bringing character to a space:
Panoramic wallpaper is more than just a covering, it’s a decorative centerpiece. It draws the eye and transforms a wall into a veritable work of art. For a living room, office or bedroom, it becomes the focal point that structures the entire room.
Easy to install and remove:
Recent innovations in materials make these wallpapers easy to install. Non-woven or vinyl papers are particularly suitable for bubble-free installation and a precise fit. What’s more, some papers are repositionable, making them easy to remove without damaging the wall if you change your decor.
Personalize your interior:
But the main reason you’ll want panoramic wallpaper is that it lets you create made-to-measure atmospheres. Exotic motifs for a vacation atmosphere, urban frescoes for a modern style, or soothing landscapes for a reading corner… the possibilities are endless and suited to all tastes. The choice of paper is now so vast that you can dream up your own interior and find the paper that suits you!
How to Choose the Right Panoramic Wallpaper?
Match the pattern to the room:
Each area of the house has its own specificities, and it’s important to choose the right pattern.
In a bedroom, for example, I’d imagine soothing scenes like forests, mountains or starry skies to encourage relaxation. It seems to me that in the bedroom, patterns in gray or green are the most appropriate. Especially as green is a really trendy color right now.
In a living room, an urban panorama or a lush jungle can add dynamism. I also like colorful floral patterns.
For an office, geometric or abstract patterns seem to me more suited to stimulating creativity.
Play with colors:
For perfect harmony, the choice of colors is essential: fresh, light colors to brighten dark, north-facing rooms. In bright rooms, you can take more risks with dark rainforest papers. And don’t forget to coordinate wallpaper colors with those of furniture and accessories for a coherent look. In short, you can really have fun creating a decor with a beautiful “Wow” effect.
Take room size into account:
While panoramic wallpaper is ideal for visually enlarging small rooms, it’s important not to overload a small space with patterns that are too dense. For a small living room, I think airy patterns or landscapes will give depth. On the other hand, larger, bolder patterns can be adapted to larger rooms, especially if you’re looking for a spectacular effect.
Quality materials:
Panoramic wallpapers come in a variety of materials. Non-woven paper, resistant and easy to install, is very popular. Vinyl is perfect for wet rooms like bathrooms, while natural fibers add an authentic, ecological touch.
How and where to install panoramic wallpaper?
In the living room:
Use wallpaper to create an accent wall behind a sofa or TV. It will become the center of attention and give the room a unique ambience.
In the bedroom:
Create a spectacular headboard with a panoramic depiction of a soothing landscape. You can also hang the wallpaper on the wall facing the bed, so that the scene becomes the first thing you see in the morning. I’m looking for one for my headboard.
Hallways and entrances:
These often neglected spaces can benefit from panoramic wallpaper to add character. I’m thinking of graphic patterns or frescoes in bright colors to energize the space.
In a bathroom :
It’s bold, but why not?
For a touch of luxury, choose a moisture-resistant wallpaper and turn your bathroom into a tropical oasis. Panoramas with exotic plants or maritime scenes are perfect for this room. I’m already dreaming!
Create distinct spaces:
Panoramic wallpaper can also be used to visually delineate zones in a large space, such as a reading corner or a work area in the living room.
Current Trends in Panoramic Wallpaper
Natural motifs and landscapes:
Forest, mountain and beach scenes are among the most popular, as they bring a sense of calm and connection with nature. They are particularly suitable for bedrooms and living rooms.
Tropical and exotic atmospheres:
Lush jungle, palm and foliage motifs are perfect for bringing a touch of freshness and escape into the home. They pair well with wooden furniture and natural accessories.
City scenes and architecture:
For an industrial-style interior, frescoes depicting city views or architectural details are an excellent choice. They add a modern, dynamic touch.
Artistic and abstract patterns:
For design enthusiasts, abstract or contemporary art-inspired patterns create a sophisticated and original ambience.
Tailor-made personalization:
Some brands offer to create your own custom panoramic wallpaper, with a photo or pattern of your choice. It’s the ideal way to create a totally unique interior.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
Now we come to the hard part: hanging our carefully chosen wallpaper!
Prepare the wall before hanging:
The wall surface must be smooth, clean and dry for better wallpaper adhesion. A well-prepared wall guarantees a successful installation. So, avoid wallpapering over old wallpaper!
Steps for installing panoramic wallpaper :
Carefully measure and cut each strip of paper, taking care to align the motifs for a harmonious finish. Apply glue evenly and lay the paper from top to bottom, smoothing to avoid bubbles. Choose your glue with care. Wallpaper already contains VOCs (volatile organic compounds), so there’s no need to further pollute the room with toxic glues. Generally speaking, you’ll find labels and information on VOCs directly on the glue box. As labels are numerous and sometimes created from scratch by the manufacturer, I generally refer to the ECOLabels website for more information.
Tips to avoid bubbles and creases:
Use a spatula to smooth the paper and a cutter to trim the edges. If bubbles appear, gently pierce them with a needle. Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Wallpaper care:
To clean wallpaper, I use a soft, slightly damp cloth. I avoid abrasive products that could damage the surface.
I hope this article has given you some ideas for decorating your home, and that you’ve enjoyed the few examples above.