Five 2026 wallpaper trends from our buying trips

We spent the spring at the trade shows. Here's what's coming through, what's selling once it lands, and the trend everyone's pushing that we're staying out of.

1. Oxblood is the new navy

Deep, warm reds are everywhere. Where navy was the safe drama colour for half a decade, oxblood is doing the same job with more warmth. We've seen it in damasks, in toiles, in bold modern florals. It works in dining rooms, snugs, and small windowless cloakrooms.

2. Hand-drawn florals over digital perfection

The pendulum's swung back to florals that look painted by a person, not generated by a printer. Visible brushwork, irregular spacing, a softness in the line. Cath Kidston's archive prints sit perfectly in this mood.

3. Toile, but loosened up

Classic French toile is having a moment, but in unexpected colourways — pink-on-cream, sage-on-bone, ink-on-blush. The pastoral scenes are the same; the palette is doing the modernising.

4. Wallpaper above the dado, paint below

Two-thirds wall pattern, one-third painted panelling, dado rail across. Halves your roll order, lets you go bolder with the pattern, and grounds the room. This is the single trend that gives you the most look for the least money.

5. Botanical murals, not repeats

Mural papers — single large image across multiple drops — are getting better. Best in dining rooms and behind beds. Not for everyone, but when they work, they really work.

The trend we're sitting out

Peel-and-stick "removable" wallpaper. Trade shows have pushed it for years. We've yet to see one that hangs cleanly on real plaster, lasts more than two years before yellowing, or peels off without taking paint with it. Use proper wallpaper and proper paste.