Think outside of the plain white box.
Walls are not always meant to fade politely into the background. In today’s most compelling interiors, they are active participants—telling stories, setting moods, and expressing personality. Creative wall treatments have emerged as one of the most impactful ways to transform a room, proving that sometimes the most powerful design move isn’t what you add, but how you treat what’s already there.
Color remains the most accessible starting point, but designers are moving beyond flat paint into finishes with depth and nuance. Limewash, plaster, and clay-based paints introduce subtle movement and texture. Wallpaper, once relegated to powder rooms, is having a full-scale revival. From hand-painted murals to oversized botanicals and graphic geometrics, today’s wallpapers are bold, artistic, and unapologetic. Applied to ceilings, wrapped around entire rooms, or framed within molding, wallpaper offers a chance to inject drama.
Architectural wall treatments are also redefining interiors. Fluted panels, reeded wood, and applied moldings add rhythm and structure, giving walls a sculptural presence. In dining rooms and entryways, these details elevate everyday spaces into moments of arrival. Art-forward walls are another growing trend. Gallery walls are becoming more curated and intentional, mixing mediums, scales, and even three-dimensional objects. Painted arches, color-blocked shapes, and custom murals blur the line between wall and artwork, offering a bespoke feel that reflects the homeowner’s individuality.
Ultimately, creative walls are about permission—the freedom to experiment, layer, and personalize. Whether through texture, pattern, color, or form, walls offer an expansive canvas for self-expression. Read on for our 10 favorite creative walls from some of our favorite designer spaces.
Writer Christene Barberich’s upstate New York cabin is lined with plywood walls. In the living room, cork panels offer a visual pause, adding texture and serving as artwork in their own right.
Just a splash of color can take wood paneling from simple to spectacular. In her North Carolina mountain retreat, Ashley Gilbreath painted the rich pine walls with Sherwin-Williams Jade Dragon, then wiped it down to create a sheer green stain. The effect adds depth and dimension while honoring the beauty of the natural wood.
A mural makes the ultimate statement, no artwork required. Designer Amber Lewis paid homage to this Martha's Vineyard home's shoreside location with a custom nautical mural by de Gournay.
Texture does the heavy lifting here. In this powder room by Amber Lewis, a woven rattan wallcovering adds warmth and depth, creating a space that feels both inviting and elevated.
Good news for pattern maximalists—you can mix wallpaper. In this home’s guest room, designer Andrew Suvalsky pairs two contrasting patterns that feel cohesive rather than chaotic, thanks to a shared color palette that makes the look feel intentional.
You don’t have to cover an entire wall to make a big impact. In this home’s guest room, Kelly Hurliman framed a natural woven wallcovering with deep green trim, lending the space a boutique-hotel feel.
Beauty lies in the imperfect. This Sarah Stacey-designed primary bedroom is swathed in a hand-painted Porter Teleo wallcovering inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with metallic lacquer.
Surprise your guests with the unexpected. Designer Kevin Sawyers of Sawyers Design applied a geometric Lee Jofa wallpaper over existing wainscoting for an added dose of texture.
Take your patterns beyond the walls. In this colorful ranch designed by Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design, a repeating floral wallcovering in the guest suite extends to the headboard, curtains, and even the lampshades.
Designer Betsy Wentz let the intricate original millwork in this historic home take center stage. From the richly paneled walls to the finely detailed staircase, the craftsmanship brings a sense of timeless character to the space.
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