Wallpaper for a Feature Wall — How to Choose and Install Without Fear
Wallpaper for a Feature Wall — Bold, considered, and Less Scary Than You Think
A feature wall is the fastest, most impactful way to transform any room. One wall of great wallpaper changes everything — the mood, the sense of depth, the visual anchor for your furniture. And it's considerably more forgiving than papering an entire room.
Whether you're updating a bedroom, creating a dining room focal point, or bringing personality to a hallway, this guide covers everything — from choosing the right wall to installation tips that make the job genuinely manageable.
Choosing the Right Wall
The best feature wall is typically the one your eye travels to first when you enter the room — usually the wall behind the bed in a bedroom, the wall opposite the entry in a living room, or the chimney breast in a room with a fireplace.
Avoid feature walls that contain too many windows, doors, or built-ins — the pattern will be interrupted too frequently to read as a coherent design statement. A clean, uninterrupted wall surface gives wallpaper the best chance to shine.
Get a Custom Size QuoteChoosing the Right Pattern and Installing With Confidence
Feature walls can handle what whole-room applications often can't: bold colours, large-scale patterns, and high-contrast designs. Floral murals, jungle botanicals, abstract designs, and geometric patterns all work beautifully as feature walls.
Our peel-and-stick wallpaper is genuinely beginner-friendly. The self-adhesive backing eliminates paste preparation, and the material is repositionable — you can peel and reapply as many times as needed while you get the position perfect. For renters, this is particularly valuable: it comes off cleanly without damaging walls.
At Olive et Oriel, all our wallpapers are custom-sized to your exact wall dimensions. Wallpaper production takes approximately 4 business days. Duties are paid on all international orders.
Installation Without Fear
For permanent installations, our traditional paste-the-wall options offer a seamless, professional finish. Most professional wallpaper hangers can complete a single feature wall in a morning if you prefer professional installation.
Pull one colour from the wallpaper into your soft furnishings to tie everything together — this single step transforms a feature wall from a bold statement into a cohesive design decision.
Which wall should I make a feature wall?
The wall that draws the eye first when entering a room is usually the best choice. In bedrooms, the wall behind the bed headboard. In living rooms, the wall opposite the main entry or behind the main seating.
How do I measure my wall for wallpaper?
Measure the width and height of your wall at the widest and tallest points. Add 5-10cm to each dimension as a buffer. At Olive et Oriel, provide us with your exact measurements and we'll produce your wallpaper to fit.
Can I put feature wall wallpaper in a rental?
Our peel-and-stick wallpaper is specifically designed for renters — it adheres firmly but removes cleanly without damaging paint or plaster.
How long does Olive et Oriel wallpaper take to arrive?
Our wallpapers are custom-produced to your specifications, so please allow approximately 4 business days for production. We then ship promptly, with duties paid on international orders.
Can I use any pattern as a feature wall?
Almost any pattern can work as a feature wall. Large-scale patterns that might overwhelm an entire room often look striking contained to one wall.
Do I need a professional to install feature wall wallpaper?
Our peel-and-stick options are genuinely DIY-friendly. A professional is always an option for peace of mind.
Need professional help? Find a wallpaper installer near you →
