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Design Walls With Paint to Look Like Wallpaper

Rachael Provost

By Rachael Provost
Published May 21, 2024

If you love the look of wallpaper but don’t have the budget for it, create the look yourself with some paint and a few different painting techniques. It's also easier to change these looks without worrying about wallpaper glue removal. All you'll need is primer, paint and a new pattern.

A living space with blue abstract ombre walls and a blue modern style, tufted couch.

Painted Walls With Designs — Before You Start

A person pouring paint into a paint tray set up on a floor covered with a drop cloth.

From using different brush techniques to using stencils or freehanding the design, giving your walls a new look is a fairly easy DIY project. All you need is paint and a paint brush to breathe new life into plain walls.


Before you get started, make sure you have your paint color(s), paint brushes, stencils, painter’s tape, paint trays, drop cloths, cleaning supplies and any other items ready to go. If you have a wallpaper design or pattern that you love, use it as a guide and mimic your painting project around it. To make it easier to create a pattern, consider a textured roller or use a stencil for a more uniform design. To make your walls stand out even more, glitter and metallic paints catch the light to create movement and add depth and dimension to your design.

Ideas for Patterned Painted Walls

A room with blue medallion patterned walls and a room with a teal arch painted on the wall.

Whether you're envisioning the clean lines of a simple geometric pattern, the intrigue of something more abstract, soft and feminine floral designs or the whimsy of polka dots, patterns for painting walls go as far as your imagination can take you. You can have painted wall patterns that cover each wall in the room or create a focal point in the space with an accent wall. 

Opt for Ombre

An ombre paint technique in shades of red.

For this patterned painted wall, choose your favorite color in gradient shades and use a brush to blend the colors and create an ombre effect by applying shades from darkest to lightest. This look works well as an accent wall in a living room, bedroom or bathroom.

Tip

To create more levels of gradation, make your own shading by titrating pigmented paint with more and more white.

High Contrast

A dining space with black brush stroke patterned walls.

Simple in design but offering a big impact, use a smaller paint brush to create a collection of short brush strokes. Here, black strokes highly contrast against a white wall and lend an abstract design perfect for a range of spaces. To ensure even spacing between rows or columns, use a spare piece of wood or another object as a loose template.

A nursery with a polka dot patterned accent wall and yellow built-in storage.

Polka Dot Play

Whether they’re big or small, one color or multicolor, polka dots instantly give your walls personality. Using a stencil might be the easiest route, but you can also just use a paint brush and randomly dot your wall with paint. Consider dots in varying sizes to create more interest. This can be a fun look for a child’s bedroom or playroom.

A Nod to Nature

A bedroom with a vine-like pattern on the wall behind the bed.

Using a textured paint roller with a vine pattern, you can easily give your walls a leafy pattern that’s perfect for bringing a botanical feel to your space. Select a black or deep green paint or opt for something brighter. If you're up for it, freehand the design for a more organic look. Use this technique to update an entry way, add style to a closet or bedroom or try it as a backsplash in the kitchen.

A Dusting of Sparkle

A dark background with a splattering of metallic gold paint.

For a look that's magical, this patterned painted wall idea makes a statement. Starting with a dark background, use small artist brushes dipped in a metallic paint. Think gold or silver. Flick the paint brush at the wall to create a splatter pattern.

A mudroom wall with multicolor stripes and a nursery with a pastel rainbow striped wall design.

Stylish Stripes

Vertical or horizontal stripes offer a clean and classic look. Your stripes can be as thick or thin as you’d like — just tape off the design on the wall in your desired width using a level to mark the placement. This pattern for painted walls is the perfect backdrop for a couch or a bed. For something a little edgier, give your walls a chevron pattern.

Sweet Hearts

Small red hearts painted on a white background.

Give your room a theme or play into an existing one by choosing a specific pattern for the walls. For this project, try a stencil with heart shapes and a red or pink paint color — a cute look for a powder room or closet. 

Textured Circles and Arches

Multicolor circles painted on living room walls on either side of a white brick fireplace.

By simply twisting your brush in a circle or half circle, you can create brush stroke circle or arch patterns on your wall. Try this technique if you want color and texture for your faux wallpaper paint design. 

Six-Sided Style

A pastel multicolor hexagonal pattern on a wall.

Give a tired wall a geometric update with a hexagonal wall paint pattern. You can choose soft pastels or deeper hues — whatever fits the overall aesthetic of the room you’re painting. We’ll show you how to get this look in Painted Hexagonal Wall Decorations. Other shapes can work for this pattern too, such as a diamond pattern.

A living room and a kitchen with two styles of blue medallion wall patterns.

Make it Medallion

Medallion patterned painted walls create an instant focal point. Some designs feature delicate scroll-like detailing while others are more floral in appearance. Whatever look you’re going for, create a striking space using paint and a medallion stencil to repeat the pattern across your walls.

Tips and Other Considerations

Now it’s time to create walls with wallpaper-worthy patterns and designs. Here are a few helpful tips to help your project go smoothly.

  • If you’re freehanding your design, work in small sections on the wall to help keep things consistent. 
  • For brush stroke looks, don’t use a lot of paint on your paint brush. 
  • Make sure you choose a water-based paint over an oil-based paint. Water-based paint is safer to apply, dries faster, brings beautiful color to your space and is easier to clean.
  • Use painters tape to tape off designs and to protect baseboards and ceilings from accidental paint drops and splatters. 
  • Remove furniture from the room and cover anything that can’t be taken out with a drop cloth or tarp. 
  • Cover the floors with drop cloths or tarps. 
  • Make sure to clean up once your project is complete. Here’s a guide on how to clean your paint tools. 
For more inspiration, check out our article with additional wall paint ideas. Of course, if DIY painted wall patterns isn’t something you’re willing to do, try peel-and-stick wallpaper to give your space the look you want. The sticker-like application makes it an easy option for upgrading your walls.

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