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Decoration

Feature Walls

All you need is one fabulous feature wall to really make a room stand out. Whether you want to make a statement, or simply have a small space that needs to impress without ovewhelming, we've rounded up the most original and stylish feature wall ideas - from bedroom to living room walls (and even the odd kitchen, bathroom and hallway) that really have the 'wow' factor.

Other things you may find useful: Rita Konig on how to choose paint colour | Small Space Ideas | All our favourite living rooms | Upholstery | Wall Murals | Wallpaper | curtains and blinds to match any room | Bold and Beautiful Paints

  • Flower Power
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    Flower Power

    If space is tight, decorating walls is a good solution. We mounted small pots of hot pink cyclamen onto little plinths on a wall as a dramatic display for a hall or dining room. Change the flowers for the seasons: using seasonal flowers for Christmas, and then changing to spring bulbs once it's over.

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    Stencils

    For a fresh and modern look, keep everything white and add graphic prints in crunchy apple green. We used a 'Teardrop' stencil, £49.95 from The Stencil Library painted with 'Tropical Leaf' matte emulsion, £16.25 for 1L from Sanderson.

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    Twice as Nice

    Why use just one wallpaper when you can use two? Try using a different wallpaper for an alcove than you would for the main wall, or line the back of a bookshelf in an alternate print. Just make sure that both papers have harmonising elements: either the same colours or a similar print.

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    Monochrome

    Break up netural colours with a powerful monochrome print. For a modern touch, add accents in zingy colours like lime green or bright orange.

    Furniture, Marks & Spencer

  • Adrian Briscoe
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    Bathroom Mirrors

    Create a wall of mirrors - don't be afraid to mix different shapes, styles and sizes. The more the merrier... For an extra luxe finish, paint the wall in a stylish shade and drape a luxurious fabric (or a Chinese-style bathrobe) as an accent.

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    Stylish Stacking

    For a wall with real wow, store coffee table books in a stack against a wall by using a bookshelf with hidden brackets, such as this clever one from The Conran Shop.

    Ptolomeo Bookstand, £1,095 at The Conran Shop

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    Picture Wall

    Place postcards in a grid format to create a work of art. Framed postcards of colourful paintings hung in a tight rectangular grid can take on the feel of a work of art. Try art galleries for inspiration, which often sell books of postcards by the same artist. Frame using clip frames so the edges of the frame will not confuse the images. Group as close together as possible - a tape measure and spirit level are essential.

  • Sarah Hogan
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    Citrus Green

    This bedroom designed by Gabby Deeming has a feature wall covered in 'Birds' wallpaper by Galbraith & Paul. The dressing table nook beyond is painted in 'New Lime' from Mylands and a thick skirting board on the wallpapered wall unites the two elements of the scheme.

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    100s of bedroom decorating ideas - from design and furniture to storage and wallpaper »

  • Jake Curtis
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    Tiles

    Using blocks of colourful tiles is an inexpensive and modern way to decorate any room - think beyond kitchens and bathrooms and tile your living room or office.

    Ceramic tiles, 'Prismatics', 10cm square, £23 a square metre, from Tile Mountain.

    Taken from the February 2014 issue of House & Garden. Styling: Gabby Deeming and Matthew Morris.

  • Damian Russell
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    Mix it Up

    Don't limit yourself. More than one feature wall is allowed. Our top tip? Mix it up. Try a bright colour on one wall, and a contrasting wallpaper. Here 'Hearts, Clubs, Spades and Diamonds' from the Atelier Zina de Plagny Collection at Surface View lines one wall and the room beyond is painted in a vibrant pink. Layers of soft colour flowing froom room to room create a calm transition between each space.

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    Our favourite wallpapers

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    Pattern

    Love the rustic look? Get inspired by the Casa Talia hotel in Sicily. Use natural materials, neutral colours and a pretty pattern.

    To book or find out more, contact Mr & Mrs Smith

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    Synched Style

    Take a leaf out of Babbington House's stylish book and match the rest of your decor to your wallpaper's theme, like this Scandinavian-inspired room.

    To book or find out more, contact Mr & Mrs Smith

  • Simon Brown
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    Shelves

    The corner of this family space within a terrace house decorated by Hugh Leslie is lined in warm-toned wooden shelves.

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    Storage ideas

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    Kitchen Confidential

    Feature walls aren't just for living rooms and bedrooms. Use a collection of kitchen items - utensils, or even tea towels to make a style statement. Plates also work well. We like these, from Toast, or try designer Lou Rota, who specialises in decorative vintage plates, plate hangers and even vintage plate art kits so you can transform your own old plates into vintage treasure.

  • David Cleveland
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    Ravishing Retro

    Marrying vintage poster art with the vogue for imaginatively quirky wallpaper, this chic, Mad Men-meets-Mills & Boon wall mural is truly scene-stealing. Surface View's bespoke printed vinyl range for John Lewis comes in three sizes, each applied in easy-to-stick sections with a silky smooth finish that emanates originality and quality. Give your walls a chance to fulfil their potential, we say.

    Wall Mural, from £150 by Surface View at John Lewis

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    Paint a Harlequin Pattern

    Feeling adventurous? Don't just settle for one paint colour for a feature wall - try a few favourites and paint in a harlequin pattern.

    Hot Paints, Cult Movie, Film Noir and Blue Monday all by Crown Paints, all £22.99 for 2.5l at Homebase

    Taken from the June 2012 issue of House & Garden. Styling: Gabby Deeming and Olivia Gregory.

    How to decorate with colour

  • Damian Russell
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    Ombre Effect

    Use matt spray paint to subtly blend the colour of your wallpaper and door frame for a gentle take on the surreal. Here 'Ringwold' wallpaper from Farrow & Ball has been sprayed with shades of green and white to create a background for wrought-iron lemon sconces.

    Taken from the June 2013 issue of House & Garden.

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    Lighting ideas

  • Sarah Hogan
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    L'Eden Wallpaper

    This living room features one wall of hand-painted wallpaper, 'L'Eden' (paradiso), £1,112 a 300 x 97cm panel, from de Gournay.

    Taken from the May 2015 issue of House & Garden

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    From gallery walls to triptychs, the most stylish ways to display art »

  • Jan Baldwin
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    Tulip Wallpaper

    If you are only planning to wallpaper one wall choose something bold and beautiful. This office is lined with 'Botanical Tulips', a hand-printed wallpaper by Twigs available from Simon Playle.

    Taken from the May 2009 issue of House & Garden.

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    Our favourite wallpapers

  • Elsa Young
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    Ben Nicholson Wall

    This bedroom designed by Anthony Collett features a Ben Nicholson-inspired padded wall behind the bed. The in-built shelving and ebony and sycamore drawer units were made by John Spencer Joinery.

    Taken from the August 2015 issue of House & Garden.

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    See inside our locations editor Lavinia Bolton's Cheslea Flat

  • Richard Powers
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    Colour Match Wallpaper and Walls

    If you can only afford one wall of a luxurious wallpaper colour match the other three to its background colour. Here in the main bedroom of a Chelsea family home designed by Turner Pocock, a hand-painted de Gournay silk wallpaper is matched with a similar chartreuse paint.

    Taken from the March 2014 issue of House & Garden. Additional text: Hatta Byng.

    Like this? Then you'll loveWallpaper design ideas

  • Alexander James
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    Wallpaper Headboard

    This bedroom in a Notting Hill townhouse is dominated by Michael Szell's cheerful 'Carnival' fabric and wallpaper designed for Christopher Farr Cloth. The wall behind the bed has been entirely wallpapered, giving the effect of an extended headboard.

    Like this? Then you'll love

    One top floor flat. One family of 5. Two designers have turned this place into a Tardishttps://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/the-list

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    Attic bedroom with wallpapered apex

    This children's bedroom is in an airy attic space. The gable wall has been papered in Sandberg's delicate 'Mika' wallpaper, highlighting the architectural shape of the apex.

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    All our favourite bedrooms

  • Kristin Perers
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    Etched Arcadia Wallpaper

    The 'Etched Arcadia' wallpaper mural from Anthropologie is the backdrop to this rich blue hallway. Add layers of similar colours and luxurious textures to create a dramatic look.

    Taken from the January 2014 issue of House & Garden. Styling: Gabby Deeming.

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    How to make your hallway a stylish room of its own

  • Paul Massey
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    Martinique Wallpaper

    Interior designer Rita Konig is known for her strong ideas about decorating, reflected in her west London flat*.* One wall of the bathroom in her flat in west London is lined in Hinson's tropical 'Martinique'. Playing on the lack of natural light in the bathroom, Rita has lightened the corner with lively wallpaper.

    You may also like: Rita Notes | Style File: Rita Konig | Modern Manhattan house designed by Rita Konig | Bathroom wallpaper

  • Simon Brown
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    Floor-to-ceiling bookcases

    Have more books than you know what to do with? Why not commission bespoke bookcases as the owner of this London flat has done. After all, bookspines can be just as beautiful as wallpaper.

    Taken from the April 2015 issue of House & Garden.

    Like this? Then you'll loveIdeas for living rooms

  • Jake Curtis
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    Gallery Wall

    Arrange a cluster of framed prints in a decorative formation. Here linocuts by Hugo Guinness at Wilson Stephens & Jones, are arranged against a bright white wall.

    Taken from the April 2012 issue of House & Garden

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    Dining room design ideas

  • Jefferson Smith
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    Cloud Wallpaper Border

    Born in America, interior designer Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay started her working life in New York, cutting her visual teeth as a fashion stylist on Elle magazine, before becoming art director for some of Manhattan's most celebrated retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale's. Her stylist's eye has remained one of her undoubted assets, giving her the confidence to compose sophisticated medleys of pattern, colour and texture. 'In this house, we definitely went maximalist,' she says. 'We used layer upon layer.' The wallpapers are 'Clouds Sonic' by Aimée Wilder and 'Tile' by Cole & Son, while the 'Libra' zodiac cushion is from Jonathan Adler.

    Taken from the December 2013 issue of House & Garden. Additional text: Lisa Freedman.

    Like this? Then you'll loveMore pictures from this stylish family home in London

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    Bespoke Wall Mural

    This living room is lined with 'Reflejos Palmiers', a painting by Haby Bonomo, enlarged and turned into a bespoke wallcovering by Geneviève Lévy Édition. It can be made to bespoke specifications and costs from £79 per square metre.

    Like this? Then you'll loveStylish living rooms from around the world

  • Simon Brown
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    Map Wallpaper

    Designer and architect Ben Pentreath created this scaled-up version of Rocque's 1746 map of London for the staircase of his friend and business partner Bridie Hall. The map starts with Canonbury - the location of the house - at the top. 'Of course, in 1746 this was still a field,' Bridie points out. 'In retrospect we should have chosen the Victorian version; then we would have been on there.' Like the look? Create something similar of your own at Surface View.

    Taken from the March 2014 issue of House & Garden.

  • Jake Curtis
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    Print Triptych

    Line up a series of over-sized prints for a flexible take on a feature wall. This light pink hallway has 100 x 70cm framed prints from Surface View. From left; 'Petals On a Spotted Background', 'Floral Design II' and 'Berry and Leaf Design', all these patterns are taken from the British Library archives.

    Taken from the February 2016 issue of House & Garden.

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    Our indispensable directory of design professionals for your house and gardenhttps://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/interiors/real-homes/luke-edward-hall-flat

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