Wallpapers, murals and wall coverings can help add personality to a room and transform your space. Maintenance-free after installation, your walls may even double as an artistic feature.

Here are 5 basic tips to guide you on choosing the right design, and an inspirational lineup of the best walls and interior accents. Checkout the links below for more great ideas and information.

1. Do your research. Collect images of walls you love and see if a pattern emerges. Do you love European chinoiserie? Or are you drawn towards calm, scenic images? Do you enjoy spaces with photography and bold graphics, or subtle and organic accents?

2. Consider your existing furnishings. Examine the color scheme and themes in your home. Observe the flow of space and take into consideration the view from adjoining rooms. Traditional or modern, there will be a design to further enhance your current interiors.

3.  Know your purpose. Are you seeking a bold feature to add liveliness? Or do you want to achieve a calming effect with subtle tones? Decide how you want to feel when you walk into a space, and how you want your wallpaper should impact and stimulate a room.

4. Explore all of your wall covering options. Wall coverings today go far beyond traditional prints. From materials beyond paper, like grass cloth, sisal, cork and Japanese silk, to textured papers that mimic marble, wood and stone, wallpapers have evolved to suit modern needs with new technology.

5. Avoid pattern fatigue. Pattern fatigue comes down to choice of space and individual preference. However do take into consideration the amount of time spent between different rooms, and the closer proximity of certain walls in your home. If a brightly patterned wall in your frequented small bathroom will tire you out quickly, don’t choose it.

Living Room

Introducing: de Gournay

de Gournay has a heritage dating back to the 17th century specializing in hand-painted wallpaper, fabrics, furniture and porcelain. de Gournay wallpapers are all handmade by skilled artisans. Old works are sold at auctions as valuable antiques. Made to order, they represent the finest in wallpaper craftsmanship and a great source of inspiration.

‘Jardinieres Citrus Trees’ wallpaper in full custom design colors on custom Mica metallic xuan paper. de Gournay hand carved Swedish Settle lounge sofa in original antique finish upholstered in Eucalyptus silk velvet.

Portman design in standard design colors on custom blue Edo painted silk.

‘A View Of Florence From The North Bank Of The Arno’ Mural

Surface View Collection: National Galleries of Scotland. Artist: Francois – Xavier Fabre

Bedroom

Exostema Caribaeum’ Mural

Surface View collection: Natural History Museum. Artist: Ferdinand Bauer

Oaitepeha Bay, Tahiti’ Mural

Collection: National Maritime Museum. Artist: William Hodges

Bathroom

Temple Newsam design Balfour Castle Scotland

Shop the Look:

Printed wallpaper with flowering shrubs and fruit bees on a pale green background, by Surface View.

Dining Area

‘Winter Garden Antoine’ mural. Collection: Royal Horticultural Society. Artist: Ludwig Czerny

Queen Anne Wallpaper by Hygge and West

Sunflowers Mural By William Morris

Study

Coutts’ design in part custom design colors on Dappled Gold dyed silk

Paeonia Tenuifolia Mural By Abraham Jacobus Wendle

Jewel Wallpaper by Chasing Paper. Available in 2 colors.

A Ship Scudding In A Gale Accent Mural By Willem Van De Velde, Edward Kirkall. Surface View Wallpapers.

Kitchen

Lovely Lattice Wallpaper by Chasing Paper. Available in red, navy, grey, and black

Plaid wallpaper by Chasing Paper. 5 colors available.

Hallways

de Gournay ‘Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains’ Wallpaper from The Emperor Collection

Seaweed Mural by William Morris

‘Allegory Of Love, Iv ‘ Mural. Collection: The National Gallery. Artist: Paolo Veronese

Swimming Koi by Walnut Wallpaper

Nursery

Wild Thing Wallpaper by Chasing Paper $40 per panel

Wild Wallpaper by Chasing Paper $40 per panel

Daydream by Hygge and West. Available in 5 colors.