2026 Trend Alert: Wallpaper Inside Molding
Wallpaper inside molding is one of 2026’s prettiest (and easiest) upgrades. I’ve done it in my own home, and it hits that sweet spot of classic-meets-current. I especially love this trend because it’s budget-friendly (since you’re papering a smaller area), and it’s easier than wallpapering full walls since you don’t have to deal with corners or uneven ceilings, but it doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of personality. I love it in dining rooms, powder rooms, bedrooms and kids’ spaces, but it could really work anywhere you already have picture frame molding or want to add it.
If you have a room that could use a little something extra, here are some of my favorite spaces that have wallpaper inside molding, plus tips for pulling off the look.
Wallpaper inside molding
With the rise of more traditional decorating, and the popularity of wall molding, this look was bound to happen.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I tried it as a solution in my dining room, above, when I wanted to wallpaper the space but had previously added picture frame molding, and I ended up loving how it turned out. I’d originally only wallpapered the panels above the chair rail, but a few days later ended up doing the ones below, too. I’ve seen the look work both ways.
When I was looking for inspiration for my dining room project, I spotted this mural-covered room by Lauren Shaver of Bless’er House, which helped convince me to go for it with my own space. I love the idea of adding a mural inside picture frame molding because it’s almost like one large piece of framed artwork. And, note how Lauren kept the mural just to the areas above the chair rail.
The room above is from the House Beautiful Showhouse (I think the 2023 edition) and it just so pretty and elegant. I also love how the designer went with a high-gloss trim, which feels extra sophisticated.
Framed chinoiserie wallpaper panels are a classic wall decor choice, which makes the pattern a natural choice for this style.
Here’s an example of how wallpaper looks inside wall paneling without a chair rail, it just spans the whole wall top to bottom. I absolutely love this room, and have always been a fan of the Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock pattern that Anna Page chose.
Another example of Pyne Hollyhock, this time inset in a more decorative trim that almost looks like a frame.
And finally, here’s another image (which I couldn’t find a source for) that has me half convinced I need to try this in my soul-less upstairs hallway.
If you’re thinking about trying out this style, I have just a couple of tips for getting it right:
Choose the wallpaper, then the paint color. It’s easier to find a paint color to fit a wallpaper you love, than to find a wallpaper that matches a paint color.
Make sure you’re using a sharp razor when installing the paper. To ensure your edges and seams where the paper meets the trim are crisp, make sure your razor is always sharp, since a dull one can snag or drag the paper. I changed my razor blade every 3-4 panels to ensure it was sharp.
That’s it! What do we think about this trend?
