William Morris wallpaper refers to the intricate, nature-inspired patterns of the 19th-century Arts and Crafts movement — trailing florals, climbing botanicals, birds, and foliage — originated by the English designer William Morris (1834–1896) and still among the most enduringly popular wallpaper styles today. More than 150 years after Morris drew his first patterns, that unmistakable look — flat, rhythmic, densely planted with leaves and blooms — is having a genuine resurgence in modern interiors. As a U.S. wallpaper manufacturer, we produce Morris-inspired wallcoverings in a range of colorways and materials, and this guide covers the patterns worth knowing, how to use them room by room, and how to make a heritage look feel current.
Whether you're drawn to the thrushes of Strawberry Thief, the scrolling leaves of Acanthus, or the quiet blooms of Pimpernel, these William Morris wallpaper ideas will help you choose and style the right one. Browse the full William Morris style wallpaper collection as you read.
A Note on Our Designs
Morris's original patterns are long out of copyright, part of the public domain. Our William Morris style wallpapers are our own original artwork, drawn in the Arts and Crafts tradition he defined — some faithful to the spirit of his classic motifs, others reinterpreted in fresh, modern colorways. They are not archival reprints from Morris & Co. What you get is the heritage looking wallpaper, produced to order in the USA on modern, durable materials.
In this guide
What Is William Morris Wallpaper?
William Morris was an English textile designer, writer, and a leading figure of the Arts and Crafts movement, which rose in the second half of the 19th century as a reaction against mass-produced, machine-made decoration. He designed his first wallpaper, Trellis, in 1862, and went on to create dozens of patterns over his career. What defines the style is a flat, deliberately two-dimensional approach to pattern — no fake shadows or 3D illusion — built from densely interwoven natural forms: vines, leaves, flowers, fruit, and birds arranged in a balanced, repeating rhythm.
That combination of naturalism and structure is exactly why the designs have never really gone away. They read as intricate and rich up close, but calm and cohesive across a whole wall. Below are the patterns people ask for most, and how to use each one.
Strawberry Thief Wallpaper Pattern
Designed by Morris in 1883, Strawberry Thief wallpaper is his most famous pattern — a scene of thrushes stealing fruit among trailing strawberry plants and foliage. It works beautifully as an all-over pattern in a bedroom, dining room, or powder room, and it shifts character completely with color: a green or cream ground feels garden-fresh, while indigo, navy, or brown reads dramatic and enveloping. Because the motif is medium-scale and evenly spaced, it suits both a single feature wall and a whole room without overwhelming it.
Acanthus Wallpaper Pattern
Acanthus wallpaper pattern, which Morris designed in 1875, is built from large, scrolling acanthus leaves drawn from a classical motif. It's one of the boldest, largest-scale patterns in the Morris canon, which makes it a natural statement wall — the big repeat needs room to breathe, so give it a full, uninterrupted wall rather than a small, chopped-up one. In soft neutrals like beige and gray it feels architectural and serene; in deeper or warmer tones it turns rich and cocooning. It's a favorite for living rooms, entryways, and behind a bed.
Designer Tip
Match the pattern's scale to the wall. A large repeat like Acanthus wants a full, uninterrupted wall so the design can complete itself; break it up with too many windows and doors and it loses its rhythm. Smaller, denser patterns like Strawberry Thief or Pimpernel are far more forgiving and work almost anywhere, including choppy walls and small rooms.
Pimpernel Wallpaper Pattern
Pimpernel, designed by Morris in 1876, is a classic floral: large flower heads set against a fine, symmetrical background of leaves and smaller blooms. It's more open and gentle than Acanthus, which makes it one of the most livable Morris patterns for everyday rooms. It's endlessly adaptable to color — soft greens and creams for a calm, garden feel, or green-and-terracotta and olive combinations for something warmer and more grounded. Pimpernel suits kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms equally well.
Acorn & Other Botanicals
Beyond the headline florals, the Arts and Crafts tradition is full of quieter botanical motifs — oak leaves and acorns, trailing willow, birds and wildflowers — that carry the same heritage feeling in a more understated way. An acorn-and-oak-leaf pattern is a wonderful example: structured and organic at once, it works as a calm, tonal backdrop in a study, hallway, or dining room, and it comes to life in earthy colorways from soft green to warm terracotta. These gentler patterns are a smart choice if you love the Morris look but want something that recedes rather than commands.
William Morris Wallpaper Room by Room
These patterns are versatile, but each room asks for something slightly different.
Bedroom
The bedroom is the most popular home for a Morris pattern. A softer floral like Pimpernel or a blush-pink Strawberry Thief behind the headboard feels restful and enveloping; deeper colorways across all four walls make a larger bedroom feel intimate. Browse coordinating options in our bedroom wallpaper collection.
Living Room
In a living room, a large-scale Acanthus or a warm Pimpernel on one wall gives the space a focal point with real character. Keep the sofa and larger furniture calm and let the pattern lead. See more in our living room wallpaper collection.
Dining Room
Dining rooms can carry the richest colorways — a deep green, indigo, or terracotta Morris pattern turns a dining space into a warm, collected room made for evenings. Explore the dining room wallpaper collection.
Powder Room & Kitchen
Small rooms are the perfect place to be bold: a powder room wrapped in Strawberry Thief becomes a jewel-box moment. In kitchens, a lighter Pimpernel or Acorn on a breakfast-nook or dining-side wall adds heritage warmth — just keep it out of direct water and heat zones and choose a wipeable material.
How to Make William Morris Wallpaper Feel Modern
The most common worry we hear is that a heritage pattern will read as fusty or dated. A few simple moves keep it firmly current:
- Choose a modern colorway. The pattern is Victorian; the color doesn't have to be. Blush pink, gray, indigo, and terracotta grounds feel contemporary while keeping the classic motif.
- Pair busy pattern with quiet furniture. Clean-lined, simple pieces let an intricate Morris wall feel intentional rather than old-fashioned. Let the paper be the star.
- Use it on one wall. A single feature wall of a bold pattern, with the rest of the room painted in a coordinating tone, reads modern and confident.
- Mix in natural materials. Wood, linen, rattan, and matte metals ground the pattern in an of-the-moment, collected way.
- Scale to the room. Smaller patterns in small rooms, large repeats on generous walls — getting scale right is what separates "designed" from "busy."
Peel & Stick vs Traditional Type II Wallpaper
Every Morris-inspired wallpaper we make comes in more than one material, so the pattern is only half the decision:
- Smooth Vinyl Peel & Stick — semi-gloss, removable, and self-adhesive. Ideal for renters and anyone who likes to restyle; it comes off cleanly on properly painted, fully cured walls. Browse our peel and stick wallpaper and renter-friendly options.
- Canvas Peel & Stick — a matte, woven-texture removable material that suits these heritage florals especially well, reading more like paper or fabric than a glossy vinyl.
- Traditional Type II — a heavier, paste-installed commercial-grade wallcovering, Class A/Class 1 fire rated (ASTM E84). The most durable choice for permanent installs, high-traffic rooms, and textured walls. See our commercial-grade range.
All of our designs are produced to order in Davie, Florida with GreenGuard Gold certified, non-toxic inks, custom-sized to your walls, with free US shipping and a sample for every design. Because a pattern reads differently on your wall than on a screen, we always recommend ordering a sample first.
Designer Tip
Start with the light. Dim or north-facing rooms carry dark grounds well — deep greens, indigos, and browns hold their richness in low light. Bright, sunny rooms can take the pale, airy colorways without washing them out. Order two samples and tape them up morning and evening before you decide; the same pattern can look like two different papers depending on the light.
