Choosing abstract wallpaper — shapes, colour and movement for a contemporary wall
Abstract wallpaper is the art lover's choice. Instead of a literal picture, it uses shape, colour and movement to set a mood — which makes it one of the most flexible and contemporary ways to decorate a wall. Because there is no fixed subject to tie into your scheme, an abstract design works almost anywhere, reading like a large-scale piece of modern art. Here are the abstract styles to consider and where each works best.
Abstract wallpaper styles
Abstract watercolour is soft and painterly — blended washes of colour that feel calm, modern and artistic, and are very easy to live with.
Bold shapes and arches draw on mid-century and contemporary art, with clean forms and blocks of colour for a confident, design-led look.
Brush strokes and painterly textures capture real artistic movement and energy, especially in richer tones like emerald.
Line art and organic outlines are the most minimal — fine, flowing lines and simple forms for a calm, pared-back wall.
Colour gradients and ombré blends move gently from one tone to another, adding depth and movement without any pattern.
Geometric designs are the more structured cousin of abstract, with repeating shapes and patterns for a bolder, more graphic feel.
Why abstract wallpaper works
Abstract is endlessly flexible precisely because it is not literal — there is no subject to clash with your furniture or scheme, so it slots into almost any room. It reads as art, giving a wall a considered, gallery-like quality, and it sets the mood through colour alone: soft, tonal abstracts feel calm, while bold, high-contrast ones make a real statement. It is modern without being cold, and personal without being fussy.
Choosing your colours
The colour does all the work with an abstract design. Soft, tonal and neutral palettes create a calm, sophisticated backdrop that suits a living room or bedroom. Bold, saturated colour makes a statement wall that becomes the focus of the room. Muted earthy tones feel warm and contemporary, while monochrome abstracts are sleek and modern. Choose the palette around the mood you want.
Abstract wallpaper by room
Living rooms suit a large-scale abstract or brush-stroke design as an art-led feature wall. Bedrooms feel calm with a soft abstract watercolour behind the bed. Home offices and studies gain a modern, creative backdrop that looks great on video calls. Hallways make an instant impression with a bold, graphic abstract in a space you pass through.
Which material to choose
Every abstract design is a made-to-measure mural on a choice of four materials — two paste-the-wall and two peel-and-stick, including water-resistant and waterproof grades for bathrooms and kitchens. You choose your material, and see the price for your exact wall size, on each product page.