Choosing kids' wallpaper — themes, colours and finishes that grow with them
A child's room is the one place you can really have fun with wallpaper. A dinosaur world, a jungle full of animals or a galaxy of stars turns a bedroom into somewhere to play and imagine — and there is nothing like a big, made-to-measure mural to bring it to life. The trick is choosing a design with enough character to delight now, but enough staying power to grow with them. Here are the most popular themes, and how to choose one that lasts. (For babies, see our dedicated guide to nursery wallpaper.)
Popular kids' wallpaper themes
Dinosaurs are a perennial favourite, from friendly cartoon scenes to more realistic, adventurous jungle settings that a child can grow into.
Space and galaxy designs spark imagination with planets, stars and rockets, and a soft, starry night sky can be surprisingly calming at bedtime.
Jungle and safari animals bring elephants, giraffes and lions into the room, in playful or gently illustrated styles that suit boys and girls alike.
Woodland animals — foxes, deer and rabbits among the trees — are sweet and soft, ideal for younger children and for a calmer scheme.
Underwater and sea-life scenes are colourful and full of character, a fun choice for a bathroom or bedroom.
Unicorns and magical designs bring a dreamy, whimsical feel that younger children love.
Mountains and adventure scenes are the grown-up end of kids' design — calming, characterful and something a child will not tire of quickly.
Boys', girls' and gender-neutral rooms
Plenty of themes work for any child — animals, jungle, space, woodland and mountains are all easy gender-neutral choices, and simply changing the colours shifts the feel. Dinosaurs, space and jungle scenes are popular in boys' rooms, while unicorns, florals and pastel themes are favourites for girls' rooms. The most flexible approach is to choose a theme you both love and let bedding, accessories and paint do the rest.
Designs that grow with your child
The secret to kids' wallpaper that lasts is choosing a design that is not tied to a toddler stage. Illustrated animals, adventurous jungle and mountain scenes, and starry skies carry a child from a few years old well into their tween years, where an overtly babyish print would be outgrown quickly. And because our murals are peel-and-stick if you choose that material, updating the room later is quick and low-fuss.
Which material to choose
Peel-and-stick is the sensible choice for a child's room. It installs with no paste and no mess, it repositions easily, and it peels away cleanly when the room is ready for a refresh. Our papers are FSC-approved and PVC-free, and the peel-and-stick materials are PFAS-approved too, which matters in a child's space. For a busier room or one that needs to be wipe-clean, the water-resistant and waterproof materials are worth considering. You choose your material, and see the price for your exact wall size, on each product page.