Christmas Wallpaper Trends 2026

The biggest Christmas wallpaper trends for 2026 are vintage village scenes, tartan and plaid, winter botanicals, gold and metallic finishes, cozy Nordic textures, soft non-traditional palettes, castlecore maximalism, snowy forest murals and playful designs for kids' rooms. They all share one idea: Christmas walls are moving away from cartoon prints toward warm, grown-up nostalgia that still looks good in January.

The good news is you don't need to repaint or commit for years to get the look. Removable Christmas wallpaper and custom-size wall murals let you change one wall for the season and peel it off when you're ready. Below you'll find each trend, the rooms it suits best, and how to have it up before the first guests arrive.

Christmas wallpaper trends 2026 at a glance

What's the biggest Christmas wallpaper trend for 2026?

Nostalgia wins again. Vintage village scenes, old-fashioned delivery vans, snowy rooftops and soft sepia tones feel like a Christmas card from your childhood, and they sit comfortably in modern rooms. This is the "grown-up" version of festive decor: fewer cartoon Santas, more storytelling.

It also ties into the wider move toward nostalgic maximalism in holiday decor, where rooms feel layered and personal instead of minimal. A vintage Christmas wallpaper gives you that layered feeling on one wall, so the rest of the room can stay simple.

Our Camionette vintage van wallpaper works well in an entryway, where it greets guests with a little story. For a city-lights version of the same mood, the Christmas Under the London Eye wall mural brings festive bokeh and a classic winter-evening feel.

Style tip: Pair vintage scenes with warm white string lights, glass ornaments and brass candleholders. Avoid cool-white LEDs, which flatten the sepia tones.

Is tartan and plaid still a Christmas wallpaper trend?

Yes. Tartan is the trend that never quite leaves, and for 2026 it looks richer: deep reds, forest greens and navy, often with a thin gold or cream line running through. It feels like a Scottish lodge or a cabin with a fire going.

Use plaid on one feature wall, ideally behind a fireplace, a reading chair or a bar cart. A full room of tartan can feel heavy, but one wall instantly sets the scene. Browse plaid wallpaper for checks that work at Christmas and stay cozy right through February.

Winter botanicals bring the outdoors in

Pinecones, spruce branches, eucalyptus, holly and winter magnolia are the quiet stars of 2026. The palettes are muted: sage, moss, soft white and dusty grey-green. This is the trend for anyone who loves Christmas but doesn't want their walls shouting about it.

The Spruce Branches soft-color Christmas wallpaper and the winter botanical rustic plants wallpaper both look festive with a garland in front of them, then simply look "wintery" once the decorations come down. For more leafy options, see our full botanical wallpaper range.

Why are metallics and gold trending for Christmas 2026?

Gold catches candlelight and tree lights better than any flat color, so a metallic wall does half the decorating for you. For 2026, think gold, champagne, silver and copper in Art Deco geometry, fine-line patterns or ornament motifs, rather than glitter.

Red and gold is also back as a classic pairing. A gold wall behind a dining table, finished with red candles and a simple greenery runner, looks elegant without trying too hard.

The Christmas Baubles wall mural is the festive option, while the gold wallpaper collection has subtler patterns that keep working into January and beyond.

What about quiet, textured looks like hygge and Nordic style?

Scandinavian Christmas is all about calm: knit and linen textures, whitewashed wood, blue-grey skies, reindeer, snowflakes and simple woodland animals. It suits small homes because pale colors and gentle patterns make a room feel bigger, not busier.

The Winter Forest Fox wall mural captures this mood with a snowy Nordic scene. You'll find more pared-back designs in our Scandinavian wallpaper collection.

Style tip: Keep decorations natural with dried orange garlands, wooden stars, wool throws and candles. Let the wallpaper provide the pattern.

Which non-traditional Christmas palettes are trending?

Red and green aren't going anywhere, but more people are choosing palettes that match the rest of their home:

• Pink Christmas: blush, rose and raspberry with gold accents. Playful, a little retro, and lovely in bedrooms. Start with our pink wallpaper designs.
• Sage and gold: soft green with metallic detail. Feels festive and fresh at the same time.
• Black and white: graphic, modern and dramatic, especially with warm lights and a single color accent like red berries.

If your living room is already neutral or pastel, one of these palettes will feel more natural than traditional red and green.

Is maximalist castlecore a real Christmas trend?

It is, and it's the boldest look on this list. Castlecore borrows from old manor houses: damask, baroque florals, tapestry-style scenes and jewel tones like burgundy, emerald and sapphire. Add candlelight and velvet, and a dining room starts to feel like a medieval banquet hall.

Keep it to one dramatic wall or a small room such as a powder room, where bold pattern feels like a treat instead of an overload. Our damask wallpaper collection is a good starting point.

Snowy forest and woodland murals

A large winter forest mural turns a plain wall into a view. Snowy birch trees, misty pines and quiet woodland paths give a room depth, and they look magical with fairy lights draped in front. This trend is especially strong in living rooms and long hallways, where a mural can make the space feel wider.

Because a forest scene isn't strictly "Christmas," it's one of the easiest trends to leave up until spring. Explore our forest wallpaper and winter wallpaper collections for options in custom sizes.

Christmas wallpaper for kids' rooms

Kids' rooms are where Christmas wallpaper can be fun and bright. Think Santa's workshop, reindeer, gingerbread houses, snowmen and starry winter nights. Since kids grow out of themes quickly, removable wallpaper is the smart choice here: put it up in late November and peel it off in January without touching the paint.

A single accent wall behind the bed is usually enough. Browse kids' room wallpaper for designs that also work beyond the holidays.

Which Christmas wallpaper trend suits which room?

• Entryway and hallway: vintage scenes or a snowy forest mural. First impressions matter, and a narrow hallway benefits from a mural that adds depth.
• Living room and fireplace wall: tartan, a forest mural or Nordic textures. The fireplace is the natural focal point, so put the pattern behind it.
• TV wall: a soft winter botanical or Nordic design behind the TV keeps the screen from becoming a black hole in an otherwise festive room.
• Dining room: gold, metallics or castlecore. These finishes shine under candlelight at Christmas dinner.
• Bedroom and home office: botanicals, pink or sage palettes. Calm enough to sleep or work next to.
• Kids' room: playful Christmas characters on one accent wall.
• Shops, cafés and offices: a large festive mural behind the counter or in a photo spot gives customers a reason to stop and share. Custom sizing means it fits any wall or window display.

Christmas wall decor ideas to style with your wallpaper

Once the wallpaper is up, a few extras make it feel finished:

• Hang a wreath or garland directly over the wallpaper to create a layered, 3D effect.
• Drape warm white string lights across a forest or vintage mural so the scene glows at night.
• Echo one color from the wallpaper in your cushions, throws and table linen.
• Lean a large mirror against a metallic wall to bounce even more light around the room.
• Keep other walls plain. One patterned wall plus simple decor always looks more expensive than pattern everywhere.

Getting the look before Christmas

Christmas wallpaper is a seasonal buy, so timing matters. Here's how to have it up in time:

1. Measure first. Measure width and height at a few points and take the largest numbers. Our how to measure guide walks you through it step by step.
2. Pick peel and stick for a quick, damage-free install. Peel and stick wallpaper needs no paste or water, and it comes off cleanly when the season ends. It's ideal for renters.
3. Order early. Every mural is printed to your size, so order by early November to leave time for printing, shipping and hanging before December gatherings. [EDIT: replace with your real order-by cut-off date per region]
4. Prep the wall. Clean, smooth and dry walls give the best finish. Fill small holes and wipe away dust.
5. Hang it. Follow our wallpaper and mural installation guide. Most single feature walls take an afternoon.

Bonus tip: Save your wallpaper offcuts. They make beautiful gift wrap, gift tags and drawer liners, so nothing goes to waste.

Christmas wallpaper trends FAQs

What are the top Christmas wallpaper trends for 2026?

The top trends are vintage and nostalgic scenes, tartan and plaid, winter botanicals, gold and metallics, hygge and Nordic textures, non-traditional palettes like pink and sage, castlecore maximalism, snowy forest murals and playful kids' designs. Most of them, apart from the kids' prints, look just as good after the decorations come down.

Which Christmas wallpaper trend will be most popular in 2026?

Vintage and nostalgic designs lead the way. Village scenes, retro vans and soft sepia tones feel warm and grown-up, and they suit both traditional and modern homes. They also tell a small story, which is why they work so well in an entryway, where guests see them first.

Are metallic Christmas wallpapers only for the holidays?

No. Gold and champagne patterns in geometric or Art Deco styles look festive in December but read as simply elegant the rest of the year, especially in dining rooms and bar areas. Pick fine-line or geometric gold over glitter if you want the wall to stay up all year.

Do these Christmas wallpaper trends work in rented homes?

Yes. Choose removable peel and stick wallpaper. It goes up without paste and peels off without damaging the paint underneath, so you can decorate for the season and get your deposit back. Test a small corner first if the paint is new or has a chalky finish.

Can I keep a Christmas wallpaper trend up past December?

Winter botanicals, forest murals, tartan, Nordic designs and metallics all work through January and February. Take down the ornaments and the wall still looks seasonal rather than "Christmas." Cartoon Santas and elves are the exception, so plan to swap those after the season.

How do I remove Christmas wallpaper after the holidays?

For peel and stick wallpaper, start at a top corner and peel slowly at a low angle, close to the wall. If a panel resists, warm it gently with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive. Treat peel and stick as a one-season piece, since the adhesive weakens once it has been removed.

Final thoughts

The Christmas wallpaper trends for 2026 lean toward homely rather than loud: nostalgic scenes, cozy plaid, quiet botanicals, a touch of gold and the calm of a snowy forest. Pick the trend that matches the room you spend the most time in, keep it to one feature wall, and let lights and greenery do the rest.

Ready to start? Browse our Christmas wallpaper collection, measure your wall and order early so your walls are ready when the season begins.