Open plan living is one of the most popular and most challenging interior design scenarios. The freedom of open space is wonderful — but without definition, open plan homes can feel formless, noisy, and difficult to furnish. Wallpaper is one of the most elegant and effective tools for defining distinct zones within an open plan space: creating visual boundaries without physical walls, giving each area its own identity while maintaining the flow and openness of the whole. This guide covers how to use wallpaper to define spaces in an open plan home.
Why Wallpaper Works for Zone Definition
Wallpaper creates visual boundaries through color, pattern, and texture — without the need for physical walls, screens, or partitions. A wallpapered zone reads as a distinct space because the eye recognizes the change in visual character. It's a subtle but powerful signal: this area is different, this area has a specific purpose and identity.
The Core Technique: Zone Wallpapering
The fundamental technique is simple: wallpaper the walls of one zone within the open plan space, and leave the walls of the adjacent zone plain (painted). The wallpapered zone immediately reads as distinct and defined. The plain zone provides visual relief and allows the wallpapered zone to breathe.
Common Open Plan Zones to Define with Wallpaper
The Dining Zone
The dining area is the most natural zone to define with wallpaper in an open plan kitchen-dining-living space. Wallpaper the wall behind the dining table — or all the walls of the dining area if it's clearly delineated — to create a distinct dining room atmosphere within the open plan space. A bold botanical, a rich moody color, or a dramatic geometric works beautifully. Browse our Living Room collection and Moody collection.
The Kitchen Zone
In an open plan kitchen-dining-living space, wallpapering the kitchen wall — typically the wall behind the kitchen units or the island — defines the kitchen zone and gives it its own character. Browse our Kitchen collection.
The Home Office Zone
In an open plan living space with a home office corner, wallpapering the wall behind the desk creates a distinct workspace zone. This is particularly effective for focus and productivity — the visual boundary signals a mental shift from relaxation to work. Browse our Home Office collection.
The Reading Nook or Relaxation Zone
A wallpapered alcove or corner creates a cosy, defined reading nook or relaxation zone within a larger open plan space. Browse our Living Room collection.
The Bedroom Zone in a Studio
In a studio apartment, wallpapering the wall behind the bed creates a distinct bedroom zone within the single open space. Browse our Bedroom collection.
How to Choose Wallpaper for Zone Definition
- The wallpapered zone should be bolder: The wallpapered zone needs to read as distinct from the plain zones. Choose a wallpaper with enough visual presence to create a clear boundary.
- Maintain a shared color palette: The wallpaper colors should relate to the colors used in the plain zones — pick up accent colors from the wallpaper in cushions, rugs, and accessories throughout the open plan space. This creates cohesion within the definition.
- Consider the function of the zone: Choose wallpaper that suits the function of the zone — a moody, atmospheric wallpaper for a dining zone; a focused, inspiring wallpaper for a home office zone; a calming, restful wallpaper for a bedroom zone.
The Ceiling Technique
An alternative to wall wallpapering: wallpaper the ceiling of a specific zone to define it from above. A wallpapered ceiling over the dining table, for example, creates a distinct dining zone without touching the walls. This is a particularly elegant technique in open plan spaces where the walls are shared between zones.
Practical Tips
- Use a rug to reinforce the zone: A rug in the wallpapered zone reinforces the visual boundary and grounds the furniture arrangement.
- Lighting helps: A pendant light over the dining table or a floor lamp in the reading nook reinforces the zone definition.
- Don't over-define: In an open plan space, one or two wallpapered zones is usually enough. Over-defining creates visual chaos rather than clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different wallpapers in different zones of an open plan space?
Yes — but they need to share a color palette to feel cohesive. Two completely unrelated wallpapers in adjacent zones will feel chaotic. Two wallpapers that share colors but differ in pattern can work beautifully.
How much of an open plan space should I wallpaper?
As a rule, wallpaper one zone and leave the rest plain. This creates clear definition without visual overwhelm. In a very large open plan space, two wallpapered zones can work if they share a color palette.
Shop Wallpaper for Open Plan Homes at Peel & Pattern
Browse our full wallpaper collection and order samples to test in your space. See our Accent Wall Guide for more on single-wall wallpaper techniques.