The History of Wallpaper Around the World | How Did Wallpaper Develop?

How Did Wallpaper Develop Across Different Countries?

📌 3-Minute Summary

✔ Wallpapering is not a tradition unique to Korea.

✔ Early wall decoration began with murals, woven fabrics, leather, timber, and tapestries rather than printed paper.

✔ China’s development of papermaking played a major role in the later history of paper wall coverings.

✔ European wallpaper manufacturing expanded during the 17th and 18th centuries, while the Industrial Revolution made mass production possible.

✔ Modern wallpaper has developed into vinyl, non-woven, textile, eco-friendly, functional, and digitally printed wall coverings.

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Where Did Wallpapering Begin?

It is difficult to identify one single country as the absolute birthplace of wallpaper.

People in many parts of the world decorated and protected their interior walls long before modern wallpaper existed.

Early wall finishes included:

• Mud
• Lime plaster
• Painted murals
• Woven fabric
• Animal hide
• Timber panels
• Decorative leather
• Tapestries

Modern wallpaper was created through the combination of several historical developments:

Papermaking + printing technology + interior decoration + industrial production

Different countries contributed different materials, techniques, and design traditions.

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1. Wall Decoration in Ancient Civilizations

Long before paper wallpaper appeared, ancient societies decorated walls with paintings and plaster finishes.

In ancient Egypt, the walls of tombs, temples, and important buildings were covered with painted scenes.

These images often showed:

• Gods and religious rituals
• Plants and animals
• Farming and hunting
• Royal life
• Journeys into the afterlife

Ancient Mesopotamian buildings used painted plaster, decorative bricks, and patterned surfaces.

In ancient Greece and Rome, painted walls became an important part of interior architecture.

The Romans developed sophisticated fresco techniques by applying pigments to wet plaster.

These were not wallpapers in the modern sense, but they established an important idea:

Interior walls could communicate wealth, identity, religion, and taste.

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2. Roman Frescoes and Decorative Plaster

Roman homes, villas, bathhouses, and public buildings often had richly decorated walls.

Artists used color, perspective, and architectural illusions to make rooms appear larger or more luxurious.

Common designs included:

• Columns and arches
• Gardens
• Mythological scenes
• Marble imitations
• Architectural panels
• Landscapes

Some Roman wall paintings imitated expensive materials that the homeowner could not or did not want to install.

This idea later appeared in printed wallpaper, which often imitated marble, timber, fabric, or architectural decoration.

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3. The Importance of Chinese Papermaking

One of the most important developments in wallpaper history was the advancement of papermaking in China.

Paper was easier to transport and decorate than many heavy traditional wall materials.

As papermaking techniques improved, paper became useful for much more than official documents and books.

It could also be used for:

• Screens
• Windows
• Interior partitions
• Decorative paintings
• Wall coverings
• Ceremonial decorations

Chinese paper technology later influenced Korea, Japan, Central Asia, the Islamic world, and Europe.

Without the development and spread of papermaking, modern wallpaper would not have emerged in the same form.

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4. Chinese Silk, Painted Paper, and Interior Decoration

Wealthy Chinese households and palaces used silk, paintings, folding screens, timber panels, and decorated paper to create refined interiors.

Traditional Chinese interior decoration often included:

• Landscape painting
• Flowers and birds
• Bamboo
• Peonies
• Dragons and phoenixes
• Gardens
• Calligraphy

These decorative traditions later influenced Chinese export wallpapers made for European customers.

The designs Europeans admired were often not ordinary wall finishes used throughout China. Many were luxury products created specifically for export.

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5. Korean Hanji Wallpapering

Korea developed a distinctive paper-based interior culture through hanji, traditional Korean paper.

Hanji was used on:

• Walls
• Ceilings
• Windows
• Doors
• Storage spaces
• Folding screens
• Floors

Traditional Korean walls were often made from timber and clay.

Several layers of paper could be installed to cover cracks, reduce dust, stabilize the wall, and create a clean final surface.

The basic process included:

• A base paper layer
• One or more intermediate layers
• A final decorative paper layer

Hanji also softened sunlight and worked well with ondol, Korea’s traditional underfloor heating system.

Korean wallpapering therefore developed as both a practical building technique and a decorative craft.

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6. Japanese Washi, Shoji, and Fusuma

Japan developed its own paper-based interior culture using washi, traditional Japanese paper.

Paper was not used only on walls.

It was also central to:

• Shoji screens
• Fusuma sliding panels
• Folding screens
• Decorative partitions
• Ceilings
• Traditional rooms

Shoji allowed soft natural light to enter while limiting direct visibility.

Fusuma divided large interiors into smaller rooms and could be opened to create flexible spaces.

Japanese paper interiors emphasized:

• Natural light
• Simplicity
• Seasonal change
• Wood and paper textures
• Flexible room layouts

This tradition differs from modern full-wall wallpapering, but it forms an important part of global paper wall-covering history.

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7. Medieval European Tapestries

During the Middle Ages, wealthy European households decorated cold stone walls with large tapestries.

These woven wall hangings served several purposes:

• Displaying wealth and status
• Reducing the feeling of cold stone walls
• Softening echoes
• Covering rough surfaces
• Telling religious or historical stories

Typical subjects included:

• Battles
• Hunting
• Royal ceremonies
• Biblical stories
• Mythology
• Forests and gardens

Tapestries were expensive and portable.

Royal families sometimes moved them from one residence to another.

At this stage, wall decoration was still a luxury available mainly to rulers, nobles, and wealthy merchants.

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8. Decorative Leather and Fabric Walls

From the Renaissance into the early modern period, leather and luxurious fabrics were also used as wall coverings.

Decorated leather could be embossed, painted, gilded, or silvered.

It was especially popular in parts of Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.

These surfaces reflected light and created a rich, dramatic interior.

However, leather and woven fabric were expensive to manufacture and difficult to install across large rooms.

Paper wallpaper later offered a less expensive way to imitate these materials.

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9. The First Printed Wallpapers in Europe

Early European wallpaper appeared around the 16th century.

It was not manufactured in long continuous rolls.

Instead, patterns were printed on separate sheets and joined together on the wall.

Woodblock printing was commonly used.

A basic production process could include:

Prepare the paper
↓
Apply the background color
↓
Print the first pattern block
↓
Dry the paper
↓
Print additional colors with separate blocks
↓
Join the sheets during installation

 

Every additional color required another carefully aligned block.

Because this process was slow and labor-intensive, early printed wallpaper could still be expensive.

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10. Wallpaper as an Imitation of Luxury

Many early wallpapers were designed to imitate materials associated with wealthy interiors.

They copied the appearance of:

• Silk
• Velvet
• Tapestry
• Gilded leather
• Marble
• Timber panels
• Decorative plaster
• Architectural moldings
• Ceramic tiles

Wallpaper made it possible to create the appearance of an expensive interior without installing the original material.

This remained one of wallpaper’s most important functions for centuries.

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11. The Development of Flock Wallpaper

Flock wallpaper was created to imitate velvet wall hangings.

Adhesive was applied in a decorative pattern, and finely cut textile fibers were added to the surface.

The result was a raised, soft texture.

Flock wallpaper was valued for its:

• Rich appearance
• Three-dimensional surface
• Velvet-like texture
• Strong color
• Suitability for formal rooms

It was often used in drawing rooms, dining rooms, and aristocratic residences.

However, it could collect dust and required careful maintenance.

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12. Chinese Export Wallpaper in Europe

From the late 17th century onward, hand-painted Chinese wallpapers became highly fashionable among European elites.

These wall coverings often showed:

• Flowering trees
• Birds
• Exotic plants
• Garden landscapes
• Pavilions
• People in imagined Chinese settings
• Bamboo and rocks

Unlike ordinary repeating wallpaper, many Chinese export wallpapers created one continuous scene across an entire room.

When several sheets were installed in the correct order, the walls became a large panoramic garden or landscape.

These papers became part of the European fascination with Chinoiserie, a European interpretation of Chinese art and design.

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13. The Rise of French Wallpaper

France became one of the leading centers of luxury wallpaper production during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

French manufacturers produced:

• Elegant floral patterns
• Classical ornament
• Architectural designs
• Landscape scenes
• Panoramic wallpapers
• Historical and mythological scenes

Panoramic wallpaper was especially impressive.

A complete set consisted of many numbered lengths.

When installed around a room, the separate panels created one large continuous scene.

These products turned rooms into immersive visual environments.

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14. British Wallpaper and the Industrial Revolution

Britain played an important role in the industrial production of wallpaper.

Before mechanization, wallpaper was printed slowly by hand.

During the Industrial Revolution, machines began printing patterns continuously onto long sheets or rolls.

This changed the industry in several ways:

• Production became faster
• Prices decreased
• Wallpaper became more widely available
• More colors and patterns were offered
• Standard roll sizes developed
• Professional wallpaper installation expanded

Wallpaper was no longer restricted to palaces and aristocratic homes.

It entered middle-class houses, bedrooms, parlors, hallways, and dining rooms.

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15. Wallpaper Taxes and Regulation

As wallpaper sales increased, some governments treated wallpaper as a taxable luxury product.

In Britain, printed wallpaper was taxed for parts of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Manufacturers and consumers sometimes attempted to avoid the tax by purchasing plain paper and decorating it after installation.

This shows how wallpaper occupied an unusual position:

It was becoming more widely available, but it was still associated with decoration, status, and non-essential consumption.

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16. Victorian Wallpaper Culture

During the Victorian period, wallpaper became a major feature of domestic interiors.

Different rooms were often decorated with different designs.

Drawing Rooms

Common styles included:

• Rich floral patterns
• Flock wallpaper
• Deep colors
• Gold details
• Fabric-like effects

Dining Rooms

Typical designs included:

• Dark green and red tones
• Classical ornament
• Timber-panel imitations
• Heavy repeated patterns

Bedrooms

These often used:

• Smaller floral patterns
• Lighter colors
• Soft repeated motifs
• More delicate designs

Hallways and Stairs

These areas often had:

• Stone or marble imitations
• Darker patterns
• Designs intended to hide marks

Victorian interiors frequently combined wallpaper with patterned carpets, curtains, furniture fabrics, and decorative borders.

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17. William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement

In the late 19th century, some designers criticized poor-quality mass-produced decoration.

The Arts and Crafts movement promoted craftsmanship, natural materials, and thoughtful design.

William Morris became one of the best-known wallpaper designers associated with this movement.

His patterns often included:

• Leaves
• Vines
• Flowers
• Birds
• Fruit
• Forest plants

Morris did not simply copy nature realistically.

He transformed natural forms into carefully balanced repeating patterns.

His work influenced wallpaper, textile design, Art Nouveau, and modern decorative arts.

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18. Harmful Pigments in Historical Wallpaper

Some 19th-century wallpapers used pigments that would not meet modern safety standards.

Certain bright colors, especially some green pigments, contained hazardous substances.

At the time, building-product safety controls were far less developed than they are today.

The later growth of chemical regulation changed how wallpaper was evaluated.

Modern wall coverings may be assessed for factors such as:

• Formaldehyde emissions
• Heavy metals
• Harmful substances
• Fire performance
• Washability
• Durability
• Indoor air quality

Wallpaper gradually changed from a decorative printed product into a regulated interior building material.

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19. Art Nouveau and Art Deco Wallpaper

At the beginning of the 20th century, wallpaper followed major European art and design movements.

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau designs often featured:

• Flowing curves
• Flowers
• Vines
• Lilies
• Insects
• Birds
• Organic shapes

Art Deco

Art Deco introduced:

• Geometric patterns
• Fan shapes
• Zigzags
• Sunbursts
• Metallic details
• Strong symmetry
• Black, gold, and jewel tones

Wallpaper became closely connected to architecture, furniture, fashion, graphic design, and luxury hospitality interiors.

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20. Wallpaper After the World Wars

The two World Wars transformed European housing and manufacturing.

After the wars, many countries faced severe housing shortages.

Large numbers of homes and apartments had to be built quickly and economically.

Wallpaper production increasingly emphasized:

• Standardization
• Affordability
• Fast installation
• Repeated geometric patterns
• Simple floral designs
• Washable surfaces
• Products for apartments and public housing

Wallpaper became an everyday mass-market material rather than a rare luxury.

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21. The Bold Wallpaper of the 1960s and 1970s

During the 1960s and 1970s, wallpaper became one of the strongest visual elements in interior design.

Popular styles included:

• Oversized flowers
• Orange, brown, and olive colors
• Circular patterns
• Optical illusions
• Pop Art influences
• Metallic surfaces
• Bold geometric designs

Some interiors used the same pattern on walls, ceilings, furniture, and accessories.

These designs were expressive and memorable, but they could also become outdated quickly.

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22. The Rise of Paint and Minimalism

During the 1980s and 1990s, paint became more popular in many European and North American interiors.

Minimalism, white walls, and simple modern spaces reduced demand for heavily patterned wallpaper.

Wallpaper was sometimes viewed as old-fashioned or difficult to remove.

However, it never disappeared.

It remained important in:

• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Luxury homes
• Historic interiors
• Traditional rooms
• Commercial spaces

Wallpaper manufacturers responded with improved materials, easier installation, and more modern designs.

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23. Wallpaper Culture in the United States

The United States imported many European wallpapers before developing a large domestic wallpaper industry.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, wallpaper became common in American homes.

Popular periods included:

• Victorian decorative interiors
• Colonial Revival design
• Floral wallpaper in the mid-20th century
• Kitchen and bathroom patterns
• Children’s room wallpaper

Later, painted walls became dominant in many American homes.

However, wallpaper has returned as a premium design feature, especially for:

• Accent walls
• Powder rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining rooms
• Boutique hotels
• Luxury residences

Peel-and-stick wallpaper has also expanded the American DIY market.

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24. Modern Non-Woven Wallpaper

One of the most important modern developments is non-woven wallpaper.

Non-woven backing can provide improved dimensional stability compared with some traditional paper-backed products.

Depending on the product, adhesive may be applied directly to the wall.

Potential advantages include:

• Easier installation
• Less expansion and contraction
• Cleaner removal
• Better suitability for DIY work
• Compatibility with digital printing
• Good performance for imported designer wallpaper

Non-woven products have helped wallpaper compete with paint by making installation and later removal more convenient.

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25. Vinyl and Commercial Wall Coverings

Vinyl wall coverings became important because they can offer durability and easier maintenance.

They are widely used in:

• Hotels
• Hospitals
• Restaurants
• Offices
• Corridors
• Retail stores
• Public buildings

Commercial wall coverings may be designed for:

• Frequent cleaning
• Abrasion resistance
• Impact resistance
• Fire performance
• Long service life
• High-traffic environments

These products are different from basic residential paper wallpaper and often require specialized installation.

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26. Modern Functional Wallpaper

Modern wallpaper can provide more than color and pattern.

Available functions may include:

• Flame resistance
• Antibacterial properties
• Mold resistance
• Stain resistance
• Moisture regulation
• Odor reduction
• Acoustic performance
• Scratch resistance
• Thermal support
• Projection-screen surfaces
• Pet-friendly surfaces

The effectiveness of these features depends on the product, installation method, and conditions of use.

Functional wallpaper cannot replace proper solutions for major leaks, severe condensation, or structural insulation problems.

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27. Eco-Friendly Wallpaper

Environmental concerns are changing the wallpaper industry.

Modern consumers increasingly consider:

• Responsible forest sourcing
• Recycled paper
• Natural fibers
• Reduced PVC content
• Water-based inks
• Low-emission adhesives
• Product recyclability
• Manufacturing energy
• Transportation distance
• Indoor air quality

A product described as “natural” or “eco-friendly” should still be checked for performance, certification, durability, and installation requirements.

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28. Digital Printing and Custom Murals

Digital printing has transformed wallpaper design.

Traditional wallpaper repeats the same pattern across a roll.

Digital printing allows a single image to be produced at the exact size of a wall.

Examples include:

• Landscape murals
• Historical scenes
• Family photographs
• Corporate branding
• Artwork
• Hotel graphics
• Maps
• Children’s illustrations
• AI-generated designs

This technology supports small production runs and personalized interiors.

Wallpaper can now function as a large-format artwork rather than only a background surface.

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29. Historic Wallpaper Conservation

Historic wallpaper survives in palaces, country houses, museums, hotels, and private residences.

Conservation specialists may need to:

• Identify different wallpaper layers
• Analyze pigments
• Stabilize damaged paper
• Remove harmful adhesives
• Reconstruct missing patterns
• Reproduce woodblock prints
• Match historical paper
• Repair the underlying wall
• Protect fragile surfaces

Historic wallpaper can reveal information about:

• Former owners
• Social class
• Fashion
• Trade
• Printing technology
• Building alterations
• Cultural exchange

For this reason, old wallpaper may be treated as historical evidence rather than ordinary waste material.

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30. How Wallpaper Installation Has Changed

In the past, wallpaper installation often involved small sheets, handmade paste, woodblock-printed patterns, and uneven plaster walls.

Modern installers may work with:

• Concrete
• Gypsum board
• Plaster
• Existing wallpaper layers
• Non-woven wallpaper
• Vinyl wall coverings
• Textile wall coverings
• Digital murals
• Fire-rated products
• Commercial adhesives

Despite these changes, one principle remains constant:

Good wallpaper installation begins with proper surface preparation.

A wall must be dry, stable, smooth, and free from serious mold or contamination before a durable finish can be achieved.

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A Timeline of Global Wallpaper History

PeriodMain Development

Ancient civilizations	Murals, plaster, timber, and decorative surfaces
Ancient China	Development of papermaking and decorated paper
Traditional Korea	Hanji used on walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and floors
Traditional Japan	Washi used for shoji, fusuma, screens, and interiors
Medieval Europe	Tapestries, woven fabrics, and leather wall coverings
16th century	Early printed paper wall coverings in Europe
17th century	Woodblock printing and flock wallpaper
Late 17th–18th centuries	Chinese export wallpaper and Chinoiserie
18th–19th centuries	French luxury and panoramic wallpaper
19th century	Industrial printing and mass-market wallpaper
Late 19th century	Arts and Crafts and William Morris designs
Early 20th century	Art Nouveau and Art Deco
Postwar era	Standardized wallpaper for mass housing
1960s–1970s	Bold floral and geometric patterns
1980s–1990s	Paint and minimalism gain popularity
Modern era	Non-woven, vinyl, functional, and digital wallpaper
Future	Sustainable materials, customization, smart functions, and AI design

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How Wallpaper Traditions Differ by Region

RegionTraditional CharacteristicsModern Characteristics

Korea	Hanji, clay walls, paper windows, ondol floors	Paper wallpaper and PVC-coated silk wallpaper
China	Paper, silk, painted screens, decorative export papers	Paint, vinyl, non-woven, and digital wall coverings
Japan	Washi, shoji, fusuma, flexible partitions	Vinyl wallpaper, functional products, renovation market
Europe	Tapestries, leather, printed paper, panoramic designs	Non-woven, luxury design, eco-friendly and heritage products
United States	Imported European wallpaper, Victorian and floral styles	Accent walls, peel-and-stick, digital murals, DIY products

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🔨 A Professional Installer’s Perspective

The history of wallpaper is not simply the history of printed patterns.

It is the history of people trying to make their homes:

• Warmer
• Cleaner
• More comfortable
• More fashionable
• Easier to maintain
• More personal

Wallpaper began as an alternative to expensive textiles and decorative materials.

Industrial production made it available to ordinary households.

Modern technology has now transformed it into a product that can combine design, durability, hygiene, environmental performance, and customization.

The tools and materials have changed, but skilled installation still depends on accurate measurement and careful preparation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which country invented wallpaper?

There is no single simple answer.

China made a crucial contribution through papermaking, while European countries developed printed paper wallpaper and industrial mass production.

Korea and Japan also created distinctive paper-based interior traditions.

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What was used before wallpaper?

Walls were finished or decorated with mud, lime, plaster, murals, timber, woven fabrics, tapestries, and leather.

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When did wallpaper become widely available?

Wallpaper became much more accessible during the 19th century, when mechanized printing increased production and reduced prices.

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Did Chinese wallpaper influence Europe?

Yes.

Hand-painted Chinese export wallpaper became highly fashionable among European elites and strongly influenced Chinoiserie interior design.

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Why did wallpaper lose popularity in some countries?

Paint, minimalism, removal difficulties, and changing fashion reduced wallpaper use in some markets during the late 20th century.

Improved non-woven and peel-and-stick products have since helped wallpaper regain popularity.

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What is the future of wallpaper?

Wallpaper is likely to develop in the direction of:

• Sustainable materials
• Low-emission products
• Easier installation and removal
• Digital printing
• Custom murals
• Functional surfaces
• AI-assisted design

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Related Articles

• The History of Wallpapering in Korea
• The History and Future of Wallpaper in China
• The History and Future of Wallpaper in Japan
• The History of European Wallpaper
• Wallpaper Culture in the United States
• Paper Wallpaper vs. Silk Wallpaper
• How to Calculate Wallpaper Area

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Conclusion

The history of wallpaper did not begin with one roll of printed paper.

It began with ancient murals, woven textiles, decorated leather, paper screens, clay walls, and the human desire to improve interior space.

Chinese papermaking provided an essential material foundation.

Korea and Japan developed distinctive paper-based architectural cultures.

European printing and industrial technology transformed wallpaper into a mass-produced interior product.

Today, wallpaper includes paper, vinyl, non-woven, textile, functional, eco-friendly, and digitally printed materials.

Across different countries and historical periods, wallpaper has continually changed in response to technology, housing, fashion, health, and environmental concerns.

Its essential purpose, however, remains familiar:

to protect walls and create spaces that feel more comfortable, beautiful, and meaningful.