Should I wallpaper a chimney breast?

Process shot of Seascape wallpaper being installed in a project by designer Claire Zinnecker.

Are you thinking of wallpapering the chimney breast ready for the chilly months?

A chimney breast is the ultimate feature of any room and wallpapering it is a very easy way to up the interest level and create a decorative focal point. A wallpapered fireplace will elevate any room, whether that is a bedroom, dining room or living room and means that you can keep the rest of the decor relatively simple.

In the space above, designed by Claire Zinnecker, Seascape wallpaper has been used on every wall above the dado rail, making the beautiful details of the marble fireplace and painted wood panelling stand out, while the classic monochrome colour way keeps the room simple, fresh and light.

Oak Tree Wallpaper in a child’s bedroom designed by Ana Claudia Design

And sometimes only a highlight of pattern is needed to bring another dimension to a room, as demonstrated in this beautiful child’s bedroom in New Jersey by interior designer Ana Claudia Design. The chimney breast has been papered with Oak Tree wallpaper, which stands out against the contrasting navy walls, highlighting the architectural details and providing space for the pattern to breath, whilst the navy walls appear to recede, giving the room a feeling of expansiveness. If you like small touches of pattern and want to leave the walls surrounding the chimney breast plain, you will often only need one roll of wallpaper, making it a relatively economical way of using an expensive paper.

Brambleweb Wallpaper in Przemek’s home

Or you may prefer to luxuriously embrace the entire room in pattern as in Przemek’s home in Bristol. Here Brambleweb Nude Wallpaper has been used across the entire room and the chimney breast below the picture rail. The wall above, wood work and mouldings have been painted in a solid colour to match the wallpaper giving a seamlessly cosy and sophisticated finish.

 If you do decide to wallpaper the chimney breast, always make sure to centre the design so that it is balanced.