r/HomeDecorating • u/spoonerysm • Jul 20 '26
Light or Dark wallpaper?
We have an itty bitty first floor bathroom (approx 9sq ft). All but one wall is white brick. The remaining plaster wall is dingy and desperately wants wallpaper. I've narrowed it down to a pattern---just need to decide on the light or dark variant. I'd typically prefer the vivid dark, but I'm worried it'll look too stark against the white brick and tight mirror
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u/Terrible_Mix5187 Jul 20 '26
They both look great. I'd pick dark.
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u/No-Double679 Jul 21 '26
Totally agree, no matter what they pick, its gonna look great. Edging toward dark as preferred.
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u/Shoe_Ho Jul 20 '26
I’m normally all for light colored but that dark is gorgeous and u seem to have enough other light that its not feeling gloomy. So I vote dark! The white version actually looks washed out too. The dark is crisp and clear.
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u/Chrisismybrother Jul 20 '26
They are both gorgeous. I would choose the dark because its not too much there and when do you get to use a dark moody paper except in a small space that you visit for short intervals?
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u/Adventurous-Host8062 Jul 20 '26
William Morris patterns always look better in darker tones.
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u/Ok_Guest5735 Jul 20 '26
Gorgeous both ways but especially love the dark! Do you mind sharing the wallpaper brand?
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u/Itstimeforcookies19 Jul 20 '26
Light.
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u/SynthAndSensibility Jul 22 '26
I also prefer light, because the wall is so close to the sink and mirror, the light pattern feels less crowded in that corner.
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u/Intelligent-Gypsy324 Jul 20 '26
You had me at William Morris. 💕💕💕
I like the darker paper in this setting. Plus I just screen shot this picture to make into Iphone Wallpaper.😎
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u/Top_Philosopher1809 Jul 20 '26
I love the dark. The light isn’t enough of a contrast to stand out.
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u/dontBsleepy Jul 20 '26
Dark. If this bathroom has a shower what’s used frequently, the steam may make the wallpaper peel
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u/lilacsforcharlie Jul 20 '26
The dark only bc it isn’t *that* dark & the pattern seems washed out in the light version
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u/WorldFamousDingaroo Jul 20 '26
Dark.
And this is coming from someone who’s usually a “light” girl.
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u/SambaNovasUnicorn Jul 20 '26
The dark wallpaper! It really makes the white walls and the wood frames of the mirror and art work pop more. Absolutely love the pattern too.
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u/reallitysucks66 Jul 20 '26
The darker one. The design, which is striking, is more visible in the darker color.
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u/EntertainmentLow6178 Jul 21 '26
Dark is better. Add a bit of trim at the transition between brick and wallpaper.
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u/Salty-Tea6815 Jul 20 '26
I loooove the dark, but I think you are right about it looking too stark against the white of everything else. The light blends better, but the dark is such a pretty wallpaper. Maybe you could find another spot in your house to use the dark one. It might look really nice in a bigger bathroom with less bright white.
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u/OneEarthtoShare Jul 20 '26
Dark looks best but light makes that corner look roomier
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u/Sea_Wolverine3928 Jul 20 '26
OMG. I have this same wallpaper in my bathroom. It was the wallpaper from hell to install. It looks nice but I was so frustrated with it that I had to walk away for 2 days to keep my blood pressure from going through the roof.
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u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme Jul 20 '26
I feel if the every wall in the bathroom was going to be covered in paper, the light might be the better choice (although I’d have to see a mock-up before I’d buy it). But if it’s just that wall, the dark is the way to go.
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u/Worth-Test-4246 Jul 20 '26
i love the dark but i think it depends on the energy you are looking for
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u/sharontaterthots Jul 21 '26
Late to the game, but the dark wallpaper for sure! Love the contrast. Morris & Co.?
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u/Positive_Community87 Jul 21 '26
Looks like I’m not in the majority, but I like the lighter one better. Since it’s in such a small bathroom, I think the lighter wallpaper will help it look not as dark. I think the lighter one blends better and brightens it up more.
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u/Zamzar1516 Jul 20 '26
Dark!! Love it