If you’re keen to indulge your inner Rococo and add a splash of wow-factor to your home, you won’t go far wrong with chinoiserie wallpaper. But exactly what is chinoiserie wallpaper, and how to go about decorating with it?
Related to the Rococo style, chinoiserie originated in 17th century Europe at the time when trade between Europe and Asia started to take off.
The word comes from ‘chinois’, which is French for ‘Chinese’, and it originates from the designers of the time attempting to imitate the decorative style of Chinese arts and lacquerware.
What is the chinoiserie style?
Chinoiserie is elaborate. It’s ornate, and it’s intrinsically beautiful. If you’re going for a look of luxury for your interior, chinoiserie wallpaper will more than tick that box.
You’ll know you’re dealing with chinoiserie interior design when you can spot reflections of the Far East. The style came about when the western world started to become increasingly fascinated by the landscapes and culture of the Far East. People began decorating their homes with idealised depictions of oriental life, with everything from wallcoverings and fabrics to furniture and ceramics receiving the chinoiserie treatment.
The art of chinoiserie interior design can trace its origins back to Provence and the Languedoc-Roussillon regions of France. Each produced its own characteristic styles, and used them to decorate buildings of all types.
Modern chinoiserie interior design has become incredibly popular, not least for its colourful, positive appeal that is widely considered a booster of mood and creativity.
What is chinoiserie wallpaper?
You can think of chinoiserie wallpaper as more of a mural than wallpaper. It sets a scene and creates a backdrop, more so than simply covering a wall. It has a true knack of guiding the eye across a room.
Traditionally, chinoiserie wallpaper was hand-painted. Nature plays a key role in this style, so you’ll find birds, blossom, butterflies and blooms in abundance. Background colours tend to be bold, and the overall theme exotic.
Many designers of note are of the belief that chinoiserie interior design, and therefore chinoiserie wallpaper, have the power to lift the mood and positively influence the way we feel. Some go as far as saying it’s good for the soul. Indeed it’s true that this is a style that can transport you someplace else.
How to decorate with chinoiserie wallpaper?
Decorating with chinoiserie wallpaper is always a pleasure, never a chore. Whether you’re planning a traditional or contemporary scheme, there are so many ways you can bring this optimistic style into your home. Let’s explore a few of them.
Create a chinoiserie feature wall
A feature wall is a great way to create a focal point within any room of the house. It’s all about injecting a splash of personality and style into a space. Use a feature wall to highlight architectural features, define zones, or showcase your loves and passions.
However you decorate your feature wall, it needs to catch the eye. You’ll want it to add movement and colour, and create drama. And what better way to achieve all of the above than with chinoiserie wallpaper?
Bringing together two of the most characteristic elements of chinoiserie interior design, this wallpaper combines cherry blossom with exotic birds to tell a story of mystery and intrigue.
Cherry blossom – ‘Sakura’ in Japanese – is the country’s national flower, representing renewal and optimism. And that’s just what these delicate pink blooms depict as they tumble gently from the branches, creating a naturally fascinating backdrop.
Takeda – Teal by La Feature Wall Murals
Create a feature wall that’s the picture of serenity with this light and bright cherry blossom chinoiserie wallpaper in vintage white.
Cherry Blossom – Vintage White by Joanna Charlotte
Make a bathroom beautiful
Chinoiserie wallpaper has a calming air of nature about it, making it perfect for creating that peaceful haven of tranquillity that every bathroom should be. Providing you choose a breathable bathroom wallpaper, moisture will never lock into the wall, so you’ll be able to enjoy your well-deserved soak, safe in the knowledge that your new chinoiserie bathroom will stand the test of time.
Cascading stone blue Sakura blooms against a crisp porcelain background are just the job when it comes to adding an air of serenity to a contemporary-styled washroom.
Cherry Blossom – Porcelain by Joanna Charlotte
This relaxing chinoiserie wallpaper with its swoop of cranes taking flight has the power to literally carry off all the pressures of the day. Enhanced by a subtly distressed background, this wall mural is the epitome of modern chinoiserie interior design.
Instil a haven of calm in your sleeping quarters
A chinoiserie wallpaper bedroom is a place where you can relax, yet at the same time feel empowered and inspired. Choose a striking design and create a feature wall as a bedstead backdrop, or opt for something a little lighter in impact to deck out the whole room with Eastern promise.
Brimming with cherry blossoms in bloom, this blue chinoiserie wallpaper is sure to stir the emotions. Based around a classic vintage style, it’s perfect for creating an air of sophistication in any sleeping quarters.
Eastern Secret – Blue by Wallpaper + Folk
The honey-hued background of this chinoiserie wallpaper makes the perfect setting for all those fluttering butterflies gathering merrily around the pretty clusters of wildflowers. Perfect for bringing the positive vibes of nature into your bedroom.
Intertwined branches abound with pretty cherry blossom to create a romantic mural that’s perfect for the bedroom that commands a feminine touch. An ideal choice if your preference is for modern chinoiserie interior design rather than traditional.
Takeda – Rose by La Feature Wall Murals
Live it up in the living room
Chinoiserie interior design is versatile enough to lend itself well to both contemporary and classic lounges. Again, you may wish to create a wow-factor feature wall, perhaps to zone off a dining area or snug. Or maybe you’ll go all out and adorn the entire space with more of a subtle chinoiserie design.
This is one of those wall murals that will command your attention, and hold it for a good while. Stand back and admire the scene as exotic birds emerge from the winding jungle foliage, and big, bold flowers burst into bloom.
Birds Birds – Original by Karina Eibatova
This chinoiserie wallpaper blends pretty cherry blossom and exotic birds resting against a misty background, creating the ultimate relaxing atmosphere for your living space.
This deep blue and gold chinoiserie wallpaper with its peacock theme is glamourous yet sophisticated. Peacocks have been a token of wealth, beauty and rebirth since ancient times. The birds originally came from India over 4,000 years ago where they were symbols of royalty, and have been an integral part of decorative culture since the 1800s.
Chinoiserie wallpaper by Feathr
If you are suitably inspired and wondering where to buy chinoiserie wallpaper, look no further than Feathr, where we have a vision of getting more art into people’s homes courtesy of unique, luxury modern wallpapers, wall murals and fabrics created by independent artists from across the world.
Why not use our visualizer to discover how your very own interior will look adorned with one of our chinoiserie wallpapers?
Looking to be inspired by chinoiserie wallpaper? Our excellent free design services, fast worldwide delivery, high-quality materials and top-rated customer service and commitment to protecting our environment mean you are guaranteed to be delighted with a new wallpaper from Feathr. Why not browse our range today?