Turn-of-the-Century Wallpapers from 1880–1910

Late 19th Century

By the late 1800s, wallpapers were present in nearly every home. Around the turn of the century, it was also common to redecorate quite frequently. The paper was still of fairly low quality, and wallpapers tended to fade, yellow, and tear more easily than today.
Toward the end of the 19th century, it became popular to choose wallpapers specifically for each room. Dining rooms often featured dark wallpapers with deep green, burgundy, or black backgrounds to match oak furniture. Wallpapers imitating luxurious materials such as marble or gilded leather were also popular in these rooms. Smoking rooms and libraries were often decorated with darker, oriental-inspired patterns – intimate and sophisticated! In contrast, elegant salons were dressed in bright, airy designs, while floral motifs were common in bedrooms.

Turn-of-the-Century Jugend & Art Nouveau

Wallpaper colours and patterns often reflected cultural and political ideals, particularly around the turn of the century when Jugend and Art Nouveau flourished (two names for the same style). Wallpapers from this period are characterised by flowing, organic shapes and nature-inspired motifs such as flowers, leaves, and insects – a creative reaction against the heavy, standardised design language of industrialisation.

Arts & Crafts Wallpapers

Around 1900, the English Arts and Crafts movement also reached Sweden. You’ve likely seen pioneer William Morris’ botanical designs? The grand plant motifs of the 19th century gave way to slender, winding floral patterns in symmetrical layouts, often inspired by Nordic flora. Lilies, irises, poppies, water lilies, and peonies adorned many Swedish homes.
Around 1910, tapestry-effect wallpapers with darker tones and woven textures also became fashionable. Small-scale patterns, such as delicate floral bouquets, were especially popular in bedrooms.