Wallpapers from 1800–1870

19th-Century Wallpapers

The 19th century was marked by an explosion of creative styles, and the Swedish wallpaper industry advanced significantly in technical production. With the introduction of endless paper rolls, Swedish wallpaper makers began producing machine-printed wallpapers using rollers. The rollers were created by carving designs into round wooden cylinders, each design receiving its own roller. This innovation made wallpapers more affordable, allowing ordinary households to decorate their homes beautifully.

The Revival Styles

In terms of design, the 19th century was defined by the so-called “revival styles,” including Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, and Neo-Rococo. Industrial innovation brought new life to the elegant designs of past eras. A prime example is Morris & Co, which combined medieval influences with natural, organic forms. These timeless patterns grew in popularity throughout the 19th century and remain beloved today.

Karl Johan, Empire and Neoclassicism

In the early 1800s, inspiration came from Rome, Greece, and Egypt. This style is often called Neoclassicism, but Empire is another common term. In Sweden, the grand Empire style was given a Nordic twist and became known as Karl Johan style, named after Crown Prince Karl XIV Johan, who came to Sweden in 1810. The Karl Johan style was more restrained than Empire, favouring balanced elegance.
Common motifs on wallpapers from this period include fleur-de-lis, tasselled draperies, meanders, and small stylised stars and flowers. The light Gustavian aesthetic gave way to a more opulent design language, with bold colours like red, blue, and lemon yellow paired with golden accents.
During the 1850s and 1860s, French influences grew, and medallion wallpapers became extremely popular. Gold printing also became more common, and by the 1870s and 1880s, large floral designs were highly fashionable. Panoramic wallpapers featuring scenic landscapes and faux wood or marble effects were also in vogue. Ultramarine blue was an expensive yet highly desired colour seen on many premium 19th-century wallpapers.

Folk Wallpapers

Today, we also refer to this as “traditional Swedish style” or folk design. The word “allmoge” refers to “the common people,” and we often picture rustic objects from rural life: wooden spoons, baskets, clothing, and furniture adorned with decorative folk patterns in red, green, and blue.
To recreate this look, choose sturdy wooden furniture, leather details, and textiles in wool and linen. Soap-scrubbed wooden floors are a staple of the style. Walls were often covered with linseed oil-painted panels, either floor-to-ceiling or as wainscoting with patterned wallpaper above. Wallpaper designs included stencil prints, geometric patterns, stylised kurbits flowers, and decorative stripes. The classic palette of Falu red and folk blue pairs beautifully with earthy neutrals like linen beige and green umber.