Decor trend alert: feathers

Feather wallpaper was first celebrated as a trend by HomeGirlLondon a while back, but it’s a look that works on so many levels, and has so much potential for your home.

It’s partly because the feather itself is so unique and tactile, and conjures up so many thoughts and experiences in our minds…

Feather wallpaper for bedrooms

There’s an obvious link between feathers and sleep - for centuries humans have cuddled up to feather pillows at bedtime. But perhaps there’s something in the way a feather falls, so slowly and hypnotically, that make us think of dreams and falling asleep.

So a feather motif for your bedroom wallpaper is a clear win, but it’s certainly not a design that should be restricted to the boudoir.

Feathery feature wallpaper

The right feather design will make a strong decor statement in any room. Look for a wallpaper that mixes both layers of feathers as a textured background and larger motifs - perhaps a peacock feather or pops of bright colour to add interest and a hypnotic pattern to your walls.

Colour is an important element of course, too, and there are lots of feather wallpapers that call on tropical birds and other brightly coloured feathered friends for inspiration.

Take a look around and you’ll find a real rainbow of colours to choose from, from deep sapphire blues and plummy purples to greens, pinks and yellows - perfect for any colour scheme.

Why is feather wallpaper so popular?

Feathers are a very ethereal and sensory thing - not only do they look fascinating, they come in a myriad of colours with intricate patterns. They also behave in such an interesting way - in how they feel to the touch and how they fall. And the fact that they are the magic ingredient in how birds take flight makes them all the more appealing.

There are also lots of symbolic ideas linked to feathers: that an angel is nearby, as a signal of peace or strength - even fertility. This fascinating article explores the many ideas linked with feathers and even what different coloured feathers signify.

When you’re choosing a wallpaper design for your home you’re looking for something that will please you on a daily basis - and with so many aspects of feathers that we enjoy, this is a design that has real staying power.

How to choose feather wallpaper

When you’re choosing any wallpaper, you first need to decide on the atmosphere you want to create in this room you’re decorating.

Are you aiming to create a light, airy space, or something a little more dramatic and moody? Is the wallpaper going to be a backdrop for your furnishings or a feature in itself?

That will help you decide whether to aim for a lighter colour in your wallpaper design, or something darker - and also how strong a pattern you’re aiming for. If you’re looking for the wallpaper to become a design feature, will you apply it to a single wall, or perhaps two, or will you wallpaper the whole room?

A strong and dominant pattern usually works best for a feature wall rather than the whole space, unless it’s a particularly large room.

Comparing feather wallpaper designs

All feather wallpaper designs are not created equal and there are lots of options to explore. Some wallpaper will feature large feathers floating at random on a monochrome background, while others lay the feathers out in formation creating an almost geometric effect. This ‘ordered’ design often creates a bit more visual energy and might suit a living space rather than a bedroom.

Another aesthetically appealing approach is the multilayering of feathers to create a highly textured, patterned design. In the example below, tropical bird feathers are aligned to create a stripe effect. This complex pattern seems to change as you walk towards it and gain a better view of the many different feathers on display.

Feathering your nest

So it’s no big surprise that feather wallpaper has become a big interiors trend. But unlike most fashions, the appeal of the humble feather runs so deep in our world that this is a design that will stand the test of time.

Finding the right feather design for your own nest is a fun and rewarding process that will bring you joy for years to come. The new Mineheart range is worth exploring here.