24 of the Most Iconic Wallpapers of All Time

Just as the Chinese invented paper, they were also first to stick it on their walls. Painted rice paper was used for decoration as far back as the Qin Dynasty in the first century. Innovation using smoother fibers like linen and cotton eventually replaced rice, making painting on paper even more durable and creating an ever-higher demand.

As the Silk Road introduced patterned papers to the European markets in the 12th century, the continental love affair with wallpaper followed a similar path as sought-after chintz. Simple block-printing techniques were used to create patterns that imitated luxury fabrics, such as silk damask and cotton chinoiserie, as a way to decorate the home in a cost-effective manner. The Industrial Revolution made it easier to produce complex patterns, and it soon became all the rage to outfit the home with wallpaper from floor to ceiling, no matter one's socioeconomic status.

The main intention of wallpaper has always been to infuse the home with color and pattern, to create a world outside of one's own, and add a sense of the delight to the everyday. Wallpaper patterns are as much a piece of art as the paintings hung on your wall, and many designs have outlasted the maker. From rambling roses and scenic views to bold, graphic prints, these iconic wallpapers have made such a lasting impression that designers still turn to to them to transform a space.