Silk wallpaper

Silk wallpaper gives a wall something almost no other material can: a soft, living sheen that moves with the light and looks different as the day goes on. The fine woven structure and the natural shimmer of silk fibres instantly bring depth and a quiet sense of luxury to a room, without ever feeling busy or loud. This is wall covering for those who prefer subtlety over commotion.

What makes silk wallpaper so special

The appeal of silk wallpaper lies in its surface. Real silk reflects light unevenly, so you never see a flat, lifeless colour but a wall that quietly breathes: lighter where daylight falls, deeper and warmer in the shade. Many designs are hand-mounted onto a paper or non-woven backing, often with visible panel seams that are part of their crafted character. Alongside woven silk you will also find silk-look options in vinyl or non-woven, which give the same lustrous appearance but are more hard-wearing and easier to maintain. If you would like to set the material against other textures, take a look at textured wallpaper or the quieter plain wallpaper.

Where silk wallpaper looks its best

Silk wallpaper calls for rooms where you want to unwind and where the light is soft. In a bedroom, behind the headboard, it turns a wall into a serene, almost velvety backdrop. In a dining room or drawing room the sheen catches the evening light and the glow of lamps, creating a warm, hushed atmosphere that suits a more formal interior beautifully. It is less suited to damp or heavily used spaces: in a bathroom or kitchen you are better off with a robust option from our vinyl wallpaper. One wall in silk is often enough to set the tone; keep the remaining walls calm so the sheen gets all the attention.

Colours and combinations with silk wallpaper

With silk wallpaper the colour makes a real difference, because the sheen amplifies every nuance. Soft shades such as pearl grey, dusky rose, champagne and pale gold lend a room a refined, light feel and reflect daylight beautifully. Deeper tones like emerald green, ink blue and burgundy take on a rich, almost jewel-like quality through the silk sheen and look wonderful in an evening room or dining room. Combine silk wallpaper with natural materials such as wood, linen and wool to ground the sheen, or pair it with fabrics from our curtain fabrics and accents from the luxury cushions for a fully composed look.

Hanging and caring for silk wallpaper

Silk is a delicate material and asks for careful handling. Paste must not reach the surface, as stains are hard or impossible to remove from silk, and the panels need to be hung taut and evenly so the seams meet cleanly. For a flawless result we therefore recommend working with an experienced professional; on the professional wallpaper hanger page you will find specialists who are familiar with this kind of material. Always request a sample first: sheen and colour never look on a screen the way they do in reality, and with silk wallpaper in particular you will want to see how the material responds in your own light. The wallpaper calculator then makes it easy to work out how many rolls you need.

Buying silk wallpaper at Selected Wallpapers

At Selected Wallpapers you will find silk wallpaper from leading brands, from classic woven silk to modern silk-look finishes on a non-woven backing. Samples are easy to order online, so you can assess the sheen and colour at home in your own light. Torn between real silk and a low-maintenance option, or would you like advice on colour combinations? Our team is happy to help you choose the right silk wallpaper for your room. International shipping, duties & taxes included.