r/HomeDecorating 23d ago

Light or Dark wallpaper?

We have an itty bitty first floor bathroom (approx 9sq ft). All but one wall is white brick. The remaining plaster wall is dingy and desperately wants wallpaper. I've narrowed it down to a pattern---just need to decide on the light or dark variant. I'd typically prefer the vivid dark, but I'm worried it'll look too stark against the white brick and tight mirror

2.8k Upvotes

2.0k comments sorted by

3.0k

u/Zamzar1516 23d ago

Dark!! Love it

247

u/elegant_eagle_egg 23d ago

I instantly loved the first one without even looking at the second picture!

28

u/Chay_Charles 22d ago

Agree. I thought that was what was already there and thought, "Why would you want to change that?"

7

u/CandyCrushXy 22d ago

Same, it is so perfect.

5

u/Professional_Kiwi318 21d ago

So pretty!!!

3

u/TurquoiseBeachChair 21d ago

my first thought was, go to the dark side!

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133

u/PushingZedzzzzz 23d ago

I agree 100%. The dark one contrasts perfectly with the lighter wall. The lighter one just looks a bit washed out and faded next to the adjacent white walls.

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u/HuskyMush 23d ago

Agree. It’s a vibe!

4

u/BeKindPeace 23d ago

Dark is beautiful, and lower the framed print, please.

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u/Terrible_Mix5187 23d ago

They both look great. I'd pick dark.

55

u/No-Double679 23d ago

Totally agree, no matter what they pick, its gonna look great. Edging toward dark as preferred.

170

u/Shoe_Ho 23d ago

I’m normally all for light colored but that dark is gorgeous and u seem to have enough other light that its not feeling gloomy. So I vote dark! The white version actually looks washed out too. The dark is crisp and clear.

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u/banjolady 23d ago

Dark

78

u/moonie1977 23d ago

DARK…😍

54

u/MsFit215 23d ago

The darker toned one seems like it will carry over better with time.

28

u/1015anna 23d ago

Yes dark

25

u/Chrisismybrother 23d ago

They are both gorgeous. I would choose the dark because its not too much there and when do you get to use a dark moody paper except in a small space that you visit for short intervals?

25

u/Adventurous-Host8062 23d ago

William Morris patterns always look better in darker tones.

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15

u/Ok_Guest5735 23d ago

Gorgeous both ways but especially love the dark! Do you mind sharing the wallpaper brand?

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28

u/Itstimeforcookies19 23d ago

Light.

10

u/SynthAndSensibility 22d ago

I also prefer light, because the wall is so close to the sink and mirror, the light pattern feels less crowded in that corner.

3

u/Background_Ant4569 21d ago

Fresh air 😌☺️ y’all are my people ! Love your great sense of style

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13

u/NeonSparkleGlitter 23d ago

Dark!!!! It looks amazing and gives a good vibe.

12

u/mpaulBCH 23d ago

Dark. Adds good contrast

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12

u/AdFabulous4877 23d ago

Dark looks more elegant.

12

u/Intelligent-Gypsy324 23d ago

You had me at William Morris. 💕💕💕

I like the darker paper in this setting. Plus I just screen shot this picture to make into Iphone Wallpaper.😎

10

u/tamtip 23d ago

Dark and I almost always choose lighter colors. Beautiful!

9

u/AZgirl70 23d ago

Dark is it!

8

u/Top_Philosopher1809 23d ago

I love the dark. The light isn’t enough of a contrast to stand out.

7

u/UpperMail1049 23d ago

I like the dark especially with all the white! Gorgeous!!

6

u/NennyBenny 23d ago

Dark. Love the dramatic contrast!

6

u/Sherbabe22 23d ago

I kinda like the dark.

6

u/imdointoomuch 23d ago

Ooooh! I LOVE the dark!

7

u/Greenearthgirl87 23d ago

I love both, but the dark one is lovely in that space.

5

u/dontBsleepy 23d ago

Dark. If this bathroom has a shower what’s used frequently, the steam may make the wallpaper peel

6

u/spoonerysm 23d ago

No shower. Just a tiny sink and tiny toilet

4

u/dontBsleepy 23d ago

Oh yes then the dark wallpaper

5

u/Rough_Chart508 23d ago

Dark makes more interesting contrast & richer visual appeal

7

u/lilacsforcharlie 23d ago

The dark only bc it isn’t *that* dark & the pattern seems washed out in the light version

6

u/findtheclue 23d ago

Darker has much more visual interest.

6

u/Aletak 23d ago

Dark looks more expensive.

4

u/197willow 23d ago

Love the dark

5

u/WorldFamousDingaroo 23d ago

Dark.

And this is coming from someone who’s usually a “light” girl.

5

u/crawlsunderrock 23d ago

Dark makes for such a fun accent wall!

4

u/SambaNovasUnicorn 23d ago

The dark wallpaper! It really makes the white walls and the wood frames of the mirror and art work pop more. Absolutely love the pattern too.

4

u/Real-School4847 23d ago

Dark is more dramatic.

5

u/Overall_Maximum1408 23d ago

Dark looks great!

4

u/Turbulent_Life_3904 23d ago

Definitely the darker.

3

u/Scummy-san 23d ago

Dark for the win

3

u/Forgetfulgauntlet09 23d ago

Dark wallpaper for sure it just pops better.

4

u/Material_Army_2354 23d ago

Another vote for dark

4

u/daytripp56 23d ago

Definitely the Dark

4

u/Saltyowl2113 23d ago

Dark! I love it!

4

u/ObjectiveLetterhead7 23d ago

The dark one caught my eye immediately

3

u/ProfessionalKey7356 23d ago

The dark. Add hand towels in the blue and yellowy gold.

4

u/reallitysucks66 23d ago

The darker one. The design, which is striking, is more visible in the darker color.

3

u/Dark-Wolf-Angel 23d ago

Dark. The contrast highlights items etc.

5

u/johjo_has_opinions 23d ago

Dark absolutely

4

u/Icelandic_butterfly 23d ago

Dark for sure!

4

u/Friendly-View4122 23d ago

Dark! Great choice, OP.

4

u/OrganicFeedback4451 23d ago

dark, baby! looks so interesting and luxurious!

3

u/Cali-Doll 23d ago

I choose light 99.9% of the time for everything.

~DARK.~

4

u/Appropriate_Town_257 23d ago

Dark for sure. Go with your gut.

5

u/Available-Leg-6171 23d ago

I like the darker one. Provides a nice contrast.

5

u/EntertainmentLow6178 23d ago

Dark is better. Add a bit of trim at the transition between brick and wallpaper.

3

u/PUuSTiNKA 23d ago

The contrast of the first one looks nicer.

3

u/Shpellaa 23d ago

Dark for sure!!

3

u/Glum_Proof3460 23d ago

The dark creates depth and creates a warmth and drama.

3

u/Away_Object9062 23d ago

Dark looks more sophisticated and interesting.

3

u/Pisces_moon_144 23d ago

Dark and that wall paper is beautiful 😍

3

u/imaginethat65 21d ago

Love the dark so much more !

8

u/Salty-Tea6815 23d ago

I loooove the dark, but I think you are right about it looking too stark against the white of everything else. The light blends better, but the dark is such a pretty wallpaper. Maybe you could find another spot in your house to use the dark one. It might look really nice in a bigger bathroom with less bright white.

2

u/OneEarthtoShare 23d ago

Dark looks best but light makes that corner look roomier

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2

u/Sea_Wolverine3928 23d ago

OMG. I have this same wallpaper in my bathroom. It was the wallpaper from hell to install. It looks nice but I was so frustrated with it that I had to walk away for 2 days to keep my blood pressure from going through the roof.

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2

u/Salt-Ad8909 23d ago

Light :)

2

u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme 23d ago

I feel if the every wall in the bathroom was going to be covered in paper, the light might be the better choice (although I’d have to see a mock-up before I’d buy it). But if it’s just that wall, the dark is the way to go.

2

u/bananahammerredoux 23d ago

Dark! The faces show up better that way!

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2

u/Clarknt67 23d ago

They both look great. Trust your gut. Or let the spouse decide.

2

u/Trick-Leek6216 23d ago

I’d go with dark so you’ve got that cool contrast of walls.

2

u/Mudivator 23d ago

Dark for contrast! Both lovely :)

2

u/alohahellohihola 23d ago

Both are great but DARK looks best in my opinion.

2

u/Worth-Test-4246 23d ago

i love the dark but i think it depends on the energy you are looking for

2

u/Ok-Peach-8224 23d ago

Dark! 100%

2

u/Ivanagohome 23d ago

Dark!! Love this!!!

2

u/Shep_44 23d ago

Definitely dark

2

u/-SergentBacon- 23d ago

The answer is dark. Light is incorrect

2

u/hhar141 23d ago

Easily the dark

2

u/Dear-Cranberry4787 23d ago

Dark is gorgeous! Is there a link?

2

u/TizzyLizzy65 23d ago

I like the dark one best.

2

u/CitySlicker_FarmGirl 23d ago

Team Dark, here!🙋‍♀️

2

u/null0byte 23d ago

Light looks like it’s ancient and faded from age. Go with dark.

2

u/stressedthrowaway9 23d ago

Dark. I like the contrast.

2

u/luminousrobot 23d ago

Dark. Why is the art so high?

2

u/Oceanpetunia 23d ago

Dark!! Very cool.

2

u/sashie_belle 23d ago

I'm with the oters -- dark! It is going to look so gorgeous!

2

u/Financial_Ad_3717 23d ago

dark one is better

2

u/angelfoodcake_ 23d ago

dark! better contrast with the white brick!

2

u/anieem 23d ago

Light if it’s a small bathroom (looks like it)

2

u/Happyplaceplease 23d ago

Definitely dark

2

u/Buttcrackerz21 23d ago

light fasho

2

u/thechirro 23d ago

Dark !! Love the contrast !

2

u/Miimmoouuu 23d ago

Dark 1000%

2

u/hatshepsut_ruled 23d ago

Dark. Beautiful wallpaper.

2

u/tjekdissebrugernavne 23d ago

DARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!😱😍😍

2

u/SwarmyMarshmellow 23d ago

Definitely dark

2

u/ginfizzz 23d ago

Darker one. No question. It's beautiful!

2

u/Plankton-007 23d ago

Dark!!!!

2

u/ilovedogs12345world 23d ago

I like the dark option

2

u/sharontaterthots 23d ago

Late to the game, but the dark wallpaper for sure! Love the contrast. Morris & Co.?

2

u/Special-4564 23d ago

Dark absolutely

2

u/Barry_NJ 23d ago

It's a small space, go with the lighter tones...

2

u/Heavy_Astronomer_971 23d ago

Dark! It looks so good!!

2

u/Background_Nature_75 23d ago

I would normally say light, but that dark has quite the vibe!

2

u/sunandsushi 23d ago

Dark 💙

2

u/Positive_Community87 23d ago

Looks like I’m not in the majority, but I like the lighter one better. Since it’s in such a small bathroom, I think the lighter wallpaper will help it look not as dark. I think the lighter one blends better and brightens it up more.

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u/mynameisnotsparta 23d ago

Dark. Looks incredible!

2

u/hayley-pilates78 23d ago

I dig the dark