A brief history of wallpaper
Discover the fascinating design history of wallpaper through our vast collection
Wallpaper
Plan a visitWhatever you have in your rooms think first of the walls for they are that which makes your house and home
William Morris
For most of its history, wallpaper has been the poor relation of the decorative arts. Fragile, ephemeral, and easy to replace, wallpaper has often disappeared from the historical record. The V&A began collecting wallpapers from its foundation in 1856, and today has one of the finest collections in the world.
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Our wallpaper collection reveals the fascinating history of its evolution from the first black and white patterns in the 16th century, through to 18th-century flock designs, Chinese hand-painted papers, architectural papers, designs by William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, and modernist and contemporary designs in the 20th century.
Collection Highlights
Features
Wallpaper: health and cleanliness
Discover the evolution of 'healthy' wallpapers
Wallpaper design reform
How the Great Exhibition of 1851 kick-started a programme of raising standards in wallpaper design
Flock wallpaper
Find out about the rise and fall of the most velvety of wallpapers
Architectural wallpapers
Tracing the popularity and eventual rejection of wallpapers imitating architecture
Chinese wallpapers and the chinoiserie style
The introduction of Chinese wallpapers in the 17th century sparked a fashion that lasted a century
William Morris and wallpaper design
Many of Morris's wallpapers are still used to decorate modern homes. But when they first appeared they struggled to win universal acclaim.
A history of shopping for wallpaper
The art of buying wallpaper from the 17th century to now
Wallpapers for children
Discover the history of wallpaper designed for children
Fallen Fruit at the V&A
How Californian artists Fallen Fruit created a unique 'fruity' portrait of the V&A
Background image: 'Fruit' (or 'Pomegranate') wallpaper pattern, designed by William Morris, manufactured by Jeffrey & Co., 1866, England. Museum no. E.447-1919. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London