Paintable Wallpaper for Furniture: The Texture Trend You Need to Try
If you’ve been scrolling through furniture makeover inspiration lately, you’ve probably noticed a growing number of pieces with beautifully textured drawer fronts and cabinet panels — a raised, tactile finish that looks completely bespoke. The technique behind many of these looks is paintable wallpaper, and it’s one of the most exciting trends in furniture refurbishment right now.
At Sweet Pea Interiors, we love paintable wallpaper because it takes a mineral paint makeover to a completely different level — adding dimension, texture and a handcrafted quality that paint alone can’t achieve.
Why Is Paintable Wallpaper Trending?
A few things have converged to make paintable wallpaper on furniture a genuine trend rather than a passing fad:
- The texture movement in interiors — Australian interiors have moved strongly toward layered textures, natural materials and tactile surfaces. Paintable wallpaper fits perfectly into this aesthetic.
- Social media visibility — textured furniture photographs beautifully, which has driven enormous interest on Pinterest and Instagram.
- Accessibility — paintable wallpaper is affordable and relatively easy to work with, making it accessible to DIY furniture painters, not just professionals.
- The upcycling movement — as more Australians look to refurbish rather than replace, techniques that dramatically elevate the look of existing furniture are in high demand.
What Textures Work Best on Furniture?
Not all paintable wallpaper textures suit furniture equally. The best textures for furniture applications are:
- Linen weave — a subtle, woven texture that reads as sophisticated and coastal. One of the most versatile options for furniture.
- Geometric patterns — diamonds, hexagons, and grid patterns add a contemporary, graphic quality to drawer fronts.
- Herringbone — a classic pattern that works beautifully on larger panels like wardrobe doors and sideboard fronts.
- Damask and floral motifs — more ornate options that suit French provincial and vintage-style pieces.
- Grasscloth-effect — a natural, woven texture that pairs beautifully with coastal colour palettes.
The Best Colour and Texture Combinations
The beauty of paintable wallpaper is that the colour is entirely your choice — you paint over the texture in whatever colour suits your project. Some of our favourite combinations at Sweet Pea Interiors:
- Linen weave + soft white mineral paint + rattan handles — the ultimate coastal dresser
- Geometric pattern + sage green mineral paint + brass handles — contemporary and fresh
- Herringbone + deep navy mineral paint + timber handles — bold and sophisticated
- Grasscloth effect + sandy neutral mineral paint + rattan pulls — relaxed and beachy
Browse our mineral paint colour range →
Which Pieces Work Best?
Paintable wallpaper works on any flat furniture surface, but it has the most impact on:
- Chest of drawers — applying wallpaper to all drawer fronts creates a stunning, cohesive textured effect
- Sideboards and buffets — large flat door panels are perfect for showing off a bold texture
- Wardrobes — door panels with a subtle linen or herringbone texture look completely bespoke
- Bedheads — a textured, painted bedhead panel is a beautiful alternative to upholstery
- Kitchen cabinet doors — adding texture to flat cabinet doors is a low-cost alternative to replacing them entirely
How to Get Started
Ready to try paintable wallpaper on your next furniture project? Here’s the quick version:
- Clean and lightly sand the surface
- Cut wallpaper to size and adhere with wallpaper paste or PVA
- Smooth out air bubbles and trim edges
- Allow to dry fully (24 hours minimum)
- Paint with two coats of mineral paint
- Seal with a topcoat for protection
- Add new handles to complete the look
Read our full paintable wallpaper how-to guide →
Learn It at a Workshop
Want to try paintable wallpaper on furniture in a hands-on setting with expert guidance? Join us at one of our furniture painting workshops in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
