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30 Vintage Scandinavian Wallpaper Patterns for Maximalist Decor

ByLauren
15 Comments

Maximalist decor is trending big in bedrooms lately! Learn all about Swedish cottage style and where to find gorgeous vintage Scandinavian wallpaper patterns to create the look.

It’s safe to say Olivia’s Swedish cottage bedroom makeover is officially underway now that she has the absolute SWEETEST vintage Scandinavian wallpaper up! You think I can just move in here with her?

She still asks for mommy snuggles at bedtime even at the age of 10 (which I hope never stops) so I think it could totally work. 😉

maximalist decor with beadboard painted Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue and vintage Scandinavian wallpaper pattern Sandberg Wallpaper Ragnvi Indigo Blue

Top Favorite Vintage Scandinavian Wallpaper Patterns

Olivia’s number one request when planning this bedroom makeover was to use navy blue paint (total shocker to me). Then, I thought a vintage Swedish wallpaper would be a beautiful way to add some softness to such a bold, dark color while honoring our family’s heritage there.

She and I flipped through hundreds of vintage wallpaper patterns until we finally landed on this gorgeous original 1920s archive Swedish wallpaper design Ragnvi by Sandberg from Scandinavian Wallpaper.

Scandinavian vintage wallpaper patterns for maximalist decor lovers

But in my search, I fell in love with so many other gorgeous vintage and vintage-inspired Scandinavian wallpaper patterns that I thought it could help to share 30 of my absolute favorites, if you love that maximalist decor look that’s trending lately.

Trending or not, some of these wallpapers have existed for over 100 years for a reason!

Click any image in the gallery below to shop. I do not earn any affiliate commission from sharing these, but I love supporting small businesses whenever I can.

sandberg wallpaper ragnvi
sandberg wallpaper raphael
sandberg wallpaper linnea
sandberg wallpaper saint sebastian
sandberg wallpaper maskrosen
sandberg wallpaper emil
sandberg wallpaper caroline
sandberg wallpaper charlotta
sandberg wallpaper lyckan
sandberg wallpaper malin
sandberg wallpaper sophie
borastapeter wallpaper waldemar
borastapeter wallpaper nora
borastapeter wallpaper in the oak
borastapeter wallpaper rosenvinge
borastapeter wallpaper tradgardsstaden
borastapeter wallpaper tailors tweed
borastapeter wallpaper bladverk
borastapeter wallpaper drottningholm
borastapeter wallpaper countryside morning
borastapeter wallpaper hip rose
borastapeter wallpaper frida
borastapeter wallpaper woodland stripe
borastapeter wallpaper kladesholmen
borastapeter wallpaper daisy
Ulricehamns wallpaper caffeine
Ulricehamns wallpaper cornucopia
Ulricehamns wallpaper into the woods
Ulricehamns wallpaper meadow
Ulricehamns wallpaper oak tree tails

Scandinavia refers to the subregion of Europe with strong cultural ties between Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The Scandinavian region has a long history of wallpaper manufacturing, so its brands are widely sought after by interior designers.

The Three Most Popular Wallpaper Brands from Sweden

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Blending Modern and Traditional Design

These three popular Swedish wallpaper brands blend modern and traditional designs together beautifully, so no matter which way you identify your decorating style, their patterns can adapt to it.

It’s all about how you combine the patterns with choosing either a modern or traditional style direction for light fixtures, furnishings, rugs, and other accents that can change the overall aesthetic of the room.

There are so many possibilities!

Wallpaper Decorating Tip: If you’re new to wallpaper but really want to use it somewhere in your home, my favorite place to start is a powder room. It always seems to be the “wild card” of the house where you can have fun and guests get a little surprise. Since it’s usually a small space, you don’t have to overly commit.

bedroom with beadboard painted Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue and Sandberg Wallpaper Ragnvi Indigo Blue

How to Find a Paint Color to Complement Wallpaper

I painstakingly searched for a slightly desaturated, not-too-dark, deep blue that would give me all the vintage vibes, and this color Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue worked like a dream!

Tip: Upload a photo of your wallpaper choice into the Sherwin Williams ColorSnap Visualizer by clicking “Match a Photo”, and it will generate several paint color suggestions you can sample to help you find the right one. See more paint color tips here.

Adding some beadboard wainscoting below the existing chair rail was definitely a good decision too.

bedroom with beadboard painted Sherwin Williams Smoky Blue and Sandberg Wallpaper Ragnvi Indigo Blue

Next we’ll be tackling the ceiling! The broken ceiling fan has to come down ASAP (thanks to my child’s wild gymnastics 🙈).

And I might attempt a fun faux wallpaper design on the ceiling. Maximalist decor is definitely the direction in here, which is totally right up Olivia’s alley.

What do you think so far?! Do you have a favorite vintage wallpaper pattern out of the bunch? Would you ever put it in a room in your house?

More Wallpaper Ideas

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15 Comments

  1. So many pretty options! My faves are the navy floral, blue with pink flowers, oak leaves with birds, and the bold green and white. Also, that smoke blue paint color is amazing and makes me want to paint something that color! I was a young wife and mom during the 90’s and 2000’s and did my share of sponge painting and hanging (and later removing) wallpaper and border, so swore never again, and now we are in a new construction home with paint colors I spent hours researching and not sure I can bring myself to do it, but there are so many pretty options and I’m a sucker for pretty patterns. I might have to try it in our bonus room or the half bath up there. Will you be charging a tutorial on how you did the beadboard, especially at the baseboards? Can’t wait to see the completed room!

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    1. Hi! We ended up not removing the chair rail or baseboard. We just had to cut the beadboard as closely as we could using as exact measurements as possible. Attached it to the wall with construction adhesive and finishing nails. Caulked the seams and wood filled the holes. Then sanded the wood filler once dry and painted.

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  2. Olivia’s bedroom is just so beautiful! You have done a wonderful job! I can only imagine how happy Olivia was to see her bedroom all finished. She will enjoy this forever! I am a maximalist, too, but I have a few minimalist friends! Ha! Ha! Thanks for sharing not only her pretty bedroom but the Scandinavian wallpaper. It is beautiful and I am trying to decide where I could use a roll or two!

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  4. I’ve always loved wallpaper! Even when it wasn’t in style. The one with squirrels might need to make its way to my house. 🙂 A huge amount of my home with painted in SW Smoky Blue. It’s so hard to find a good blue! I’ve found this one to be a good one for the same reasons you noted — and I recognized it right away even in the emailed pic! 🙂

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  5. LOVE it! I like the more muted or simple ones like the plaid…but that is me. I am happy to visit homes with the bolder wallpaper, because I do love it, but my brain needs a bit more restful. Maybe when I slow down I will want the bolder in my home. Thanks for sharing the journey. Oh! are any of the Scandinavian wallpaper companies from Denmark?

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