Which wallpaper for narrow hall & stairs? 3 options

[RishiRich]

I have luxury and mid-price options for the wall starting on the hall and going up the stairs to the landing. The hall is narrow and gets lots of light in the morning but not much later in the afternoon/evening.

The luxury one is the one I've loved for years (Cole & Sons woods in powder blue). It's £107 a roll - nowhere near Boris & Carrie's £1k a roll but a lot of money for us. I've been advised against it because the repeat is huge (72cm) so would cause a lot of wastage.

The other option I like is a much darker blue. The copper pattern goes with what we've done with fittings in the rest of the house. It's still quite expensive (£58/roll) with a 64cm repeat. I really like it but worry that the blue is too dark and it's too pricey to just replace if we don't like it. There's a grey/copper version but I'm a bit meh about grey. I'm sure I'd like it up though.

What do you think? Links for more pics:

Woods: www.wallpaperdirect.com/products/cole-son/woods/123414

Dark blue/copper: www.grahambrown.com/uk/boreas-midnight-wallpaper/107581-master.html

Grey/copper: www.grahambrown.com/uk/boreas-soft-grey-wallpaper/107580-master.html

Yes we have two DC. They loved picking at the textured wallpaper we had before but at 9 and 12 are hopefully old enough not to wreck the house anymore.

A few people have said about not liking any of them, being dated etc. That's ok, we all have different tastes and I'm not fussed about being fashionable, just about something DH and I like and will maximise the limited space. I also hate decorating so this will be up for ages!

No dado rail. The stairs are already tight for moving furniture so I don't want to lose the millimetres.

If the rest of the space is all neutral white and wood you can definitely be bold and brave! Especially if the colour ties in to other rooms as well.

The wave after wave is quite nice too, totally different feel though.

What’s the flooring?

Out of the ones you picked, go for what you love. The repeats on the others are still huge, so you might as well pay for what you really like.

It's your house, for you to enjoy. Unless you are about to sell, or are trying to launch a career as a house Instagrammer, who gives a fig what anyone else thinks?! (particularly a random poster on MN, where people are always so keen to impress with their "superior" and "unique" taste)

It's dark-ish oak flooring.

I like all of those wallpapers but I would paint purely for the practicality of it.
We went from a dark paint to light and have been surprised at how grubby it gets even with no children here, but it's easily touched up.

Have you considered using the wallpaper you like as large scale art work, rather than as wallpaper?

Google “framed wallpaper”. It’s pretty simple to paste the wallpaper onto cut to size mdf panels (maybe 1.4m x 1m, or whatever suits) add a simple moulding as a frame and hang. You can get the visual impact and interest of the wallpaper without it being oppressive. Much easier to change too. I’ve not seen it used much in hallways before, but think it could be really impactful going up the stairs.

I love a wallpaper, but it’s difficult to get right in a hallway - unless your space is otherwise very restrained. Most peoples halls feel cramped and cluttered (lots of doors in various directions, stairs in the way, probably some coats and bags too).

If you are sure re wallpapers. Go with yiur gut and love it.
I personally wd go for a strong colour in paint but if u love the wallpaper .. why wdnt you ??