A Guide to William Morris Wallpaper Patterns

Strawberry Thief William Morris wallpaper above a white brick fireplace
ClickWalls

William Morris wallpaper has been in British homes for more than 150 years, and it is as popular now as it has ever been. Morris believed a home should contain nothing that is not useful or beautiful, and his patterns, drawn from hedgerows, riverbanks and his own gardens, were designed to bring nature indoors. Here is a short guide to the designs you will find in our William Morris wallpaper collection.

Who was William Morris?

William Morris (1834–1896) was a designer, poet and craftsman, and the leading figure of the Arts and Crafts movement. Through his company, Morris & Co., he designed wallpapers, textiles and furniture that reacted against cheap factory-made goods and celebrated pattern, craft and the natural world.

The patterns

Strawberry Thief (1883)

Perhaps the most famous Morris design of all. It was inspired by the thrushes that stole strawberries from the kitchen garden at Kelmscott Manor, his Oxfordshire home. Its mirrored birds and deep colours make a strong feature wall in a dining room or hallway.

Willow and Willow Bough (1874 and 1887)

Morris drew the willows that lined the Thames near his home. The gently overlapping leaves are calm and easy to live with, which makes these designs a favourite for bedrooms and living rooms.

Pimpernel (1876)

A richly symmetrical design of swirling leaves and flowerheads that Morris hung in his own dining room. We offer it in several colourways, from sage green to blue and oatmeal.

Fruit (1860s)

One of Morris's earliest wallpapers, with lemons, oranges and pomegranates ripening on winding branches. It suits kitchens and dining rooms particularly well.

Golden Lily and Seaweed

Both were drawn by John Henry Dearle, Morris's assistant and later artistic director of Morris & Co., and are often grouped with Morris's own work. Golden Lily weaves lilies and tulips together; Seaweed is all flowing, underwater movement.

Which room suits which pattern?

  • Bedrooms: the quieter leaf designs such as Willow and Willow Bough.
  • Dining rooms and hallways: bolder, darker designs such as Strawberry Thief, Compton and Golden Lily.
  • Kitchens: Fruit and Lemon Tree.
  • Small rooms and cloakrooms: do not be afraid of a large pattern; a busy Morris print can make a small space feel deliberate and rich.

Peel and stick or traditional?

Every design in our collection is printed to order in peel and stick or traditional paste-the-wall paper. If you are unsure which to choose, read our guide to peel and stick or traditional wallpaper, or email contact@clickwalls.co.uk for a sample.

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