Textile on the Wall: Why Tapestries & Fabric Wall Art Are 2025’s Warmest Statement
Texture is the new color. In 2025, walls are going soft—draped in tapestries, framed textiles, quilted panels, and even fully upholstered surfaces. Designers are embracing these tactile layers because they warm up neutral shells, dial down echo in open layouts, and add history without feeling heavy.
What counts as “textile wall art” now
Think beyond the medieval tapestry cliché. Today’s options span:
- Historic and new tapestries—especially leafy verdure scenes and botanical motifs reinterpreted for modern rooms.
- Framed textiles such as quilts, kilims, suzanis, vintage scarves, or embroidery stretched like canvas.
- Upholstered panels and fabric-wrapped walls for a cocooned, custom look.
- Soft macramé, woven baskets, or stitched mixed-media pieces grouped as a gallery.
Industry roundups note a sharp rise in curiosity: fabric wall decor search interest jumped triple digits on Pinterest this year, with designers praising the category’s warmth and depth (see Martha Stewart below).
Why the resurgence: comfort, character, and quiet
Fabric brings dimension. A textile’s nap catches light differently throughout the day, which adds life to otherwise flat walls. It also brings character—especially verdure pieces that feel storied rather than brand-new. And there’s a functional win: soft surfaces absorb sound. In hard-floored, open-plan homes, that translates to calmer conversations and fewer echoes (see Martha Stewart for designers’ acoustic notes).
How designers are styling the look in 2025
- Verdure, re-edited. The 600-year-old leafy tapestry style is being applied as wall hangings, bedcovers, and even upholstery—bringing “age and history” to clean-lined spaces (Livingetc).
- Mix old & new. One storied textile is often enough; pair it with crisp ceramics, modern lighting, and contemporary art.
- Monochrome rooms, one rich textile. In pale or tonal schemes, a single woven piece becomes the focal point without visual clutter.
- Sound-smart placement. Hang soft pieces opposite hard surfaces (stone fireplace, large window) to soften reflections.
Where to start (without overcommitting)
Quick wins
- Start with a framed scarf or quilt—low-cost, high-impact, and renter-friendly.
- Try a mini tapestry above a console, or a fabric panel over the sofa to ground the furniture group.
- Keep palettes tight: two neutrals + one botanical note (sage, olive, rust, or blush) to echo in cushions or throws.
Helpful how‑tos
New to hanging textiles? These primers complement today’s story:
- How to hang a tapestry without nails (Real Homes).
- Professional methods for hanging tapestries (Hines of Oxford).
- Modern tapestry’s creative revival (Financial Times).
Pair the look: Wall art that harmonizes with textiles
Layering textures doesn’t mean abandoning prints and paintings. In fact, one woven statement pairs beautifully with calm, nature‑driven artwork—botanical fields, verdant leaves, or rhythmic aquatic scenes—to keep the room cohesive. Our editors pulled five Artoholica pieces that sit comfortably alongside tapestries and fabric panels.
Shop the Look — 5 Picks for Textured Rooms
Blend & balance: make it yours
If you’re exploring texture-rich walls, you’ll love how this story connects to broader surface trends. We recently covered sculptural and gallery-wall ideas in the Newsroom—perfect companions to textiles. Browse our latest wall ideas for more inspiration.
Keep reading (complementary articles)
- How to hang a tapestry without nails (Real Homes) — renter-friendly techniques.
- How to hang a tapestry (Hines of Oxford) — museum/heritage methods.
- The verdure tapestry revival (Livingetc) — why botanical weaves feel modern.
References
- Fabric Wall Décor Is One of the Biggest Design Trends of 2025 — Martha Stewart (Jan 23, 2025). Designers outline types of fabric wall decor and note acoustic benefits and rising search interest.
- This 600‑Year‑Old Fabric Design Is Having a Moment — Livingetc (Mar 4, 2025). Verdure tapestries reinterpreted for modern spaces.
- Tapestry: weaving new worlds — Financial Times (2025). Contemporary tapestry’s cultural return.