William Morris Wallpaper
Authentic Morris & Co. designs from the British Arts and Crafts archive - Blackthorn, Willow Bough, Lily, Daisy and more, with UK samples at £2 each.
The William Morris legacy: a quick history
William Morris (1834–1896) was a designer, poet and craftsman who believed that beauty belonged in the everyday home, not just the drawing rooms of the wealthy. In 1861 he co-founded what became Morris & Co., and three years later released Daisy — his first production wallpaper — which is still in print today. Over the next three decades Morris produced more than fifty wallpaper designs, each hand-drawn from direct observation of English gardens, hedgerows and medieval manuscripts. His patterns are still printed from the original wood-blocks and are now protected by Morris & Co., a heritage brand within Sanderson Design Group.
William Morris wallpaper designs in this collection
Each Morris design comes in multiple historic and contemporary colourways, all printed on high-quality non-woven paper and backed by £2 sample delivery anywhere in the UK.
- Daisy — Morris's first production wallpaper, released in 1864. A softly stylised meadow pattern of daisies, dandelions and chequered florals — the clearest window into the designer's early pre-Raphaelite influences. Suits cottage interiors, nurseries and country kitchens.
- Blackthorn — A dense 1892 design of blackthorn blossom, violets and wild tulips, drawn by John Henry Dearle under Morris's direction. One of the richest patterns in the collection — a statement wall in dining rooms, libraries and heritage hallways.
- Willow Bough / Bough — Based on Morris's 1887 Willow Bough — flowing willow branches in natural greens. Among the most widely sold Morris designs because its quiet, botanical rhythm works in almost any room.
- Lily — A 1874 pattern of lilies and leaves arranged in a classic Morris lattice. Delicate enough for bedrooms and smaller period rooms.
- Chrysanthemum — A 1877 design — one of Morris's densest and most layered wallpapers. A true statement for double-height spaces, Edwardian hallways and feature walls.
- Fruit — Also known as "Pomegranate", Fruit was released in 1866. Pomegranates, oranges and peaches set against stylised foliage — warm, theatrical, and closely associated with Morris's own Red House.
- Arbutus — A 1879 pattern featuring strawberry tree berries and foliage. Balanced scale and muted tones make it a flexible choice for living rooms and studies.
- Windrush — A 1883 design named after the Oxfordshire river. Tight, curling foliage — a classic mid-scale Morris repeat that sits comfortably in period properties.
- Honeysuckle / Honey Tulip — Originally drawn by Morris's daughter May Morris, one of the earliest production wallpapers attributed to a female designer. Soft, flowing, and well suited to bedrooms and cottage sitting rooms.
- Scroll — A formal, wood-block-inspired pattern — closer to Morris's medievalist work than his botanical output. Works well in studies, panelled rooms and heritage commercial interiors.
- Meadow — A flowing meadow-inspired Morris design — soft, painterly, and particularly effective in cottages and country bedrooms.
William Morris wallpaper by room and style
Morris designed with scale, light and room proportion in mind. These shortcuts will help you match a pattern to the room you are working on:
- Living rooms and dining rooms: Blackthorn, Fruit, Chrysanthemum — large-scale, layered, high-drama.
- Hallways and stairwells: Willow Bough, Arbutus — mid-scale repeats that flow around a stair run.
- Bedrooms and nurseries: Daisy, Honeysuckle, Meadow — soft tones, forgiving scale, calm mood.
- Studies, libraries, panelled rooms: Scroll, Windrush — darker palettes, tighter pattern, traditional feel.
- Commercial (hospitality, heritage pubs, tea rooms): Blackthorn, Fruit — high visual impact, reads well at distance.
William Morris and the Arts and Crafts wallpaper tradition
Morris is the figure most associated with Arts and Crafts wallpaper, but the movement was broader — John Henry Dearle, May Morris, C.F.A. Voysey and the Silver Studio all designed in the Morris tradition. If you are restoring a period property, you can pair Morris originals with other Arts and Crafts wallpapers from our broader collection to create an historically coherent scheme. Our Arts and Crafts wallpaper collection brings these together.
Morris-inspired bespoke wallpaper
If you cannot find the exact Morris design, colourway or scale you need, Chameleon Collection can produce bespoke wallpaper drawn in the Morris tradition — re-coloured historic patterns, enlarged repeats for taller rooms, or entirely new Arts and Crafts-style artwork. Start a bespoke wallpaper enquiry and our design team will respond within two working days.
William Morris wallpaper FAQs
Are these genuine William Morris wallpapers?
The William Morris wallpapers we carry are printed from the historic Morris & Co. archive. Each roll is produced on high-quality non-woven paper - please check the individual product page for specific manufacturing and licensing details.
How much does William Morris wallpaper cost?
Our William Morris wallpapers start at £99 per roll (ex VAT). Premium colourways and hand-printed editions are priced higher. Free UK delivery is available on orders over the threshold shown at checkout.
Can I order samples?
Yes - every William Morris design listed here is available as a £2 sample. Order as many samples as you wish so you can see the pattern and colourway in your own lighting before you commit.
What is the pattern repeat?
Pattern repeats vary by design. Larger Morris patterns such as Blackthorn and Chrysanthemum have repeats of 50–70 cm; tighter designs such as Willow Bough and Daisy repeat every 20–35 cm. Exact repeat and roll length are shown on each product page.
How many rolls will I need?
As a rule of thumb for a standard UK room: measure the perimeter of the room in metres, divide by 0.52 (roll width), multiply by the wall height, then divide by 10 (roll length) and round up. Add 10–15% for pattern match — Morris patterns have generous repeats and waste more than plain designs.
Is William Morris wallpaper hard to hang?
Morris designs need careful pattern matching but are not more difficult than any other premium wallpaper. We recommend a professional decorator experienced with large-scale pattern repeats, particularly for Blackthorn, Chrysanthemum and Fruit.