Guest Picks: Walls to Transform Your Space

There's something thrilling about a dramatic trompe l'oeil. It can so powerfully transform a space into something it could never otherwise be. What I love about good trompe l'oeil, such as this castle marble column corridor, is that I know there's a flat wall behind the panel, yet I can still feel the space as it's perceived spatially. It's a great trick for a small space: Place the panel on the back of a closet door!

A lifelike alternative to floral wallpaper, this enlarged poppy photo treatment will add depth to your space and bring the outside in. This is a great way to brighten a space with little natural light, such as a basement apartment. Clean lines and minimal decor are essential to avoid an overly busy look.

Bringing the outside in can offer a refreshing change of scenery and unusual options for texture. I would have this in a back room with a wall of windows that reveals the back garden to maximize the interior/exterior feel of the space.

This decorative wall covering is just breathtaking. The exquisite laser-cut designs deliver the wall treatment and artwork all in one piece. From a distance the design appears as a series of pattered columns, and closer up it's a series of delicate textures with a multidimensional effect. A single panel could bring an elegant beauty to a space, while a full wall would create a quietly stunning presence.

I just love these printed paper panels for their trompe l'oeil effect and instant infusion of style. Hung as a single panel, it can fill a dead space where furniture won't work, and when grouped, they create the look and feel of a high-end fashion boutique right in your room. They're perfect for a single girl's bedroom or for someone lucky enough to have their own dressing room.

I'm very partial to this sheen on matte wallpaper; I have it in two rooms in two colorways and still adore it after nearly three years. The circle pattern is made more interesting by the artistic edges that resemble torn paper, and the tonal color adds a subtle dimensionality that is very clean, refined and elegant. This wallpaper adds a strong graphic look to a minimal room and also works with French furniture mixed in, as I've done. I've kept one wall completely free of decoration to get the full impact of the design; it's most gorgeous all on its own.

A large tapestry, although pricey, is a grand way to set a mood in your space without committing permanently to the decor. Floral designs like this one from a 17th-century Flemish tapestry can add a lively and warm feel to the room. Play up the earthy neutrals with dark and sumptuous upholstery and velvet drapes, or use it to add depth to a bright, minimal space.

I love the idea of a mural as a headboard! This vinyl sticker in ornate baroque style is an economical alternative to an expensive French headboard. It would be ideal for a girl's bedroom, spare room or a space you aren't quite committed to. Plus, you can remove it and reposition it, so you can try different looks and take it with you when you move.

A wallpaper with a graphic feature is one of the most effective ways to add impact to a space. These illustrative birdies set a soft and romantic tone in shades of gray. Create a moody room with decor in tonal grays (you can even go Gothic with this design), or play up the softness with fluffy textures and lots of soft furnishings.

I love the big splash of color this trompe l'oeil wall panel brings to the space, and it will make you look like an avid bookworm at the same time! This wall treatment is a great solution for those who don't want or can't afford a lot of furniture, or those who have large rooms that look a bit empty. Use multiples to fill a wall or a single panel to add color and dimension to your space.

More: Take a Page from Book Wallpaper

Textured walls are often found in old houses in desperate need of renovation. But a fresh approach to embossed designs in clean whites can add a delicate beauty to your space.

I adore anything that gives a touch of Christian Lacroix's signature mix of texture, color and pattern. The couturier's distinct, lush style lends a lively look to a space, allowing for endless possibilities to mix and match in perfect harmony. The key to avoiding an eyesore is keeping the patterns and fabrics elegant and refined, and adding one piece at a time.

I love this interactive wallpaper by Sian Zeng. Its narrative theme comes to life with the help of a set of illustrative character magnets and a magnetic liner you can paste behind the paper. These story-telling wallpapers are perfect for children's bedrooms and are sophisticated enough to add a bit of fairytale magic to any space.

I could happily sit all day in a room with this lilac wallpaper. Ombré may be trend driven, but its fluid motion is so gorgeous and serene that it never really goes out of style. And it gives a big dose of tonal and multihued color without overpowering the space.

I've always loved the look of lighted panels; they're futuristic and classic all at once. This laquered metal piece is illuminated by bulbs behind moveable panels, making it a light source that doubles as hanging art. It's quietly beautiful on its own, or it can be arranged with others for a dramatic installation.

I've always been drawn to the clean, linear look of a grand wall unit; it makes the statement, "I appreciate good design, and I'm organized." A cohesive unit such as this one in white gloss and walnut also creates a strong focal point and maximizes a space with low ceilings. It accessorizes well with both minimal decor and midcentury modern furniture.