William Morris Art Prints, How to Choose, Style and Frame Them
William Morris art prints are one of the easiest ways to make a home feel layered, lived in and quietly confident. The patterns are decorative but not fussy, richly detailed but still restful, and they work just as beautifully in a modern terrace as they do in a country house.
Morris produced more than 50 wallpaper designs, many with a distinctly British, nature led approach to pattern that felt new in its day and still feels fresh now. That is why William Morris prints have become a go-to for anyone who wants timeless wall art with real design heritage.
If you are choosing your first piece or building a set, here is the practical guide.
Why William Morris still looks right in 2026
A good Morris pattern does two things at once:
- It reads as texture from a distance, which calms a room
- It rewards you up close with detail, which makes a home feel considered
The V&A notes Morris is still renowned for patterns such as Willow Bough and Strawberry Thief, and that his textiles and wallpapers are only part of a wider design story. In other words, these are not trends, they are foundations.
Start with the mood you want, not the name of the pattern
When people get stuck, it is usually because they are shopping by pattern title rather than by feeling. Use this instead.
If you want something calm
Choose prints with flowing stems, soft repetition and a lighter background. These are ideal for bedrooms, hallways and anywhere you want the walls to settle the space.
If you want something cosy
Go for deeper grounds, denser pattern and warmer tones. They shine in living rooms, dining rooms and snugs where you want the room to feel enveloping.
If you want something confident
Pick bolder contrast, more lively motifs (birds, animals, starry themes) or strong geometry. These work brilliantly as a single statement piece, or as the centre print in a trio.
Room by room, what to hang where
Living room
This is where Morris prints can carry the whole scheme. If your sofa and rug are fairly plain, you can go more intricate on the wall. If your soft furnishings are already patterned, pick one Morris print with a simpler rhythm and let it act like a neutral.
Styling tip: Hang one larger piece above the sofa, or build a tidy pair with two prints of the same size for a balanced look.
Bedroom
Bedrooms want pattern that soothes. Botanical designs are perfect here because they feel gentle without being bland. If you like a slightly more romantic look, choose warmer florals. If you prefer crisp, go for cooler blues and greens.
Styling tip: A matching pair either side of the bed looks expensive and intentional.
Hallway and landing
These spaces are often narrow, so think vertical. A single print with a pale ground helps keep the area bright. If you have a staircase wall, a small cluster of two or three prints works beautifully.
Styling tip: Keep the frames consistent so the pattern can do the talking.
Kitchen and dining
Morris patterns look surprisingly good in kitchens, especially if the room has plain cabinetry. A print gives the space a sense of story and makes it feel less like a utility room.
Styling tip: Choose a print with a lighter background near food prep areas so it stays visually clean.
Nursery
Morris works in nurseries because it is nature led and illustrative. Animal motifs and softer botanicals feel classic rather than cartoonish.
Styling tip: Pick one hero print above a chest of drawers, then add a smaller coordinating piece nearby.
Home office
A Morris print behind your desk makes the room feel finished and helps on camera too. Choose something with structure rather than chaos, so it reads calm in the background.
Sizing and framing, the part that makes it look proper
The quickest way to make wall art look premium is to size up and frame well.
At Peardrop Prints you have options that range from small to very large statement sizes, including A sizes and popular metric poster sizes. If you are unsure, choose the bigger size for the main wall and use smaller sizes for supporting walls.
A helpful detail: some Peardrop Prints designs include a white border that acts as a built in mount, which makes framing easier and gives a gallery style finish.
What to look for when buying William Morris prints online
Not all prints are equal. If you care about colour, sharpness and longevity, pay attention to how the print is made.
Peardrop Prints focuses on fine art printing in house in Worcestershire, using archival inks and museum grade papers, with each piece printed on demand and not mass produced. That matters because the crispness of the pattern and the depth of the colour are what make Morris designs sing.
A simple way to create a pair or trio that looks designer
If you want the designed to hang together look, do this:
- Pick one hero print with the strongest contrast or most recognisable motif
- Add one supporting print that shares one key colour
- If you want a trio, make the third the quietest, almost like a neutral pattern
Keep the sizes identical, keep the frames the same and hang with equal spacing. The wall instantly looks curated.
A note on Strawberry Thief and why it is so loved
Strawberry Thief is one of the most iconic Morris designs. The charm is simple: it is decorative, but it also tells a story.
That is the sweet spot for wall art. Beautiful at a glance, interesting for years.
FAQ
Are William Morris prints still in style?
Yes, because they sit outside trend cycles. The patterns are rooted in nature, craft and strong design principles, which is why they keep returning in modern interiors.
Where are Peardrop Prints made?
Peardrop Prints are printed in Worcestershire using archival inks and museum grade papers. Framed prints are handmade to order in England and leave the studio every Thursday.
Do any prints come with a border for framing?
Some designs are printed with a white border that acts as a built in mount, and this is shown in the product images.
Ready to choose yours?
If you want William Morris art prints that feel timeless rather than trendy, start with one piece that sets the tone for the room, then build a pair or trio from there.
Browse the William Morris collection at Peardrop Prints and pick the pattern that fits the feeling you want your home to have.
