One of the reasons why wallpaper has endured so strongly over the centuries since mass production made it feasible for everyone to use it as a wall covering is that wallpaper trends evolve and change to fit the times, to the point that popular wallpapers are often symbols of particular eras.

These include the popularity of different textures, different colours and different types of pattern, with the rise of the accent wall allowing for wallpaper specialists to create truly bold looks.

However, one of the most interesting trends in wallpaper is the rise of the use of technology in both design and construction, and one of the most interesting examples of this is the rise of LED wallpaper, after the pioneering work of design house Meystyle.

By the early 2000s, light emitting diodes (LEDs) had improved dramatically in every possible aspect. They were smaller, used less power and their power cables were so thin that they could be fitted into wallpaper.

The origin of the technology can be traced back to Maria Yaschuck, who in 2004 produced an MA graduate project on the potential integration of LEDs into wall coverings in a way that maintained the surface profile and usability of traditional wall coverings.

Maria and her sister Ekaterina developed the system further with a project known as Wire Geometrics in 2007, and continue to produce custom prints to this day, using hand-painted details and Swarovski crystals to enhance the texture and dimension of the wallpaper.

Outside of unique textures, patterns and room design, however, there are other applications for the technology, the most interesting of which was developed by Welsh company LOMOX.

Rather than using the lights as a decorative element, LOMOX designed their LED wallpaper as a potential replacement for light bulbs and other demanding light sources, as the OLED technology they planned to use required far less electricity.