Wallpaper - Under the Surface White

Our Under the Surface White wallpaper brings together detailed 19th-century-style natural history illustrations of marine life against a soft, softly banded neutral backdrop. Created by Haitham, the composition features an array of sea creatures, including a spotted ray, ornate parrotfish, jellyfish, seahorses, and spiny reef dwellers swimming amongst sea fans and tall aquatic grasses. The palette balances emerald and sage greens with earthy coral, warm ochre, and deep charcoal details. Like all our mural wallpapers, this design is made-to-measure on PVC-free paper with a subtle surface structure.

In the room

We see this design working particularly well in spaces where you want visual character and conversation. In a powder room or bathroom, wrapping all four walls creates an immersive, cabinet-of-curiosities feel that brings the undersea motif into close focus. In a home study, library, or bedroom, giving the wallpaper a wide, uninterrupted wall behind a desk or headboard allows the full variety of marine species and corals to be appreciated without being broken up by tall storage furniture.

Styling it

Because the pattern carries a rich level of botanical and zoological detail, we suggest keeping the surrounding furnishings relatively tailored and grounded. Mid-to-dark stained wood furniture, such as a walnut desk or mahogany sideboard, sits naturally alongside the historical illustration style. For metal accents and hardware, antiqued brass or patinated bronze echoes the heritage aesthetic without competing with the fine line work of the motif.

Colour combinations

The wallpaper is grounded in an off-white, banded background layered with emerald green, terracotta coral, warm ochre, and muted grey-browns. For surrounding woodwork, doors, and trim, we like pulling out a rich emerald or deep olive green to frame the scene with deliberate contrast. If you prefer a lighter, more classic atmosphere, pairing adjacent painted walls with a warm stone white or soft linen neutral keeps the room calm while letting the marine figures take centre stage.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, our wallpapers are produced made-to-measure based on your exact wall dimensions, which helps reduce unnecessary excess material. Every design is printed on PVC-free paper featuring a subtle physical structure, and is designed to be straightforward to hang in your home.