William Morris Designs: 14 Famous Patterns and How to Choose One

Strawberry Thief, Willow Bough, Acanthus, Trellis. William Morris designs are some of the most recognizable patterns ever made, and more than a century later people still want them on their walls.

This guide covers the 14 most famous William Morris patterns, with the year each was made, what it shows and which room it suits. You will also learn how Morris built a pattern, how his wallpapers and fabrics were printed, and how to choose the right William Morris print, size and format for your home.

What are the most famous William Morris designs?

Here are 14 of the most loved Morris patterns, in the order they were made.

Dates are the year each design was first issued. Some were drawn a year or two earlier. Not every design is in our shop at any moment, so use the links to see what is available now, or browse all William Morris prints.

The designs, one by one

Trellis (1864)

Roses climbing a wooden trellis, with birds drawn by Philip Webb. Inspired by the garden at Red House, it was his first wallpaper, designed in 1862.

Best for: Kitchens, breakfast rooms, cottage style spaces. Shop Trellis prints.

Daisy (1864)

Simple clumps of wild flowers in a scattered, folk art style. One of his earliest and most cheerful papers.

Best for: Children's rooms, hallways, small spaces. Shop Daisy prints.

Willow (1874)

Slim willow leaves in soft greens, drawn from the trees along the river. The quieter older sister of Willow Bough.

Best for: Bedrooms, reading corners. Shop Willow prints.

Acanthus (1875)

Huge, curling acanthus leaves in deep greens. Bold, dramatic and complex to print.

Best for: Living rooms, statement walls, dining rooms. Shop Acanthus prints.

Honeysuckle (1876)

Flowing honeysuckle and other flowers, made by Wardle and Co. for the firm.

Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms. Shop Honeysuckle prints.

Pimpernel (1876)

Swirling leaves and small red pimpernel flowers in a tight, rhythmic repeat.

Best for: Studies, dining rooms. Shop Pimpernel prints.

Snakeshead (1876)

Snakeshead fritillary flowers in a neat, mirrored repeat.

Best for: Hallways, bathrooms with good air. Shop Snakeshead prints.

Rose and Thistle (1881)

Roses and thistles twined together, one of the fabrics made as Merton Abbey opened.

Best for: Bedrooms, guest rooms. Shop Rose and Thistle prints.

Brother Rabbit (1882)

Rabbits and birds facing each other in rows, inspired by the Uncle Remus stories.

Best for: Children's rooms, kitchens. Shop Brother Rabbit prints.

Strawberry Thief (1883)

Thrushes stealing strawberries in the kitchen garden at Kelmscott Manor. Printed by indigo discharge at Merton Abbey.

Best for: Anywhere. It is the most loved Morris design.. Shop Strawberry Thief prints.

Evenlode (1883)

Named after a tributary of the Thames, with flowing stems and flowers.

Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms. Shop Evenlode prints.

Kennet (1883)

Another river pattern, with big curling leaves and blossoms.

Best for: Dining rooms, offices. Shop Kennet prints.

Wandle (1884)

Named after the river that powered Merton Abbey. Large, rich and busy.

Best for: Large walls, open plan spaces. Shop Wandle prints.

Willow Bough (1887)

Loose, natural willow branches drawn from the Thames near Kelmscott. Calm and airy.

Best for: Bedrooms, nurseries, bathrooms. Shop Willow Bough prints.

How did William Morris design a pattern?

A Morris pattern looks wild and natural, but underneath is a careful structure. That is why you can live with one for years without it tiring your eyes.

He drew from real life

Morris sketched the plants of his gardens at Red House and Kelmscott and the hedgerows and riverbanks of southern England. The V&A notes that his wallpapers rely on close, well practiced observation of nature.

He hid a grid

Every design sits on a repeat, often a diagonal or a mirrored "turnover", so the edges join without a visible seam. Morris believed a pattern was either right or wrong and could not be forgiven for mistakes, and he compared it to a fortress that is only as strong as its weakest point.

He built layers

Small background leaves sit behind larger stems and flowers. That layering gives a flat wall a feeling of depth, like looking into a hedge.

He chose real colors

Morris revived natural dyes. Indigo gave his blues, madder his reds and weld his yellows. Mixed together they made his famous greens. The result is soft, deep color that never feels harsh.

How were Morris wallpapers and fabrics made?

Wallpapers were printed for Morris by Jeffrey and Co. in Islington, one color at a time, from pear wood blocks carved by hand. A complex paper could need many separate blocks, each lined up by eye.

Printed fabrics started in 1868 with blocks rather than modern rollers, a rule Morris kept all his life. After years of dye experiments with Thomas Wardle at Leek, he opened his own works at Merton Abbey in 1881. The V&A explains that the site gave him soft water from the River Wandle and acres of ground for washing and drying cloth.

Strawberry Thief used the slow indigo discharge method. The cloth was dyed blue, the pattern was bleached out, and the reds and yellows were printed in by hand. It took days to make each length, which made it one of the firm's most expensive fabrics. It was also one of its best sellers.

Today our prints are made with modern printing on paper and canvas, from carefully restored images of these original designs. See the full details in How we print.

Any decoration is futile, and has fallen into at least its second childhood, when it does not remind you of something beyond itself.

How do I choose the right William Morris design?

Ask yourself three quick questions.

1. How busy is the room?

If the room already has lots of pattern, choose a calmer design like Willow Bough or Willow. If the walls are plain, go bold with Acanthus, Strawberry Thief or Wandle.

2. What colors are already there?

Pick a design that shares one color with your sofa, rug or bedding. Blue rooms love Strawberry Thief. Green rooms love Acanthus and Willow Bough.

3. What feeling do you want?

For rest, choose Willow Bough in a bedroom. For energy, Strawberry Thief in a kitchen or hallway. For drama, Acanthus above a fireplace.

Still stuck? Send us a message with a photo of your wall and we will suggest a design.

Should I choose a poster, framed poster or canvas?

Sizes show in inches for the US and Canada and in centimeters everywhere else. All the details are in How we print.

What size William Morris print do I need?

• Above a sofa or bed: aim for about two thirds of the furniture's width.
• Above a fireplace or sideboard: a single large portrait or landscape print, centered.
• Hallway or landing: a medium print at eye level, with the centre about 145 to 150 cm (57 to 60 in) from the floor.
• Gallery wall: three or more smaller prints in the same color family, spaced 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) apart.

Tip: mark the size on the wall with masking tape before you order. It takes two minutes and saves guesswork.

Is it legal to print and sell William Morris designs?

Yes. William Morris died in 1896, so his original designs are in the public domain in the UK, the EU and the US. Anyone can print them. What you pay for is the printing, the materials and the work that goes into preparing each file. Read our public domain policy for the full explanation.

We are an independent shop and are not connected with Morris and Co. or its owner, Sanderson Design Group.

Last updated September 2026. Written by the William Morris Art Prints team.