Picture it: the 1800s, a golden age of Victorian opulence. Rooms packed with the latest in must-have décor: plush draperies, heavy mahogany furniture, and walls smothered in the season’s trendiest color—vibrant green. But this wasn’t just any green. Oh no. This was arsenic green, lovingly infused into wallpapers as if interior design’s only goal was to line one’s walls with a substance so toxic it could double as pest control. “Isn’t it lovely?” guests might murmur, admiring that new green wallpaper, unaware they were breathing in arsenic fumes with every polite nod

Victorians were dedicated to their arsenic green wallpaper. The shade, achieved with a concoction of arsenic pigments, was revolutionary for the time. Called Scheele’s Green or Paris Green, it was rich, bold, and irresistibly lethal—a combination any aristocrat could appreciate. What’s the use of wallpaper if it doesn’t slowly poison your dinner guests?

The (Deadly) Allure of Green Wallpaper

Before the invention of Scheele’s Green, interiors suffered from a rather sad palette. Victorian houses were largely draped in dim hues, with walls looking like a rainy day in London. But then, arsenic green burst onto the scene, and suddenly, everyone was green with envy. Green wallpaper in the Victorian era was a status symbol, the toxic cherry atop an already absurdly decorated cake.

The problem with arsenic in wallpaper wasn’t just that it could emit toxic fumes. No, that would be too simple. This wallpaper could also become directly poisonous if damp—a common occurrence in the less-than-airy homes of 19th-century Britain. When moistened, arsenic wallpaper released arsenic-laced dust. Imagine relaxing in your study, running your fingers along the wall, only to unknowingly transfer arsenic to your hand, then perhaps to your mouth. It’s Victorian hospitality at its finest.

But Really, How Poisonous Was It?

Science has since shown that the concentration of arsenic in some Victorian green wallpaper was intense enough to do serious harm over time. People reported mysterious symptoms: headaches, dizziness, even hair loss—symptoms that came to be known as the “green sickness.” And if someone got too cozy with that arsenic green wallpaper, it might just knock them off entirely. Imagine the scandal: “Didn’t you hear? Mrs. Blythe died after redecorating the parlor!”

This wasn’t an isolated issue, either. “Poisonous green wallpaper” headlines started popping up across Europe, warning of the risks. As odd as it seems now, the industry doubled down on arsenic use. After all, style over safety was the unspoken Victorian motto, and Scheele’s Green had taken over the décor world.

Arsenic, but Make it Fashion

Arsenic green was not limited to walls. No, Victorian fashion found ways to expand its deadly reach, extending to dresses, gloves, and even children’s toys. So even if the wallpaper didn’t get you, your arsenic-green dress might—imagine twirling at a party, blissfully unaware your gown is shedding arsenic particles on everyone. Or better yet, gift an arsenic toy to a child! There’s no end to the excitement when every surface and accessory might be slowly killing you.

Why Did They Stop Using Arsenic in Wallpaper?

Eventually, people began connecting the dots. The “killing wallpaper” was finally recognized as, well, deadly. By the late 19th century, after countless cases of “green sickness” and mysterious home deaths, authorities clamped down, urging manufacturers to drop arsenic. And yet, some die-hards couldn’t resist the allure of green arsenic wallpaper. They insisted it was all a grand exaggeration, even as their guests fell ill.

The peak of arsenic wallpaper was over by the early 20th century. Safety standards caught up, and thankfully, modern decorators don’t have to worry about their wallpaper plotting against them. But Victorian green wallpaper and its toxic history remains a cautionary tale, a reminder of a time when aesthetics quite literally took precedence over safety. If you’re looking to recreate that authentic Victorian home interior design without the deadly pigments, rest assured, there are now safe, arsenic-free options.

Green Wallpaper for the Bold (and the Boldly Ignorant)

Arsenic-laden wallpaper was the Victorian era’s boldest, deadliest trend. For a while, it seemed that “killed by wallpaper” was the ultimate accessory. It wasn’t until the practice finally faded that people could enjoy green wallpaper without feeling lightheaded. Today, if you’re into arsenic green (minus the actual poison), you can find Victorian-inspired wallpapers in safe, non-toxic shades. You can have the look without the lingering paranoia, adding just the right amount of morbid history to your home.

After all, who wouldn’t want a reminder of the days when your wallpaper might literally be the death of you?