Wallpaper is an exciting option these days. Advances in digital printing technology mean that almost any design application is possible. With so many finishes to choose from, you can practically guarantee that you will find something that speaks to your style.
Today’s wallpapers are full of texture, bold colours, and visual and tactile elements. Choosing a design requires an in-person experience rather than relying on a static image to portray the true essence of what is on offer.
With that said, sometimes too many options can be baffling, making it difficult to find a match for your style without being overwhelmed. We’ve devised a few hot tips to help you through the process.
Colour and Style
When considering wallpaper colour, you must factor in the size of the room, the amount of natural light it receives and the existing furnishings within the space. If you are renovating or building, selecting a wallpaper first will allow you to curate the room’s furnishings to suit, not the other way around.
Dark colours will make the room feel bigger, while soft hues create a calm and comforting space. Patterned wallpapers can range from off the wall and edgy to classic or contemporary. Deciding on the kind of energy you’d like to generate in your room will underpin your choice.
To avoid fragmented or clashing themes throughout your home, step back and consider every space as they relate to each other; this will help you to bring stylistic consistency to your home.
Lighting is another element you must consider after selecting a wallpaper. Depending on the hue, the texture or the mood of your choice, you may need to adjust the room’s lighting to compliment the wallpaper.
As a rule of thumb, forget the latest trends and choose a wallpaper that best aligns with you and your style. If you stay true to your taste, creating a beautiful space will come naturally to you.
Room by Room
Bedroom, dining room, bathroom, the room you intend to wallpaper will influence your choice. The colour and design you choose will set the mood for the space. Equally important, of course, is the suitability of the wallpaper for your preferred room. If you intend to use it in a kitchen, bathroom or laundry, ensure that the product can withstand the conditions of these spaces.
Feature Wall
If you intend to create a feature wall, go bold; this is an excellent way to embrace some of the more edgy options on the market without overpowering the room by using it on every wall.
Smaller sections of wall are ideal candidates for wallpaper. Not to mention an affordable way to indulge your desire to incorporate wallpaper into your budget. Chimney breasts, the back of shelves or behind a glass splashback are all fantastic options for the feature wall.
Wallpaper to Transform
You can use wallpaper to transform a space. Depending on what you are trying to achieve, it can make a room feel bigger, smaller, brighter or cosier.
Patterned wallpapers can have an incredible effect on how big or small a room feels. Large pattern blocks will make a room feel more intimate, smaller patterns will make a room larger, and other patterned designs can create a sense of depth. Employing stripped wallpaper, either vertical or horizontal, is also a great way to create more space in a room.
Try Before You Buy
Just as you would buy a test pot to test a paint colour on your walls, most outlets will allow you to order a sample piece of wallpaper to take home and try. Test the sample at all times of the day and in all parts of the room or space. Testing how it looks in all kinds of light will give you a good idea of how it will work.
There are endless options out there. The first step is to decide on your final aesthetic. Once you have a vision, you can build on it. As we mentioned above, if you can begin with the wallpaper choice, then everything else can follow. And if you have started your research, you will realise that this is a huge advantage. There are so many incredible designs on offer. It would be such a shame to have to pass by your favourite because it will clash with the carpet!