Advice wallpaper: Expert Advice: The Art of Wallpaper (and How to Incorporate It), 2022 Edition

Expert Advice: The Art of Wallpaper (and How to Incorporate It), 2022 Edition

We’re calling it: Wallpaper is making a comeback.

Maybe it’s because our interiors have been our worlds for so long that we’re longing for more color, pattern, and print—a change of scenery, a bit of surprise. Or perhaps it’s nostalgic: a comforting return to times past (see also: the return of quilts).

Regardless, the papered rooms of the moment are anything but stodgy, with clever updates on classic applications and patterns that feel entirely fresh.

Case in point: the work of Liz Robinson, who, through her firm Mia Carta Design in Cambridge, MA, incorporates wallpaper in ways that feel seamless and inspired, not slapped-on. Liz wrote to us on the beginnings of her love affair with wallpaper: “Back in my art school days, I was a painting major at the Pacific Northwest College of Art but thought about switching to printmaking. I fell in love with intaglio and monotype printing and was lucky enough to study printmaking under Gordon Gilkey, who was widely known for his role in recovering artwork stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Gordon was also friends with so many of my 20th-century art idols, like Anni and Josef Albers. He totally ignited a love for works of art on paper for me.”

Liz’s design firm, Mia Carta, also began as a bespoke stationery and invitation business. “I haven’t completely let go of my love for printed goods and paper,” she says. “I suppose it’s only natural that I look for opportunities to use wallpaper in my interior design projects whenever I can.”

We asked Liz all about wallpaper, plus her favorite sources for handmade papers and why, in her view, papering a room can be “an act of generosity.” Read on:

Photography by Maura McEvoy and styling by Basha Burwell, courtesy of Liz Robinson and Mia Carta Design.Above: In project on Goose Rocks Beach in Maine, Liz papered a bedroom under the eaves in Morris & Co.’s Blackthorn Wallpaper in Autumn.

Remodelista: Why wallpaper?

Liz Robinson: Nothing is as instantly transformative or as evocative as wallpaper. The playful storytelling aspect of it instantly imbues a home with lightness, personality, and creativity.

A friend once said that bold wallpaper can be “an act of generosity,” meaning it’s a treat for you and your guests, creating a surprisingly joyful moment. I absolutely agree.

RM: How do you decide whether or not to wallpaper a space?

LR: It’s a question of balance in the design for me, and finding the right opportunities to incorporate more visual texture and a sense of atmosphere without overwhelming the eye. I like to give wallpaper the visual space it needs to be the art that it is.

In a more traditional setting, using wallpaper with a connection to the natural surroundings and with a narrative is the perfect way to layer charm and character and establish a feeling of place. In more pared-back spaces, a patterned wallpaper can be an artful counterpoint to more minimalist moments.Above: A Mia Carta-designed bedroom in Brookline, MA, papered in Morris & Co. Lily Leaf Wallpaper in Eggshell.

RM: Floral or modern? Patterned or pared-back? Matchy-matchy or pattern on pattern?

LR: I have to admit that I love modern/minimal and vintage-inspired papers alike. And I’m into playing with pattern on pattern but not necessarily in a sweet, overtly feminine way. While I love that Sister Parish look of layering brightly colored patterns, I like creating spaces with a more intense mood: less preppy, more expressive.

RM: Do you prefer peel-and-stick varieties or old-school applications?

LR: While I appreciate the lower cost and flexibility of the many peel-and-stick varieties of paper, I use traditional wallpaper for all of my client projects. I find traditional wallpaper to have more longevity and to be more breathable (and mold resistant), and it doesn’t have the issues with air bubbles that peel-and-stick papers tend to have. Today’s non-woven wallpapers are also more easily removed without damage to the underlying walls when compared to the wallpaper of old. In short, you will likely get a better and longer-lasting finished product by using a traditional paper with a paste application. I always recommend professional installation regardless of the application.

Above: Colefax & Fowler Bowood Wallpaper in Grey-Green covers the upper portion of the walls in the Goose Rocks bath.

RM: Hand-printed or digital?

LR: As you can imagine, I am especially drawn to hand-printed wallpaper where you can see the maker’s hand. This sense of imperfection and human touch is important to me and moves me as a piece of art would. I certainly also use digitally printed wallpaper—there are so many high-quality, beautiful options out there.

RM: How can you figure out how much wallpaper you need?

LR: For an easy way to roughly calculate the square footage of your space, combine the width of each wall, then multiply this number by your ceiling height. Next, divide this number by the square footage of a single roll of wallpaper to determine the number of rolls required. Always round up to account for pattern repeat and variation.

That said, I always recommend consulting with your installer to confirm final quantity before ordering. Not ordering enough wallpaper for your project can be very frustrating and turn into a real problem when ordering hand-printed wallpapers or natural-fiber papers like grasscloth that can have noticeable color variation between printing runs, dye lots, etc. And over-ordering can be very expensive as wallpaper is not always returnable.

Above: A bedroom in Quercus & Co.’s Tempest Wallpaper in Celeste.

RM: What are some of your favorite sources?

LR: I use Farrow & Ball’s wallpapers time and time again, which are beautifully hand-printed, relatively affordable, and coordinate with Farrow & Ball paint colors. I love Marthe Armitage and Galbraith & Paul for their colorful made-to-order, hand-printed product, with the option for custom colors, too. Marthe Armitage also offers a lower-cost, digitally-printed option for some of her wallpapers. Another favorite source is Zak+Fox with their modern and interpretive use of symbols and classic motifs.

For more of a vintage feel, you cannot go wrong with anything from Morris & Co. I am obsessed with the bold color in their collection with Ben Pentreath. Sian Zeng brings a dreamy, charming narrative to her wallpaper designs that are printed on thick matte paper and washable. I also adore the surreal and joyful playfulness of midcentury Josef Frank wallpapers available from Svenskt Tenn.

For classically beautiful, ultra-luxurious, hand-painted wallpaper murals, de Gournay and Fromental are the aspirational choices, or Schumacher for a more affordable range. For grasscloths and textures, Phillip Jeffries is my go-to. Other favorites: Cole & Son for whimsical patterns, Kelly Wearstler for modern/graphic drama, Calico for their moody color gradient papers, Porter Teleo for bold, hand-painted papers reminiscent of abstract expressionist paintings… I could go on.

Above: Another view of the Maine cottage bunk room, done in Morris & Co. ’s Blackthorn Wallpaper in Autumn.

RM: What are some unexpected spots to wallpaper?

LR: The ceiling, the back of a bookcase, inside of a closet, in a pantry. I love creating those little surprise jewel-box moments.

RM: And for the uninitiated: What’s a low-stakes place to start?

LR: I would recommend wallpapering a powder room. You can really let your creativity loose and be bold in such a small space. Another way to ease in would be to choose a single wall in a room, such as an office, child’s room, or guest bedroom.

RM: How do you test wallpaper before adhering?

LR: Always try a swatch before you settle on a pattern, tape it to the wall, and look at it in all light conditions. An even better strategy, especially if you’re wallpapering a larger area, is to order a roll of the paper you are considering and hang a large piece with painter’s tape and live with it for a while before you commit.

Above: Elsewhere in the Maine project, Liz opted for Farrow & Ball’s Atacama Wallpaper in the colorway BP5801.

RM: Is there anyplace you should never use wallpaper?

LR: I have used wallpaper in all rooms, but one should be aware of the potential issues with using wallpaper in a bathroom without proper ventilation due to the effects of steam and dampness. I’m also mindful of high-traffic areas, like mudrooms and hallways, and choosing appropriate materials that can be washed and wiped. A good option for these areas is to use wallpaper above wainscoting for more durability.

Above: “I love working with classic designs and using them in a new and fresh way,” says Liz. “Morris & Co.’s Blackthorn pattern is a particular favorite of mine: The forest-like pattern envelops a room with rich pattern, yet it has a subdued quality with the receding nature of the dark background, which makes it extremely livable at the same time.” Blackthorn is shown here in Green in Liz’s Brookline project, covering a small reading nook under the eaves (with matching cushions).

RM: What are you coveting now?

LR: One wallpaper my current wish list is John Derian’s collaboration with Pierre Frey. I’m planning to wallpaper a room in my home in his Le Paravent Chinois Irise. I love the story behind this paper, which is a reproduction of a favorite 18th-century floral chinoiserie panel owned by John.

I have also been coveting Marthe Amitage’s beautifully hand-printed papers for some time. They are stunning works of art, intricately drawn, perfectly imperfect and quirky in the best possible way. Marthe was trained as a painter and is a past Master of the Art Workers’ Guild (of which William Morris was himself Master in 1892). She is truly a living legend, and we are lucky to be able to access her work so directly and paper our walls with works of such provenance.

For much more on wallpaper, see:

7 Favorites: Wallpaper in the Kitchen
Wallpaper Inspired by the Shakers from Fayce Textiles
Garden of ‘Eden’: A New Collection by Lindsey Adelman for Calico Wallpaper

What NOT to do when choosing wallpaper – 12 expert tips to consider first

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Wallpaper can be totally transformative in any room. It has the power to change the look and feel in a room by adding pattern, colour and texture to walls – in a way which paint simply can’t do.

Don’t feel restricted by the size of the room, either, as wallpaper ideas are not just for large open-plan spaces. The right paper can help to bring smaller rooms to life.

Although papering can look fantastic it can be expensive, and not the sort of task you want to get wrong. We’ve spoken to Alex Whitecroft, Head of Design at I Want Wallpaper, to gain the top tips to consider when using wallpaper in our homes.

What not to do when choosing wallpaper

1. Buy before you try

(Image credit: Future PLC /David Giles)

Sounds obviously but how many of us would overlook this process of trying out a wallpaper first, even though we test paints?! ‘As you would with paint, it’s a good idea to source sample wallpaper options before purchasing a whole roll’ explains Alex at I Want Wallpaper .

‘Test wallpaper samples on the walls you’re looking to decorate, to get a feel for the texture and colour in the natural light.’ Pretty much all good retailers offer samples of their wallpapers, for you to try out.

Having a sample allows you to better plan your coordinating paint colours throughout the rest of the room.

2. Think pattern is the only option

(Image credit: Future PLC /Dominic Blackmore)

Wallpaper doesn’t have to be heavily patterned to be powerful. You can buy a simple, pretty plain wallpaper to add colour and texture in any room. Alex says ‘Plain wallpaper is a great alternative to paint – which can tend to show the dirt more easily than wallpaper.’

‘A top tip is to pin samples of the designs you’ve shortlisted on the wall or walls you’re planning to paper to see if it works for you’.

3. Apply the wrong paste

When shopping for wallpaper, it’s important to look at the way in which the paper will stick to your wall. Generally, there are three different wallpaper applications: pre-pasted, paste the wall and paste the wallpaper.

Pre-pasted paper is coated in a pre-applied paste, which just needs to be moistened to activate, before hanging (if you’re looking for as little hassle as possible, this is probably the option for you). Paste the wall application requires you to brush paste onto the wall before application. Paste the wallpaper application, refers to the more traditional method of applying paste to the back of the paper, using a pasting table.

4. Run into a mis-match

(Image credit: Future PLC /Dan Duchars)

Alex advises, ‘When shopping for wallpaper look at the ‘match type’ i.e. the way in which the design matches up when hanging different strips of wallpaper. Different match types will require different amount of preparation and some will require additional roles of paper.’ The last thing you want to do is mis match and have to redo your wallpapering, especially if the paper is an expensive one.

Free match wallpapers have a design which is not intended to match when hanging, straight match wallpaper must be matched at the same height each time and offset match offsets the pattern on each strip by half the pattern’s height each time.

5. Paper over the cracks

Before you take the leap and get stuck in to decorating, it’s important to know what lies beneath. Alex advises on how to do. He advises, ‘Use a scraper to test how many layers of paper there are under the surface wall covering. If there are more than two layers, then it’s important to allow extra time to remove any unwanted wall coverings.’

He goes on to explain, ‘It can take hours and lots of elbow-grease to remove wallpaper with the old-fashioned ‘score, soak, steam, and scrape’ method. I Want Wallpaper have a secret weapon in the fight to eliminate stubborn wallpaper – fabric softener.

(Image credit: Future PLC / Simon Whitmore)

Mix equal parts of softener and hot water in a spray bottle, spray a section of wallpaper so that it is fully saturated then wait approximately 15 minutes (this is very important and allows the solution to work its magic), then peel away paper and use a paint scraper on the more stubborn areas. ‘

Once you’ve filled in any holes or cracks and sanded the surface, ‘size’ the wall by covering it in a mixture of half PVA glue and half water applied with a paint roller – it’s not essential but this will create a slightly glossy finish to the wall and make it easier to slide paper into position and help it stick. See how to wallpaper for an expert guide to hanging wallpaper with ease.

6. Miss out lining paper

Expert advise is always line the walls for best results. ‘It may not be the most glamorous of papers, but lining paper is a sensible investment if you want to create the perfect canvas for your wallpaper, ‘says Alex. ‘For best results, apply onto bare walls to cover small imperfections or hide previous colours, before papering.’

Hanging a good quality lining paper goes a long way to smooth surfaces ahead of papering, if replastering walls is out of budget.

7. Think you have to paper the whole wall

(Image credit: Future PLC / Tim Young)

While a feature wall implies a whole wall, there are ways to make a feature without wallpapering the entire length. Say you only have one roll, you may not get enough drops to cover the wall from top to bottom.

In this instance we say make a feature by papering a panel within the wall, treating it more like a large piece of art. This living room wallpaper idea gives the paper more prominence as art.

Top tip: use a coordinating colour to paint the surrounding wall to create a cohesive look.

8. Be tempted by taste over practicality

Grandeco Botanical Tropical Leaves Wallpaper, I Want Wallpaper

(Image credit: TBC)

Choosing a design and sticking to it can prove overwhelming, due to the sheer the amount of choice. ‘There’s a wallpaper to suit every taste. Consider which design complements the style of your house – bright geometric patterns, for example, may suit a contemporary new build, whilst a rustic farmhouse may be more suited to soft florals.’

‘When choosing a patterned paper think about the size of the room in relation to the scale of the design. An oversized print can overpower smaller room, whereas intricate designs can get lost in larger spaces.’ While our hearts may so go big, our homes may not agree. Be realistic when choosing a wallpaper to suit the space.

9. Think you can’t hang it in humid rooms

(Image credit: TBC)

Kitchen and bathrooms wallpaper ideas can add an instant style update, but we often fear wallpaper is not suitable for environments that are prone to humidity. It’s all about choosing a wallpaper designed specifically for use in damp and steamy conditions. Alex advises, ‘Look for papers with hard-wearing vinyl finishes, wipe clean surfaces and embossed detailing for looks that will last.’

When done right it’s worth noting that wallpaper makes for a far cheaper alternative to tiling both of these functional rooms.

10. Overlook the wipe-ability factor

Consider wipeable wallpaper for a happier home. As with all household items, wallpaper can attract dust and dirt, therefore it may require a quick clean from occasionally. It’s worth factoring in the cleaning factor before you make your choice, especially if used in a high traffic areas such as the stairs and hallway, or any rooms where children are likely to be touching surfaces.

‘Most wallpapers come with a ‘washability’ rating, which goes from ‘spongeable’ to ‘highly scrubbable’,’ explains Alex. ‘Although most marks are easily wiped, it’s essential to check the rating before attempting to clean any blemishes.’

11. Avoid pattern in small spaces

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Wreford)

It’s often a misconception that colour and pattern should always be avoiding when it comes to small spaces. While in some instances this makes sense, when done right. Some bold patterns could feel too overwhelming in larger spaces such as living rooms, but fun and enriching the smallest rooms of the house, like in this cloakroom.

If braving a bold wallpaper in a small room our advice to avoid the pattern becoming overbearing is panelling the lower part of the room and painting in a matching colour found within the wallpaper.

12. Fear the fifth wall

(Image credit: TBC)

It may sound like an off-the-wall idea, but wallpapered ceilings can look amazing! So much so that wallpapered ceilings are a hot new interior trend right now. The use of patterned designs on ceilings is increasingly growing in popularity. Grab that extra roll!

‘The key to choosing the perfect ceiling wallpaper is to be bold,’ says Alex. ‘An abstract pattern on the ceiling can transform a room from ordinary to outstanding.’

‘Be expressive with your colour choices and look at shades you wouldn’t usually go for. Whether cobalt blue, citric yellow or hot pink, bright colours shouldn’t just be reserved for the kid’s bedroom; bold shades can have a home in any room of the house – especially on the ceiling!’

10 wallpapering tips from the experts: the secrets of success

Homes & Gardens is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us.

(Image credit: Little Greene )

By Tara King

published 30 April 2022

Looking for wallpapering tips from the experts? We’ve gathered insider advice from those who know best to help you achieve a professional finish in your home.

If you’ve decided wallpapering a room is a task you want to take on, profit from the advice of industry experts who have shared their top wallpapering tips to make your project a success.

Knowing how to remove wallpaper will provide the blank canvas needed for a room remodel and with so many bold and beautiful wallpaper ideas out there, hanging a new design can be a tempting prospect. These wallpapering tips will help you get a professional finish.

Wallpapering tips from the experts

‘Wallpaper makes focal points of forgotten alcoves, adds character to small home study rooms, and a sense of homeliness to hallways. When hung effectively, it can add texture to a scheme, maximizing your space whilst incorporating patterns,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene . And don’t forget that wallpapering a ceiling can also pack a great decorative punch.

Use this expert advice for professional results.

1. Try before you buy

Don’t rely on digital images when it comes to making your wallpaper pattern and color choice. Colors can shift and change in different lighting, so it’s important to source samples before you invest in multiple rolls.

‘Stick them to the walls you’re planning on wallpapering. Keep looking at them over a few days; check what they look like during different times of the day and in different lights to make sure you’ve got your choice just right,’ says Rebecca Drury, co-founder of wallpaper designers MissPrint .

2. Think practically

We tend to choose wallpapers primarily based on their pattern and color, but it’s important to factor in practicality, too. Think about where you’re hanging your wallpaper and what challenges it might face day to day. For example, if you’re hanging it in a kitchen or bathroom, vinyl wallpaper is a good choice as it can withstand humidity and moisture well.

Wipeable wallpaper is an option, too. Most come with a washability rating, which varies from ‘spongeable’ to ‘scrubbable’. If you’re exploring hallway wallpaper ideas or designs for other high traffic areas or for a kid’s room, you might want to veer towards the latter end of the scale.

If you’ve got your heart set on a standard wallpaper design, consider applying a protective varnish – consult your wallpaper supplier for advice.

3. Check batch numbers

Every roll of wallpaper will have a batch number on the label. These work like a registration system, indicating which rolls have been printed at the same time.

‘There can be very slight variations of color between wallpaper batches, so it’s best to check your rolls all carry the same reference if you want a uniform finish,’ advises James Watson, wallpaper expert at 1838 Wallcoverings .

4. Buy more wallpaper than you need

Accurately measuring for wallpaper is important, but bear in mind that you should err on the side of over rather than under-purchasing rolls. ‘If you’re in doubt about how much paper to buy, it’s best to order more rolls than you may need as unopened rolls can normally be returned,’ says James.

As a general guide, you can normally expect to get three drops of wallpaper from one roll (based on a roll width of 21in (52cm in the UK) and length 33ft (10m in the UK)) assuming the walls in your room are around 6.5 to 10ft (2 to 3m) high. However, rolls can be sized differently or may have large pattern repeats, so be sure to check the label before you buy. Most brands will usually have a wallpaper calculator available on their website to help you estimate, too.

5. Double check your measurements before cutting

‘People underestimate when cutting around light switches or where the baseboard is and tend to end up cutting too short – always double check your measurements and don’t get too carried away with the scissors,’ say Whinnie Williams and Kierra Campbell, co-founders of Poodle & Blonde .

James agrees, and adds, ‘When wallpapering a corner, always add a few inches to any measurements before cutting. It’s better to have some extra wiggle room than to cut the paper too short.’

6. Don’t paper over the cracks

Preparing the wall is essential if you want to ensure a smooth finish. Don’t be tempted to just cover up problem areas – it’ll only result in issues further down the line and potentially costly repairs.

Check for cracks, screw holes, seams and imperfections and use filler where needed. Where there have been repairs, use sandpaper to ensure a smooth surface. ‘If your wall is in really bad shape, you may need to have it plastered before applying any wallpaper,’ says Ruth.

7. Use lining paper

It may feel like extra work, but experts advise lining the walls before wallpapering to ensure you get smooth results.

‘For the best possible finish we recommend that walls are horizontally cross lined with a good quality, medium to heavyweight lining paper and allowed to dry for a minimum of 12 hours,’ says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball .

It’s worth noting that lining paper is considered a less costly alternative to replastering, so if your walls are new, you can usually afford to skip this step.

8. Paint woodwork first

‘It may sound obvious, but we’d recommend painting woodwork (baseboards, door frames, window sills etc) first before hanging wallpaper to avoid paint splashes,’ says James.

9. Save time with ‘paste-the-wall’ wallpaper

The traditional wallpaper application method requires you to apply paste to the back of the paper using a pasting table, which can be time-consuming, plus it’s tricky to do if you’re working in a tight space. ‘Paste-the-wall’ uses a special backing paper which doesn’t need to be soaked, meaning the paste can simply be applied directly to the wall. A relatively new innovation, it’s become a favorite amongst experts because it’s so easy and quick to apply.

‘It’s simpler because there’s no need to apply the paste to the wallpaper,’ say the experts at B&Q . ‘Fold it and let it soak in before hanging it. There’s no need for a pasting table either. You could save up to 30 per cent of your time compared to traditional wallpaper hanging methods.’

Applying peel and stick wallpaper is also easier than pasting the paper, if you‘re looking for a shorter term decor option in a rental, for example.

10. Go bold in small spaces

In some instances, bold color and pattern can make a room feel smaller – that’s true. However, according to the experts, if done correctly, it can actually enhance the space, not to mention makes a great statement. According to wallpaper designer Elizabeth Ockford , the key is to choose a design with a large repeat pattern.

‘Once you’ve committed to your chosen wallpaper, it’s best to avoid breaking up the space by painting some walls or using other patterns, as this can emphasize tight quarters and make the space feel even smaller,’ she advises.

How do I decide where to start wallpapering?

When choosing where to start wallpapering, Victoria Ceraudo, co-founder at Ceraudo wallpaper, suggests starting in an area that is relatively well hidden, for example behind a door or piece of furniture.

‘As this will be your first drop, it will also be the line of paper that your last drop will have to meet,’ explains Victoria. ‘There is no guarantee they will match up perfectly, so it is best for it to be somewhere relatively inconspicuous if possible.’

How you proceed to hang your wallpaper on the wall depends on the type of pattern you’re working with. For plains or small repeats, experts suggest starting at the left-hand corner and moving from left to right, however, James recommends a different approach when it comes to larger patterns or murals.

‘In this case, you’ll want to ensure the design is centralized, so start level with the middle of the focal point – a fireplace or window for example – and work your way outwards from both sides,’ he says.

How do you get perfect edges when wallpapering?

As any experienced wallpaper hanger will tell you, corners in your home are rarely ever perfectly square. You likely wouldn’t be able to tell just from looking, but they can be different from the top to the bottom, which can result in gaps when wallpapering a corner.

‘To make these tiny mistakes less noticeable, make sure you properly prep your walls before wallpapering; this includes painting the edges the same color as the wallpaper. That way, any tiny gaps will be seamlessly hidden,’ says James.

For 10 years, Tara King worked as a Content Editor in the magazine industry, before leaving to become freelance, covering interior design, wellbeing, craft and homemaking. As well as writing for Ideal Home, Style at Home, Country Homes & Interiors, Tara’s keen eye for styling combined with a passion for creating a happy – and functional – family home has led to a series of organization and cleaning features for H&G.

Best Way to Remove Wallpaper

Key Takeaways

Wallpaper primer makes wallpaper removal much easier because it prevents glue from soaking into walls.
Scroll to: First, Check for Wallpaper Primer
Provided you really soak the wallpaper, water works well to remove almost any kind of wallpaper that hasn’t been primed.
Scroll to: Trust in the Power of Water

What would you do to avoid removing wallpaper? Probably whatever you could, judging by the stories of woe we found on the web.

DIYer Rachel Meeks wrote in her “Small Notebook” blog that she was so overwhelmed by the prospect of removing 40-year-old wallpaper from several rooms that she actually knocked down a couple of walls rather than spend time scraping.

If only she’d checked. She would have found it’s actually a fairly simple DIY project so long as you have the right info, tools, and expectations. (It’s gonna take some time!)

First, Check for Wallpaper Primer

Anyone who’s managed to remove wallpaper lickety-split likely (and luckily) had walls that were sealed with wallpaper primer before they were papered, says Geoff Sharp, owner and founder of Sharper Impressions Painting Co., which operates in several cities, including Atlanta and Indianapolis.

Priming became more common in the 1990s. It prevents the wet glue from soaking into plaster or drywall and forming a tough-to-break bond.

Loosen a corner or seam with a putty knife and pull. If it peels off in a sheet, you got primed!

Being able to peel off wallpaper in complete or partial sheets after lifting the corners with a putty knife is called dry stripping.

With well-primed walls, dry stripping should work for the entire job and you could finish a room in a couple of hours at most.

Let Water Remove Wallpaper

“Wallpaper glue is water based, so water is a super-efficient remover,” says vlogger Chris Berry, known as The Idaho Painter, who owns B&K Painting in Boise. “It works so well, we use it instead of chemical wallpaper strippers on both drywall and plaster.”

Here’s what to do with water:

Score or perforate the paper and its backing in sections so water can soak through and loosen the glue. The pros recommend a scoring tool called the PaperTiger (under $20) because it doesn’t harm the wall.

Douse the perforated paper with hot water using a pump or compression sprayer (under $50). OK, wallpaper-phobics, here’s where the myth that DIY removal is the worst gets legs. The big mistake most people make is using a regular old spray bottle or damp rag to wet the paper. This leads to hours of fruitless scraping (and griping) because the paper and its backing don’t get sufficiently saturated. The sprayer, on the other hand, gives you the firepower to really soak the glue.

Let the paper soak for about 15 minutes and scrape it off with a putty knife.

It could take you six hours for an average room, but that’s way better than the days of effort it could take if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Add Steam Power for Quicker Wallpaper Removal

Another option for harnessing the power of h30 is steam.

Wallpaper steamers, which you can rent from home improvement or hardware stores, are effective and “much neater [than water] because you’re using moist heat,” says Jason Stratos, owner of Stratos Painting Co. in Springfield, Mass.

But they can be tough for steamer newbies. They’re bulky and awkward to use (done an upper body workout lately?) and it’s possible to burn yourself, warns Gina Paris of Gina Paris Design in Conneaut Lake, Pa.

So, if all this sounds like a hassle, stick with a compression sprayer, which is easier to manage.

If you have woven grasscloth: factor in the extra, painstaking step of tearing off as much of the top layer as possible to expose the backing first, because “the material rips off in thin, stringy shreds,” says Berry.

If wood paneling is underneath: They are the one exception to using water, since water and wood don’t mix. In that case, use a gel chemical stripper that won’t penetrate the wood.

Avoid the Fumes of Chemical Strippers

If water is so effective, why does stripper exist? Some pros prefer it because stripper dissolves glue faster than water. But it likely emits low-grade VOCs, or toxic chemicals.

And water is cheap. So why not go au naturel? By the way, if you use stripper, the pros recommend DIF Ultra Concentrate (pricing varies, ranging from about $5 to $35 online).

Don’t Fall for Removing Wallpaper With Fabric Softener

Through the interweb grapevine, you may have heard that fabric softener (diluted with water) is a brag-worthy way to remove old wallpaper. But we couldn’t find a single expert who agrees.

“Fabric softener just makes the process more complicated, smelly, and even messier than using just plain old water,” says Berry. You end up mixing glue with the chemicals from fabric softener. In addition, Berry says fabric softener may harm drywall.

So when it comes to removing wallpaper, the happiest journey (assuming your walls aren’t primed) involves water — and patience.

Christina Hoffmann contributed to this article.

Related: 7 Painting Hacks to Get the Look of a Pro — Without the Pro Price

The beginner’s REAL guide to hanging wallpaper

I’m participating in the One Room Challenge in which my baby boy’s nursery is getting a swift makeover. You can see the before shots here and my mood board and floor plan here.

Today, since our adorable nursery wallpaper is really the star of this show, I thought I’d share with you my tips for installing wallpaper.

Now, if you’re like me, you’ve done your fair share of Googling “HOW DO I HANG WALLPAPER”, right before you attempt to hang wallpaper.

And all you can find is the 58th tutorial that says the exact same basic thing as everything else you’ve read and doesn’t answer any of your actual REAL questions. It also makes it all sound deceptively easy because it’s been written by a professional wallpaperer who did an apprenticeship at age 12 and has papered 17,000 rooms since then, including Parliament House and Buckingham Palace.

Yeah. Easy for HIM.

So, here’s my REAL guide. These tips are for beginners who have not-a-clue. If you’re experienced at hanging wallpaper, feel free to ignore everything you’re about to read, and carry on being brilliant with your bad self.

1. Choose a paste-the-wall option.
Wallpaper comes in two varieties – the type where you apply the wallpaper adhesive to the wall, and the type where you paste the paper.

Paste-the-paper is actually a euphemism for “RUN FROM THIS OPTION LIKE THE DEVIL IS CHASING YOU WITH A FLAMING PITCHFORK STRAIGHT FROM THE FIRES OF HELL.” (They don’t tell you this because it’s no good for PR. Also, “Paste the paper” is shorter and kind of snappier.)

Here’s what it entails, not that you’ll need to know, unless you’re some kind of masochist.

Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, you will probably have to pre-soak the paper. This expands the fibres, so that when you apply the glue, it won’t expand unevenly from the moisture and therefore bubble and warp. This is exactly as painful as it sounds. I mean, before you can even get started, you’ll need a large shallow container big enough to soak your wallpaper in. (Who has one of those just lying around in their kitchen? Maybe if you’re a giant. With a giant’s kitchen. Then you’d have one for sure.)

Then you need to apply the adhesive to the paper and “book” it which means folding the paper back on itself (adhesive sides together) and leaving it to sit for a while so it can absorb the glue evenly. I think I fell asleep just typing that sentence. #aintnobodygottimeforthat

With a paste-the-wall option, the paper is essentially pre-primed so you can get straight into business.

2. Select wallpaper with no slevedge edge
WHAT THE HECK IS A SLEVEDGE EDGE?!!

Nobody knows, but you’ll sound really cool if you start bandying this term around at parties where there are lots of suave designery-type people present.

Here’s the lowdown. Typically, commercial wallpaper is printed all the way to the edge, so that when you install it, you just butt the two seams up next to each other.

However, that’s not always the case – particularly if your wallpaper is custom printed. A slevedge edge is where the wallpaper is not printed all the way to the edge of the roll. Instead, it has white seams on each side. This equals a whole lotta extra work for you. With no pay rise or benefits package.

You could pre-cut all the white seams off the paper (#tedious), but often this is no help anyway, because this type of wallpaper is generally also printed with an overlap. In other words, you have to overlap the two pieces in order to match the pattern correctly.

If you don’t want an obvious raised bump underneath the place where the two pieces overlap (and trust me, you don’t want that), you’ll be required to make a long straight cut down the centre of the overlapping seams – ON THE WALL, and then pull out the overlapped pieces you’ve cut away.

This is even more horrifying than it sounds. It’s difficult to make perfectly straight, long cuts on a vertical surface, even when you’re using a straight edge. Especially when your wallpaper is as thick as cardboard and you have two layers of it to cut through. Ask me how I know this.

(Two words: Master bedroom…)

It’s a good idea to check with the wallpaper supplier about this detail, as it’s usually not mentioned on site. Learn from the error of my ways, little grasshopper.

In good news, the nursery wallpaper was conveniently printed all the way to the edge, which saved me hours of effort and quite possibly prevented me from going into labour on a ladder.

3. Size the wall first.
Wallpaper size is this kind of slippery, gelatinous stuff that you paint straight onto the wall with a paint roller. It basically creates a forgiving surface so that when you’re positioning your wallpaper, you can slide it around a little to get it in exactly the right spot.

You may be wondering, as I did, but that sounds suspiciously like extra work. Do I REALLY need to size the wall???

Have you ever covered a school book in contact?

Soul-destroying, isn’t it?

Well, I hate to tell you this, but wallpapering is exactly like that. On a gigantic scale.

Oh, yes. Picture an exercise book the size of an entire room. Now you’re getting it.

Being able to easily reposition your paper will save you from ending up in foetal position in the corner at the end of this experience, rocking and muttering as you stare at the bubbling, crooked wallpaper that is now affixed to your walls for all of eternity.

(Until you burn the house down because your OCD can’t stand it for one minute more.)

Now, because I know you’re every bit as lazy as me, here’s one juicy tip. You can probably get away without sizing your wall if you’re using heavy enough wallpaper. In my Master bedroom makeover, the paper was extremely high quality, virtually as thick as cardboard. Because I could handle the paper a little more forcefully without worrying about tearing it, the wallpaper adhesive alone was plenty slippery enough to get the job done.

(On the other hand, the time I saved by not having to size was eaten up by trying to cut through that thick-as-steel paper with a hacksaw held in my trembling white-knuckled hands. So…. yeah. There’s that.)

Moral of the story? Size your walls. Oh, and it also makes it way easier to remove the paper down the track. You will need to cover your entire wall with size before the next step.

4. It’s just like painting a wall
Next step, wallpaper adhesive. You can apply this straight away, right over the top of the size. No need to wait for it to dry. (You want it slippery, remember?)

Applying wallpaper adhesive to your wall is just like painting, without the perfectionism. You can slap that stuff on like a kindergartener on a sugar high.

Use a drop sheet to protect your carpet, but seriously, if it splatters a bit, who cares. Keep a box of baby wipes handy and wipe it off before it dries. If you miss a spot, no biggie, it dries clear anyway.

You’ll need a ladder, because like painting a wall, you need to “cut in” around the edges with the adhesive, simply because there’ll be bits your roller can’t reach. Then use a paint roller on an extender pole to make for quick work of the rest.

Or, if you like me and you can’t find your extender pole because the kids have been using it to vault over the back fence or something, then you will have to climb up and down the ladder on repeat until your legs feel like jelly and you curse the day you stopped going to the gym because you couldn’t be bothered any more. Then you will be so sore you can’t walk for the next two days. And you will curse the day you decided to wallpaper a room.

In short, there will be cursing. (Unless you’re super fit, in which case I don’t want to hear about it. #wecan’tbefriends #sorry #atleastnotuntilIgobacktothegym)

Unlike the size, you’ll only be applying adhesive to one “strip” of wall at a time, so it doesn’t dry out before you get to it. Paint it on from floor to ceiling in an area that’s a bit wider than your strip of wallpaper.

3. Remember that walls aren’t straight
Gosh, it’s tempting to just line up that first strip of wallpaper with the corner of the wall and call it a day. Girl, I hear you.

But, well, you know how something always looks perfectly straight when you’re up close to it, then you stand back and it’s like the leaning tower of Pisa? Yeah, that.

The standard advice is to use a plumb bob, and I’m here to tell you that I tried this and it sucked more than a root canal on Christmas Day.

I mean seriously. Where are you supposed to dangle that thing from anyway? And once it’s hanging in mid air, how are you supposed to get an accurate mark on the wall from it?

Psssht. Plumb bob, shmum-bob. We don’t want your smarty-pants advice, Mister I-have-wallpapered-17,00-rooms-including-Buckingham-Palace.

Use a spirit level instead, kids. Hold it vertically against the edge of the paper until you get your paper straight. Done.

5. Cut your strip of wallpaper about 6 inches longer than the height of the wall
You need some excess to work with at the top and bottom. Even if you measure the height of the wall exactly, ceilings aren’t exactly straight. Basically, your entire house is crooked, ‘kay?

What you’ll be doing is smoothing your paper on first, then trimming it at the top and bottom to get an exact fit. You’ll need a good solid metal straight edge and a sharp craft knife for this.

I mean really though, who actually has a metal straight edge just lying around the place? Not me. I have plastic rulers in this house. So that’s what I used. Because I’m so professional in every way.

Basically you just ram whatever ~~plastic ruler~~ straight edge you have as hard into the corner of the cornice (crown molding) as you can and try to keep your blade hard up against the straight edge, while your hands start shaking like you have Parkinson’s from the exertion of holding them above your head while exerting constant even pressure on the blade.

Told you this would be easy.

Okay, I pretty much sucked at this bit. (Much like all the other bits.)

In good news, you can’t even see the wonky bits when you stand back and squint.

No, really, you can’t – don’t sweat it. I’m pretty OCD (I know you would never believe this, perhaps due to my tendency to take lazy DIY shortcuts and then blog about them) but even though my efforts were far from perfect, the wallpaper creates such a dramatic overall effect that no one even notices the small mistakes.

(Or if they do, they’re not telling me about it. They’ve all seen the crazed post-wallpapering gleam in my eye and they are treading very carefully.)

6. A wallpaper brush does nothing, but baby wipes are everything
A wallpaper brush. What even IS that? I bought one because “they” said to. (You know, the experts on Google who we’ve already established are not to be trusted because they don’t suck like the rest of us.)

Using this thing is like trying to roll out stiff pastry with a sponge. It achieves precisely nothing.

You may as well attempt to smooth down your walls with a fluffy baby rabbit.

I tried various implements in my quest for wallpaper smoothness, and the wallpaper brush did not even rate. A clean, dry foam roller was really good. You can use a fair bit of pressure without damaging the paper. Hands were just as good (as long as you keep them clean.)

The brush? Pfffft.

Oh, but baby wipes. You’ll want a box of those sitting nearby, and I’m just letting you know, you’ll use nearly the whole box to wipe off excess glue, spattered glue, and sticky fingers.

But nobody tells you these things. That’s why you need to get your wallpapering tips from a mummy-blog.

7. Keep scissors handy for the tricky bits
Power points, windows and doors. Mister I-have-wallpapered-17,00-rooms-including-Buckingham-Palace makes this part sound oh-so-easy.

Thank you, Google, for making us all so acutely aware of just how much we suck.

Look, the truth is, these bits are not easy whatsoever. Not the first time you try it, nor even the second time.

However, after a couple of bungled attempts, you’ll have it down pat, and next thing you know, you’ll be writing articles for the internet about how easy and effortless it is to wallpaper around a power point.

Until then, just stick a piece of furniture in front of the bit you stuffed up, and remember, nobody goes around looking at power points anyway.

To tackle a power point, make sure your power is turned off at the mains first. You don’t want your knife blade going into an electrical socket by accident. Let’s just say there’ll be no more room makeovers for you.

(Did I actually do this? Of course not. But please do as I say and not as I do. If you ignore my advice and electrocute yourself, please don’t sue me. Because I told you so. And also, you’ll be dead, so you can’t.)

Pop off the covers (a butter knife does the trick.) Covers hide a multitude of sins, by which I mean raggedy crooked edges. Score.

Then, hang the wallpaper straight over the top of the power point.

This will feel awkward and completely wrong. It will look like your wall is pregnant with an alien life form. But it’s actually all right. I know this because Google told me so.

Smooth the paper down as close as you can to the edges. (Hint: you won’t be able to get in all that close.)

Find the outermost corner of the powerpoint with your finger, then make a diagonal cut straight across the wall socket from one corner to the other. Do the same on the other side to make a cross. Then you can peel back the four points and use your ~~plastic ruler~~ straight edge and blade to trim the paper around the wall socket.

For window frames, make one diagonal cut on each corner, but – (HANDY HINT!) – use a pair of scissors so you don’t damage the paintwork on the frame.

6. And remember… it gets easier!
I don’t mean to scare you off.

I know in theory that the purpose of an online tutorial is to make everything sound easy-peasy, but I will just tell you, when I was wallpapering my first room, I would’ve preferred the warts-and-all-version.

I wanted to know if someone else out there was sweating over what the heck they were doing and asking all the questions no-one else seemed to be asking.

THAT to me makes a new task seem a whole lot more approachable.

So there you have it – my real guide to applying wallpaper. In good news, it really wasn’t all that hard. The nursery took me about four hours, and remember, I did it while I was 39 weeks pregnant and the size of a gestating hippo. And, if I do say so myself, it looks amazing. (Stay tuned for the big reveal coming up soon!)

If I can do it, you totally can too.

Wallpaper Tips & Info – Wallcovering Installers Association

Why wallpaper… isn’t paint cheaper and easier?

Before tackling any home improvement or decorating project, there are recent rulings established to prevent the hazards of lead-based paint. To read more on these wallpaper tips, click here.

A professional wallpaper installation may last 15 to 25 years or more with a look that you simply cannot get from paint. Wallpaper and installation are paid for once. As opposed to multiple purchases of paint and labor to over the same period. Wallpaper is far easier to clean up when compared to paint as well. Generally speaking, you can wipe up any marks or stains from a wallpaper’s acrylic or vinyl surface with a sponge. While the same can be said of modern painted surfaces, many times this leaves a shiny or dull spot where marks or stains used to be on a painted surface. For further information, please refer to our Why Wallpaper Page.

Where do I buy wallpaper?

There are a few ways that you can purchase wallpaper. Interior decorators, home improvement stores, and your local paint or wallpaper stores. Interior decorators are generally the most expensive route, though they may offer the best advice as to what particular wallcoverings best complement your overall decorating scheme. Local paint, wallpaper, and home improvement stores generally save you more money, but you will need to spend time matching your wallpaper needs with your existing home decor. Some of these stores have free in-house consultants for this purpose.

What is a pattern match?

On all wallpaper, except some textures and murals, there is what is called a pattern match or pattern repeat. This is the vertical distance between one point on a pattern design to the identical point vertically. This pattern repeat is an integral part of the design. A random match is one in which the pattern matches no matter how adjoining strips are positioned. Stripes are a good example. A straight-across match is one in which the design elements match on adjoining strips. A drop match is one in which there is a vertical drop between the matching design elements. With straight-across matches, every hung strip is the same as the ceiling line. With drop matches, the number of strips hung before a strip is repeated is dependent on the type of drop match. Patterns with a significant drop match (24 inches or greater) will require additional wallpaper to be ordered.

How do I measure for wallpaper?

Refer to the wallpaper estimation page.

Do I need an interior decorator?

No, as long as you are willing to invest the time to browse through the wallpaper books to find the wallpaper that suits your taste. If you are unsure about what wallpapers will complement your home decor, most home improvement centers and wallpaper stores have associates who will be able to assist you. Home improvement and wallpaper stores generally sell for 10-50% (or more) off of full list price.

Can I hang it myself? What are the wallpaper tips for DIY?

Yes. There are numerous resources available online and at home improvement stores to aid in self-installation. First-time installers should avoid kitchens and bathrooms, as these are more complicated. Certain types of wallpaper should only be hung by professionals and you must match your particular skill level, wallpaper type, and complexity of application to give you a fair indication whether it’s time to call for help.

Can I repair a small tear?

Yes, and if done properly, the repair is practically invisible. As illustrated below, place a larger piece of wallpaper over the tear so that it makes an exact match with the wallpaper on the wall. Use a razor knife (with new blade) to double-cut through both layers around the tear. Remove both layers, clean the exposed wall area and re-paste the new piece into the area. After 15 minutes lightly seam-roll the fitted edge. Note that an irregular, wavy cut following the design in the wallpaper will make your cut less noticeable. If there is a pattern around the damaged area, attempt as much as possible to follow this pattern with your cuts, as this will camouflage the repair as well.

Can I hang wallpaper over old paneling, brick,

textured walls, etc.?
Absolutely. Start with good preparation by removing all nails or other protruding objects. For textured surfaces, “knock down” any high points. For paneling, now is the time to ensure that the paneling is secure. Do this by adding additional nails if needed. For slick surfaces/paneling, wash with TSP (TriSodium Phosphate) or equivalent grease cutting cleaner.

Now, you can hang bridging material. This is thick, blank wallpaper designed for irregular surfaces. Once hung, this will “bridge” the grooves in paneling or other unusual surface allowing for the ultimate application of wallpaper or paint.

Alternate/additional advice: The application of joint compound to the grooves of paneling is an additional precaution when using bridging material. Some wallpaper installers use the “joint compound, then primer” technique instead of bridging material.

For ceramic or other tile, sand the surface with 200-400 grit sandpaper followed by rinsing with TSP. Apply a prep coat and then hang your bridging material. Examples of prep coats include Roman’s R-35, Zinsser’s Z-54, California Paint’s Prep ‘n Size, Golden Harvest’s BITE, Muralo’s Adhesium, Duron’s Tack Prep or Benjamin Moore’s Wall-Grip.

What types of wallpaper are there?

There are many types of wallpaper. Wallpaper consists of a backing material and a surface layer. The backing material could one of the four major types and the surface layer could be paper, fabric, vinyl, natural textile, or one of many other types.

Should I inspect my wallpaper when I receive it?

Yes. When you receive it, check the wallpaper you have purchased roll by roll to ensure you have the correct pattern, color and sufficient quantity of the same lot number. There are many flaws you can spot even with new wallpaper right from the store or shipping company. Some of them include damaged edges, un-even coloring from side to side or roll to roll, or other flaws.

What should I be thinking about before I order wallpaper?

How good are the walls? If the walls are perfect, a flat finish wallpaper will work or a silk/shimmer effect. If the walls are less than perfect, look for a paper with an embossed or expanded surface texture. For areas that have a lot of use (e.g. hallways), a very plain finish will show marks. A textured or patterned surface is a little more forgiving.

Do you want the same wallcovering throughout the whole house or personalize the rooms? Borders are one way to add personality while maintaining continuity.

How much light do you get in the room? Remember, light colors reflect light and dark colors absorb light. Don’t be frightened of stronger colors as they can be very expressive and add &quotdepth&quot to a room. Colors affect your mood so think about the mood you want to create. For example, “Greens” are restful, “Reds” are stimulating, “Yellows” are happy and “Blues” are cooling. Think about your own color preferences or pallet – the colors you select for your clothes. Do you want your home to be tranquil and peaceful, or exciting and vibrant? Whatever the mood, it should be a reflection of your personality. Have fun with wallpaper!

If you really want to express yourself with wallpaper, here are a few ideas:

Wallpaper the Ceiling – Why not the same pattern as the walls or a coordinating paper. A little floral on the ceiling of a bedroom could look really super.

Borders – There are some wonderful borders available to coordinate your wallpaper. Run a border at ceiling height. Create a split wall with a border at chair rail height; a darker paper below and light coordinate above. Create a panel in the center of a wall with a border edging mitered on the corners. Use borders around architectural features such as doors and windows. Use more than one border thickness – wide and narrow. Run a border at the chair rail height and one at the ceiling level.

Run a border at ceiling height Create a split wall with a border at chair rail height, a darker paper below, and light coordinate above. Create a panel in the center of a wall with a border edging mitered on the corners. Use borders around architectural features such as doors, and windows. Use more than one border, they are available wide, and narrow. Run a border at the chair rail height, and one at the ceiling level.

Can I paint over wallpaper or hang wallpaper over existing wallpaper?

Though the steps below are specifically for painting wallpaper, the same techniques may be applied to hang wallpaper over old wallpaper.

Yes, you may. The best route is to use proper wallpaper stripping techniques first. This will tell you if the wallpaper can be stripped successfully or not. Where wallpaper is adhered to unprepared drywall, this can be the only way to go.

Before deciding to paint over wallpaper, always attempt to strip the existing paper first. If after a valid, dedicated attempt at paper removal and it causes wall damage or just refuses to come off, then you may take the steps for painting. Do not take this decision lightly! Wallpaper stripping over a properly prepared surface is actually easy to do. Stripping painted over wallpaper can be the worst-case scenario and will cause you or the future homeowner problems.

Preparation is the key to painting over wallpaper. Remove any loose paper areas first. Then apply joint compound to any nail holes, seam areas or other damaged spots. Sand these areas smooth after proper curing time. The more time you spend filling holes, patching, smoothing and sanding the better your end result will be. Once have finished your prep, close your eyes and rub your hand over the entire wall surface. Your hand will tell you where the errors are better than your eye. Without valiant efforts at preparation, it will look just like you painted over wallpaper.

Then apply a good quality primer/sealer such as Scotch Paint’s Draw-Tite, Zinsser’s Gardz, Roman’s Liquid Drywall, or Sherwin Williams’ PrepRite Drywall Conditioner over the entire surface. Now your wall is 100% ready for paint or additional wallpaper.

How do I prepare my walls for wallpaper?

The Wallpaper Preparation Page covers it all.

12 tips – choosing wallpaper for a small office and other small spaces

It is believed that the owners of small spaces are limited in the choice of finishing materials, including wallpaper. And those shades, patterns and drawings that look beautiful on the walls of spacious interiors will visually reduce the already insignificant volumes of typical apartments. Is it really? Not really! With a thoughtful approach, application can be found not only for smooth, habitually beige canvases, but also for ornamental, as well as color-rich coatings. We analyze the main tips that will help you choose wallpaper for a small office and other rooms

1. Add some heat
Rooms “facing” north need additional “heating”. Here, wall coverings of warm shades will come to the rescue. They should be chosen carefully – only whitened golden, lemon or orange canvases will give the desired result. Dense and saturated red and even yellow wallpapers, of course, will bring a little warmth to the “atmosphere”, but at the same time they will optically reduce the area of the room.

Rebecca Hayes Interiors

2. Lower 9 degrees0006
If the windows of the room to be renovated are facing south or west, then in the morning hours or, conversely, in the afternoon, at sunset, there is probably an excess of sunlight in the room. You can “reduce the temperature” in the room using wallpaper in cold shades, say, gray, blue or light green. Along the way, they will “work” on the space – they will correct it by visually pushing the walls apart and increasing the footage.

You don’t have to choose a wallpaper with a blue base – a similar effect can be easily achieved with a light base coat with a blue ornament.

Liz Miller Interiors

3. Play with Contrast
Decorators call this technique an accent wall – use contrasting (in relation to the coverings of the other three walls) wallpaper for pasting one wall out of four. Then this vertical plane will dominate the rest, and the boundaries of the room will be blurred (example in the photo).

Michael Robert Construction

4. Smooth – Ugly
It is better to refuse to glue homogeneous canvases right away – the walls will look dull, and therefore require the active use of paintings, posters, photographs. The abundance of wall decor will not benefit a small room – it will “become” even smaller. Therefore, we advise you to abandon the idea of \u200b\u200bsuch a design.

SPACE Architects + Planners

5. Bet on the texture
In the case of small rooms, relief canvases are considered a win-win option. Moreover, regardless of how many colors are used to “print” them – one or more. The “frankness” of the texture is not important at all: even a slight, barely noticeable relief has a positive effect on the visual perception of small volumes.

At the same time, the more noticeable the latter is, the more obvious the play of light and shadow will appear and, of course, the more spacious the room will look.

Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly

6. More shine!
With a lack of footage, preference should not be given to matte, light-absorbing coatings, but to wallpaper with at least a minimum reflectivity. It is quite enough if individual fragments of the patterns covering the canvas will moderately “shine”.

Thorp Design

7. Not only the size of the ornament is important, but its saturation
There is an opinion that large ornaments are not shown in small-sized rooms. Let me disagree! It’s not about the size of the pattern, but about its color and “presence” in the room. If we are talking about canvases that are neutral in tone (white, beige, etc.), decorated with a low-contrast pattern, then they can be safely used for pasting all the walls of the room.

LUX Design | Interior Design Build

8. Limit active patterns
In the case of brightly ornamented wallpaper, you should be much more careful, ie. apply them in “homeopathic doses”, combine with other coatings. So we will be able to “put” a semantic point, focusing on the most important part of the room. In addition, the colorful vertical plane will visually move away, and the footage of the room will appear larger.

gosto design & lifestyle

9. Geometry is strength
One more thing, I will immediately note, is erroneous, an opinion is often expressed in relation to canvases with a geometric pattern. Say, stripes, cages, ikats, lattices, chevrons, different circles and squares negatively affect the well-being of those who are in their environment. This statement is only partly correct. Indeed, in a small room, where all the walls are “lined” – from floor to ceiling, fatigue is guaranteed, and almost immediately.

But if, say, a “stripe” or an image resembling it, was used to decorate only one vertical plane, then the positive aspects of this type of wallpaper will appear, as in the office with the photo above. A vertically located pattern will raise the ceiling, oriented horizontally will correct the geometry of the room for the better.

Hoi Ning Wong

10. Build a “palisade”
It provides exactly the same effect as striped wallpaper. At the same time, this technique allows the combination of different canvases, differing not only in color and plot, but also in width. In addition, among its strengths is the ability to vary the “step” of the canvases involved in the combination. In other words, the wall covering will no longer turn out to be tediously monotonous, and therefore it can be used to decorate absolutely all the walls in the room.

Tip: The more contrast the canvases that make up the composition, the higher the ceilings will appear.

Sophie Burke Design

11. Divide and Conquer
If the main disadvantage of the room is a low ceiling, “break” the walls in height. To implement the idea, you will need wallpaper of two options. The main condition for the harmony of the selected “tandem”: the colors and plots of the canvases used must be combined with each other. More often, the lower third or half of the wall is pasted over with darker wallpaper, and the rest with light coatings. The reverse option – light bottom, dark top – is also quite viable.

SEE ALSO…
Combination of wallpaper in two colors in the living room

Along with this, photo coatings radically transform the existing volume, making it larger, lighter, brighter, more fun and more diverse. In order not to miscalculate the location of the furniture, first they find a place for a photo panel in the room and only then for everything else.

The same role is played by interior stickers, which today are not only plain, but also with a “wallpaper” theme.

SEE ALSO…
Wallpaper in the living room — 300 examples of completed interiors

Wallpaper in the living room: 100 photos with options, tips for choosing, fashion trends Today you can easily find an option for any style and budget: from luxurious designer ornaments to laconic plain canvases.

So that the decoration does not get bored and does not spoil the overall design, you need to choose the right color, texture, pattern and think over the combination with other interior elements. In this article, we’ll show you how to do it.

Choosing trendy wallpapers for the living room

Which ones are suitable
Colors
Trends 2022
— Nature motifs
— Story print
– Abstraction
– Exotic
— Textured
— Chinoiserie
– Underwater World
— Minimalism
Combination

Instagram @mindtgap

Thinking about what wallpaper to choose for the living room, first of all, look at the material. Fortunately, there are no restrictions for this room, as, for example, for the kitchen, bathroom or nursery. It is enough to choose a durable and environmentally friendly coating that fits your budget and needs. Consider the most popular options.

Paper – inexpensive and at the same time environmentally friendly coating, you can choose any color and pattern. Suitable for any room where there is no high humidity. Therefore, if the living room is combined with the kitchen, do not use them in the cooking area. Another disadvantage of paper sheets is that they are not as durable as other types, so mechanical stress on them should be avoided.

Vinyl – consist of two layers (the bottom one is made of paper or non-woven fabric and the top one is made of vinyl), therefore it is stronger and more durable than paper ones. Accordingly, the price is higher – but it’s worth it. The coating is made of foamed or smooth vinyl. The first one passes air well, but retains moisture, the second – vice versa. If it is important for you that the room “breathes”, choose the first type. If you want the wallpaper to be easy to wash, choose the second option.

Non-woven – made from cellulose, therefore they are similar to paper ones, but thanks to the artificial fibers in the composition (most often polyester is added) they are much stronger. They can be washed and painted, and several times – this is convenient if you want to make repairs and change the color of the walls, but do not spend money on a new coating.

Glass fiber – made from natural ingredients (quartz, lime, etc.), a durable fabric is woven from glass threads. This type is produced for painting, so there will be no variety of patterns and colors. Fiberglass is a healthy, strong and durable material. Suitable for those who have active children or pets at home that can damage the finish – the glass wall paper is anti-vandal and will withstand any mechanical stress.

Textile – consist of several layers: paper base and fabric on the outside. This is a very beautiful material that will make any interior luxurious due to its texture. The main disadvantage is obvious – the high price. Also, textile wallpapers require careful care and collect dust, so you will need to do regular cleaning.

Liquid – a modern material, sold as a mixture and looks more like decorative plaster than classic canvases. The coating is environmentally friendly and durable, gives an interesting texture and is available for painting.

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Instagram @hilaryscolourfulhome

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Decoration

5 wallpapers that spoil the interior (and what to replace them with)

Visually, the decoration takes up most of the room and, accordingly, the main part of the palette.

Instagram @sarahvailedesign

It can be anything: dark and light, cold and warm. The main thing is that the walls do not “crush”, do not ripple in the eyes and organically combine with furniture and decor.

When choosing a color, first of all, focus on your preferences, and not on fleeting trends – the finish will be more difficult to change than textiles or an armchair. If there are no ideas, then pay attention to sustainable trends that have stood the test of time and are unlikely to go out of fashion in the coming years. These include:

Natural shades – sand, straw, gray, muted green, brown, light blue, etc. Take any tone as a basis, the main thing is that it be natural and not too bright.

Pastel colors – beige, powdery pink, mint, pistachio, lilac look unusual and beautiful. So that there is no busting with them, balance them with white, gray and black.

Achromats are good on their own. Light gray walls are a versatile and safe option, black walls are bold and spectacular, white is a must-have for scandi, eco and other modern trends. To prevent the interior from looking too dull or gloomy, dilute achromatic colors with bright accents in the form of furniture, decor or wallpaper patterns.

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Instagram @irakliz

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Interior colors

The most complete guide to interior color combinations with tables and examples

Check out the trendiest living room wallpapers in 2022.

Nature

The botanical pattern does not lose popularity. It can be large or small flowers, abstract patterns of leaves from stems, fruits and berries.

Instagram @thevintageroom

The more active the print, the more careful you need to handle it. If you don’t have a bold eclectic interior, it’s best to stick bright wallpaper on an accent wall (for example, behind the TV, sofa or fireplace), and choose a neutral finish for the rest of the walls.

Floral patterns can be found in a variety of styles: from romantic Provence to discreet Scandi. Such an ornament is not suitable only for ascetic modern trends: hi-tech, minimalism, loft in its purest form.

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Instagram @thevintageroom

Finishing materials

Which wallpaper to choose in 2022? 9 trends and 108 photos for inspiration

Story print

Among the living room wallpaper designs, one of the most striking trends is a large story print that is not repeated throughout the canvas like standard patterns.

Instagram @m_interiors_tx

This is usually a landscape painting that occupies the entire height of the wall. The theme can be anything, but most often these are ethnic or historical subjects: gardens with animals and birds, scenes of hunting, trade or village life.

These canvases are best used locally – for example, on one wall. And support with calmer wallpaper, paint or decorative plaster.

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Abstraction

Abstract prints will be relevant for a long time due to their diversity.

Instagram @amy_moorea

It can be laconic non-contrasting patterns, and complex ornaments with many details, and geometry. Abstraction refers to any repeating pattern without a clearly discernible form.

These canvases can be used both as a base and as a visual accent, depending on the size, color and saturation of the print. There are also no restrictions on style: gold-plated monograms are suitable for classics, and a small simple print is suitable for modern or Scandinavian style.

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Decoration

Making it bright: 7 original ways to add ornament to the interior

Exotic

Everything exotic does not lose ground. Such wallpapers will make the interior of the living room bright and spectacular.

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Exotic prints include:

Tropical flora: palm leaves, ferns, creepers, rare fruits and flowers.

Animals – tigers, lions, jaguars, panthers, parrots, monkeys, giraffes, hummingbirds and other inhabitants of the jungle.

Oriental motifs – from Arabic to Japanese-Chinese themes.

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Instagram @cavacolours

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Instagram @lamtsova_design

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Textured

Simple plain canvases with a pronounced texture look elegant and reserved.

Instagram @samanthatodhunterdesign

It can be either an imitation of any natural material (marble, concrete, wood, metal), or the surface relief itself. For example, voluminous threads look very beautiful, which are not striking, but are clearly visible upon close examination. The surface can be velvety matte or with a slight glossy sheen.

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Fascinating scenes from the life of the Celestial Empire are not original, but a romanticized representation of Europeans of the 17th-18th centuries about the distant mysterious east. Imitations of Western masters received a beautiful French name chinoiserie, but its translation is prosaic and even rude – “Chinese”. However, this does not in the least spoil the ornament itself, which was loved not only by the French, but also took root with us. Such wallpapers are often used in the living room to create a stylized accent.

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Instagram @louisebooyensinteriors

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Instagram @divinesavages

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Instagram @studioashby

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Decoration

Damask, paisley and 8 more interior design names that you will need

Underwater

Pretty fish, algae and seahorse accents are the way to go in the bathroom.

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But recently, marine scenes have gone beyond the bathroom and increasingly began to appear in living rooms. Including in the living room.

Nautical ornament looks organically in ironic eclecticism, Mediterranean and vintage style. On the walls can be any underwater inhabitants: from Japanese carps and seahorses to pearl shells and fantasy fish.

Instagram @plan_dizain

It can be:

Non-contrasting, as simple as possible geometric or abstract pattern.

Plain canvas – ready to cover or to be painted.

Large stripes or color blocks.

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Instagram @navierdecor

Pattern and plain finish. Everything is simple here: we use a bright canvas with a pattern accentuated and complement it with a calm monochromatic one. So that the finish does not look scattered, let the colors overlap.

Wallpaper with a pattern and paint. Visually, this combination looks the same as in the previous version, but the plain canvases here are replaced by ordinary paint. This is a more economical choice.

Two patterns. For example, animalistic ornament and geometry, polka dots and abstraction, floral print and stripes look good together. When you introduce two ornaments into the interior, it is important that the rest of the elements do not conflict with them. It is better to choose a plain finish and furniture – even if they are bright, but without a pattern.

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Decoration

6 most successful combinations of patterns in the interior

Prepared by

Anastasia Stepanova

Wallpaper according to all the rules.

Tip from L’grans
08/12/2017

How to start apartment renovation? Of course, with wall decoration. It is necessary to decide on the color, pattern and texture of the wallpaper. They will set the mood for the entire design of the room as a whole.

Choosing the right wallpaper

When choosing wallpaper, customers often face the problem of a huge assortment on the market today – the eyes run wide from the abundance of all kinds of colors and patterns!

However, there are certain rules for choosing wallpaper. Designers advise you to follow them so that the situation in the apartment does not quickly get tired, and you would not have to do repairs again in a year.

It must be remembered that the interior of the room should be no more than three primary colors. Ceiling and walls or ceiling and flooring, which make up 70% of the interior, should be of the same shade, from which you will need to build on. Furniture and floor or matching furniture and door will make up 20% of the main color, and finally, pillows, paintings and other small items can be highlighted with a third color (the remaining 10%).

What psychologists say about the color of the wallpaper

Psychologists say that the color of the interior greatly affects the human body, its mood, performance and even digestion. Therefore, when choosing wallpaper, it is necessary to take into account that soft peach, beige, green tones soothe, emotionally restore. Saturated red, orange colors, on the contrary, cause aggression and irritate. Dark blue, purple and black shades cause drowsiness in a person, feelings of fatigue, oppression.

Another rule for wallpaper selection is the following: it is necessary to take into account the properties of a certain color to visually increase or decrease the area of the room. Dark blue, purple, red tones will make the interior more comfortable in large spacious rooms. For a small room, it is better to take wallpaper in delicate peach, beige shades. They will visually enlarge and refresh the room.

In a situation where the room is on the sunny side, it is better to make the walls darker in color (chocolate, blue, black) so that it absorbs too much daylight. In rooms with low natural light, it is better to use light-colored wallpapers that reflect light.

In the bedroom, it is better to use wallpaper in soft shades, which have a positive effect on the body and sleep. In the children’s room, you should also not abuse bright, saturated colors that can cause aggression and excitement. Light green, blue, pink tones are more suitable here.

Red, yellow, orange, cherry colors are appetizing. Blue, blue, purple and other cold tones suppress it, calming the person. When choosing a kitchen interior, this rule must be taken into account.

For hallways and corridors, it would be more correct to choose soft shades of blue, chocolate, purple. They are cozier, warmer and more welcoming.

Patterns on wallpaper, what to choose

When choosing wallpaper, you need to consider not only their color, but also the pattern depicted on them. It also plays an important role in the visual perception of the interior of the room. So, a small pattern will increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe room, make it wider and more spacious. A large ornament will reduce the room, and it will look cramped. If you still liked the big pattern, then the color of the wallpaper should be as light as possible, which will soften the interior of the room.

A small geometric ornament will look good in the hallway, in the kitchen – small inserts of drawings on a culinary theme, in the nursery – interesting “cartoon” pictures on the wallpaper. The child will have fun in such a room.

Keep in mind that horizontal stripes on the wallpaper will make the ceilings visually lower, while vertical stripes will make them look higher. It is desirable that the furniture, doors, curtains, carpets and other items in the room blend gently with the wallpaper, and not merge against their background.

It should be noted that a certain color, pattern and texture of wallpaper look different in natural and artificial lighting. Therefore, you need to take very seriously the choice of wallpaper in those rooms where artificial lighting will be of an unusual color.

The most interesting thing is to decorate each room in the apartment in a certain style and color, so that when you enter another room, you get into a completely new environment. Such an unusual decision will have a positive effect on mood, create comfort and keep the body in good shape.

There are now a large number of firms providing design services. They will allocate an interior designer from their staff, who will help in the selection of not only wallpaper, but also everything necessary for the renovation of the apartment. Their prices are not the cheapest and, most often, fixed. It will be more economical to turn to a private designer – his services usually cost clients much less. And it’s easier to negotiate with him, since he works for himself.

In any case, the final result will depend on the imagination and desires of the owner of the apartment.

What kind of wallpaper to choose for the kitchen

The best option for decorating a room with difficult operating conditions, such as a kitchen, is a washable wallpaper. A mandatory requirement is not getting wet, characterized by durability, which can be safely washed using special products.

Violation of the repair requirements may lead to negative consequences. Finishing materials that are not resistant to sunlight and steam will not last long. In a short time, the kitchen will cease to be neat and aesthetic. When choosing a suitable wallpaper, look at the characteristics of the material – you need to consider that they should:

Do not get wet from water and steam;

be vapor-tight;

do not lose its quality under the influence of the sun;

has a higher level of density.

Here it is necessary to note such an important point: the best option is when everything is washed, cleaned without unnecessary difficulties. Thus, you should not buy wallpaper if it is not possible to wash it or if it has a large pattern. Light-resistant models are always additionally marked and the higher the indicated indicator, the more wear-resistant and durable the wallpaper.

What are wallpapers?

Various types of wallpaper can be found on sale, but the most suitable for finishing the kitchen:

non-woven;

cullet;

silk;

vinyl.

Vinyl

Vinyl wallpaper – almost ideal for use in kitchens. They are strong enough, do not react to moisture, have a solid service life – up to 8 years. Design experts recommend opting for reminiscent decorative finishing materials: namely, stone, fabric, wood.

Vinyl is a hard and durable material that can be washed and will last a very long time. Vinyl wallpapers have so-called micropores through which moisture easily evaporates, so mold does not form.

Vinyl wallpaper is equipped with micropores – “breathable”, evaporating moisture – ultimately, the appearance of mold is excluded. If you choose cheaper models, then before gluing it is necessary to treat the walls with an antiseptic.

Non-woven

Interlining is a natural material based on compressed cellulose fibers. This kind of finishing materials for walls is much stronger than paper. Non-woven wallpaper is classified as “breathable”; do not thump if wet; perfectly “clean” small scratches on a specific surface, freely glued.

Glass and fiberglass

This type of wallpaper is quite reliable, resistant to moisture – it will last for more than one year. These wallpapers are suitable for decorating any room. Glass fiber masks damage to the walls and excludes the appearance of new ones. If we conduct a comparative analysis with wallpaper made of vinyl, then these are vapor-permeable and safe. No need to worry about the appearance of fungus on the walls.

As for the kitchen, they are used for painting, up to 10 layers of paint can be applied to such wallpapers – and they will not lose their original attractiveness. In addition, glass wallpapers have a rather unique and pretty relief. These are branches, and different patterns, and much more. If a person likes smooth walls, it is better to take fiberglass.

Silk-screen printing

Silk-screen printing is a type of paper-based vinyl wallpaper, the top layer of which is trimmed with special silk threads. Silkscreen:

does not respond to humidity;

has not changed its appearance for many years;

will not fade.

Wet clean

Washable non-woven wallpaper is a great option for decorating your kitchen. They can be washed or wiped with a wet sponge with a special solution. Those types that are offered by our catalog can be ordered both for the bathroom and for the corridor. They do not react to moisture, are strong enough.

For painting

All the above wallpapers can be painted several times, after 2-3 years you can renew the interior by repainting the walls. The types of wallpaper discussed above are highly durable, able to mask small defects on the walls. Wallpaper for painting can be of two types: smooth (we are talking about non-woven fabric and fiberglass) and embossed (fiberglass is used here, spraying). Most varieties resemble various plasters – with different patterns.

It is impossible to imagine a renovation in an apartment or the design of any living space without a beautiful and original design, wall decoration. There are a huge number of different wallpapers and their choice depends solely on client preferences.

Which varieties are not suitable for the kitchen?

Paper-type wallpaper should not be used to finish the kitchen area – they instantly lose their color, “collect” all odors, are not resistant to moisture, there is no way to wash or clean them. After 2-3 years, a replacement is required. Except for bamboo and cork. If we talk about acrylic wallpaper with a relief pattern, there are often cases of deformation. They collect all the dust.

If two zones are combined (living / dining room and kitchen), it is possible to stick paper wallpapers in the dining room zone, and decor with moisture-resistant finishing materials (for example, decorative plaster) with an original texture can be used for the kitchen zone.

How to decide on the color of kitchen wallpaper?

When choosing the right wallpaper and its shades, you should pay attention to the following points:

No more than three shades can be used in the design of the entire room. One of them is the main one, the other one is additional, the third one is practically invisible.

It is necessary to pay attention to the size of the room, a large area or a small one: light tone – for a small one, dark – for a large one.

It is important to take into account the personal needs of relatives and friends: the color should be comfortable for perception. It is optimal to take neutral tones.

The choice of wallpaper color is influenced by the style in which everything is decorated. If it is Scandinavian, you should use cool tones, for classics – warm shades, but at the same time calm. For Provence, it is better to use wallpaper with a small ornament on a general light background.

You can choose trendy and trendy colors as well as your preferences.

White

Considered universal. It can be used anywhere – no matter what flooring or headset. Outwardly, it expands the space, but pure white is rarely used in decoration. The design uses a combination of warm and cold shades (for example, creme brulee, baked milk, and so on). There are no wallpapers of such shades? There is always a color option. Pure white color can be combined with metal decorative elements (bronze, brass elements of technology).

Gray

Gray wallpaper in the design of the kitchen is good because you can choose from many shades, tones and degrees of saturation. Now in “fashion” among designers: combinations of gray with shades of blue or brown, sandy gray. The kitchen can be both large and small. Gray is the best background for a headset. The whole problem is that the design of the room with gray wall decoration needs accents.

Yellow

Good replacement for beige. A canvas of bright yellow wallpaper on one of the walls is a great accent for a neutral-colored kitchen set. If you want to stick yellow wallpaper throughout the kitchen, then designers advise using various shades of muted yellow.

Blue and light blue

The blue color in the design makes the visual component nobler, especially when combined with gold, orange or white. Wallpaper of this color goes well with wood-like accessories, which softens the coldness of blue hues. Designers recommend using this color in rooms with good lighting. Gray-blue will make the interior more fresh. For a combination, choose pastel colors.

Black

The rapid growth in popularity of the loft style has led to the fact that black color is often used in wall decoration. For the design of the kitchen, as a rule, wallpaper is used – not black, but graphite – to focus on the dining area.

Green

Acid and poisonous shades of green are out of fashion these days. In fashion now are exclusively “pale” colors (for example, clarified light green and so on). They are great for cool and warm colors (we are talking about gray, white, lilac).

Interior style

We recommend that you study the main interior styles, as well as the types and models of wallpaper suitable for them. Let’s talk about the most common and popular of them.

Classic

If you want the decoration of the room to be classic, then take materials with universal prints – stripes, checks, patterns and floral patterns. Shades can be very different – both sophisticated pastel and dark. There is an option to buy photo wallpapers – reminiscent of various historical frescoes, as well as drawings of architectural details in the form of columns, a border.

Provence and country

When decorating a kitchen in this style, they opt for light wall coverings with an elegant floral print. Many manufacturers make wallpaper collections with elegant drawings, images of natural elements (twigs, leaves, butterflies).

Country-style kitchen wallpaper with floral prints, plaid, berries, fruits and vegetables, goes well with everything. As a rule, these finishing materials are made in natural shades, such as beige, green, blue, olive and the like.

Materials reminiscent of canvas, wood, look very fashionable and interesting – they are definitely worth a closer look.

What does the designer recommend?

The main rule in kitchen design is not to visually oversaturate the interior with details. We advise you to focus on either furniture or wall decoration. If everything is very bright, then all furniture facades should be chosen simple, concise. If the furniture is made in an original, artsy style, you should use sophisticated, delicate shades. When choosing wallpaper for textiles and furniture in the kitchen, it is necessary to take into account not only their colors and shades, but also the entire design of the room as a whole.

Wallpaper combination

Kitchen wallpapers are selected in such a way that they are 100% compatible with the furniture and household appliances available in the apartment. The use of vertical stripes in the interior visually increases the space of the room. Horizontal stripes in the finishes visually “expand” the walls.

When combining two types of wallpapers, it is best to choose them from the same range. If the windows of the house have an exit to the north or west, use finishing materials in warm shades (cream, peach, yellow, brown or apricot). If the windows face south – the wallpaper can be blue, blue, silver and others.

The combination of different types of wallpaper allows you to hide minor scratches and uneven walls and ceilings, level out the disproportionate ratio of the room’s dimensions. Combining wallpaper by alternating horizontal and vertical patterns will visually raise the ceiling, give the room the right proportions.

Wall mural in the interior

Wall mural is an original design for walls, not only in the kitchen, but also in any other room. As a rule, wall murals with berry and fruit prints are used to decorate the walls in the kitchen. A large print on the wallpaper visually reduces the room, so photo wallpapers with similar patterns should not be glued to the entire wall, otherwise the room will look smaller than it actually is. It is better to decorate the working area with the help of panels, and use plain coatings on adjacent surfaces.

Pluses of photo wallpapers:

completely transform the space;

allow you to “increase” the available space;

long service life.

Wall murals that imitate painting look especially impressive. To emphasize a certain style of kitchen, you can think about choosing textured models, for example, brick or stone masonry in a loft.

The best option for a small kitchen

For a small kitchen, it is better to choose textured plain wallpaper in pastel, light shades with a small print. As we said above, a large drawing visually “eats up” the space and makes the room smaller.

The kitchen is small – then choose a narrow strip, not a wide one, it will look more impressive. Important: if the room is small, the stripe in the print can make it even smaller, so we advise you to make a “striped” accent on only one wall. Cool colors also “contribute” to the increase in space, warm colors make the movement more “warm” and cozy. The smaller the building, the more refined the shade of the wallpaper. The design of the entire kitchen should be made in the same style, the use of a huge amount of furniture and decor elements is unacceptable.

In kitchen design it is better to use a simple design:

minimalism;

classic;

high-tech;

country;

vanguard.

When furnishing your kitchen to your liking, choose wallpapers with bright colors. The use of delicate pastel colors does not increase appetite, on the contrary, a person becomes relaxed and wants to relax.

How to choose the right wallpaper for your room – Repair tips

At the stage of renovation planning, the question often arises – what kind of wall covering is better to choose. There is an opinion that wallpaper is a relic of the past, but the great demand for this finishing material makes it clear that this is not so.

Shops located on the basis of the shopping and construction complex “Your House” offer a wide range of wallpapers for every taste. Our partners are ready to offer you classic paper versions, modern vinyl and non-woven wallpapers, as well as unusual analogues made from natural materials: bamboo, silk, cork.

Choosing one of such a variety of species is not an easy task. But if you follow the tips below, then there will be no difficulties.

Advantages and disadvantages of the main types of wallpaper

Paper is the most common type of finishing material for walls. They come in a variety of colors and styles and are eco-friendly, breathable and inexpensive. However, when sticking this type of wallpaper, difficulties can arise. They are also afraid of moisture, fade in the sun, do not hide the unevenness of the walls and wear out quickly.

Non-woven – characterized by increased strength, ease of care and environmental friendliness, but their choice is small, and the price is high.

Vinyl – like non-woven counterparts, do not wear out, easy to clean (even with detergents), mask wall defects. At the same time, they are expensive, difficult to glue, and melt during a fire, releasing toxic compounds into the air.

Textile – this type of coating impresses with its luxurious appearance, well insulates from noise and cold and masks unevenness. But it should be borne in mind that textiles are difficult to stick and care for, attract dust and odors, and are expensive.

Photowall-paperNatural wall-paperLiquid wall-paper

Photowall-paper — are pertinent for creation of accent on one-two walls. Usually they are low price and environmentally friendly.

Paintable wallpaper plain paper or non-woven with a smooth or embossed surface.

Acrylic – Lighter and less expensive than vinyl, but not as durable. The advantage is the ability to “breathe”.

Natural Bamboo, reeds, algae, cork and other materials. They are used for zoning a room and require a special type of gluing.

Liquid – applied to walls with a spatula. They are most often used in rooms such as a corridor, an entrance hall and a balcony. In case of damage, it is not necessary to redo the entire coating – it is enough to tint one area. The disadvantage is that they do not tolerate moisture.

Room specifics

Any type of wallpaper can be used in the bedroom and living room. Vinyl ones are more practical and easy to maintain, while textile, natural and photo wallpapers will help create an unusual interior and zone the room.

In the nursery, it is better to opt for the paper version. This is not only the most environmentally friendly type of finish, but also the most budgetary. If the child damages the coating, it will not be a pity to re-glue it.

For the kitchen, it is better to take wet-resistant vinyl and non-woven wallpaper. When dirty, they are easily washed.

If you know your room is going to experience temperature fluctuations, consider liquid and vinyl flooring and paintable wallpaper. This is the best option for balconies and hallways.

Wall relief

In rooms with uneven walls, it is preferable to take non-woven, vinyl and textile wallpapers – they mask defects best of all. Please note that the paper counterpart will not cope with this task.

Lighting

Here you should be guided by a simple principle: the less light in the room, the lighter the tone of the wallpaper should be. If the windows are located on the sunny side, you can take dark wallpaper, but pay attention to the fact that they are UV-resistant.

Each type of wallpaper has a corresponding designation on the package:

Half sun – for darkened rooms;

Half sun with a plus inside – wallpaper fades under constant light;

Sun – UV-resistant wallpaper;

Sun with a plus inside — wallpapers absolutely do not change their saturation even under constant sunlight.

Humidity

If a room with high humidity is well ventilated, use any type of water-repellent wallpaper.

But in a room with insufficient ventilation, it is better to use “breathable” coating options – paper and paper-based non-woven. Under the wallpaper, which does not allow air to pass through, mold can form in such conditions.

Presence of children and/or pets

If your family has children and pets, then feel free to take washable wallpaper with increased durability.

Depending on the relationship to moisture, this finishing material is divided into different types, which is also indicated on the package:

one wave – it is permissible to gently wipe with a damp cloth;

two waves – can be washed thoroughly;

three waves – it is allowed to use detergent;

one wave with a brush – it is permissible to gently rub with a little water;

three waves with a brush – can be rubbed with a brush and detergent.

The extra hard coating is marked with the hammer symbol.

Choice of color and pattern

Once you’ve decided on the type of wallpaper, calculated how many rolls you’ll need for your space, and decided on a store, the next step is choosing a pattern and shade. There are basic rules for creating an interior that will help you with this:

Small room is a small drawing. Large images visually reduce the space. A vertical stripe visually makes the walls taller, while a horizontal stripe makes them longer.

Plain and glossy wallpapers are only suitable for perfectly flat surfaces. If your walls are defective, mask them with colorful, non-shine wallpaper.

Applying photo wallpaper or natural wallpaper to one wall is ideal for dividing a room into zones. It is important to choose a background coating to match.

When choosing a shade, consider the specifics of the room . Calm and gentle colors will be appropriate in the bedroom, and juicy and bright ones in the kitchen.

In small rooms try to avoid black, white and contrasting colors. They will also visually reduce the room.

An important nuance before buying

Before you pay for the selected rolls, be sure to carefully study the insert.

In order not to be surprised during the repair in the form of a noticeable difference in color or pattern, purchase goods from the same lot with the same article number. Always pay attention to the marking – the ratio of the material to water and light.

And remember, only professionals in their field work in stores based on our shopping mall. You can always contact them for help, and they will be happy to answer your questions and select the best coverage for your premises.

selection rules and design tips

Contents:

Varieties of wallpaper: pros and cons

Bedroom color palette

Wallpaper pattern and texture in style directions

Designers’ recommendations for choosing wallpaper

Furniture and wallpaper in the bedroom

Lucky Combo

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Beautiful wallpaper in the bedroom
Varieties of wallpaper: pros and cons
The choice of wallpaper for the bedroom is so diverse that it is easy to get lost among the many models, so let’s look at the most popular finishes, their advantages and disadvantages.

Vinyl wallpapers consist of polyvinyl chloride applied to a paper or non-woven backing. This type of finish perfectly withstands wet cleaning, does not get wet and lasts quite a long time. Applying them to surfaces is simple and easy. Vinyl wallpapers are divided into two types “hot stamping” and “foamed vinyl”. In both cases, the drawing technology makes it possible to obtain a relief that imitates various materials, brick, delicate silk, stone, etc., but in different ways.

The disadvantages include complete airtightness, because PVC-coated wallpaper is not recommended for the bedroom and children’s room.

Non-woven vinyl wallpaper

Paper wallpaper is an eco-friendly and inexpensive option for bedroom walls. With a certain skill, gluing them is easy, and the paper is breathable.

The disadvantage of wallpaper based on paper is their fragility: it is impossible to wash them, paper quickly absorbs dirt and grease. A more gentle option would be a two-layer paper finish.

Textile wallpaper – the best option for decorating the walls in the bedroom. The canvas consists of paper (non-woven), artificial or natural fabric, mainly cotton, linen or silk.

Textile wallpaper in the bedroom interior

The advantages of fabric wallpaper include:

durability

excellent breathability

no toxic ingredients

high aesthetics.

We advise you to read: Photo wallpapers are always in trend

With all the advantages, textile trim is not easy to stick, the cost of fabric wallpapers is high, regular wet cleaning is required, since the material tends to absorb dust.

Paper murals in the bedroom

Non-woven wallpaper is a budget and practical option for decorating the bedroom. Using non-woven fabrics, you can hide surface defects, and the material allows you to apply paint in several layers, which makes it possible to change the interior palette if necessary. Non-woven wallpaper is resistant to physical impact.

“Liquid” wallpaper is a thick mass of glue, fibers and dye, which is applied to the surface on the principle of plaster. The advantage of liquid wallpaper for the bedroom is additional soundproofing. Surfaces covered with liquid wallpaper are even and smooth.

Non-woven wallpaper in the bedroom

Acrylic wallpaper is created on the principle of vinyl, but instead of PVC, acrylic is applied to the base, and a pattern is applied over it. Such products are environmentally friendly and serve for a long time without visible defects.

Natural (plant) wallpapers are made from natural and natural materials: wood veneer, bamboo, jute, seaweed, reeds, papyrus, cork, etc. Fragments or fibers of natural materials are glued to a base of unbleached paper, canvas or interlining.

Natural wallpaper is a great option for decorating a bedroom in a certain style, and it is not necessary to completely cover the walls with such decoration, it is enough to create an interesting accent.

Varieties of natural wallpaper

Interesting: sellers assure that algae wallpapers continue to exude the scent of the sea and saturate the bedroom air with iodine ions.

Glass fiber is a durable and fire-resistant finish, completely hypoallergenic. The basis for this type of wallpaper is fiberglass.

Color palette for the bedroom

The sleeping room is a special room, the atmosphere of which should be conducive to relaxation, and the color of the bedroom decoration plays an important role in this. Psychologists consider the most suitable shades for the bedroom – sky blue, grassy green and cream tones.

These shades soothe and pacify, in a light interpretation they visually expand the space.

Warm beige is the perfect palette for the bedroom

It is not recommended to decorate the bedroom in aggressive red and orange colors. The yellow palette is invigorating, and if you have difficulty waking up, sunny accents in the bedroom will make it easier to get rid of sleep.

See also: The most fashionable wallpapers: geometric prints and patterns, large drawings and minimalism

Purple bedroom can cause anxiety and anxiety, and therefore the designs rarely recommend this color as the main color in the decoration of the bedroom.

Red wallpaper in the bedroom – for open and relaxed people

Pattern and texture of wallpaper in style directions

Wallpaper pattern and texture are selected depending on the chosen style, area of the room, intensity and direction of natural light.

Floral decoration on the walls is suitable for romantic trends, vintage, English and Provence styles. If this is a room for two, then the flowers on the wallpaper can be combined with a “male” pattern, such as a cage or a stripe.

The pattern of the wallpaper echoes the prints of bed textiles

The stripes on the wallpaper must be correctly positioned, as the vertical pattern visually raises the ceiling, and the horizontal stripes lower it, but create the effect of expanding the space.

Narrow vertical striped wallpaper in a black and white bedroom interior

Stripes and checks in wall decoration are often used in interiors in English or classical style. Modern trends use geometric patterns as an accent on one of the walls, for example, at the head of the bed.

Scottish cage for attic bedroom

Designers’ recommendations for choosing wallpaper

Wallpaper zoning: bedroom + study

In a small bedroom, wallpapers in light neutral or cold tones are appropriate. In large bedrooms, warm and rich shades and their successful combinations harmoniously look.

To illusory stretch the walls of a narrow room, use a horizontal pattern on the wallpaper.

The diagonal pattern on the wall decoration will allow you to shift the viewing angle, correcting the unevenness and roughness of the walls.

Wallpaper is an inexpensive and effective way of zoning a room. For example, the bed area can be highlighted with a wall fragment with a bright print or multi-colored stripes, and the rest of the bedroom area can be finished in the color of one of the stripes.

If the windows of the room face south, it is recommended to paste over the walls in cold colors, finishing in warm colors will help to “warm up” the northern bedroom.

If necessary, “lower” visually the ceiling is pasted over with the same wallpaper as the walls.

The vertical pattern on the walls works to the height of the room.

Tip: if you do not glue the wallpaper butt-to-ceiling, but paint the cooled strip in the color of the ceiling, you can visually enlarge the walls.

Bold diagonal on the walls of a modern bedroom

Furniture and wallpaper in the bedroom

To create the perfect atmosphere in the bedroom, it is important to choose the right colors for the furniture and wallpaper. Each of these elements of interior design should emphasize the dignity of each other. Consider the main color combinations of furniture and wall decoration in the bedroom.

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For furniture in a neutral palette, beige, white and gray, it is easy to choose wallpaper, they can be either bright or contrasting, or to match the furniture. The main rule is that the finish does not merge with the color of upholstered and cabinet furniture, be a few tones darker or lighter.

White furniture in the bedroom is set off by cappuccino-colored wallpaper

For dark furniture in the bedroom, a neutral or contrasting wall finish is chosen, but without a categorical polarity. Moreover, with black cabinet furniture in the bedroom, both white walls and bright scarlet look great.

Brown furniture – these are classic wood shades that will fit into any color scheme, depending on the saturation. Ideal companions for brown furniture are beige, gold and blue wall decoration, as well as wallpaper in pink, burgundy and green.

Dark brown furniture goes well with the green-beige stripes on the wallpaper

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If the bedroom is decorated in one of the modern style directions, where multi-colored furniture is welcome, neutral or pastel shades are chosen as the background for it.

Successful combo

The bedroom is a room that is not customary to clutter up with furniture, and therefore at least one wall always remains “bare”. It is she who is decorated with wallpaper, playing on the contrasts of color or pattern. Companion wallpapers are sold in specialized stores to facilitate the selection of shades and patterns. Consider the most popular ways to combine wallpaper in the bedroom.

A bright solution for a women’s bedroom

Important: joints with a horizontal wallpaper combination are masked with moldings, borders or decorative tapes.

Horizontal combination of wallpaper in the bedroom

Vertical inserts of a contrasting color in the decoration of the walls of the luxurious bedroom

Council: In order not to make a mistake with the color, the wallpaper-components are acquired.

Beautiful decoration of the wall in the bedroom with wallpaper panels with a pattern

Decorating niches with wallpaper with illumination

At the head of the bed. The wall above the sleepers’ heads is pasted over with contrasting wallpaper with a pattern or photo wallpaper, and the rest of the walls are finished in one tone, consonant with the selected area.

The horizontal combination will help expand the room. As a rule, plain canvases or with a slight pattern are used. The height is visually divided into two parts and the colors begin to combine just below the middle. Light shades are used at the top, dark ones at the bottom. If you need to optically raise the ceiling, choose wallpaper with vertical stripes.

The combination of wallpaper vertically helps to stretch the room with a low ceiling. This method is in demand, as it does not require complex measurements and curly cutting. The easiest way to stick is to alternate stripes with different patterns or colors. With the help of a vertical combination of finishes, the bedroom is zoned into functional areas.

The combination of dark and light colors adds space to the room.

Niches and panels are an original and presentable way to decorate the bedroom walls. This combination involves a single-color background and one or more large objects that focus the viewer’s attention on themselves. The edges of the panels are framed with moldings or other architectural techniques. Niches are pasted over with contrasting wallpaper in the same color scheme as the main decoration of the room.

Using wallpaper fragments, you can create a beautiful mosaic picture on the entire wall in the bedroom.