How to wallpaper
Latest wallpaper industry trends
Wallpaper made its comeback a few years ago, and it’s still going strong. Anyone who’s lived in a house built in the 80s knows the pure anguish of removing wallpaper. Understandably so, wallpaper got a reputation for being permanent and well, dated.
Oh, how the tables have turned. Thanks to high-quality printing and new materials, wallpaper is now a fun and easy way to transform a space. People love it because it injects an instant personalized touch to any room. Not only that, but some styles are also relatively easy to remove and changeup, too.
Modern wallpaper styles to try
The design experts are predicting that people will be bolder and more adventurous with their wallpaper selections in 2020. We say, go for it. Check out these popular trends—new and old.
- Graphic and geometric shapes—modern and playful with bold and understated options
- Murals—a cost-effective way to get a high-end look
- Textural—more fun and dimensional than paint and blends well with mid-century styles
- Botanical—happy, sunny Floridian vibes with bamboo, palms, and tropical leaves
- New Chintz—what’s old is new again—these maximized prints and florals bring sophistication and style
Wallpaper considerations for every room
Before you dive in with the wallpaper style that fits your fancy, take a moment to factor in the size of your room. For small spaces, consider a smaller print. And for larger rooms, make a bold statement with large prints. As with all decorating, scale is critical.
Start with the bathroom
New to wallpaper? One of the safest spaces to start out is the bathroom. An isolated room in the home with less wall space, the bathroom is an ideal candidate for wallpaper. Our advice—find a small, random pattern print and begin your experiment.
Enhance your bedroom or living room
These are great spaces for a calm, scenic mural. Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of wall space? Create a feature wall to enhance your focal point—the same wall as the fireplace or the bed.
Alternative uses for wallpaper
Wallpapering the ceiling is one of our favorite new trends—it's still unexpected and overlooked. Beware that installing wallpaper on the ceiling can be awkward and difficult. It may be best to hire an expert for this type of install.
In love with a print, but can’t afford a big project? Try wallpaper on lampshades, stairs, inside the bookcase, or within a frame as wall art.
The easiest wallpapers to hang
Not looking for a complex project? The two key factors—beyond the sheer surface area of your project—are pattern repeats and installation methods.
Pattern Repeats
A pattern repeat is the distance between where your pattern repeats on the wallpaper panels. Your pattern repeat will determine how difficult your wallpaper is to install.
We'll start by saying, choosing a solid or even textured paper simplifies a wallpaper project. If you love the idea of injecting a print in your room, be sure to understand how patterns impact installation.
Random Match
With a random match, you don't have to match patterns up from panel to panel. If you’re new to the wallpaper game, we’d recommend selecting a random pattern match.
Straight Match
A straight match is another type of pattern that starts over at the ceiling line. Imagine a diamond pattern. A straight match means that as you begin a new panel, you'll have to match half of the diamond on your new panel with the existing half of a diamond on the wall. You'll have some waste with this style, but it's still relatively easy to install.
Drop Match
Drop match patterns are the most complicated. They require the pattern to align horizontally and vertically. With this style, you'll waste the most paper because you have to carefully match the existing pattern on your wall.
Installing Styles
Not all papers are created equal. You can't just choose how you'd like to install the paper and go for it. Each paper comes with specific installation instructions.
Have questions about the install process for your type of paper? Before you buy, look at online reviews, read instructions, or go to your local wallpaper store and quiz the staff for helpful insights. Here's a brief overview to get you started.
Paste the wall
With this style, you apply the paste on the wall (not the wallpaper) and then quickly install the paper. This style can typically be installed by one person. It can also be repositioned relatively easily. Many suggest that this is actually the easiest type of wallpaper to hang.
Peel and Stick Removable
Peel and stick wallpaper seems to suggest easy. It's an attractive option given that it's ready to adhere to your wall instantly. But beware, peel and stick is typically a two-person job because the paper easily folds over and sticks to itself.
Unpasted
Unpasted wallpaper requires you to book the paper and wait for the paste to soak. Then you apply the panels to the wall. It tends to be more work and more difficult to apply. Expensive papers often come in this form. Many recommend professional help with unpasted styles
There you have it—an overview in wallpapering. Now it's time to get designing. Have fun and don't forget to check back for more home renovation tips!