This isn’t your Grandma’s Wallpaper
Here’s the first response I received when I put the call out for your design question:
Wallpaper… How do you make sure your space doesn’t look like your grandmothers? I love the look but I think it must be easy to get it wrong.
This is a great (and timely) question. Wallpaper is definitely on trend again! And for those of us who remember the last time it was on trend, you may have some hesitations. Trust me. My bedroom growing up had a main floral wallpaper and a coordinating floral border. I also helped remove that wallpaper and it was a pain in the ass. But before I jump in, here is a Brief History of Wallpaper.
Back to the question, there are two considerations: what type or wallpaper to use and where to put it.
Your TV almost always becomes the focal point so why not play it up even more!
What type of wallpaper should I get?
First of all, there are essentially 3 types of wallpaper:
Traditional: the kind you add an adhesive to
Pre-Pasted: the kind that already has the adhesive on and you use water to activate
Removable: has an adhesive that can be easily removed
With traditional and pre-pasted wallpapers quality is important. I know you’re looking at the cost and thinking, this is craziness! But it makes it easier to install, it will last longer and it’s easier to remove when the time comes. Most wallpapers in this category are either paper or vinyl based. Vinyl is great for high traffic and commercial areas because it’s washable, durable and fire resistant. But most homeowners go with a paper based (woven) wallpaper. The nice thing about the paper based is that it has a bit of flexibility when it comes time to install. So if your wall isn’t perfectly flat or square, you can usually adjust things a bit to get it to work.
Removable wall coverings and decals are popular right now too. It’s great for rentals, if you’re a bit of a commitment phobe or you don’t want a full wall of wallpaper. They aren’t as malleable as a paper based wallpaper which means there is little room for error in getting it to line up. The decal style could be a good option in that situation.
Even pups deserve wallpaper!
A more neutral colour and subtle pattern adds visual interest without competing with the artwork.
Okay, but what about colours and patterns?
The options for colours and patterns are almost endless. Bold, bright, big patterns, small patterns, subtle, neutral, modern, traditional, geometric, botanical... everything! It comes down to personal style and what you like. Don’t be afraid to have some fun with it! Remember that wallpaper tends to become the focal point so try to ensure it isn’t competing with something else you’d rather feature.
Go bold! It’s the perfect backdrop for neutral furniture.
Where should I put it?
Selecting a wall (or two) to be a feature wall is one of the easiest ways to give wallpaper a try. The wall behind your bed is a great spot. It can also be useful to pick a wall in a more open concept space as a way to define a particular section of that space. You can make the transition easier with a wallpaper that has the same background colour as your wall. But there is nothing wrong with adding a bit of contrast!
Simple repeating pattern in black and white just adds that extra something to the space without overwhelming it.
Doing your entire room can be a bit of a commitment for the average person. So choose a room that you don’t spend extended periods of time in. Powder rooms are perfect for this. Same with laundry rooms, mudrooms, etc. They are spaces where you can let loose but don’t need to worry about getting bored or overstimulated by it. You can also make a room less intense by adding wainscotting to the lower half of the wall or just use a more subtle wallpaper. Again, at the end of the day, it’s all about you and what is going to make you happy when you enter your space.
Playful prints work great in bathrooms.
Did I mention to have fun and get creative with it? Wallpapering a ceiling is another way to add some interest to a space as well. Even the back of bookcases, or as shown above, in nooks for your pets.
Why not carry it up onto the ceiling?
Any recommendations?
Of course!
My go-to for wallpaper is Hygge & West. The quality is awesome and their patterns are great (all photos in this post are of Hygge & West papers I’ve used). A few others include:
If you are in Edmonton and want to hire someone to hang the wallpaper for you, give Bridget at Tops Wallcovering a call. Her work is perfection and she’s also just a super fun human.
And… I'm always here to provide guidance (and access to trade discounts)!
Kierstin Smyth Design
Edmonton Interior Design Consultant