Wallpaper doesn't always have to be a feature wall! Here I am going to give you some ideas on how to use our wallpaper to create contemporary, impactful design choices in your home.
From delicate florals to bold graphic patterns – there is a wallpaper out there to suit everyone’s taste and it is making a comeback in the interior design world. Not surprising, considering it’s a quick and easy way to create maximum impact.
Recent developments have enhanced the quality of wallpaper. For example, the development of non-woven backed paper. This type of backing makes the wallpaper easier to put up and strip off, more durable and less likely to tear. It is also more breathable than standard paper backed wallpaper. (meaning air doesn’t get locked in-between paper and wall, eliminating the risk of mould.)
Say goodbye to your preconceptions of stuffy, old-fashioned houses decorated fully with wallpaper, and say hello to a modern, sophisticated design solution.
Lets start with the most obvious and popular choice…
1) A FEATURE WALL
A feature wall is one of the easiest ways to create a focus point in any room. It draws the eye immediately and creates a bold feature. Try decorating the wall which has a tv or fireplace on it, as these tend to be the focus point of the room. This is the wall your eye is naturally drawn to as you enter the room. You can go as bold or as subtle with the pattern and colour as you wish, just make sure it’s not competing with another focal point in the room.
2) COVER ONLY HALF THE WALL WITH WALLPAPER
Covering either the bottom or top half of the wall with wallpaper is a great way to add in pattern without overwhelming the space. My personal favourite way to do this is by panelling one half of the wall and papering the other half – creating a modern take on a more traditional style. Alternatively, you can use a wooden rail or other type of moulding to split the paint / paper halves and also add a textural element to the walls.
3) DEFINE SPACES WITHIN A ROOM
Think of a dining nook, a fireplace or a cosy corner. Using wallpaper here creates designated ‘zones’ within a room and can elevate the spaces importance.
4) FRAME IT AS ART / USE PANELLING
Don’t want to commit to an entire wall? Framed panels of your favourite wallpaper can still give an impact. It will add visual interest without overwhelming the space and using the panelled frame brings in texture to your room. This is a great technique to use in a hallway or bedroom. It can also cut the cost of the project, as you will likely need less paper.
5) USE TWO DIFFERENT PAPERS ON THE SAME WALL
Trust me on this one. Another interesting way to spice up a room is by covering the top half of the wall in a different paper to the bottom half. (It is best to separate these by using a railing). When done right, this can look striking, however it can be tricky to pull off. The key here is to pick tonal designs or designs with complementary colours / patterns. A good way would be using a stripe or simple design on the bottom half and a more detailed pattern on the top half. However, if you are looking to make a bolder choice, a bright colour and graphic pattern can look great together, just be cautious about other colours and furniture you put in the room.
6) COVER A SMALL SPACE ENTIRELY
Think small downstairs bathroom, entrance hallway, mud room/cloakroom.
Wallpaper can be used to create dramatic statements in small places such as these. Again, as it’s likely to be a small space, it’s not going to be the most expensive project – so go wild! Chose a dramatic print you love but don’t want to commit to in a larger space such as your living room.
And finally....
7) WALLPAPER THE CEILING
This one is less common, but if done correctly, can enhance a room beautifully. Ceilings are often the most overlooked and less decorated part of every room. Depending on the pattern you chose, adding wallpaper on the ceiling can either create a cosy feeling of intimacy or it can make the room feel larger. If you’d like to try this but fear it going ‘wrong’ (there is no wrong way to decorate your own home!) then chose a design with complementary colours or motifs to what is already present in the room to give an overall feeling of uniformity.
So, that was my 7 ways that you could use wallpaper to enhance spaces in your home.
I hope you found some inspiration or ideas you'd like to try!
You can see more of our wallpaper designs here.