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A homeowner’s personal touches transform a house into a home, reflecting the personality of those who live there. When you step inside, a first impression might come from glimpses of favorite hobbies or sports on display, bold art, earthy colors or from wall coverings. Wallpaper offers a phenomenally versatile interior décor factor for all the options available.
Wallpaper was made by hand up until the mid-1800s and used inside cupboards and small spaces, as it was printed on small sheets of paper. Once mass-produced, patterns expanded out of floral motifs and simple scenes, and much larger sheets and rolls became available. Flock patterns were copied from textiles, and marble, wood grain, damask and other patterns began to grace the interior walls of homes.
Today’s wallpapers – when hung properly – can last a lot longer than paint. Many are made of vinyl, which is easier to handle and clean than paper. Colors, textures and patterns seem limitless, and it adds the kind of character, style and interest to a room, stairway, hall or accent wall that only wallpaper can offer.
Accent Walls
If an entire room of wallpaper seems overwhelming, then one accent wall could be all you need. “Wallpaper one wall in an unexpected place,” suggests Mary Kate Gaines, owner of In Focus Interiors in Blacksburg. “While many homes showcase an accent wall in the entry, consider creating a surprise by using wallpaper around a corner or deeper into the room. Let the focal point draw your eye in, making you want to walk toward it — don’t reveal everything all at once.”
Accent walls can transform small spaces, creating the illusion of depth while offering a striking aesthetic. Elevate an accent wall by combining patterns and textures to highlight framed artwork, handmade pottery, or even your prized sneaker collection [photo].
If you’re unsure about colors, patterns and mixing elements, consult an interior designer for guidance. Mary Kate’s first career was an optician, which might explain her knack for spotting the perfect focal point.
Wallpaper Borders
For those less timid about an entire room or even one wall expanse covered in wallpaper, borders are wonderful decorative accessories which can match or contrast with wallpaper or stand alone in a painted room. Borders can mimic architectural details like crown molding. Many are placed near the ceiling for a high edge of interest, and some run around the middle of a room above or below a chair rail or simply solo. In the place of a chair rail at mid-height, a border can offer the creative opportunity to paint one color below it and another color above it, or install wallpaper only below or above and paint the other section.
A rule of thumb with borders is to connect to the height of the room. The most common border is around eight inches wide, which works well proportionately with an 8-foot ceiling. Advantages, besides every theme and color under the sun, include cost and ease of installation.
The Mural Wall
A refreshing vibe can be achieved by bringing an outdoor scene indoors. Mary Kate added a forest mural to her son’s bedroom [photo]. After walking into the room, you turn a corner and feel almost like you’ve stepped into the woods.
Murals can take you anywhere without leaving home. Mary Kate recommends Rebel Walls [rebelwalls.com] for customizable murals. They size the design to your wall and offer peel-and-stick options.
The Creative Category
Creative wallpaper treatments can be found on the back of bookcase shelves or any shelves. You can frame a piece of wallpaper, large or small, for another wall and use it to line drawers. Innovative uses include wallpaper on the ceiling, in your closet, on recessed door panels or stair risers. If you have extra, use it for wrapping paper.
Sherwin-Williams boasts 100,000 different wallpapers. If you simply cannot find what you want, you can design a pattern and have it printed on wallpaper at companies like Spoonflower [spoonflower.com]. It can also be printed on fabric, offering the possibility of matching curtains, cushions and comforters. Mary Kate advises caution when shopping with online companies. That too-good-to-be-true deal might deliver flimsy, impossible-to-use paper. For bathrooms, moisture-resistant vinyl or commercial-grade paper is best.
DIY vs Professional
Wallpaper can be budget-friendly or a splurge, depending on the materials and labor expenses. Peel-and-stick products make accent walls an achievable DIY project for those who are attentive to details and meticulous about prepping, matching patterns and cutting sharply around outlets, windows and doorways.
Hanging wallpaper is as much an art form as a skill. While it can require large tables, big rolls, wide brushes and a large volume of the correct adhesive product, it also involves steady hands and keen eyes. Professional wallpaper hangers have the experience, equipment and supplies to exquisitely transform the mood and ambience of any room in your home with wallpaper.
Text by Jo Clark
Photos courtesy of In Focus Interiors
Photos courtesy of In Focus Interiors
