A room adorned in house wallpaper can look rich and elegant, but is also easy to keep clean. Unlike paint, which is thick and often oil-based, wallpaper doesn’t stain and comes in a variety of textures, styles, colors and finishes. Its opulent texture gives the impression of depth and adds a sense of warmth to any room. It is a less expensive alternative to painting and can be easily applied or removed by a professional.

Wallpaper can be made of paper, vinyl, fabric or other materials and is printed with a pattern or design. It’s sold in rolls and applied to walls with wallpaper paste. It is available in a wide range of styles and patterns, with plain backgrounds (often known as lining papers) that can be painted, textured or woven. It can also have a single large non-repeating design that is carried over several sheets, or more commonly, a pattern of small designs repeated.

Although painted surfaces are still used in some homes, there is a renewed popularity for wallpaper in many parts of the world. This is because it offers an instant room makeover, a more durable finish and the ability to change a design in years to come. It can be used to highlight a feature wall in a living room, for example, or to create a whole room with a single bold accent.

Wallpaper is available in a huge array of styles and colours, from opulent florals to textured geometrics and dramatic black wallpapers. It can even be used to create a wall of illusion — a trompe-l’oeil effect.

Traditionally, wallpaper was a luxury product, but since the 1960s and 1970s there has been an increase in mass-produced options that are available in DIY superstores. The industry has also diversified into textured papers and fabric wallpapers that are easier to wash than standard paper varieties.

Designers have embraced this trend, creating patterns that blend the old-world elegance of stippling and rag rolling with modern styles like florals, stripes, geometrics and digitally printed designs. There are even options that are easy to remove, allowing renters to decorate their home without risking a security deposit.

A good quality bespoke wallpaper will last for years and should not require regular cleaning or stripping, which can be difficult with more porous paper wallpapers. It is a good idea to have the wallpaper professionally installed, particularly if it has a complex design, as this will help to ensure that the pattern matches correctly and is hung evenly. A professional will also be able to advise on what type of wallpaper paste to use. They can also make sure that the seams are tight and butted properly, which is particularly important if the wallpaper has a repeating pattern. They should also be able to provide some helpful tips on the correct hanging technique, such as wrapping edges of projections to prevent peeling and to avoid decapitated boughs of fuchsias threatening to fall off the cornice.