When it comes to sprucing up the inside of your home, wallpaper is more than just paint; it adds texture and pattern that can transform the feel of any room. From intricate floral prints to geometric patterns and grass cloth, modern homeowners have many options when it comes to house wallpaper. And the best part is that it’s easier to hang than ever before.
Before choosing a specific wallpaper type it’s important to determine what sort of look you are going for. It’s also a good idea to consider the furniture that you already have in the space and the architectural style of your home. For example, a romantic floral vibe may work well in a cottage or country home but would not be appropriate for an industrial-style apartment.
You should also think about whether you are after a one or two ‘feature’ walls in your space or if you are going to paper all the walls. The latter option will be more expensive but it can really add a big wow factor to a room, especially if you choose an intricate or bold print.
Once upon a time, the best house wallpaper was made of silk or fabric and hand-painted with scenes rather than patterns. But with the advent of digital technology, a whole new world opened up for wallpaper designers and manufacturers. They now offer a wide range of designs and materials, including woven grass, wood grain, metallics, cork and even moire and botanicals. Some of these are also wipeable, which is a great choice for rooms like cloakrooms where the wallpaper will get a lot of use.
If you are after something a little more classic, there are still plenty of choices, with the Victorian-style damask and floral patterns still popular. However, there are also plenty of patterns inspired by modern art and music. This includes zig-zag, jazz and Cubist-style patterns as well as Oriental-inspired designs.
In response to concerns about indoor air quality, wallpaper companies are now offering products that are better for your lungs and the planet. These include acrylic coatings instead of vinyl, which off-gas volatile organic compounds. Some are also free of heavy metals.
There are also more environmentally friendly manufacturing methods such as low-VOC and water-based inks. These can help reduce the amount of VOCs and other chemicals that are released into the atmosphere.
Choosing the right colour for your wallpaper is also an important consideration. Cool colours such as blues and greens can make a room feel fresh and clean. Warmer colours such as yellows, oranges and reds can be used to create a sense of warmth and cosiness.
When you are purchasing your wallpaper, be sure to take care to measure all the surfaces that you will be covering to ensure that you order enough material. Most wallpaper is sold by the roll (or metre) and you’ll need to work out how many drops of wallpaper you will need by multiplying your wall size by the length of the roll. Then you’ll need to subtract any double doors or large window openings. It’s also worth bearing in mind that most patterned wallpaper has a ‘pattern repeat’, which is the number of times the pattern appears on the roll.