Most homeowners and designers have a complicated history with wallpaper. For years, it was seen as simultaneously convenient and inconvenient; it’s a great way to add color, patterns, and something a little different to a room, but it can be a bear to remove. This has led, naturally, to homeowners—especially those inclined towards DIY—shying away from wallpaper in their homes. But these are changing times, and wallpaper has made a strong comeback on the design scene. In fact, it has even made it onto 2024 design trend lists (HGTV & LivingEtc).
Here at Your Design Partner, we’ve never really been scared of wallpaper, and we’ve definitely embraced its versatility in projects over the years. So, in defense of wallpaper, and to help you integrate it in your own home, here’s what you should know about this revived trend!
Why Wallpaper?
Today’s wallpaper is not your grandmother’s wallpaper. Technology has advanced everything and it is now easier to clean, easier to apply, often cheaper than paint in the long-run, and offers more variance than paint.
We’re not bashing paint, we love paint, but wallpaper is a valid alternative. In addition, there are so many options available, and it’s often a great way to get patterned walls and decorative ceilings, without the extra expense of someone hand-painting the pattern. For rooms where we need to create height, vertical stripes are often preferred, but that’s a hard look to paint. Wallpaper, on the other hand, solves the problem beautifully.
Wallpaper Options
As stated above, there are tons of options! From plain colors that mimic paint, to textured fabrics, to nearly any pattern imaginable and murals, wallpaper offers variety like never before. It has also evolved to include high-quality peel-and-stick variations for (relatively) pain-free installation and removal, as well as eco-friendly, non-toxic, and custom options.
Traditional & Peel-and-Stick
There is no right or wrong answer here. Traditional wallpaper (i.e. paper that requires glue) might cost a little more, and requires more of a process to hang. Peel-and-stick can range in price (usually depending on the manufacturer, design, weight of the paper, and a few other factors), but is less labor-intensive and time-consuming to install. Depending on the room and the look you are going for, it may be beneficial to invest in good quality traditional wallpaper. While peel-and-stick is definitely recommended for more temporary spaces or quick projects/design accents.
Murals
If you know an artist willing to hand-paint a mural on your wall, that’s amazing, go for it! But not all of us are so lucky—that’s where mural wallpaper comes in. These days, nearly any design can be printed: mountainscapes, forests, florals and fields, sunrises, and so much more can all be transferred onto your walls in paper form, transforming your wall into a work of art. Murals might be a little more expensive than your average wallpaper, but it is worth it to achieve the look and room experience you want.
Textured
I’ve used a lot of textured wallpaper in my projects. It’s one of my favorite go-tos to create movement, depth, and variance in a room. If you want an accent wall, but are tired of plain old paint, a textured wallpaper might just be the perfect solution. Offering that desired “different” wall but with a twist, textured options add intrigue and layering. There are also many patterns that come in contrasting finishes, so the textured design is glossy while the background is matte, adding that extra point of interest.
Ceilings
Maybe one of the biggest comebacks is the wallpapered ceiling. I’ve done this myself in various projects and I’ve never regretted it! The wallpapered ceiling always turns out beautiful and chic, grabbing the attention of homeowners and guests. It’s an element that always gets lots of praise because of how unique it is.
Is Wallpaper for You?
Wallpaper suits most design projects and spaces. I typically explore the option with clients to see if we can find a design that achieves the look they want. However, it’s not for everyone. Some do not like the look, some are nervous about its permanency (though peel-and-stick is often the answer), and some just like paint and its color options better. There’s no wrong answer.
I will say, though, that if you are looking for an accent wall that really stands out and goes beyond a complementary paint color, and if you’d like to achieve an eclectic, layered, and textured look in your space, then you will absolutely want to consider wallpaper.
What To Do With Extra Wallpaper?
You did it! You wallpapered and now you have extra (it’s almost inevitable), but you don’t want to just throw it away. I always recommend saving a piece to put in your home design reference book. Write the pattern name, company, and other details on the back so you can easily order more if you have to. But the rest can be used for other projects and a few crafts:
1) Make book covers! Create your own dust jackets for your favorite volumes. It’s a great way to protect books while you travel and add dashes of the paper design to bookshelves to tie the room together.
2) Use extra to wrap gifts or create gift tags. Share your favorite wallpaper with your loved ones by using the extras to wrap their gifts.
3) Create decorative boxes. Use the paper to wrap boxes that can placed on shelves, coffee tables, or side tables for storage or simply as decor.
4) Frame the paper as art! You can do this with any wallpaper, but especially with leftover mural or floral patterns. These make fantastic art for the wall opposite the wallpaper or other rooms in the house to help create a cohesive look throughout your home.
There’s no need to fear wallpaper anymore. In fact, the trend has made the perfect comeback, addressing old complaints as well as modern desires. For your next home project, wallpaper might just be the key to creating the home you love!
Invest in your walls today and collaborate with YDP to choose high-quality wallpapers for your home.
