There are plenty of decorative materials out there that can help you implement simple changes and have a big impact on your home. Some of the most commonly used ones include paint, fabric, and wallpaper.
While all three are equally effective in beautifying your home, wallpaper provides a relatively more out-of-the-box design upgrade, thanks to the wide range of designs available in the market. As a decorative material, it can be used as a way to visually correct structural issues and add depth and personality to any room.
Not sure how to use wallpapers to decorate your home? Below are five awesome tips you shouldn’t miss:
1. Sample It First
While it is not as permanent as paint, using wallpapers still requires a certain level of commitment. This fact can make it a bit daunting to work with.
If you can’t make up your mind, it would be wise to sample the design in a smaller space first. Invest in one roll to pin up in a small area (e.g., powder room) and see how it makes you feel. At this point, you should be able to get an inkling on whether the design is worth committing to.
It is also recommended that you look at the wallpaper under different lights of the day before you make a decision. Remember that you’ll be living with that pattern for a long time, so you should be okay with it no matter what time of day it may be.
2. Match the Room’s Style
Never forget that wallpapering is an art, so it should be aesthetically pleasing. That said, you must pick a design or pattern that matches the room’s style.
If you’re going for a romantic ambiance, pick delicate florals and damask patterns that have muted pastel colors and fine lines. For casual designs, faux finishes like stucco or beadboard are excellent choices. When paired with flowing florals, beadboard wallpapers also give a space an extra homely feel.
For more contemporary and trendy looks, you should go with bold geometric patterns with metallic accents. Modern and sleek also requires a high gloss look. But if you’re someone who’s a bit more fashion-forward, bold florals and large-scale patterns are perfect for you.
3. Decide How You Will Use It
There are many ways to use wallpapers in a room beyond covering all the walls from top to bottom. You can choose to feature one wall using a bold-patterned wallpaper to highlight the focal point of the room.
You can also decide to wallpaper with a chair rail. To achieve a more classic look, use paintable beadboard wallpaper. Place it under the chair rail and hang a damask or large-scale floral wallpaper.
Of course, wallpapers are not made just for the walls. You can also extend it up to the ceiling to add depth and dimension to the room. This technique can also help you achieve specific looks, like the Victorian-style tin ceiling.
4. Use Wallpaper’s Dynamics to Reflect Personality
Wallpapers can make a room come to life. By using contemporary wallpaper patterns, you can make a room feel more energetic and dynamic. When used in bedrooms and private spaces, this material also helps reflect a person’s preferences and personality.
One kind of wallpaper that can help you achieve this is photo mural wallpapers.
For instance, kids’ bedrooms will look stunning with bright walls donning images of their favorite TV or movie characters. People with dynamic personalities can let their room exude the same vibe with travel-themed wallpapers while those who are more laidback would be well off with nature-inspired wallpaper design.
5. Understand Pattern Repeats
Many wallpapers today sport various patterns. To maximize the effect of these patterns, you have to understand how they repeat across the wallpaper span.
The so-called “pattern repeat” is a concept that describes the vertical distance between patterns as it is repeated across the wallpaper. This distance can range from less than one inch to the entire width of the wallpaper.
To understand pattern repeats, you must first learn about its three variations:
Random pattern match
Straight across match
Drop match
If you’re working with a random match pattern, you won’t have to worry about continuity at all, making it a great choice for beginners. Straight cross-match patterns are simple enough to be used by amateurs as it entails matching pattern repeats on either side as it starts over along the ceiling line.
Drop match patterns are the most complex out of the three. Because of this, wallpapers with this type of pattern repeat require thorough planning to get perfect alignment both vertically and horizontally. Since it entails dual alignment, dropped patterns may result in more waste in order to achieve pattern matches.
Wallpapering as an Art
As mentioned earlier, decorating with wallpaper is an art. In order to make it pleasing to look at, you must carefully think about the different factors and intricacies involved to achieve a perfect design. Consider the tips listed in this article and look for more clever ways to use the design material online.
AUTHOR BIO
James Prathap is the General Manager at NGC Nafees, one of the leading distributors of wallpapers, floorings, and fabrics in the Middle East and South Asia. Formed three decades ago, the business also offers high-quality panoramics, coordinated fabrics, and creative stickers for residential and commercial projects.
