The Best 8 Reasons to Use Wallpaper in Your Living Spaces
Are you turned off by wallpaper because you lived in a home that was wall to wall in Waverly mini prints from the '80s…? Or perhaps you had a wall of grasscloth that one of your furry friends used as a scratching post? Either way, wallpaper is always getting a bad rap.
It’s my goal to convince you to reconsider & discover the benefits of using wallpaper.
When clients ask me if wallpaper is in or out, I tell them that in my professional opinion, it's always in style. The key is knowing how to select it and use it in your home in a tasteful, fashionable way.
Here are the 8 reasons why I think you should use wallpaper in your next project! Let’s go!
1. Wallpaper is Always in Style
A great place to use wallpaper is as an accent wall behind a sofa, bed, or crib because it adds a pop of pattern and elevates the room’s look. Without it, a space can look lifeless.
I also love, love, love wallpaper in powder rooms! Powder rooms are generally pretty small, and you are only in the powder room for around 5 minutes, so the wallpaper doesn't become overwhelming. Since there isn't much wall space for artwork, it's a great way to add the WOW factor to this small room. In addition, it’s an affordable space to use high-quality wallpaper.
Some of my favorite lines are Phillip Jeffries, Maya Romanoff, and Thibaut Designs. If you're timid about using patterns, check out my earlier blogpost about introducing patterns into your designs.
2. Use Wallpaper Strategically
Using wallpaper strategically on particular walls and in specific rooms reduces the investment compared to when it was fashionable to fill every wall with wallpaper. This also reduces the labor cost.
3. Wallpaper Can Be More than Feminine
When you think of wallpaper, do you imagine visions of ditsy, busy mini prints or overwhelming floral patterns? Think again. There are so many unique patterns for everyone's tastes.
Geometrics, textures, metallics, and of course, for the people like me who love a tasteful floral now and then, there are plenty of sophisticated patterns to choose from.
I'm often surprised how many of my male clients love to add wallpaper to their homes (after a little convincing from me!). They are always pleasantly surprised by the way it pulls the room together.
4. Consider Durable Grasscloth Wallpaper
If choosing a pattern sounds just too overwhelming, consider the textures of a grasscloth or even vinyl grasscloths.
Don't be turned off by the thought of vinyl textures. They have come a long way over the years and are perfect for bathrooms exposed to moisture or high traffic areas where kids tend to touch the walls. They are so forgiving. For more inspiration on where and how to use wallpaper, be sure to read my earlier blog post.
5. Mixing Wallpaper with Modern Style
Don't limit yourself to using wallpaper on the walls. You can use wallpaper in unexpected places like the ceiling to create the look of tin or as a backdrop to a bookcase.
I'm currently working on a library where we are using a hammered metal wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries on the back wall of a bookcase. We had considered mirroring but decided that this was a better way to treat it.
6. Wallpaper is An Ideal Backdrop for Artwork
When carefully selected, wallpaper can enhance the look of your favorite artwork. Of course, textures and geometrics work best in most cases, but artwork with a solid background can handle a floral pattern.
For instance, using a bunny print on a floral background can be very sweet in a child’s room.
7. Wallpaper Is easier to install than it used to be
Wallpaper manufacturers have made great strides in improving the wallpaper’s installation quality, making it easier to hang and remove. In addition, wider wallpapers require fewer seams, and some vendors offer rolls that are the height of your room for less waste.
9. Eco-Friendly Wallpaper
Many wallpapers consist of natural materials such as paper, grass, rice, cork, and parchment. These are primarily renewable and biodegradable. With lower VOC emissions, they can be more eco-friendly than interior paint.
I always recommend finding an inspiration piece to build a room around. sometimes that's a piece of art or an area rug, but often it’s fabric or wallpaper.
If you are serious about taking the plunge, find a wallpaper that speaks to you and build around it. I'm here to help and guide you on this journey. I promise you won't regret it!
If you’re still struggling, consider my Local or Online Design Services! My “Pick My Brain” package is perfect for getting started.
Warmly,
Celeste