What To Know About Wallpaper When Remodeling

Back in the early years of the last century, wallpaper was an incredibly popular choice among homeowners of our grandparents and great grandparents generation. Wallpaper was a great way to add a touch of luxury and individuality to the home.

Around the middle of the century, as tastes changed, interior design trends became more "modern" as we entered the space age. Wallpaper fell out of favor as it was viewed as dated and "antique" looking. Fast forward to today, and wallpaper is experiencing a renaissance. Homeowners are once again looking at wallpaper as a great way to put a stamp of individuality on their home design.

As with many products, technology has expanded the choices you have when seeking the right wallpaper to meet your needs. So is wallpaper the right choice for you, and if so, what's the best way to maneuver through the endless selection of products to best express your aesthetics and individuality? And once you've found the perfect product, what's next?

Let's look at the reasons why wallpaper is a great design choice, and some tips for choosing and installing the perfect product to meet your needs.

Some Reasons To Include Wallpaper in Your Interior Design

No matter what your design style, or what your home style is like, there is a wallpaper out there to perfectly meet your aesthetic and design needs. There are several reasons for choosing to add wallpaper to your interior design, including:

Wallpaper is a great way to make a statement in your home design.

One reason that wallpaper works so well and is so effective in personalizing a design is that there are so many different options! Whether you're looking for a neutral color pattern, a texture, geometric, or floral design, wallpaper offers literally thousands of ways to put your unique stamp on your home.

Wallpaper doesn't need to overwhelm your design.

If bold or colorful prints aren't your thing, there are plenty of understated options to give you the look your seeking. Maybe a smaller print or abstract pattern is more your style. No matter how subtle, wallpaper can go a long way toward creating a personalized and curated look to your space. Textured prints can give a space warmth and depth to any room.

Wallpaper; It's not "forever" anymore!

Have you ever started a painting project that ended up taking days and dollars to remove decades-old wallpaper? This is one of the main reasons that many homeowners shy away from adding wallpaper to their homes. Wallpaper products today are very different than your grandmother's! Contemporary wallpapers, as well as the adhesives that are used to apply them have changed. Today's wallpapers are easy to install and easy to remove should you choose to redesign your space.

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Today's wallpapers are much more durable and lower maintenance than ever before. The external side of most residential wallpapers is made of vinyl, making them extremely durable and easily washable. Unlike papers of years past, this means they are less likely to scratch, tear, or stain.

Tips For Selecting Wallpaper For Your Project

Whether you're wallpapering a feature wall in the dining room, the first-floor powder room, or the master bedroom, here are some tips to help you choose the perfect paper to meet your needs.

Selecting Wallpaper to Match Your Room Style

• If you're looking for a romantic feel, try delicate florals or damasks with fine lines in pastel colors.

• If it's more casual, faux finishes like beadboard or stucco are informal and straightforward options.

• If it's a more contemporary look you're going for, consider bold geometrics with high gloss and metallic accents. Large bold florals are also a solid trend.

• If you're looking for a more traditional look, check out more intricate damasks or stripes which work perfectly with traditional furnishings and décor.

Create a Feature Wall

In the past, wallpaper was used as a backdrop on every wall to create an impact. Today, there are so many beautiful, hand-crafted papers to choose from and many ways to add a personal touch. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to make a design statement is with a feature wall. A feature wall uses wallpaper like other art and can add character and individuality as an original painting would. Feature walls give you a chance to go big and bold with your wallpaper, so your wall projects that artful vibe!

Using Wallpaper in Unconventional Spaces.

Wallpaper is a great way to give a small, oddly shaped, or unconventional space an upgrade. The right paper can turn that unusual room into a stunning area. Do you have a closet or powder room that needs a facelift? Wallpaper can make a significant impact in a small space. It's an inexpensive way to add design cred to your home.

Consider the Backing Paper Choices

After you've decided on the color, style, and pattern you want, it's a good idea to look for what type of backing the wallpaper has. Wallpaper with a non-woven backing will be fully and easily removable when you want to make a change. Installing non-woven patterns often use a "paste-the-wall" technology. Because it doesn't need to soak before application, the paste is directly applied to the wall, which cuts application time in half when compared to more traditional wallpapers.

Flat or Textured Patterns?

Choosing between a flat or textured pattern is a matter of personal taste. In general, a textured pattern gives a room a more casual look. Flat designs can make a wall look more refined. Textured wallpaper can not only provide a wall some depth and dimension, but they also do an excellent job covering imperfections. Some textured papers are paintable for a monochromatic look.

How Much Wall Paper Should You Purchase?

When determining how much wallpaper you'll need for your project, use this guide:

1. Measure all the walls you plan to cover and multiply the width by the height of each wall in feet.

2. Add all the measurements to determine the total square footage of your project.

3. Deduct doors, windows, and any other large openings from the total square footage.

4. Read the roll label for how much square foot coverage per roll. Make sure that the roll coverage is more than the total square footage determined by steps 1 thru 3.

5. As a general rule, purchase one more roll than what you need. It's best to get it when you make your original purchase so that it's from the same batch, so there is no variation in color. The spare roll is to offset any pattern match or other mistakes.

   
   

Something to consider when ordering wallpaper is if your paper choice has a pattern repeat. This can affect how many rolls you need. A pattern repeat is the vertical distance between where the pattern is identical again (repeats) The pattern repeat will help determine how many rolls you'll need to order.

If you're unsure where to start, the best option is to work with a professional designer. They can help you to determine how to incorporate wallpaper into your design and can help you to narrow your choices based on your aesthetics. A design professional can also handle measuring your space and order the proper amount of paper to complete your job.

If you're considering a home remodeling project and you live in West Alabama area, give the award-winning designers at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath a call at (205) 366-0807. We're on top of all the latest trends in home design and can help you with everything from selecting wallpaper, to creating an innovative design to show off your perfect choice!