6 Reasons to Consider Wallpaper in Your Design
Find out how to choose a pattern and style you’ll love
Generally speaking, people either love wallpaper or dislike it. As a designer, I’ve come to believe that wallpaper can work for everybody! If chosen in the right way for you, and if the proper steps are taken to install it, you can have a long and happy relationship with your wallpaper — and even be ready for removal, if the day should ever come.
1. Wallpaper Captures Your Style and Vibe
Wallpaper makes a statement, and for many people this can be intimidating. Many of us just aren’t accustomed to making a statement when it comes to our home design, and that’s absolutely fine, because we all want to feel comfortable and at ease in our homes. But the truth is: We’re all infinitely unique, and I believe that our home design should reflect this.
Wallpaper makes a statement, and for many people this can be intimidating. Many of us just aren’t accustomed to making a statement when it comes to our home design, and that’s absolutely fine, because we all want to feel comfortable and at ease in our homes. But the truth is: We’re all infinitely unique, and I believe that our home design should reflect this.
One of the reasons wallpaper is such a highly effective way of personalizing design is that there are so many different options. Whether you’re looking for colorful or neutral, patterned or abstract, textured or flat, geometric or floral — wallpaper offers a million ways to add your own individual impact to any space.
When narrowing down which style of wallpaper might work for your home, start with some research to see what kind of wallpapers you like.
When narrowing down which style of wallpaper might work for your home, start with some research to see what kind of wallpapers you like.
What colors, patterns, themes or textures are you drawn to? Chances are you’ll find something you love if you spend time looking for inspiration. Doing research will allow you to see all the beautiful options available to you and get excited about adding it.
Pro tip: Make sure to take your time and find a wallpaper that captures the right vision and vibe for your space. Your wallpaper may be with you for a while, so you might as well enjoy the searching process. Your ideal wallpaper is out there, so have fun finding it!
Pro tip: Make sure to take your time and find a wallpaper that captures the right vision and vibe for your space. Your wallpaper may be with you for a while, so you might as well enjoy the searching process. Your ideal wallpaper is out there, so have fun finding it!
Wallpaper inspiration: This sleek and vibrant dining room is made all the more bold and beautiful with the choice to add a single wall of metallic floral wallpaper. The teal and black room accents, paired with the gold wallpaper and wood pieces, make this space feel stylish yet comfortable.
Browse wallpaper styles and patterns
Browse wallpaper styles and patterns
2. Wallpaper Doesn’t Need to Overwhelm
If bold or colorful prints don’t capture your heart, turn to more understated options to create the look and feel that you’re after.
If bold or colorful prints don’t capture your heart, turn to more understated options to create the look and feel that you’re after.
Perhaps a small-scale print or an abstract pattern feels more natural in your space. Or maybe a solid or textured print feels more true to your personal style.
The addition of wallpaper, no matter how subtle, can go a long way to creating a personalized and beautifully curated look in your space.
The addition of wallpaper, no matter how subtle, can go a long way to creating a personalized and beautifully curated look in your space.
Textured wallpaper prints lend warmth, depth and comfort to any room. Textured walls can also add a feeling of lushness and luxury to a more traditional living space.
These days, there are loads of awesome geometric prints that capture a contemporary and high-energy vibe. In the right space, geometric wallpapers can feel light and fun, and add a playfulness to your room, even if the pattern or color is more subtle.
Choosing solid-colored, patterned wallpapers can add a lush feel to your room design. Using a solid-colored wallpaper with a sheen can add drama and depth, as the light reflects off the paper to create a brighter and more textured space.
Pro tip: Solid-colored, dark wallpapers can be dramatic and stunning in the right space. Rooms with any combination of tall ceilings, big trims and moldings or lots of natural light will be the best rooms to balance the boldness.
Pro tip: Solid-colored, dark wallpapers can be dramatic and stunning in the right space. Rooms with any combination of tall ceilings, big trims and moldings or lots of natural light will be the best rooms to balance the boldness.
3. Wallpaper Can Be Featured, Like Art
In the past, wallpaper was most often used as a backdrop in any room, being slapped on every wall to make an impact. These days, there are so many beautifully crafted wallpapers to choose from and many more ways to add a custom touch.
In the past, wallpaper was most often used as a backdrop in any room, being slapped on every wall to make an impact. These days, there are so many beautifully crafted wallpapers to choose from and many more ways to add a custom touch.
A feature wall is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to make a statement, using wallpaper like art. Featuring wallpaper on a single wall adds character, charm and individuality — like an original painting would.
Feature walls also give you a chance to go big and bold with your paper choice so your wall really projects that art-like vibe.
Feature walls also give you a chance to go big and bold with your paper choice so your wall really projects that art-like vibe.
Whether for a full-wall, a partial-wall or an odd-shaped nook, wallpaper can create a distinct design feature in your home, as well as a pretty focal point in your space.
Pro tip: In choosing which wall to feature, it’s helpful to stand back in your space and take note of your options. There are always options when it comes to which wall(s) to highlight, even when it looks to be an obvious choice. Sometimes getting creative when it comes to your wall selection can make for the most enjoyable and uniquely designed spaces.
Pro tip: In choosing which wall to feature, it’s helpful to stand back in your space and take note of your options. There are always options when it comes to which wall(s) to highlight, even when it looks to be an obvious choice. Sometimes getting creative when it comes to your wall selection can make for the most enjoyable and uniquely designed spaces.
Wallpaper inspiration: This little loft space feels relaxing and whimsical with the addition of this nature-inspired paper, on a couple of well-chosen walls.
4. Wallpaper Works in Unconventional Spaces
Wallpaper can be a great way of making a tiny, odd-shaped or unconventional room into a stunning space. Do you have a closet, a powder room or a nook that needs a little love?
Wallpaper sometimes makes the biggest impact in small or unusual spaces. Adding wallpaper to an interesting area in your home is also an inexpensive way to add some serious design cred, as usually one or two rolls will do the trick.
Wallpaper can be a great way of making a tiny, odd-shaped or unconventional room into a stunning space. Do you have a closet, a powder room or a nook that needs a little love?
Wallpaper sometimes makes the biggest impact in small or unusual spaces. Adding wallpaper to an interesting area in your home is also an inexpensive way to add some serious design cred, as usually one or two rolls will do the trick.
5. Wallpaper Is Not Forever
We’ve all heard the horror stories of home buyers who spent days, weeks and lots of dollars removing decades-old wallpaper from a new home. In my experience, this is one of the main reasons many owners shy away from adding the beauty of wallpaper to their homes — and this has got to change!
We’ve all heard the horror stories of home buyers who spent days, weeks and lots of dollars removing decades-old wallpaper from a new home. In my experience, this is one of the main reasons many owners shy away from adding the beauty of wallpaper to their homes — and this has got to change!
Wallpaper products today are different than the ones that wrapped the walls of our parents’ or grandparents’ houses all those years back.
Contemporary coverings, as well as the adhesives that help put them on (and take them off), have changed a lot. This means you don’t need to worry that you, or the future owners of your home, will be stuck with a mess if either of you should choose to redesign the space.
Contemporary coverings, as well as the adhesives that help put them on (and take them off), have changed a lot. This means you don’t need to worry that you, or the future owners of your home, will be stuck with a mess if either of you should choose to redesign the space.
Hiring a wallpaper installer can go a long way to ensuring that you and your final selection have a long and happy life together. A professional installer will ensure that walls are properly prepped and primed, and that your wallpaper is applied to last. It will also ensure that your wallpaper will be easy to get off, should you want to remove it one day.
Find a wall covering professional in your area
Find a wall covering professional in your area
If you decide to install the wallpaper yourself, you may need to prime your walls before applying the paper. Buying good-quality adhesives will enhance the staying power of your wallpaper, and ensure easy stripping if that day should ever come.
How to Add Wallpaper to a Room
How to Add Wallpaper to a Room
Wallpaper inspiration: The wallpaper in this small powder room achieves the perfect mix of traditional and fun, creating a vibrant and playful feel.
Pro tip: I love helping clients pick unique and beautiful wallpapers, and I never worry about a new family one day moving in and changing the room design, because it won’t be a mess. I know the current (and future) owners will appreciate that we took the time and effort to do the wallpapering the right way.
Pro tip: I love helping clients pick unique and beautiful wallpapers, and I never worry about a new family one day moving in and changing the room design, because it won’t be a mess. I know the current (and future) owners will appreciate that we took the time and effort to do the wallpapering the right way.
6. Wallpapers Are Low Maintenance
Contemporary wallpapers are much more durable and low maintenance than most of us realize. The external side of most residential wallpapers are made of vinyl, so they are extremely durable and easily washable, unlike papers of times past. This means they’re less likely to scratch, tear or stain.
Contemporary wallpapers are much more durable and low maintenance than most of us realize. The external side of most residential wallpapers are made of vinyl, so they are extremely durable and easily washable, unlike papers of times past. This means they’re less likely to scratch, tear or stain.
Wallpaper inspiration: Vibrant wallpaper transforms this kitchen, creating a gorgeous garden effect in the family space. Choosing such a bold and beautiful wallpaper in the kitchen has never been easier, now that you don’t have to worry so much about scratching, staining or peeling over time.
More
How to Measure for Wallpaper
See What Happens When 1 House Takes On 8 Wallpapers
Other resources
Find a wall covering professional in your area
Shop for wallpaper
More
How to Measure for Wallpaper
See What Happens When 1 House Takes On 8 Wallpapers
Other resources
Find a wall covering professional in your area
Shop for wallpaper
Here are six reasons why you should consider adding wallpaper to your home, including how to choose the best style for you and how to do it right when it comes to installation.