When you hear wallpaper, what comes to mind? Aunt Joan's hideous florals plastered in a dining room? A crazy pattern of red roosters invading a kitchen? Uncle Jesse's pink bunny bedroom wallpaper from Full House?
Wallpaper has received a bad rap over the years, but taking the plunge with paper doesn't have to mean design suicide for your home. Actually, wallpaper and it's less scary wall decal counterparts are showing up from dorm rooms to dining rooms.
The committment phobe: If the thought of being stuck with one pattern for more than a year sends chills down your spine, you should try a temporary wall decor fix: the wall decal. Wall decals (or Wall Tattoos) can give a room and updated look without the long-term repercussions of wallpaper. Our design inspiration board features a palm tree motif by Surface Collective.
The design diva: If you know what you like and aren't afraid to stick with it, you're ready for the real deal. Wallpaper today comes in unexpected color combos (think the pink and orange number by Marcel Wanders on our inspiration board) and classic-chic patterns such as damask.
Tips and Tricks
- Use paper shears to create the extra long, precision cuts you need to hand your new wallpaper
- Remember that painted walls need to be smoothed. This means scraping away any bumps and smoothing with sandpaper
- Use special markings for strips that go under windows or doorways
- Use a utility knife to trim away any excess paper
Clockwise from top: Wall Tattoo from Surface Collective; Frames Wallpaper by Taylor & Wood; Rose Wallpaper by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway; Alice Wallpaper by Marcel Wanders; Viva wallpaper by Barbara Hulanicki; Damask Wallpaper available at Creative Wall Coverings.
