Gone are the days of enveloping a room in flowery paper resembling a field of wildflowers. Today’s wallpapers are bold and in large geometric patterns that draw attention to an accent wall.
But with a range of patterns, colours and textiles available, choosing the right wallpaper isn’t always a breeze. Cindy Desjardins, interior decorator for Randall’s Interiors — a company that boasts one of the largest collection of wallpaper books in Ottawa — offers her tips on choosing the right paper.
What kind? There are lots of different types of wallpaper to consider.
Vinyl is the most versatile and durable, offering the widest range of colours and patterns. It resists tearing and is easy to clean, making it a good choice for well-used areas such as a family room or child’s bedroom.
Vinyl comes in self-sticking for an easy do-it-yourself project (simply peel off the backing and fix to the wall); pre-pasted, which requires wetting the paper before hanging; or non-pasted, which means applying paste to the back of the paper before hanging.
More delicate papers include flocked, grasscloth and foil.
Flocked wallpaper was originally designed to imitate velvet and textile wall coverings and has a luxurious look and feel. It’s more delicate than vinyl and is commonly used in a formal dining room or master bedroom.
Grasscloth wallpaper is made of a natural fibre and is an environmentally friendly way to add warmth and character.
Foil wallpaper is made of a thin sheet of metallic foil attached to a paper backing. It can create a dramatic look, especially in a formal dining room where you want to add some sparkle, but can be extremely difficult to hang as the foil wrinkles and tears easily.
Cost: Wallpaper can be either budget-friendly or expensive, depending on the type of paper you choose. Vinyl papers start at $18 to $20 a roll, while specialty papers such as grasscloth, foiled and flocked paper start at $40 and up.
DIY or hired help? Although vinyl paper is easy to install and makes for an easy DIY project, Desjardins recommends hiring a professional to hang specialty papers such as grasscloth, foil and flocked paper.
“If you’re going to put some expense into the paper, finish it off and get a professional to hang it for you,” she says.
Pattern overload: Survey key design elements already in a room and avoid using patterned paper where there already is a lot of pattern, such as behind a bed with an intricate duvet cover or a patterned headboard, as competing design elements will clash.
If you’ve already got pattern in a room, opt instead for wallpaper with texture such as grasscloth or anaglypta (paper embossed with a pattern that resembles fine plasterwork) that can be painted any colour to match your room’s decor.
Create mood: Consider the atmosphere you want to create. Foil paper with a subtle pattern can add sparkle and fun to a dining room, while a flocked option offers a more formal, elegant atmosphere.
Get a sample: When you find a wallpaper you love, ask to take a sample home as the lighting in your home will differ from the lighting in the store. After all, wallpaper can be a chore to remove, so you want to make sure you’ve found one you will love for a long time.
