Choose the Right Wallpaper for You

What is the room used for?
From trendy geometrics to handmade varieties that resemble fine art, wallpaper is experiencing a bona fide renaissance in the design world.
Most people prefer pacific patterns and quiet shades in bedrooms but embrace color in kitchens, living rooms and entertaining spaces, where the energy is lively. Considering a room’s use will also help ensure your choice has the right amount of durability. A teenager’s room may not be the place for the more fragile paper options, but a guest bedroom probably is, for example.

How much square footage are you planning to wrap?

The general rule of thumb is that oversized patterns will overpower a room, but like all good rules, this one can be broken — and often is. In fact if you have a preference for bold drama, big patterns in dark shades might be your thing. “Lighter colors and simpler prints give buoyancy to a space, whereas darker shades and more complex prints can be a focal point and add dramatic flair,” Rees says. 

How big of a statement do you want to make?

If the idea of wallpapering still makes you nervous, try putting it on half a wall with beadboard or paint on the other half. Go for light, simple patterns, so you can warm up to the idea. Chasing Paper’s Bookworm is a clever option for a half wall with a chair rail in a library or study. It boasts hand-drawn illustrations of an actual bookshelf in black and white. When you’re ready to take a risk, try wallpapering one statement wall in a room, and go for bold pattern, scale or color. The effect can be eye-popping. 

But if you really want to get a conversation going at your next dinner party, consider removable wallpaper on surfaces other than walls, like kitchen backsplashes. Some folks use it to cover the tops of old coffee tables or to jazz up drawer fronts.

Can I do it myself?

The removable kind is extremely easy to apply yourself. In most cases you don’t need to put down glue — just peel and stick. For anything else, you will not regret calling a professional. Working with traditional wallpaper can be a nightmare for a rookie, and once something goes wrong, it’s hard to get the project on track without starting over. Many work for hourly fees.

Ready to go?

Do what designers do and create a storyboard for your room first. “Cut out images you like from magazines; collect swatches of fabric, paint chips and wallpaper samples and put them together on a board to create a look,” recommends Taylor. “Hang it on the wall and live with it for a week or so, so you can take note of how colors change at different times of the day.” As you add or eliminate things, keep referring back to your storyboard.