photo: Apartment Therapy

Sometimes a room is in need of more than just a coat of paint to bring it’s personality to life.  Wallpaper provides a decorative back splash that sets the tone for a space using color, design, and texture.  Introducing the right wallpaper to your room isn’t always an easy feat, so here are a few helpful tips to guide you in the right direction!

» Decide How Much Should be Covered –

• “Entire Room” To maximize the intensity of a selected pattern use it on all the walls in a room.  Depending on the print it can actually make the room feel larger by unifying the space with one print.

• “Focal Point”  If you want the selected print to act as an accent, use it to draw attention to an interesting architectural detail.  For example, apply it above wainscoting, on the fireplace wall, or on bump out walls.

• “Top to Bottom” This application is suggested with highly textured wallpapers in more of a neutral color.  You want the wallpaper selection to enhance, not overtake, your space.

 
photo: House Beautiful
The large floral wallpaper in rosy hues is a darling choice for this tucked away bedroom.  Using a soft color palette and applying the wallpaper on both the walls and eaves creates a unified space.

 » Choosing the Right Color and Design for Your Space –

• The function of the room suggests the tone of the wallpaper, so keep it subtle in quiet areas like the bedrooms, but try to take a chance in gathering spaces like the living room and dining room.  Just like paint colors, your wallpaper selection will help to create the mood of the room.  Using lively prints in active areas of your home can also help to increase energy!

photo: Southern Living
This is a perfect example of going bold in color and giving the walls texture with a grass cloth weave.

• Look at the existing furniture and textiles in the room that you want to work around.  Choose a color that will complement the color scheme versus duplicating an already predominant color.  You want the wallpaper to set the stage for your furniture and produce a balance within the space.  That could mean the wallpaper acts more like a focal point when paired with neutral furnishings, or act as a neutral backsplash with more lively furnishings. 

• Consider how much light the space gets in order to choose the right hue.   Avoid darker colors in smaller rooms; use them in larger spaces with a lot of windows instead. 

» Function As Well As Fashion –

• For bathrooms and kitchens, seek wallpapers that are water resistant as these spaces tend to trap moisture; you don’t want the wallpaper to peel.
• For entryways, vinyl wallpaper is a great choice because they tend to be durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.
• Fabric, Flock and Grass Cloth type wallpapers tend to be difficult to clean so use these in spaces that do not produce a lot of moisture or high traffic.

Brought to you by Cottage Home– specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables