Insider Tips: Wallpaper 101

I’m sure that when many of us think of wallpaper, the first thing that comes to mind is that tacky avocado-hued pineapple & palm tree number your aunt has in her kitchen. Luckily, times have changed and wallpaper patterns are no longer plastered with flowers or landscape murals; you can get gorgeous, rich-looking papers that will last for decades to come. Today, patterns are simple and subtle with clean, crisp lines that allow the rest of the room speak for itself. Environment and air-friendly gels and pastes are also available so your house doesn’t smell like a glue factory once you’re done. And, you can even get peel and stick decals for the wall that can be easily removed so pasting up your walls doesn’t feel like such a commitment. Sounds like a win-win to us!

Here are a few ideas courtesy of Alex, one of Trico’s talented Design Centre consultants, to help guide you in your decision to papering your home.

Make a feature wall. A popular design trend in paint, an accent wall will liven up any room. And contrary to what you might think, it can actually add dimension & depth to a smaller space. This idea is perfect for a pretty pattern that may be overbearing for a whole room; however, you should stick with a larger, light, whimsical pattern – dark-colored paper with a small print will make your room feel claustrophobic.

Paper every wall in your powder room. A light, subtle pattern ensures an all-over paper doesn’t become overwhelming, and adds an interesting facet to an otherwise rather small, dull room. Corridors and hallways can also be dead and dark; applying a wallpaper can bring them alive. (Not only that, but a wallpaper in a corridor can camouflage tiny fingerprints!)

Put paper on the ceiling! You can get textured wallpapers that replicate a tin ceiling and paint them to any colour you like, giving it that vintage, Victorian look. Or, why not paper the ceiling in your kid’s rooms? Children spend a surprising amount of time looking up; why not give them something to look at?

Paste up a wall mural. Another take on the feature wall, wallpaper murals allow homeowners to turn personal photos, fine art prints, natural images and scenes, or any pattern into a fabulous, personalized accent in your home.

It’s what’s on the inside that counts. Why not spice up the inside of your closet, dresser or even kitchen cabinets with wallpaper? It’s an easy way to turn boring furniture into interesting pieces.

Frame it. You don’t have to commit to an entire wall for that wow factor. Create your own inspirational wall by cutting out various types of wallpaper and framing them in eye catching photo frames or rectangular shaped frames