When it comes to interior decorating, your walls quite literally hold your home together. They may be the most defining focal point of a room, or they could provide a subtle and elegant backdrop for the furniture, pictures, vases, or other decorative features you wish to display. Either way, choosing the right wallpaper is the most important design decision ahead when you start planning a redecorating project. Here are a few things to consider before you start looking at wall coverings, so you won’t be overwhelmed by the hundreds of options bombarding you at the hardware store or online.
Color Choice
Color scheme is one of the first things people will notice about your home design, so make sure you choose a wall covering that will fit in beautifully with your existing flooring and furniture, if you won’t be replacing those. If your curtains, throw pillows, and rugs are bold and bright, continue with that theme in a way that isn’t too overpowering. Remember, bright colors brighten up dark rooms, while deeper tones bring a feel of warmth and comfort to large rooms and pale colors make small rooms feel a little bigger. Some of the hottest designer wallpapers feature neutral, natural tones, while other designers display a youthful and contemporary flavor with eye-catching splashes of color.
Pattern Choice
The pattern on your walls can leave a vivid impression, so choose very carefully. Large designs can make a room feel crowded, so save that enormous fleur-de-lis that you love for a border or accent wall. Many decorators prefer subtle patterns, that include various shades of the same color rather than patterns that pop. Another cute trend for bathrooms or cozy dens is to use small polka dots or a repeating pattern on a very small scale. Whatever you do, make sure that you don’t use too much of the same pattern in a room – striped upholstery against striped wallpaper can get old fast.
Texture and Finish
Textured paper isn’t right for every situation, but it is an excellent option when you want to stick with a solid color while keeping it more interesting than paint. Textured paper often adds a touch of class to a room that you may not get with flat wall coverings. Make sure to decide the type of finish you want, too. Reflective sheens can help a room feel bigger than flat finishes, but they may also make large, well-lit spaces seem echoey.
Latest Trends
Some of the latest designer trends in wall coverings include the use of abstract geometric shapes, high-contrast tones, and customized digital photograph murals. High-end homes are also seeing a shift from traditional papers to organic wall coverings, such as bamboo coverings and wood veneer panels. These bring a bit of nature indoors, and make any space more soothing. But whatever you prefer, the top designers in wall coverings will have something that inspires you and gives your home a fresh look and feel.
