Wallpapers have made a dynamic return as a trend and can work for both minimal and maximal decorations. When the right wallpaper is used in the right place it can give impressive results and unique charm to your house’s decor.
Wallpapers have the power to magically transform a space, create depth, give texture and a realistic 3D look to a room. Also, it is important to realize that wallpaper is a material that, over the years, has evolved tremendously in terms of quality, durability, and capabilities.
There are countless alternative wallpaper applications that go beyond conventional uses. Ιn this article you will find 9 ways to use wallpaper that
On the ceiling
If you are not a new reader of Hintsdeco, you may have read the article 2021 Deco Trends.
One of the trends of 2021 that I mention in the article is covering the ceiling with wallpaper, in bold designs and colors. When decorating our home, we often forget about the fifth wall as a possibility. But it is an empty pallet, which is not interrupted by shelves, furniture, etc. Maybe it's time to reconsider it.
As I mentioned in the article Catch everyone by surprise, using colour in ceilings, you can choose bold patterns, flowers, tropical, or even simpler geometric designs. Find a wallpaper that includes in its pattern, the color of your walls.
If your choice of wallpaper is strong, then keep the rest of the style of decoration simple, with the appropriate furniture and accessories.
On one wall
You don’t need to fill your entire room with wallpaper if it doesn’t express your style. Create an accent wall and draw attention there, as Jo of Cloud Nine Interiors has done, combining her tropical green wallpaper with a pink armchair. See more in the Hintsdeco article.
If you don’t want to choose something that intense, then for a natural material like stone, cement, or wood.
You can choose a bold large artistic pattern, which will create the look of wall art or a realistic pattern that looks like a tile, or brick and give an industrial style to your space.
At the end of the day, when it comes to the wallpaper you prefer, the sky's the limit!
Installing wallpaper on a wall will work wonders in a children's room as well.
On half a wall or a corner
You can limit the intensity of your wallpaper further, by covering only part of the wall. Alternatively, create a small corner in your room by combining it with a comfortable armchair, a small table, and a lamp. You can use this method to add color to your hallway, a corridor, or the space under the stairs.
Behind your bed
The application of installing wallpaper on a wall will look great behind your bed as a headboard wall.
As I mentioned in the article Ideas for a comfy bed and a well-decorated bedroom, you can choose a wallpaper and combine it with the curtain and the linens of your bed. Also, your bedroom is the perfect place to use a "photo-wallpaper" that will help you escape and relax.
As a backsplash
An even smaller, but at the same time, dramatic use of wallpaper is behind the kitchen or bathroom sink as an alternative backsplash.
It will bring a fresh and interesting character that can hardly be replaced by a simple tile. Also installing and replacing it is much easier than any other material.
One concern that may arise from this particular way of using wallpaper is if it can be cleaned easily and whether it will withstand over time in such close contact with moisture. This shouldn’t worry you.
When it comes to the back of the kitchen, a good protection solution would be to use a single transparent glass above the wallpaper.
In nowadays there are wallpapers suitable for high humidity rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl wallpapers, in which the pattern or design is printed on a vinyl surface, are ideal, as their material does not absorb moisture or stains. These types of wallpapers are hard, easy to wash, and don’t fade. One disadvantage is that they can be difficult to remove due to their water resistance.
Another option is washable wallpapers. The pattern is printed on the base paper and protected by a transparent, thin, layer of plastic. They are stain-resistant and easy to clean with a damp cloth.
You can easily distinguish these wallpapers by looking for the words "vinyl", "scrubbable", "washable" or "highly wash-resistant".
You can find vinyl and/or washable wallpapers at Wallpaperfromthe70s, Graham & Brown, Wayfair, Iwantwallpaper, and many other stores.
On the shelves, bookcase, or closet
It can be installed on the wall or on the wood itself! A bold wallpaper will transform the back of your bookcase, closet, or kitchen shelves. Since the places where you will apply the wallpaper are small, you can safely choose a bold pattern. Combine it with minimal monochrome furniture.
On the kitchen island
An ideal solution to revive your kitchen island, that may have marks or stains that don’t go away.
The same application can be used on other furniture that you no longer like. For example, you can cover the top of a coffee table with wallpaper that looks like cement, tile, or wood and place a sheet of glass on top. The same technique can be applied to stools, chairs, etc.
On the fireplace
Similar to the kitchen island, you can use wallpaper to give a whole new vibe to your fireplace.
Make the fireplace the focus point of the room!
If you are going to install wallpaper on the fireplace, make sure to:
Choose a wallpaper that can be cleaned with a damp cloth, so you can easily remove possible marks from smoke and cinder.
Ventilate your fireplace to work properly.
Use the cover or lid on your fireplace.
Get it installed by a professional, as the wall may require special preparation.
Since we are talking about heat, it is good to mention that for safety reasons we should never install wallpaper on, or on a wall that rests on a wood stove or wood oven.
Wallpaper as a work of art
Obviously, our first thought when it comes to wallpaper is to install it somewhere. On the wall, on furniture, on the door, etc.
But some wallpapers are true works of art. So why not frame a small or large piece of them for your wall?
Alternatively, you can apply a thin piece of wallpaper with faux wood, or tile pattern on a piece of plywood and lean it on the wall as an accent of your room. Or, place it behind your bed as a headboard or above your couch.
I hope this article helped you see wallpaper in a new light! In interior design, something we can always have in mind is: "How can this be used differently?" "How can I make it work for me?"
We don’t need to religiously follow the trends. The best thing to do is to filter them and then interpret them based on our own point of view.Do you plan to use any of these ideas? Share it with us! Tag us on Instagram at @hintsdecowill make a difference in the interior design of your house...
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