What did you end up choosing Sanyukta? Would be interested in seeing what you chose to go with the greeny-white.

After seeing your before/after photos in your [kitchen thread[(https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/kitchen-reno-ideas-suggestions-please-dsvw-vd~3651370?n=11) I thought I'd bump this thread. I have a better idea of the whole space now. Have you had any more ideas of what to do? I think by cladding the whole surround and wall above could have big impact and modernise so it ties in with your new kitchen. Also give some balance as it sits alongside the glossy black bench. If you like the warm of timber, you could clad running the wood horizontally. This final photo is cataloged as a transitional look but same idea with cladding all the way up. ETA: That artwork would look great on a dark grey backdrop.

As I said before keeping clutter under control is the key, get lots of storage ,you said cost is I s an issue. Look at IKEA they have solutions for wall units that you can get in different colours and that in itself will brighten the place. You would benefit from a buffet next to the kitchen /dining area or a large wall unit with lots of shelfs and drawers, coffee table with storage drawers , storage unit with baskets for kids toys and school stuff, once you have this under control start adding rugs if think you still need it. By the look of it you have small kids get them to put things in appropriate place and get some funky coat hangers in the entrance so they can hang hats and bags etc.

Having lived in the UK, wood chip paper deserved its reputation as the most difficult paper to remove, but there will always be patches that are a little more stubborn! Is your steamer a wallpaper steamer with flat base and 'ledge' to sit against the wall, or a general 'steam off into air' steamer? I found my wallpaper steamer brilliantly effective, and brought it back with me... Friends who borrowed it were so impressed, they wanted to buy it off me. You will find this method works on all paper types, including flock and vinyl faced. First, lay a plastic groundsheet. Mel N is right - score the paper all over (in smallish diamonds or just randomly) with the corner of a 100mm wide metal paint scraper. The closer the scores to cut the surface of the paper, the easier the stripping. Working over 5-6 (steam base) areas, place steamer against the wall, allowing time for it to penetrate the edges of scores each time, then come back to scrape with the metal scraper from the first area, then second etc. This gives the steam time to seep in. Repeat. Clean up wallpaper scrapings from the floor regularly as they will be sticky and messy. Finally wash down the wall with sugar soap to remove adhesive, open windows for drying and prepare your walls as usual.