Decorating
Wild Walls: How to Be Bold Yet Beautiful With Wallpaper
Choose and use wallpaper to maximum effect in every room of the house
Traditionally associated with regal interiors and homes of the '60s, the resurgence of wallpaper is transforming regular homes into stunning, textural artworks. Be it a bold pattern splashed across the entire living room or an opulent design restricted to a small yet important space, the effects you can create with wallpaper are highly unique. Tempted to start papering your walls but not sure where to start? Here’s how to add extra life, glamour, opulence and vibrancy to your interior with nothing more than a well chosen roll of wallpaper.
Create contrast with white
Often associated with rich colours and patterns, wallpaper was once scraped off the walls to open up spaces and create lighter rooms. However, wallpaper doesn’t have to close up a room. Complemented by the correct colours, clean and crisp contrast can enhance the vibrancy of your chosen pattern without overdoing it. This works especially well for older homes with picture rails, mantelpieces, architraves and other wall mouldings.
Often associated with rich colours and patterns, wallpaper was once scraped off the walls to open up spaces and create lighter rooms. However, wallpaper doesn’t have to close up a room. Complemented by the correct colours, clean and crisp contrast can enhance the vibrancy of your chosen pattern without overdoing it. This works especially well for older homes with picture rails, mantelpieces, architraves and other wall mouldings.
Use pattern to your advantage
A plain same-colour pattern of stripes, lines and checks can make a bold statement without overwhelming the room. Patterns such as these give the wall an understated elegance and still enable you to easily add other pieces to the room without worrying about any serious clashes. This is the perfect paper if you’re reluctant to commit to a strong design, but still want to make an impact.
A plain same-colour pattern of stripes, lines and checks can make a bold statement without overwhelming the room. Patterns such as these give the wall an understated elegance and still enable you to easily add other pieces to the room without worrying about any serious clashes. This is the perfect paper if you’re reluctant to commit to a strong design, but still want to make an impact.
Add some glamour
You don’t have to be royalty to give your boudoir the royal treatment. Choosing a paper with metallic hues such as gold and platinum will give the room a modern and warm appeal. Warmer colours such as gold and bronze will further add to the comfort of the space. Go for a textural pattern that makes a bold statement and pair it with simple furniture and bedding that enhances the exquisite design.
You don’t have to be royalty to give your boudoir the royal treatment. Choosing a paper with metallic hues such as gold and platinum will give the room a modern and warm appeal. Warmer colours such as gold and bronze will further add to the comfort of the space. Go for a textural pattern that makes a bold statement and pair it with simple furniture and bedding that enhances the exquisite design.
Make a scene
If you’re undecided about a pattern, consider wallpaper that casts a scene. While it may not be a renaissance mural, a simple scene of trees, a cityscape or street art can add that extra dimension to a room without the repetitive pattern of traditional wallpapers. This technique would work especially well in a room with small or no windows.
If you’re undecided about a pattern, consider wallpaper that casts a scene. While it may not be a renaissance mural, a simple scene of trees, a cityscape or street art can add that extra dimension to a room without the repetitive pattern of traditional wallpapers. This technique would work especially well in a room with small or no windows.
Boost the opulence
Embrace the glamour of your wallpaper and use it to insert some luxury into spaces that are beckoning for style. Make the most of rich colours and intricate designs by placing them in smaller, angular spaces and boost intricate detail by choosing one colour from the pattern and complementing it with well-matched accessories such as mirrors, frames and ornaments.
Embrace the glamour of your wallpaper and use it to insert some luxury into spaces that are beckoning for style. Make the most of rich colours and intricate designs by placing them in smaller, angular spaces and boost intricate detail by choosing one colour from the pattern and complementing it with well-matched accessories such as mirrors, frames and ornaments.
Embrace the exotic
Create a calming coastal getaway or a Balinese bungalow with a natural material such as grass cloth wallpaper. From bedrooms to bathrooms and living rooms, these woven ecologically friendly materials create a calming and harmonious space. The neutral colours create a stunning backdrop for hanging items such as frames and mirrors.
Create a calming coastal getaway or a Balinese bungalow with a natural material such as grass cloth wallpaper. From bedrooms to bathrooms and living rooms, these woven ecologically friendly materials create a calming and harmonious space. The neutral colours create a stunning backdrop for hanging items such as frames and mirrors.
Draw from history
You can still create a modern and exciting look by drawing inspiration from some of the great interiors of the past. Fashion and illustration icon Florence Broadhurst is the best-known example of the revival of stunning flora and fauna prints adorning the walls of hotels, boutiques and boardrooms alike. Add charisma and flair to your chosen room by creating a feature with a heritage print.
You can still create a modern and exciting look by drawing inspiration from some of the great interiors of the past. Fashion and illustration icon Florence Broadhurst is the best-known example of the revival of stunning flora and fauna prints adorning the walls of hotels, boutiques and boardrooms alike. Add charisma and flair to your chosen room by creating a feature with a heritage print.
Pretty it up
Celebrate the arrival of your newest family member with a pastel pattern in your baby’s nursery. Soft colours and simple patterns create a soothing and comfortable space for your baby and make it easy to integrate other items such as furniture, gifts or wall art with the style. Wallpapering is ideal for parents on a budget wanting to create a beautiful and special space without having to invest in expensive nursery furniture.
Celebrate the arrival of your newest family member with a pastel pattern in your baby’s nursery. Soft colours and simple patterns create a soothing and comfortable space for your baby and make it easy to integrate other items such as furniture, gifts or wall art with the style. Wallpapering is ideal for parents on a budget wanting to create a beautiful and special space without having to invest in expensive nursery furniture.
Go for longevity
For a bedroom that can grow with a child from the toddler years into the teens, choose a sophisticated wallpaper in great colours – this room would be a hit for any age group.
TELL US
Are you wild about wallpaper or are you still suffering regrets from the 1960s? Tell us all in the comments section below.
For a bedroom that can grow with a child from the toddler years into the teens, choose a sophisticated wallpaper in great colours – this room would be a hit for any age group.
TELL US
Are you wild about wallpaper or are you still suffering regrets from the 1960s? Tell us all in the comments section below.
If you find a wallpaper you can’t live without, why restrict yourself to a feature wall? Go ahead, paper all four walls and make no apology for doing so. Wallpaper this fabulous is worth shouting about.