Decorating
10 Things to Paper Your Walls With That Aren't Wallpaper
Want to add interest, drama or an eclectic touch to your space? Try these alternatives to traditional wallpaper to add an individual touch
Looking for a way to add life to your walls? The right wallpaper can be the missing ingredient in a room scheme whether your aim is to add texture, impact, glamour, a cosy feel or a bit of quirk. If trying something different appeals to you, there are plenty of alternatives to traditional wallpaper. Check out these ideas…
This Perth home also features newspapers as wallpaper to great effect. When Etica Studio designer Carla Karsakis and her husband were renovating their Art Deco cottage, they uncovered a delightful bit of history – hundreds of 1955 newspaper sheets under the linoleum floors. “We salvaged these and used them for paper flowers at our wedding and, most recently, as wallpaper in our new home’s dresser and ensuite,” says Carla. “It is stunning and the soft brown colour of the sheets adds real warmth to the room.”
2. Magazine pages
Avocado Sweets Interior Design Studio wallpapered this entrance hall with vintage magazine pages to create a unique and friendly look.
Avocado Sweets Interior Design Studio wallpapered this entrance hall with vintage magazine pages to create a unique and friendly look.
3. Photocopied family photos
The owners of this home had their favourite family portraits turned into custom-made wallpaper. You can make your own inexpensive version by photocopying favourite photos and decoupaging them to your walls. Not only does using photocopies create an attractive monochromatic colour scheme, it makes them easy to affix.
More: A Dozen Novel Ways To Display Your Favourite Photos
The owners of this home had their favourite family portraits turned into custom-made wallpaper. You can make your own inexpensive version by photocopying favourite photos and decoupaging them to your walls. Not only does using photocopies create an attractive monochromatic colour scheme, it makes them easy to affix.
More: A Dozen Novel Ways To Display Your Favourite Photos
4. Book pages
Wallpapering with the pages of an old book can give a luxe look that costs a fraction of the price of store-bought wallpaper. In this Orange County home, designer Lindye Galloway used pages with simple text and no graphics that give this dining area a restful look.
Wallpapering with the pages of an old book can give a luxe look that costs a fraction of the price of store-bought wallpaper. In this Orange County home, designer Lindye Galloway used pages with simple text and no graphics that give this dining area a restful look.
5. Maps
Add a touch of romance by using wallpaper paste to attach maps to your walls. In this study, maps in washed-out hues create a relaxing feel.
Add a touch of romance by using wallpaper paste to attach maps to your walls. In this study, maps in washed-out hues create a relaxing feel.
To add a personal touch, you can try searching online map stores and eBay to find maps of places you have visited or where your family originated from.
6. Album covers
Don’t restrict album covers to being tucked away on shelves. Add colour and art to walls and showcase your interests by attaching the album covers collage-style. In this bathroom, vintage albums have been arranged en masse on the walls. They were first sealed in plastic frames to protect the covers in such a steamy environment while still giving the look of wallpaper.
More: Holy Hobby! Houzzer’s Put Their Favourite Pastimes on Display
Don’t restrict album covers to being tucked away on shelves. Add colour and art to walls and showcase your interests by attaching the album covers collage-style. In this bathroom, vintage albums have been arranged en masse on the walls. They were first sealed in plastic frames to protect the covers in such a steamy environment while still giving the look of wallpaper.
More: Holy Hobby! Houzzer’s Put Their Favourite Pastimes on Display
7. Offcuts or wrapping paper
Who says a wall has to be finished in a solitary pattern? Use wallpaper offcuts or pieces of wrapping paper to create a one-of-a-kind look, like the owner of this Dutch apartment. Just keep the colour themes in the same general vein or complementary to provide an overall harmonious look.
Who says a wall has to be finished in a solitary pattern? Use wallpaper offcuts or pieces of wrapping paper to create a one-of-a-kind look, like the owner of this Dutch apartment. Just keep the colour themes in the same general vein or complementary to provide an overall harmonious look.
9. Memorabilia
Put your personality and your family’s stories onto your walls with collage, like the owners of this powder room from Tyner Construction Co. Think outside the box of magazine clippings and consider ticket stubs, inspirational quotes, photos, letters, postcards and other keepsakes to make personalised walls that provoke memories.
Put your personality and your family’s stories onto your walls with collage, like the owners of this powder room from Tyner Construction Co. Think outside the box of magazine clippings and consider ticket stubs, inspirational quotes, photos, letters, postcards and other keepsakes to make personalised walls that provoke memories.
10. Posters
Turn posters of your favourite movies and bands into wallpaper, like Matt di Costa and Kim Owens of Channel 9’s The Block did in the entrance hall of their Perth home. Big fans of horror movies and music, Matt and Kim selected posters with similar colour palettes for a cohesive and striking look.
MORE
Roll With It! Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper at Home
Why Is Decoupage Glue Essential for Your Craft Kit?
Make Do and Mend: Enjoy the Savings of the Simple Life
Dutch Houzz: Budget Decorating Delivers High-End Scandi Style
Turn posters of your favourite movies and bands into wallpaper, like Matt di Costa and Kim Owens of Channel 9’s The Block did in the entrance hall of their Perth home. Big fans of horror movies and music, Matt and Kim selected posters with similar colour palettes for a cohesive and striking look.
MORE
Roll With It! Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper at Home
Why Is Decoupage Glue Essential for Your Craft Kit?
Make Do and Mend: Enjoy the Savings of the Simple Life
Dutch Houzz: Budget Decorating Delivers High-End Scandi Style
Give old newspapers a new lease on life by turning them into a feature wall, like in this Dutch apartment. You can purchase vintage newspapers on eBay. Alternatively, you could save your favourite newspaper sections (such as the sports or real estate pages) and use these.
Step inside this Dutch apartment