Decorating
Roll With It! Creative Ways to Use Wallpaper at Home
Cover your walls and much more with interesting patterns and colours – it's easy with these inspirational ideas
I meet a lot of people who have reservations about wallpaper. Two of the most common questions I’m asked are: “Isn’t wallpaper out of fashion?” and “Isn’t it high maintenance?” My standard answer is “No, actually it’s just the opposite”. Wallpaper is very much in fashion, and I think it always will be. Additionally, in most cases it’s easier to clean than painted walls. Proper installation by a professional hanger and the use of high-quality paper are key.
Wallpaper is a wonderful design tool. I use it for almost every project: bathrooms, bedrooms, stairways, kitchens and cabinets. Name a flat surface, I’ve probably papered it. Here are some creative applications of wallpaper by talented Houzz designers. Consider one of these for your own home and you’ll soon be hooked. Wallpaper is here to stay.
Wallpaper is a wonderful design tool. I use it for almost every project: bathrooms, bedrooms, stairways, kitchens and cabinets. Name a flat surface, I’ve probably papered it. Here are some creative applications of wallpaper by talented Houzz designers. Consider one of these for your own home and you’ll soon be hooked. Wallpaper is here to stay.
As a feature wall
Paper over one wall and use a coordinating paint colour for the remaining walls. Select a pattern you like – geometric, floral or abstract – and pair it with neutral furniture pieces. Yes, you can hang art on the papered wall.
Paper over one wall and use a coordinating paint colour for the remaining walls. Select a pattern you like – geometric, floral or abstract – and pair it with neutral furniture pieces. Yes, you can hang art on the papered wall.
A wallpapered feature wall in a room with multiple ceiling pitches looks great. The wallpaper creates contrast and highlights the architecture.
At the entry
Wallpaper works well in a foyer and stairwell. A bold pattern can really bring life to this first-impression space. I particularly like wallpaper up a stairwell if I am working with a small budget that doesn’t allow for carpentry with a costly finish. Notice the lightswitch plate that is camouflaged by the pattern.
Wallpaper works well in a foyer and stairwell. A bold pattern can really bring life to this first-impression space. I particularly like wallpaper up a stairwell if I am working with a small budget that doesn’t allow for carpentry with a costly finish. Notice the lightswitch plate that is camouflaged by the pattern.
Behind shelves
Create interest in a room by wallpapering the backs of bookshelves. Highlighting shelves in this way makes a special display space for treasured souvenirs and framed family photos.
Create interest in a room by wallpapering the backs of bookshelves. Highlighting shelves in this way makes a special display space for treasured souvenirs and framed family photos.
Above wainscoting
If you have a room with high wood wainscoting, consider papering the upper third of the wall. I like the bold mix here of a traditional wallpaper and Mid-Century table and chairs.
If you have a room with high wood wainscoting, consider papering the upper third of the wall. I like the bold mix here of a traditional wallpaper and Mid-Century table and chairs.
In the kitchen
This application of wallpaper is brilliant. The designer selected a white subway tile splashback below an open shelf. Wallpaper was applied above the shelf only. It’s a clever use of wallpaper in the kitchen that still allows for easy cleaning.
This application of wallpaper is brilliant. The designer selected a white subway tile splashback below an open shelf. Wallpaper was applied above the shelf only. It’s a clever use of wallpaper in the kitchen that still allows for easy cleaning.
Install paper in the back of kitchen cabinets. This works particularly well with painted cabinets. A splash of bright wallpaper looks great with white cups and plates and makes things easier to see.
In a powder room
If you have a powder room with exposed plumbing, wallpaper is a great way to dress up the plumbed wall. Note how the wallpaper here matches with the style of the vanity.
If you have a powder room with exposed plumbing, wallpaper is a great way to dress up the plumbed wall. Note how the wallpaper here matches with the style of the vanity.
As a cabinet detail
One of the reasons I like a Shaker-style drawer front is that wallpaper looks great in the recessed portion. Here a textured grass cloth on the drawer fronts adds contrast to the painted built-in.
One of the reasons I like a Shaker-style drawer front is that wallpaper looks great in the recessed portion. Here a textured grass cloth on the drawer fronts adds contrast to the painted built-in.
On the stairs
Add interest to stair risers with wallpaper. Stairways are high-traffic areas in most homes; enliven your walk up with a fun pattern. I have also seen a thin acrylic sheet placed over risers for protection. That would work well here, too.
Add interest to stair risers with wallpaper. Stairways are high-traffic areas in most homes; enliven your walk up with a fun pattern. I have also seen a thin acrylic sheet placed over risers for protection. That would work well here, too.
On the ceiling!
If you have a recessed ceiling from a cove or another architectural detail, consider applying wallpaper to it that coordinates with the room’s paint colour. Note the placement of the light fixture here – it creates a textured focal point against the pattern.
SHARE WITH US…
What’s the most unusual part of the home you’ve applied wallpaper to? Include a high resolution photo in the comments section below.
If you have a recessed ceiling from a cove or another architectural detail, consider applying wallpaper to it that coordinates with the room’s paint colour. Note the placement of the light fixture here – it creates a textured focal point against the pattern.
SHARE WITH US…
What’s the most unusual part of the home you’ve applied wallpaper to? Include a high resolution photo in the comments section below.
If you have tile wainscoting in a bathroom, consider wallpaper above the tile line, or for the top two thirds of the wall. Wallpaper that is installed properly can withstand the steamy environment of showers. Using a fan or ventilating with windows is a good idea.