Yes,
you won't believe it but I am talking about... Wallcoverings, i.e. wallpaper. Now
before you go running out of the room yelling, "oh no…. been there done that…. never again!', wallpaper has
made a beautiful comeback, just like every other fashion and home décor trend since the dawn of time. But, wallpaper, especially the new and improved
patterns of today, deserves another go around, and this time it is better than
ever!
If
you’re thinking about using wallpaper for some of the spaces in your home, it’s
wise to remember the do’s and don’ts before beginning your project – in order
to save money and make sure your wallpaper project is completed right the first
time.
Do: Bring Samples Home
When
choosing from different wallpaper designs, remember that, just like paint
colors, a wallpaper sample in the store might look different when you bring it
home. Store lighting is often brighter than the lighting in your home so the colors
of the wallpaper may look different in a darker room, or a room with natural
light.
In
order to make sure that you like the store wallpaper design and colors, bring a
sample home and place it where you want it to go (in the daytime, with natural
light) so that you can determine if that type of wallpaper is well suited for
your desired space.
Yes,
the same goes for paint choices. Bring home three (and only three to alleviate the
confusion of too many choices) different colors. Take a day or two to see it in
your home’s lighting before covering all the walls and then regretting it!
Do: Get
Inspired
Sometimes
the idea of wallpapering a room can be overwhelming as there are so many
different designs, textures and color options to choose from that you can feel
unable to make decisions.
So,
before you go to the store and get bombarded with the endless options and
advice, it’s a good idea to find inspiration online, then write a checklist of
what you like and dislike before you brave your local store.
There
are many great sites out there like Pinterest that can help you find what you
like, and will help you to visually put your ideas into the space in your home.
Do:
Have Longevity in Mind
If
you’re planning on having a long-lasting design, you will need to pick good
quality wallpaper that will be sure to last you for the long haul. Wallpaper
projects can be time consuming and unless you have a secret love of
wallpapering, you will probably not want to redo your wallpaper in the next
year or two.
Smart
wallpaper choices are ones that are durable – and the colors won’t fade. Keep
this in mind when selecting different textures and wallpaper prints.
Don’t:
Mix Designs
As
tempting as it might be to buy many different styles of wallpaper, don’t. Too
many textures, colors and patterns in one room will not mix well and may
actually make the space look smaller. It might be better to choose lighter colors
with less bold designs for a more calming appearance that never goes out of
style.
Don’t:
Use Wallpaper to Cover Up Bad Walls
It
might seem easy to just go over that bad drywall job or wall nicks and dents
with wallpaper but if you place wallpaper on an uneven surface, your wallpaper
may dent and tear so badly that you have to redo the entire project!
The
smarter way to go is to fix all holes and wall issues prior to beginning your
project. And make sure you are placing your wallpaper over a flat surface so it
will stick evenly across the entire room.
Don’t:
Make Your Own Rules
When it
comes to wallpapering, creating your own rules is never a good move. Trust your
local expert companies where you buy your wallpaper. These folks likely have
experience in wallpapering hundreds if not thousands of homes. They know what
works and what doesn’t, so don’t be afraid to ask for home improvement help if
you need it. It’s better to pause and reach out for advice than to soldier on
and end up wasting time and money on wallpapering that needs a complete
overhaul.
Are you able to see the difference between the wallcoverings
of yesteryear and the new and improved, brighter, fresher, cleaner prints that
are available today?
