Inside the Design Process: Wallpaper Guidelines

Inside the Design Process: Wallpaper Guidelines

Let’s talk WALLS! Every day we work on designing rooms and one of the most crucial decisions are the wall treatments. A lot of people think of wallpaper being impossible to remove & outdated, but THINGS. HAVE. CHANGED. The options are endless, and there are so many quality papers out there for any space in your home. Plus, if you have a skilled installer and/or if you choose a removable peel & stick, removing it for your next remodel won’t be too hard. Let’s not think of getting rid of it, though. Our goal as a studio is to create lasting design, instead of following the trends that may fade out quickly.

We love how wallpaper can completely transform a room. In the spaces below we were looking for a little more depth and we used grasscloth to bring that in. Whether you want to take on wallpaper by yourself (or are hiring a designer to help) this post is for you!  

Let’s start with the basics. 

Here is a quick lesson in wallpaper options available and the best way to use them:

Vinyl- This is best for high moisture areas such as bathrooms and wet bars. Grasscloth vinyls are a great solution if you’re looking for just a little texture!

Traditional paper- Tried & true! Use this in dining rooms, bedrooms, and even powder rooms.

Removable wallpaper (peel & stick)- This is an excellent option for the indecisive types. These have come a long way in recent years.

The fun part is picking out the pattern and the place.

1.) Bookshelves don’t have to be boring! Spruce up any bookshelf or built-in with a grasscloth wallpaper for a custom feel.

2.) Pattern Play. Drama can be created with dark backgrounds and big patterns- the star of the show. Powder rooms can be brought to life using these principles. On the flip side, a small geometric diamond pattern allows the wall to play it’s part as a supporting background role. You can go wild with this and there are no rules!

3.) Dip your toes in the water. A subtle but unexpected way to use wallpaper is on cabinet faces. It brings in a luxury look with little commitment.

4.) Bring your eyes up. When there are few architectural details in the space, or maybe your ceilings are a little lower- use the ceiling as a feature! We call this “treating the fifth wall”. 

5.) Paneled Walls. Whether it is a full wall or a paneled room that provides a built-in frame for wallpaper, it’s always fun to have a special wall that’s different from the rest. 

So where do I find the perfect wallpaper?

A few retail favorites:

Some of our absolute favorite to the trade lines are: