Indoor décor doesn’t have to break the bank. Not when there are many splendid wallpapers that you can use to attain the look and feel you envision with ease and grace. But how do you go about decorating with wallpaper? Which models do you choose? At what price?
Here is the practical information you need when decorating with wallpaper.
The different types of wallpaper
These are the four types of wallpapers you will see in homes:
Traditional wallpaper: It is light, which means that it is mainly used in bedrooms or living rooms with little traffic.
The vinyl paper: Its main advantage: a thin layer of PVC, which makes it waterproof. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for damp (kitchen, bathrooms) or dirty rooms, such as children’s bedrooms. Brushable and washable, these wallpapers are easily cleaned with a simple wipe of a slightly damp sponge.
Printed wallpaper. Often embossed, these wallpapers come as stylish and creative posters. The Photowalls favourites are distinguished above all by their thickness and the surreal effects they offer to your walls.
Foil wallpaper: Composed of metal foil, this wallpaper gives our room a polished look. Particularly thick, too, it offers the advantage of not having to be glued beforehand.
Which wallpaper for which room?
In rooms exposed to heavy traffic, avoid paper that is too thin of the traditional type. Likewise, if your wall is not ideally even, it is better to avoid paper that is too thin. On the other hand, the use of a non-woven or an expanded, both very thick, allows to erase the differences in levels and create harmonious walls.
The colors and patterns of the wallpaper
While it erases the walls’ imperfections, wallpaper also has the advantage of allowing us to modify our perception of light and space. You can thus play on the exposure of a room. For example, a room that is exposed to the side of the north, somehow dark, can be well enhanced by warm colours.
To well play with the dimensions, opt for the striped paper. The vertical stripes, for example, make it possible to give the impression of a greater height under the ceiling. Finally, beware that large patterns can create the feel of a cramped-up space. It is better, in any case, to alternate large patterned strips with plain to lighten the visual effect.
Choose a plain wallpaper, easy to hang.
If you have never applied wallpaper, your best bet is to opt for plain or semi-plain paper, which will save you the problem of seams. Then choose non-woven paper. If it is a little more expensive to buy (around 20%), it has the advantage of not needing to be glued.
You simply paste it on the wall after exposing its adhesive side. This saves you time (30% of the total time needed for installation) and money since you no longer need to rent a wallpaper table.
While the price differences are sometimes considerable from one model to another, wallpaper is generally a reasonable option.
The cheapest models are available from £2, while high-end papers can go up to £500 per roll! However, the offer has diversified a lot in recent years. You can find original papers for £6 per roll and designer paper around £50 per roll.
Calculate the number of wallpaper rolls
To start, measure the room’s perimeter by adding the two lengths and the two widths (without deducting any openings, such as doors or windows).
Multiply this number by two to get the number of strips.
If your room has a ceiling height less than or equal to 2.50 meters, all you have to do is divide the number of strips by four to obtain the number of rolls required. Please note, this only works for plain paper.
If your paper has patterns and will require fittings, divide the number of strips by only three.
In any case, a little advice: always buy many rolls above what you need. This will allow you to correct the situation if you make mistakes during installation.