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’t before beginning your project – in order to save money and make sure your wallpaper project is completed right the first time. For example…
Top 3 Wallpaper Do’s
1. Do: Bring Samples Home
When choosing from different wallpaper designs, remember that 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 colours 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 colours, 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.
2. Do: Get Inspired
Sometimes the idea of wallpapering a room can be overwhelming as there are so many different designs, textures and colour 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 handyman 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.
3. 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 colours won’t fade. Keep this in mind when selecting different textures and wallpaper prints.
Top 3 Wallpaper Don’ts
1. Don’t: Mix Designs
As tempting as it might be to buy many different styles of wallpaper, unless you’re Australian art hero Ken Done, don’t. Too many textures, colours and patterns in one room will not mix well and may actually make the space look smaller. It might be better to choose lighter colours with less bold designs for a more calming appearance that never goes out of style.
2. 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.
3. Don’t: Make Your Own Rules
When it comes to wallpapering, creating your own rules is never a good move. Trust your local handyman or the expert companies where you buy your wallpaper. These folk 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.
Good luck with your wallpaper project and enjoy your newly wallpapered home!