Wallpaper itself is without question an interior trend that has been growing and will continue to grow by all accounts.
Wallpaper has the power to transform a room from floor to ceiling, and it’s easier to install than you may think. Modern materials and techniques have moved wallpapering out of the “fear zone” for homeowners and have made it practical and fun to dream up and execute bold new designs.
Do you want to try a new style without committing, look to temporary wallpaper for the best results and mess-free application. Peel and stick wallpaper is an easy way to update your space. With this convenient decorating material, you get all the perks of wallpaper with minimal difficulty.
Beautiful and hassle-free, you can usually install peel and stick wallpaper in minutes and remove it in seconds. Also, called self-adhesive wallpaper, this versatile wall covering lets you add a pop of color, pattern or texture to walls, stair risers, back splashes and even furniture.
Not grandma’s wallpaper, Welcome Bold & Beautiful Bedrooms
Bold Maximalism is in and boring is out. The type of wallpaper that sits quietly in the background is taking a back seat in 2020. It will be a year for bold statements when it comes to your decor.
Wallpaper trends will present colors that are warm and inviting. Cool gray and blues will find themselves out in the cold. Make way for corals, terracotta, sage greens and warm gray. Browns, mustards, golds and certain red tones in both wallpaper and decor accents will also be making a comeback in 2020.
3 Dimensional wallpaper is edgy and bold. And for those with more contemporary spaces, this may be your jam in 2020. It can provide a sense of realism and texture to your interior. The 3-D effect can include everything from realistic brick and wood wallpapers to geometric designs that play on the eyes.
Metal-like designs take the industrial wallpapers theme to a whole new level. It is contemporary, bold but unpretentious. Metal wallpaper is perfect for those that like to be creative and take risks. The bronze and copper wallpapers accomplish that luxurious metal look in a warming colorful way that goes from gold to marbled teals.
Measure, Measure and Measure again
Before measuring, you will want to have your paper picked out so you know what pattern repeat you are working with. A pattern repeat is a vertical distance between where the pattern is identical again (repeats).
Try Lowe’s chart to calculate how much wallpaper you will need. Measuring Chart Lowe’s
Pay attention to notes regarding how your wallpaper’s pattern repeats to ensure it lines up cleanly and that you have enough supply to complete your project.
It is always better to order an extra roll or two if you aren’t sure how much wallpaper you need for a project. If you run out of paper and need to order more, there is a good chance that the paper will be from a different dye lot and therefore may not be a perfect color match. Check with the manufacturer before ordering verifying whether you can return unused (and unopened) rolls of paper.
Apply the 6 “P”s – Prior Planning & Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
You want to ensure the paper is hung on a clean surface, so 24 to 48 hours in advance, wash the surface according to the instructions provided and allow it to dry completely before applying the temporary wallpaper.
Allow a freshly painted surface about four weeks to cure before applying wallpaper. Remove all face plates and socket covers. (Be safe and turn off the power first.)
I always order a sample when I am deciding on a paper for my home! A tear sheet is a small sample of a wallpaper print. I highly recommend taping the sample to your wall and keeping it there for several days to really get a feel for the pattern or texture.
Use vinyl wallpaper if installing in a main bathroom with high humidity and steam. You can use any material in a powder room or a guest bathroom (that is rarely used) because of the minimal steam and humidity.
Grass cloth is gorgeous but seams are just part of the overall package. There is no way to avoid visible seams in grass cloth.
Can you reuse removable wallpaper? Guest Bedroom Re-Do
Often, temporary wallpaper can be reused. This can depend on how long it has been adhered to a surface, the temperatures it’s been exposed to overtime, and the original condition of the surface to which the wallpaper was applied.
If you take great care in removing the wallpaper and replacing it on the original backing from the initial installation, you may be able to rehang it in the Guest Bedroom or somewhere else. Be careful not to stretch the paper while removing it. Keep in mind subsequent applications will have to be on smaller surfaces since some pieces may need to be discarded if cut to accommodate fixtures or angled spaces.
Tools you’ll need to hang Wallpaper your Dream Bedroom
- Putty knife: A good, wide, clean putty knife will help you smooth out air bubbles and wrinkles as you hang.
- Water and sponge: You’ll need to wash wallpaper glue off of the wall as you go.
- Convenient water source? If you’re wetting pre-pasted paper, you’ll want clean water available as you go.
- Ladder: You want to move confidently, so make sure you’re not reaching or stretching to get to any part of the wall.
- X-Acto knife: This is essential to smoothly, cleanly, and accurately cut your paper.
- Cutting mat and straight edge: You’ll need a hard cutting surface and a straight edge on which to cut or trim the wallpaper. A good cutting mat will protect hard surfaces, such as floors or tables, from scratches, and a straight edge will help keep lines clean and even.
Watch how she is pulling down the adhesive on the back and using the plastic smoother to get rid of air bubbles. - Level, ruler and plastic smoother, sponge paintbrush, or soft paintbrush
- Finally, use a plastic smoother to get rid of the air bubbles and create an even look.
Measure and cut strips of wallpaper with your razor blade to fit the height of the wall. Peel back about 12 inches of the backing on a strip, line up the top of the paper at the ceiling, then slowly peel and stick the paper down the wall.
Ready, Set Go Hang your wallpaper…
And Enjoy your the Bedroom you’ve always Dreamed of…
A temporary paper is an excellent option if you are just getting into the wallpaper game and aren’t sure if you are ready to fully commit. This is also a great alternative if you live in a rental unit and are not allowed to hang permanent wallpaper.
Wallpaper has the power to transform a room from floor to ceiling, and it’s easier to install than you may think. Modern materials and techniques have moved wallpapering out of the “fear zone” for homeowners and have made it practical and fun to dream up and execute bold new designs.
Home Depot Self Adhesive Wallpaper Video
The Crazy Craft Lady Self Adhesive Wallpaper Hanging Video
Excellent bedroom image Nancy, definitely not the image that comes to mind when I think of wallpaper. Would love to see other examples… keep the images coming
Bob
Thank you Bob – you aren’t alone with picturing wallpaper as an uninteresting choice of decorating materials. We all want to bring interesting elements into our home, and wallpaper has had to step up it’s game. If you tackle a room redecorating project, please send pics, I’d love to see what you did. Good luck, stay healthy.
Nancy M. Hamar
Wow! Thank you so much for this comprehensive journey through wallpaper.
I’m one of those people who thought of wallpaper as an outdated way of enhancing one’s home decor, but your perspective and suggestions are challenging that thought and actually making me consider trying this – at least on one wall in my bedroom. I think I’ll look into your suggestions further – my only concern is that I’m not so great with household projects that result in any permanence – e.g., I’m sure I’ll end up with a bubble in the wallpaper somewhere, lol. But I’ll take a look at the videos you’ve posted here and see if I might be able to do it.
Awesome post, thanks again!
Thank you Kris – I love your comment about wallpaper being “outdated”. Yes, that’s been the feeling from other people too. What is so exciting to me, is you can create a focal point in a room, and use self adhesive wallpaper so if you get tired of it, you can pull it off, and your wall isn’t harmed, your free to try another look. Check out lots of wallpaper sites, most are offering a discount, buy one roll, get the second 1/2 price, free shipping, some kind of offer during our quarantine time. Good luck and send pics of your newly decorated room. Take care,
Nancy M. Hamar
Wow, I really enjoyed your article! I liked the idea of using this in a rental! I just recently moved into one and am getting bored with my plain jane white walls! I am going to need to look into this now as a way to spruce up my room! Thank you so much for the insightful tips!
Thank you Ember for your comment. Yes, when you redecorate your new home, please send pics. Let me know how you like self adhesive wallpaper. Stay safe during this quarantine, and enjoy decorating your new home.