If you’re thinking of renovating your house for the first time, using wallpapers is a great way to add a sense of individuality and luxury. You will have a wider range of options for textures and materials to play with, depending on how you would want your home to look and feel.
Most people think that wallpapering requires a lot of effort, time, and even special skills. This may have been true several decades ago when the previous models required specific soaking time. But today, you don’t have to worry about such. Advancements in technology have introduced new materials, making wallpaper application and maintenance quite simple.
Wallpaper installation can now be done with ease. Moreover, the best wallpaper companies offer great variety, which means you do not have to limit yourself to the common colors offered by varnishes and paints. The experts can even help you pick out the best material, color, and model and provide you with tools to determine how many rolls of wallpaper you need.
Here are six essential tips to remember when using wallpaper for your first home renovation project.
Decide on the color palette and pattern
When using wallpaper in your house, you must set the color palette for the project first. You may choose different color schemes for various rooms or a single hue for the entire home. The key is to ensure that everything in a room – from the bedroom wallpaper to the beddings, pillows, and blankets – come together, thus achieving a cohesive look.
Next, choose between a textured or flat pattern. Generally, textured prints offer a more casual look, while flat designs deliver a more refined output. Textured wallpapers also provide a wall with some dimension and depth and do a great job at covering imperfections.
Moreover, consider the size of the pattern. It must be in proportion with the room’s size. Bigger patterns suit bigger rooms, while smaller patterns are ideal for smaller spaces.
Consider the wallpaper’s type of backing
After deciding on the color and pattern, choose the backing for your wallpapers. A wallpaper with non-woven backing is an excellent choice because it can easily be removed if you want to change it in the future. Also, installing a removable wallpaper uses a paste-the-wall technology wherein it is applied to the wall directly, cutting the application time in half when compared to the traditional wallpapers.
While choosing the type of backing, consider also the room’s humidity and traffic. For wallpaper types that can repel dirt and moisture, consider using them for rooms with high traffic. They can also be installed in bathrooms and kitchens, but not on walls with direct exposure to water, such as the shower area. You must undertake proper waterproofing for the wallpaper to work and last long.
Make sure you have everything you’ll need
Installing wallpapers can be a fun, relaxing endeavor. However, it can become a frustrating pastime when you realize that you are missing a tool while in the middle of the renovation project. Therefore, you must ensure that you have everything you’ll need for the job before you even get started.
Among the tools you will need are:
- Wallpaper scissors
- Tape measure
- Trestle table
- Step ladder
- Cutter knife
- Chalk line
- Wallpaper roller
- Paste bucket, paste roller, pasting brush, and sponges
- Sharpened pencils
You will find everything you will need at the hardware store. These tools are affordable, so you do not have to worry if you should buy some of them for your home renovation project.
Empty the room (or house) and cover the floors
Ideally, you need to empty the room you want to renovate. Keep all your possessions in secure storage facilities in the meantime. But if it’s not doable, move the smaller items to another room, position the bigger furnishings in the center area of the room, and cover them with protective sheets.
Afterwards, cover the floors in their entirety since installing wallpapers will require glue. You don’t want stained floors to ruin the newly decorated walls.
Inspect the walls
To secure the wallpaper, the glue must be applied to even and smooth walls. So before you start with the installation, make sure that there is no trace of mold.
If there is a need to remove old wallpapers, use a suitable product to get rid of them.
Create an accent wall
Wallpapers are a style statement, making them a great option for an accent wall.
Accent walls must draw everyone’s attention, so make sure to use the boldest shades and biggest patterns. It is the best spot to go all out.
The placement of the wallpaper is an essential consideration. The accent wall must highlight the room’s focal point to capture the viewer’s eyes. For instance, in the bedroom, the wall at the head of the bed makes the best feature wall.
Using wallpaper is an excellent way to personalize your home design. Unlike before, modern wallpapers come in endless designs and finishes. For example, removable wallpaper offers easy installation and damage-free removal. Whether you prefer a classic look that can last for many years, or you like to update your home décor annually, these wall treatments are your best option, especially if this is your first renovation project. Give them a try, and remember the essential wallpaper tips mentioned above.
AUTHOR BIO
James Prathap is the General Manager at NGC Nafees, one of the leading distributors of wallpapers, floorings, and fabrics in the Middle East and South Asia. Formed three decades ago, the business also offers high-quality panoramics, coordinated fabrics, and creative stickers for residential and commercial projects.
