A Complete Guide to Everything Wallpapers
From trends to application to installation…
Everything you need to know about choosing the perfect wallpaper for your space.
We’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with the amazing team over at Scandinavian Wallpaper Decor for quite some time, and they’ve been generous enough to share some of their expertise and trade secrets about everything wallpapers. We’re going to take you through some of the biggest trends in wallpapers, as well as provide some hints and ideas on where to wallpaper, how to select the perfect wallpaper for its application and tips for installation day!
Trend Alert
Luscious Greenery
This trend goes beyond just wallpapers - this year we are seeing people embrace the natural environment and envelope themselves with luscious plants, gorgeous floral prints and tropical designs. This trend is about surrounding yourself with beautiful leafy interiors. This trend has also brought with it an increasing popularity for gorgeous natural grass cloth and hemp wallpapers.
Ombre Relaxation
Mural ombre printed wallpapers are making a sweeping statement across moody spaces. The intention of these spaces is to create an aura of relaxation, whilst keeping elements of nature ever-present. We’re seeing this trend being particularly popular in bedrooms and living rooms.
The feel of these spaces is to be relaxed and tactile, yet with subtle references to nature. This trend appeals to the minimalist, keeping with either a monochromatic or very simple colour palette.
European Toile
Gorgeous toile wallcoverings have also been a particularly popular choice this year. These on-trend toile wallpapers have been inspired by designs from both Paris and Sweden, with many different wallpaper designers and suppliers adding their own flare.
Timeless Millennial Pink
The belief that pink is simply a trend, is no longer the case. All hues of pink are now being widely recognised as a timeless colour. This means that the stunning millennial pink trend is here to stay!
Popular pink wallpaper designs are being used to reflect instances where pink is represented in the natural environment. Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor have been at the forefront of embracing natural pinks, as seen in their recent Rottnest Island Collection - a beautiful collaboration with artist Jody D’Arcy.
Classic Nordic Hues
The widely popular Scandinavian style is continuing strong into this year. However, we are seeing a minor shift in Scandinavian colour trends, where palettes are being purposefully created around the natural environment. From aqua blue, to black soil, to oats yellow, leafy green and even snow white, we’re seeing almost all Scandinavian colour palettes are being inspired by the natural environment.
Where to Wallpaper
Bedrooms
When wallpapering a bedroom, many seem to default for the ‘safe’ option and opt to wallpaper only behind their beds. We invite you to step out of your comfort zone and think outside of the square! Instead of wallpapering behind your bed, why not pick another wall that allows you to appreciate your beautiful wallpaper when you’re spending time in your bed? Or if you really wanted to stick to the classic behind-the-bed placement, why not consider wallpapering an adjacent wall too, to really create an impactful effect?
Miscellaneous Surfaces
Despite what you think you may know about wallpapers, they aren’t just for walls! Wallpapers can be applied to many surfaces, meaning you aren’t limited to creating a simple ‘feature wall’. For example, if you have glass walls or mirror wardrobe doors, these can easily be covered with a gorgeous mural wallpaper piece. However, please note that when tackling ‘non-wall’ surfaces, it is absolutely crucial that the correct wallpaper type and specific glue is used, so be sure to get in contact with a wallpaper specialist before embarking on a DIY project.
Ceilings
Ceiling wallpaper is back! More and more people are jumping at the opportunity to create a stunning and unique feature out of a sparse and unused space. We’ve been seeing designs and interior architects alike wallpapering ceilings in both bedrooms and in living areas, with amazing results.
The ‘Odd’ Walls
Take a step back from your space and identify any oddly shaped walls or awkward spaces. Adding wallpaper to these areas, can actually make a huge difference to the feel of the entire room. What’s more, is that wallpapering small areas is quite inexpensive, especially when considering it’s proportionate impact on the space. You have the opportunity to repeat a wallpaper that has been used elsewhere - to ‘tie’ a space together’ - or be a little adventurous and select something entirely unique!
In cases where the ‘odd’ wall has been disrupted by many doors, perhaps consider wallpapering overing the disruptor. This can allow the doors to somewhat ‘disappear’ into the wall, and become part of a stunning feature.
Correct Wallpaper Application
Before getting caught up the excitement of choosing gorgeous colours and exciting prints, you need to take a step back and first select the correct type of wallpaper for the intended placement. It is absolutely imperative that you choose the correct wallpaper material, otherwise you’ll soon find yourself having to replace your beautiful new wallpaper.
Non-Woven Wallpapers
Nowadays, non-woven wallpapers and murals are commonly used in wet areas, such as bathrooms and powder rooms. These wallcoverings are made from a mix of natural fibres, which does allow them to breath, but also makes them not suited to being directly in contact with water, for example, in a shower. Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor recommends a mould resistant glue, which can be easily supplied by one of their trusted recommended installers.
Most of Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor’s range of wallpapers are printed on a premium non-woven wallpaper, meaning that they are also well suited to high-traffic areas. This makes the wallpapers perfect for almost any application, from living rooms, to hallways, to bedrooms, and even commercial spaces too. When selecting a non-woven wallpaper, always question the supplier on the sustainability of the wallpaper before you purchase, as there is varying quality across the market.
Vinyl Wallcoverings
In cases where you need a tad more durability than a premium non-woven wallpaper, vinyl coverings are the perfect solution. Vinyl wallpapers are completely washable, making them great for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens and laundries. It is also a great option if you have messy pets or young children!
Installation Best Practices
Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor have been kind enough to share their suggestions on best practices when installing wallpaper! Let’s explore some of their top tips.
1. Consider a Professional Installer
Depending on your selections and quantity of rolls needed, wallpaper can be quite an expensive investment. For this reason, it’s always best to go with a professional installer, to ensure a perfect finish. However, if you are committed to the DIY route, all of Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor’s residential wallcoverings are supplied with a non-woven backing, making installation quite a bit easier.
2. Surface Preparation
Before you start applying the wallpaper, you first must ensure that the surface is smooth, clean and dry. It is essential to seal the wall with a primer beforehand too. An unsealed, uneven or dirty surface will make for a less than perfect finish and can even effect the longevity of the wallpaper too.
3. Order the Perfect Amount of Wallpaper
To ensure that you order the perfect amount of wallpaper, measure the total width and height of your wall, including any doors or windows. It may be surprising to some, but doors and windows very rarely lead to excess wallpaper.
4. Consider Adjoining Walls
When ordering your wallpaper, be sure to let your wallpaper supplier know of any adjoining walls. This is because adjoining walls require consideration for matching colour batches or pattern repeats, so it likely will impact the ordering process from the supplier’s end.
5. Be Mindful of Walls with Different Heights
If you’re looking to wallpaper a wall that has different heights, such as a staircase or sloping ceiling, always ensure that you measure the highest and widest points in the wall. This will make certain that you don’t accidentally under-order.
If you’re looking to freshen up a space with new wallcoverings, we’d be delighted to guide you through your selections. Contact our friendly office today to book your first consultation!
We’d also like to say a huge thank you again to our lovely friends over at Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor, who made this piece possible.