Wallpaper: Debunked myths and trends

Let’s be honest, the 90’s wasn’t wallpaper’s finest moment, so much so, it has tainted the view of wallpaper for a lot of homeowners still to this day. I had them in my childhood home, and so did everyone else in the neighbourhood, with the decorative borders along the top of your kitchen cabinets, or as a separation between the bottom and top half of the wall. Don’t get me started on the sponge painting trend that followed for the 90’s DIYer, that is for another day.

It is hard to shed its reputation as old-fashioned and intimidatingly permanent decorative wall treatment, however the trend of wallpaper is hotter than ever, and widely being used by designers. It is a great way to make an impact in any space without breaking the bank.

That being said, we wanted to debunk some myths about wallpaper, and explore the trends that we are seeing.

Top 5 wallpaper myths debunked

Wallpaper is permanent

It is NOT true! With the technology and improvements in materials, wallpaper has come a long way. Glue based wallpapers can be removed with either warm water or scoring, or for the tougher papers, there are chemicals that can be put on that will not damage the wall. You also have now a more widely available removable wallpaper, or otherwise known as peel and stick. This gives you the option to easily apply it and remove it whenever you want. So, if you like to change things up often or you are a renter, you easily can upgrade the space with peel and stick wallpaper.

Only my grandparents have wallpaper in their house

It is NOT your Grandma’s wallpaper! There are so many different types of styles, scales and colours out there to accommodate any personality. Designers love using wallpaper in any space they can, and it is because there are so many options out there that will let you create the look and impact you want.

If you think this is what your space will look like, fear not the options are much more contemporary now.

Wallpaper should never be used in a kitchen or bathroom

Traditional thought tells us wallpaper combined with steamy, humid areas like kitchens or bathrooms don’t mix. These days however, it is not the case. It is just a matter of doing your research, and finding the right type of paper for that application. Bathroom and kitchens are not so much of a problem if you are equipped with a good working fan and vent system that removed excess moisture immediately. Good ventilation is key, but you can also opt for a vinyl or washable wallpaper in these particular spaces. Just a side note, vinyl wallpapers tend to be slightly more difficult to remove because they are waterproof. Washable wallpaper is also great for families who are concerned with maintaining the walls clean if they have sticky little fingers that like touching the walls, or create their own artwork with crayon pencils.

Expensive

Wallpaper will be more expensive than paint, but is not something that is totally out of reach. There are so many options available out there for wallpapers that can range from $40 a roll to $500 a roll, and realistically you do not need to wallpaper every single wall in your house to make an impact. You can achieve this by simply adding it as a feature wall. Labour is another concern, but like anything, trade prices vary tremendously. You want to make sure to find someone that can do a great job and accommodate your budget. The possibilities are endless, so don’t rule it out because you think it is too expensive.

Not good for the environment

They are, however it depends on the wallpaper you choose. A cheap vinyl wallpaper is not going to be environmentally friendly. But with the rise of sustainability and environmental concerns, most companies will have a line of environmentally friendly options. Typically you will find papers that are recycled and sourced from sustainable forests. You can also find low and zero-VOC water-based paints to create classic wallpapers.

Top 5 Design Trends

Ceiling & Bathrooms

Wallpaper adds an impactful punch to any space, and to achieve this without having to wallpaper an entire room has been a huge trend. This is where wallpapering ceilings comes in. The ceiling more often than not gets neglected, especially in residential design, and by using this material in this way, it really makes an impact to any room size. Another small space in the home that is seeing a major transformation is the bathroom, particularly powder rooms. An ordinarily boring small powder room can transform easily with a bold and colourful paper to really add a punch of drama.

Murals

Coming from a commercial background, it is very common to use large murals on walls. We are seeing this becoming more and more popular in residences as well now. A lot of companies have the equipment to accommodate custom wallpaper murals now, making it easily accessible for designers in the residential market. We’ve recently used a mural in our Vellore village project living room of a cityscape. The client didn’t want a typical wallpaper pattern that repeats, but rather a large cityscape. As you can see below, it creates a big impact. You can also have a lot of fun by creating a thematic feeling. We did just that by adding a mural in a poker area in the Kleinberg residence basement. This image was taken pre-staging, but the clients said it felt ‘gansta’. Needless to say, they were excited about that space.

Natural Textures

A common design element, this year in particular, is going back to the natural elements of nature and embracing earth tones. Natural texture wallcoverings such as grasscloth have been around a long time, but we are seeing more selections/options made available. Grasscloth wallcoverings are made from hand-woven strands of natural fibers such as jute, seagrass and arrowroot on an unpasted rice paper backing. They are typically double the cost, if not more, than regular wallpaper. However, they truly bring a unique look and feel to your walls with their natural textures and colours.

Hand Printed Design

There are two waves of hand printed design, the more traditional scenic wallpaper vs the contemporary rough brush stroke patterns. Chinosierie has become popular this year with its more modern twist of larger patterns and bolder colours. You will see a lot of these patterns with the painted technique. On the other spectrum, there are a lot of contemporary linear brush stroke patterns that have surfaced, making them feel more natural and organic, and less rigid. The appreciation for fine art, weather scenic or abstract, has grown the trend of hand printed murals. You can now create a story through wallpaper that feels more like a fine art piece than your standard repeated pattern.

Watercolour Wallpaper

This minimalist unique abstract style wallpaper that looks like an art installation allows you to keep your white wall but adds a punch of colour. From monochrome shades to vibrant patterns, watercolour wallpapers can provide a tasteful, but impactful look.

Let us know in the comment section. How do you feel about wallpapers? Have you used them, and if not, did some of these points inspire you to do so?