6,488 Wallpaper

What type of wallpaper works best in my home?

Firstly, think about what you are trying to achieve. Are you planning to cover all the walls or feature just one? What will complement and not clash with the existing decor? Will striped wallpaper overwhelm guests in a small sitting room? Is embossed floral wallpaper the right choice in a hallway full of dark modern furniture? There are a number of wallpaper options and unique designs to choose from:

Embossed wallpaper: Ideal for covering walls with imperfections and can be painted over. It’s also easy to clean and hang.
Metallic wallpaper: This will help to brighten a room and works best on clean walls with no damage or flaws. Harder to hang but easier to clean that most other options.
Grasscloth: Woven from long strands of grass, this wallpaper is extremely textural and has an organic quality. An ideal style for contemporary homes, it’s harder to hang and tougher to remove than other more widely available materials, and must be used with clear adhesive to prevent bleeding.
Vinyl: This is the basis of most stock wallpaper. It’s easy to clean, hang and remove, and is a smart option for high-moisture spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Fabric wallpaper: This textile-based wallpaper is tough to clean and hang, requiring a special clear paste, but it adds great texture and modern style.
Flock: This wallpaper consists of a paper or vinyl base featuring a pattern created from velvet-like raised designs. Their detailed aesthetic can be the focal point of the room, however not all types are washable or easy to handle, and it can be difficult to hang.

When should I use patterned wallpaper such as brick wallpaper?

Some rooms can feel a bit flat, all block colour and lacking visual appeal. Patterned wallpaper can bring such spaces to life. Brick wallpaper is a good example, adding character and warmth with its contrasting texture. Striped wallpaper is even more contemporary in feel and need not be conventionally designed. How about an enchanted forest of trees? Or a Beatles Abbey Wood-inspired design? Think about what how your choice of wallpaper will affect someone's perception of the room. Vertical stripes tend to make a ceiling seem higher, while horizontal patterns add width. Consider how much pattern you currently have in the room – cushions, tugs, throws – and be careful not to overwhelm the senses. Instead, try to use accent walls of black wallpaper, purple wallpaper or teal wallpaper, for example, to tie together the decor of your room.

Which wallpaper is the easiest to apply and remove?

Unless you are a dab hand at DIY, it's best to ask a professional to hang your wallpaper, especially if you choose a patterned option that requires pasting and careful alignment. Self-adhesive wallpaper is a more practical option for the novice because you simply peel off the back and stick the paper in place. Pre-pasted treatments are also fairly easy, since they are pre-coated with adhesive and only require a little spray of water. The lighter the wallpaper, the easier it will be to hang in place but take care if the paper is wet as it could then tear quite easily. If you like to frequently freshen up the look and feel of your home, choose a wallpaper that is peelable and strippable (either with or without water). Self-adhesive paper ticks most boxes here. In terms of cleaning, ideally choose a wallpaper that is wipeable and/or spongeable.

How much wallpaper will I need?

Measure the total width of the room in metres, including doors and windows. Divide this by the standard roll width of 0.53cm. Then multiply the height of the room by the number of widths required, which gives you the number of rolls needed. You should buy at least one extra role, just in case, for trimming and pattern matching.