Decor Favorites, Design Tips, Wall Covering

Transform Your Room with Modern Wallpaper

December 6, 2019
Posted by Montgomery’s
On December 6, 2019

Transform your room with modern wallpaper

By Renae Kranz

You’ve been mulling it over for months, asking yourself, “What’s the best way to get a bit of ‘wow’ into my room?”

That one room is just too boring. Changing the paint won’t be dramatic enough. You don’t want to do anything too drastic or expensive, but the room needs a kick in the pants.

Have you noticed a little thing called wallpaper creating a buzz out there? You may think it died a long time ago, but it really never did. And today, the possibilities make it an obvious kick-in-the-pants option to put the drama back in your room.

Need proof wallpaper is still a popular design choice? Joanna Gaines (HGTV’s Fixer Upper) loves it and has created her own line of wallpaper designs. Pay attention to your favorite TV shows. You’ll see all kinds of wallpaper used to add texture to walls or to make a big splash. If you’re watching for it, you’ll suddenly see it everywhere.

Paint is easier you say? Maybe for some areas. But what really sets wallpaper apart from paint is the texture and sheen you can accomplish by choosing wallpaper instead. And consider this—you won’t have to put all those test patches of paint on every wall of your room and agonize about which tiny difference in paint color is the right one. So painful.

Wallpaper offers photo-realistic looks, graphic prints that pop, glitter and shine for the unexpected, and tons of softness or boldness depending on your personality. Keep reading for ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

How to use wallpaper in your home

If you want a unique look and feel for your home, using wallpaper in your design plan offers virtually unlimited options to express your personality. Montgomery’s interior designer Rose Meyer says wallpaper can be made of paper, vinyl, grasses, bamboos, fabrics, bling, and many other unique materials.

“Wallcoverings are one of those details in a home that transforms the space into WOW!” Rose says.

Everyone wants WOW in their home.

Many wallpaper designs offer great contrast that brings depth to a room. You can use it to add softness, color, and pattern to otherwise hard, boring spaces. The right paper can add movement, just like a piece of art.

Wallpaper functions beautifully as a backsplash in a kitchen. Choosing one that is easily cleaned is crucial for a backsplash application. Wallpaper also works great for any niche in the house, giving it a special treatment to make it stand out. And don’t forget about your powder room or laundry room. These spaces become little gems when treated with a stunning wallpaper.

Consider which wall would offer the most dramatic positioning as a wallpaper feature in a room. Which wall is visible first when entering a room? Which wall is the most obvious candidate? A designer can help you pick the perfect spot.

Wallpaper doesn’t have to look traditional. You can find industrial and modern wallpaper looks to add great texture to a space. Faux brick papers look like the real thing. Textured concrete and even street art papers are also available.

Love shiplap but not ready for the commitment? How about a wallpaper made to look like shiplap? You can add that farmhouse feel without having to break out the hammer and nails. Keep it modern by pairing soft floral wallpaper with industrial metal accents. Or go bold farmhouse with a large check pattern that gives the feel of gingham.

There’s even a paper that looks like a weathered barn door. You could use it behind a bed to act as a headboard or on a small wall for a dramatic look.

Here are a few more wallpaper decorating ideas:

– Take a modern twist on a traditional look by using a wallpaper with bits of bling tucked into an otherwise matte finish.
– Use wallpapers with large geometric prints to make a room appear larger.
– Use a mural wallpaper on an accent wall to create a fantastic backdrop that grounds the entire room.
– Add authenticity and a lived-in look to your home with weathered, soft patterns.
– If you create a statement wall, light it separately with adjustable recessed lighting to really amp up the wow factor.

Unusual places to use wallpaper

Using wallpaper in unusual places makes you look like a real design pro. Rose says, “As a designer, it excites me to use wallpaper in the most unexpected places—ceilings, closets, mudrooms, even furniture.”

Using Rose’s suggestion, put wallpaper on the ceiling for a real surprise. Wallpapers with a sky design—think clouds, blue sky, or even stars—make the ceiling feel higher, like an endless sky above your room. Or use a dark wallpaper to provide a deep contrast with the walls.

Rose suggests revamping an old dresser with a fun wallcovering. How cool would it be to open the drawer and see some bedazzled wallpaper inside?

Kitchen cabinets are prime real estate for wallpaper according to Rose. Take the doors off and line the inside of the cabinets with an exciting wallpaper pattern.

Put your imagination and creativity to work using this great design tool in places no one else would think of.

Easy to hang and remove

So, you’re probably a little nervous about hanging or removing wallpaper. You’ve heard horror stories from friends about how hard it is. Don’t let that deter you. Today’s wallpapers are easier to hang and remove than ever.

Paint may seem easier, but the prep for paint and wallpaper is basically the same. And when you consider having to apply two to three coats of paint to get good coverage, you might feel differently about hanging wallpaper. In just a few steps, your dramatic new look is ready to go when using wall coverings.

Many wallpapers today don’t even require wetting or applying a paste to hang. Peel and stick wall coverings have grown in popularity and quality. They’re super easy to hang and even easier to remove.

Want to use a more traditional paper? Check out these links for steps to hang and remove wallpaper. It’s really not that bad. With a friend to help you, the process will be quick and easy. Or, call in a professional to take care of the installation for you.

It’s time to try wallpaper!

Ready to give wallpaper a try? Rose gets excited whenever she has a client who wants to add drama to a room. She knows right where to go.

The options for wallpaper are endless, and it can be tough to pick the right one. Rose and the rest of the Montgomery’s designers can help you pick the best wallpaper for your home and fit it in with your overall design plan.

Come on in and take a spin through our gorgeous wallpaper library. You just might be inspired by this hidden gem.