Wallpaper

Picking out wallpaper is an exciting yet often daunting prospect. The right wallpaper can beautifully transform your home whilst the wrong wallpaper will leave you wondering: what was I thinking? 

If you’ve spent any time scouring the net, you’ll know there is an enormous range of styles, designs, patterns, colours and textures to choose from. Whilst it’s fantastic having such an array of options at your expense, knowing which to pick out of so many may seem like a slightly impossible task. Don’t worry though, it isn’t.  

To help you narrow down the search and pick a wallpaper you can be proud of, we’ve compiled a handy list of tips and advice below. Take a read through for some creative inspiration, then browse through our high-quality collection and find the perfect paper at an amazing price.  

There are a million and one ways you can use wallpaper within a space. Well not that many, but quite a few still. Some crafty homeowners love the look of wallpaper so much that they use it on every wall in the room! Others opt for an attractive accent or feature wall to add a little more depth and dimension. 

You can even mix & match between papers, using two patterns or textures in the same room to achieve the total ‘wow’ factor. Just bear in mind, if you’re going for eye-catching instead of eye-sore, make sure not to go too crazy with contrasting designs and try to stick to a similar colour scheme that will maintain the flow nicely between each section.   

Wallpaper borders have also made a triumphant comeback in the world of home decorating. These stylish trim papers can be used to frame and extend your walls, create a break between paint and paper or simply just to complement a coordinating wallpapered finish.  

Experimenting with interesting patterns and bold designs can be scary, especially if you’ve only ever relished in the freshness of bright white walls. But with so many gorgeous designs out there to discover, now is the time to conquer your fears and have a little fun with your interior aesthetics. The key to getting creative without causing a design disaster is keeping the balance.  

If you’re working with patterned upholstery, search for a wallpaper with similar shades and tones to create subtle coordination without looking too “out there”. A good trick to avoid clashing is picking a smaller or larger pattern than you already have. If your sofa is covered in delicately tiny flowers, choose something bigger and bolder for your walls with less intricate detailing. This will avoid creating a busy-looking interior. Simple stripes or colour-bock designs can offer a pleasant visual break for a space already filled with heavy patterns.  

There’s also a common misconception that the size of your wallpaper pattern should match the scale of your room. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A larger wallpaper pattern in a tiny cloakroom will instantly add personality and vibrance, whilst a small pattern in a huge kitchen hints a touch of character without overwhelming the eye.  

Did you know wallpapers also come in a wide selection of textures too? Textured wallpaper is ideal for integrating depth back into a space that’s feeling a little flat and lifeless. Highly textured papers such as grasscloth or glass bead play with raised surfaces that are interesting to both touch and look at. They are popularly applied in the form of a feature wall behind a desk, sofa or bedframe.  

Metallic wallpapers make the perfect candidate for a classy kitchen or vintage dining room design. The shiny surface details also reflect the light beautifully, which adds stunning visual appeal and can really open up a dark and dreary area.  

That brings us nicely to the next point: maximising your space. The worst-kept secret in the decorating trade is that the more light you can reflect throughout a room, the more open and airy that space will feel. Even the largest of spaces can feel cramped and enclosed if the volume of natural light is off balance. You’ve probably been told this whilst on the hunt for paint, but don’t forget the rule applies to wallpaper too. 

In a north-facing room or windowless space, search for wallpapers that will reflect light around the room. This includes patterns with light colours as well as metallic surface textures. Don’t get too hooked on texture if you’re looking to maximise a tiny space, though. Remember, bright colours and flat surfaces are better at bouncing the light whilst deeper shades and heavy textures tend to make the space feel darker.  

You can also use wallpaper to make your walls appear taller or longer. Horizontal patterns extend your walls outwards whilst a vertical design such as stripes or even pretty climbing vines, gives the illusion of increased height.  

 So you’ve picked out your dream wallpaper and are ready for the transformation to begin. Well, nearly ready. Two vital steps you need to consider first are preparation and application. 

The last thing you want after deciding on a design is to hate the final look because of a poorly formed finish. To achieve professional standard results (even if you aren’t a professional) make sure to add our high-quality lining papers and wallpaper adhesives to your project list too. Lining paper creates an even and durable base for the wallpaper layer whilst a good wallpaper adhesive will ensure secure, long-lasting adhesion with a smooth finish.