Achieving goals. We are all in, 2023!
Are you wanting rooms in your house to take shape? Is it time for your personal space to start inspiring you when you enter? Us too. Here’s what we’re thinking.
Wallpaper. Remember back in the day when “wallpapering” was an enormous undertaking? And once that wallpaper went up, it was there forever. Like, forever. Fast forward to the 21st century. Wallpaper has progressed leaps and bounds. Aside from much more pattern and color options available, there are textured papers and even DIY (much easier) peel & stick options.
We have been seeing a ton of wallpaper and, honestly, been loving it. Even though wallpaper is looking its best (not only because it is trending, but because it is actually really looking good these days) it can still be a bit unnerving. It’s expensive, it’s a commitment and pattern can really change a space completely. Marrying any pattern to a room can be scary and overwhelming. How does one dive into this home improvement project without having buyer’s remorse?
Take your time. We look at wallpaper as a finishing touch which means there is time to sit on some samples taped up on the wall before choosing. Live with the samples and see how it moves you. If the plan is to wallpaper more than one room or space with different papers, we suggest having them all ready to go for (hopefully) one install. This way when/if you hire a professional to do the install they are potentially able knock off more than one project in a day’s work.
We’ve seen wallpaper around enough to have picked out bits and bobs that can work for any interested homeowner. If wallpaper is creating some nerves, start small. Look into spaces that don’t get a lot of traffic (a guest room, a “bonus” room, game room) or one that is out of the way. Never start with the artery of a home if there isn’t a 100% certainty. Maybe an accent wall or behind shelving is a good place to start? Also, go lightly. Choose subtle patterns and color/s. Going too bold right out of the gate can intimidate the creative juices and shock the system, especially if this is just a chance to test the wallpaper waters! There is always room to add more. It is surprising how a subtle addition of color and/or pattern/texture can add a bunch of fun to an area.
On the other hand, going bold can mean a world of creativity. For instance, wallpapering a complete space in pattern, painting trims in a complimentary color and adding an upholstered furniture piece (maybe covered in the same wallpaper pattern?! What fun!) can show you mean business. This approach really traps the eye, mind and spirit and gets the point made. It also keeps the homeowner looking put-together and well-managed. This route is a stunning one, but definitely takes a bit more. For instance, prep is everything. Create a mood board and get all of the looks feeling seamless prior to purchasing. By the way, painted cabinetry plays off of a patterned wallpaper really well.
The key here is that wallpapering is no longer a thing of the past. We have the opportunity nowadays to find something a bit more tailored to our space since there are so many options available. There is also a ton of inspiration and “how-to” ideas at our fingertips, so getting the creative juices flowing won’t take as much! The wallpaper moment is here and better than ever.
Remember one thing, adding any pattern or color will take some getting used to…but once it is added it will most likely stimulate the senses. It will be easy to never look back!