Wallpaper is not a NEW trend but it is still current and doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.

We all have memories of the wallpapers from days past…intricate little flower patterns in shades of mauve and hunter green, 1980s inspired graphic prints, and almost always nothing but country-country-country. Well, the trend of today’s wallpaper is FAR from what our past stereotypes may have been.

Think of wallpaper as art. No need to cover every inch of every wall within a room. The pattern doesn’t even need to repeat. Look for a design scale that suits the space. Not sure how to do this? Stop and ask yourself, can I stand back and take in the whole of the design or is it overwhelming to see the entire print at a glance? Is the print so small and quaint in a vast space, so much so that it almost makes me dizzy? This is just food for thought when selecting a wallpaper pattern.

 Photo Credit – Ballard Designs

Look for hand painted designs or a new take on a traditional design pattern. Almost anything goes in terms of color scheme including metallic finishes. Be sure to select paint colors for adjacent walls that complement the wallpaper. In other words, choose your wall paper first and THEN your paint colors.

Photo Credit – Paul Montgomery Studio 

Want to get your feet wet with wallpaper but not fully commit to an over the top style? Look for textures that create a sense of depth in the room, select a neutral or classic color scheme that will never go out of style. Grass cloths are a great option for the more conservative or traditional design.

Have a bold side? Think of your wall as a canvas. For the very modern design choose an image that can be stretched to the size of the wall. There are companies that specialize in this very option by taking a high resolution photo and creating a large scale mural to fit the size of the wall. Quick tip…this is a great idea for a loft. 

 Photo Credit – Decor Place

And one final note on what NOT to do. Please, please, please… abandon the idea of using a border. This at no time is okay in current design trends.

If you love the idea of using wallpaper and you are not sure of where to start or how to choose one that is right for you please consult with a professional.

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