4 reasons to add wallpaper to your interior

There are many ways to create simple changes in your home, that don’t involve a complete overhaul of your current interior. And while paint is the general go-to when it comes to updating walls, we’d like to shine light on another option: wallpaper.

Unfortunately wallpaper has suffered somewhat from a bad rap. You may harbour cringeworthy memories of nanna’s stifling 60’s floral prints, or it may the traumatic experience of wallpaper removal during a reno that has you shuddering at the word ‘wallpaper’.

Luckily wallpaper has come a long way since the times of old – in both style and application. This is why we’ve compiled this list – because we believe adding wallpaper to your next interior update is a great idea. 

All the elements

If you tuned in to any of our monthly ‘feels’ posts in 2019, you may remember us talking about some of the crucial elements in interior design such as line, texture, colour and pattern. The beauty of wallpaper is that it can offer all of these elements in one easy package.

Wallpapers can feature bold patterns with dramatic colour and cool texture, instantly transforming an uninspiring room into a modern, eye-catching space. And as long as you select wallpaper that works with your existing décor, you’ll end up with a stunning, cohesive space.

Cost effective and DIY friendly

Wallpaper is an interior decorator’s secret weapon. Our senior interior stylist Alex Shimmin recently transformed her spare room into a stunning nursery with the help of some amazing wallpaper. Its application can easily revamp the look and feel of a particular room – all within budget. While costs can certainly vary depending on design and quality (like anything), there is a wallpaper to suit every budget.

It’s also a fairly straightforward project on the DIY front. Unlike complex cabinetry or tedious tiling, you can easily install wallpaper yourself with an extra pair of hands (just like Alex did). The result? A durable, unique interior addition that’s more interesting to look at than plain old paint.

Oh so versatile

Think wallpaper is only for walls? Look up. More often than not, most ceilings are your plain Jane white. Unless you’re lucky enough to have a ceiling rose or chandelier, your ceiling isn’t winning any interior awards on its own. But a ceiling can be the perfect blank canvas to inject some personality into a room. Enter wallpaper. From ceilings to wardrobes, doors and even the inside of a bookshelf, most wallpaper can be applied to any flat, clean, dust-free surface.

Low maintenance

Who wants to spend hours keeping a new interior addition in pristine shape? Unlike some materials, modern wallpapers are much more durable and low maintenance than you may think. The external side is usually made of vinyl, which is scratch and tear resistant, and easily washable (unlike some of wallpaper’s predecessors).

Eliminating the worry of scratches, stains or peels, this means wallpaper can – and should – be used in high-traffic areas. Utilising a vibrant, waterproof wallpaper can do wonders at transforming a kitchen or bathroom, both aesthetically and maintenance-wise.