Inside the Design Process: Wallpaper Guidelines

Inside the Design Process: Wallpaper Guidelines

We’re sharing our official wallpaper guidelines with you!

Let’s talk WALLS! Every day we work on designing rooms and one of the most crucial decisions are the wall treatments. A lot of people think of wallpaper being impossible to remove & outdated, but THINGS. HAVE. CHANGED. The options are endless, and there are so many quality papers out there for any space in your home. Plus, if you have a skilled installer and/or if you choose a removable peel & stick, removing it for your next remodel won’t be too hard. Let’s not think of getting rid of it, though. Our goal as a studio is to create lasting design, instead of following the trends that may fade out quickly.

We love how wallpaper can completely transform a room. In the spaces below we were looking for a little more depth and we used grasscloth to bring that in. Whether you want to take on wallpaper by yourself (or are hiring a designer to help) this post is for you!  

Let’s start with the basics. 

Here is a quick lesson in wallpaper options available and the best way to use them:

Vinyl- This is best for high moisture areas such as bathrooms and wet bars. Grasscloth vinyls are a great solution if you’re looking for just a little texture!

Traditional paper- Tried & true! Use this in dining rooms, bedrooms, and even powder rooms.

Removable wallpaper (peel & stick)- This is an excellent option for the indecisive types. These have come a long way in recent years.

The fun part is picking out the pattern and the place.

1.) Bookshelves don’t have to be boring! Spruce up any bookshelf or built-in with a grasscloth wallpaper for a custom feel.

2.) Pattern Play. Drama can be created with dark backgrounds and big patterns- the star of the show. Powder rooms can be brought to life using these principles. On the flip side, a small geometric diamond pattern allows the wall to play it’s part as a supporting background role. You can go wild with this and there are no rules!

3.) Dip your toes in the water. A subtle but unexpected way to use wallpaper is on cabinet faces. It brings in a luxury look with little commitment.

4.) Bring your eyes up. When there are few architectural details in the space, or maybe your ceilings are a little lower- use the ceiling as a feature! We call this “treating the fifth wall”. 

5.) Paneled Walls. Whether it is a full wall or a paneled room that provides a built-in frame for wallpaper, it’s always fun to have a special wall that’s different from the rest. 

So where do I find the perfect wallpaper?

A few retail favorites:

Some of our absolute favorite to the trade lines are:

Want more design tips? Check our posts here on lighting and here on throw pillows!

Bookshelf with wallpaper backing