Transform Your Space: The Art of Choosing Wallpaper and Wall Art

Your choice of wallpaper serves as a foundational element in the interior design of your home, influencing the look and atmosphere of the spaces you use every day. Considering the transformative impact of this decorative piece of paper, shopping for the right wallpaper can thus be a bit daunting. To make this challenge more manageable and improve your chances of coming home with a wallpaper that reflects your personality and style preferences, you can break the task down into smaller chunks. Here’s a guide to get you started:

A Look at the Finer Details of Wallpaper

The first step for choosing the best wallpaper for your space is to acquaint yourself with the common elements of a wallpaper. Doing this will help you develop a keener eye when evaluating your choices. It will also enable you to make more nuanced purchasing decisions that are better matched to your needs and vision for your home. Here are the qualities that you should assess when shopping for wallpapers:

• Style and Theme – Think of your preference for classic elegance, contemporary flair, or something in between when choosing wallpapers that will set the foundation for the decor.
• Colour Palette – The colour palette of the wallpaper sets the tone for the entire room. Warm hues like reds and oranges can add energy, while cool tones like blues and greens promote relaxation.
• Texture and Finish – Matte finishes offer a subtle elegance, glossy finishes can create a sense of luxury, while textured wallpapers add tactile appeal.
• Pattern Scale and Complexity – Large patterns can make a bold statement and add drama to the space, while smaller patterns can create a more subtle and cohesive look.
• Longevity and Maintenance – Evaluate the durability and maintenance requirements of the wallpaper. Also, consider factors such as washability, resistance to fading, and ease of installation.

You can opt to use the same standards when choosing the right wall art for your home. If you’re thinking of hanging up illustration art prints or graphic design posters made by up-and-coming artists after installing your wallpaper, going over the above-mentioned qualities can help you narrow down your wall art choices. Using the same standard when evaluating wall art will help you determine if the posters or prints you are interested in will match your walls and contribute to creating the atmosphere you envision for your home.

Matching the Wallpaper to the Room to Achieve Your Desired Effect

It is, of course, important to find a wallpaper that will help you achieve your vision for the space. How you’re going to do this broadly depends on the atmosphere that you are aiming for. Here’s how your choice of wallpaper can affect the following elements:

Room Size and Layout

The design or pattern of your chosen wallpaper can significantly impact the perception of space. Large patterns can make a small room feel more intimate and cosy, while smaller patterns or subtle textures can create a sense of openness in larger spaces. For small rooms, you may want to opt for wallpapers with vertical stripes to visually elongate the walls and make the ceiling appear taller. Conversely, horizontal stripes can widen the perception of space in narrow rooms.

When decorating with wall art, think about the scale of the artwork in relation to the size of the pattern on the wallpaper. Large artworks can be matched with subtle wallpaper designs, but smaller pieces may get lost in intricate patterns. To ensure harmony, choose artwork that complements the colours and themes of the wallpaper.

Lighting Conditions

The kind and amount of light that a room receives play a crucial role in setting the atmosphere and enhancing the beauty of wallpaper. Natural light can highlight the texture and details of the wallpaper, while artificial lighting can add warmth to the space. In short, consider how your chosen wallpaper interacts with both natural and artificial light sources. Lighter wallpapers can brighten up a room and maximise natural light, while darker wallpapers can create a cosy and intimate atmosphere in rooms with limited natural light.

To enhance the lighting effects on the wallpaper, strategically place lighting fixtures such as wall sconces or spotlights. These will accentuate the wallpaper and create depth in the room. Dimmer switches can also be installed to adjust the lighting levels according to your desired mood and ambience.

Existing Decor and Furniture

Ensure that the wallpaper complements the furniture in terms of colour, style, and scale. For example, if you have statement furniture, it’s better to opt for wallpaper with a more subtle design to prevent visual overload. Also, when arranging furniture, think of how to showcase the wallpaper as a focal point. One way to do this is to position key pieces of furniture like sofas or beds against walls with wallpaper to draw attention to the decorative element. Additionally, you can leave space around the furniture to allow the wallpaper to shine and create a cohesive and harmonious look in the room.

Artwork and Pictures

Selecting and placing artwork and pictures requires careful planning to ensure visual harmony in a wallpapered room. Choose traditional or contemporary artwork that is in harmony with the style, colours, and themes of the wallpaper to create a unified look. Consider the scale of the artwork in relation to the size of the wall and the pattern of the wallpaper as well. Large, bold artwork can serve as a striking focal point in a room with subtle wallpaper, while smaller pieces can be grouped together to create visual interest.

When hanging artwork, aim for eye-level placement to ensure it’s easily visible and enhances the overall aesthetic of the room. Additionally, use picture frames that match the colours and textures of the wallpaper to tie the decor together for a more polished look.

Last but certainly not least, before making a final decision on wallpaper for your home, it’s crucial to engage in sample testing. Requesting samples allows you to see how the wallpaper looks in your space under various lighting conditions and make sure that it complements your existing decor and meets your aesthetic preferences. Additionally, assessing your chosen wallpaper for qualities such as washability, resistance to fading, and ease of installation can help you make sure that the decor will stand the test of time. Taking these steps before committing to a full installation can save you time, money, and potential headaches down the line.