Wallpaper is firmly back in the spotlight - but did it ever really go away? While some questionable prints, colours and decorating choices over the years may have given it an unfair reputation, wallpaper has long been one of the most effective ways to bring personality into a home.
Stepping away from their old-fashioned connotations, today's designs range from bold statement prints to timeless stripes and natural textures, making it easier than ever to embrace pattern. As confidence in decorating has grown, so too has the appetite for wallpaper, with more homeowners using it to add colour and interest in ways paint simply can't.
For Regina and Robin Reaves, founders of R&R Interior Design 365, wallpaper's appeal goes beyond aesthetics. They're seeing more clients embrace it as a way to bring personality, warmth and visual interest into their homes. Beyond adding character, they say wallpaper has an unmatched ability to evoke emotion and create a sense of elevated, effortless luxury
'Wallpaper allows you to personalise your home; it brings serenity, peace, and that texture and warmth that comes with it. It is also sound absorbing,' says the husband-and-wife duo. 'There are so many different textures of wallpaper out there, like grasscloth, silk or non-wovens, and patterns to choose from. Once we educate our clients on the benefits of wallpaper, they become much more comfortable using it in their homes.'
The Reaves add that some of the hesitation around using wallpaper comes from the uncertainty over which type to choose, where to use it, and concerns about removing it in the future.
'Clients will ask if it’ll damage the wall, how to prep the wall properly before installation, and what the removal process is like,' they say. 'If they’re doing a cloakroom, for example, we’d recommend them to use something like vinyl, something that's scrubbable, in heavy foot traffic areas.'
And while some designers have many do’s and don’ts for installing wallpaper, the Reaves take a more relaxed, intuitive approach.
'Wallpaper is an expression of who you are and what you're trying to evoke when people come into your room,' they say. 'Is it something that's going to bring you energy? Is it something that's going to bring calmness and peace?'
Depending on the answer, they tailor schemes to feel eclectic, minimalist, playful or pared back. 'Choosing the 'right' wallpaper is subjective,' they add.
As for where to use wallpaper, the pair have plenty of suggestions, noting cloakrooms, bedrooms and kitchens are all ideal spaces for decorative designs. 'Recently, over the last couple of years, we’ve also been wallpapering the ceiling,' the Reaves add, emphasising that people often overlook the impact this 'fifth wall' can have in a room.
Their biggest piece of advice? Don't overthink it. Wallpaper is an opportunity to give your home a distinct point of view. Even a few panels can transform a room into a talking point. And when your wallpaper reflects how you want to feel in a space - whether calm, playful, or somewhere in between - it creates a sense of luxury that feels personal rather than overdone.
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The Wallpaper Edit
