Designers Guide to Wallpaper - As Seen in Haven Magazine

It’s been around for thousands of years, in all sorts of styles, colours and textures, with the Chinese hanging rice paper decorated with delicate designs as far back as the 13th century. Wallpaper was adapted by Europeans and introduced to the western world in the 15th and 16th centuries, and became hugely popular in the 20th century - think the orange and brown retro walls in your grandparent’s house!

Wallpaper briefly went out of vogue in the minimalistic 2000s but, as we leave the stark white walls of this decade behind, we are once again embracing more pattern and colour in our homes. There are no firm rules around where and when to use wallpaper, but here are some of the most popular locations and types of wallpaper available.

STATEMENT

Using wallpaper to create a feature wall behind the bed is a great way to add luxury, elegance and sophistication to a master bedroom. It’s not a space where we typically hang a lot of artwork, so you can let your wallpaper be the art. Try using pattern, colour, or maybe something more on the feminine side. Wallpapering just one wall is not only more economical but is more restful, as a full room of wallpaper in a small space can feel overwhelming. Paint the remaining walls in a complementally colour - pick a tone that is found in the wallpaper or, if you want to give the eye a rest, use a complementary shade of white.

STATEMENT

Using wallpaper to create a feature wall behind the bed is a great way to add luxury, elegance and sophistication to a master bedroom. It’s not a space where we typically hang a lot of artwork, so you can let your wallpaper be the art. Try using pattern, colour, or maybe something more on the feminine side. Wallpapering just one wall is not only more economical but is more restful, as a full room of wallpaper in a small space can feel overwhelming. Paint the remaining walls in a complementally colour - pick a tone that is found in the wallpaper or, if you want to give the eye a rest, use a complementary shade of white.

TOLIE

Known as ‘Toile de Jouy’, these original linen and cotton fabrics traditionally depicted pastoral scenes from travels abroad, farm life and hunting scenes in the country. Today, the vintage-style wallpapers are being re-invented and modernised, and make a great option for kids’ bedrooms.

You can have so much fun with wallpaper in kids’ bedrooms. Start by considering the child’s interests and favourite things, or the mood you want to create in the room. From toddlers to teens, there are wallpapers to suit every child.

GEOMETRIC

In teen’s rooms, I tend to choose geometric patterns or textures rather than images, as they’ll more easily grow with the child. However, don’t let this hold you back too much, as wallpaper can be easily updated.

BOTANICAL

I like to introduce wallpaper in smaller spaces or on one wall in larger spaces to create a zone of sorts.

The smallest rooms in the house can look amazing with wallpaper, such as the bathroom or powder room (guest toilet). Wallpaper can also be a great place to start if you’re not sure about a large wall, as it really creates the ‘wow’ factor. If a room is already dark, adding a dark wallpaper can lift it instantly.

GRASSCLOTH

If you’d like to introduce colour and texture to your home, grass-cloth wallpaper is a great place to start. It includes a range of products (some natural, some man-made) that have a similar look and feel, with a pattern that is primarily vertical and tactile. Grass-cloth wallpaper can be made of many materials, including hemp, reed, arrowroot, jute and other faux grass-cloth products. With a wide range of amazing shades and textures available, depending on the natural fibres, it can be used anywhere you want to introduce more colour or depth.