If you are in the mood for something different, if you are tired of bare walls and desire some action on it, and if you have monsoon-proof dry walls and a relatively decent budget, then the option of trying out wallpaper should definitely be explored. Wallpaper offers you a choice and an outlet for your creativity to put your stamp of individuality on your space.
There are a few things to keep in mind before you wallpaper your space. For starters, pay attention to your budget. Most wallpaper companies offer you a selection starting from `50 per sq ft, but do keep in mind that once you go through the selection process, you are inclined to choose something better and you come out choosing a more expensive variety.
In order for wallpaper to be applied, it is very important that your walls are smooth and dry, so you will have to get it levelled and primed before application. If your walls are in relatively good condition, this is not too much of an issue, but if you have mildewed and wavy walls, it is best to have them attended to.
Wallpaper is best suited for internal walls of your house that are less exposed to the monsoon rain and also for rooms with high traffic like the living room and the bedroom. It is preferable not to use these in high humidity areas like the kitchen or the bathrooms, though if you absolutely must, install them at a distance from the wet area and make sure you have an extremely efficient exhaust system. Most often, only hotel bathrooms utilise wallpaper and the reason is because the WC area is often segregated from the rest of the bathroom itself by a wall.
Most wallpapers come in a vinyl or fabric texture with a mild gloss or sheen, or matt finish catering to all likes and designs. In terms of patterns, they range from the traditional English country styles with its floral and bird patterns in warm shades of reds, oranges, yellows and soothing tones of blues and greens to rich Baroque brocade prints. Modern styles are more linear and streamlined with a lot of geometric and graphic prints on them and most companies nowadays have a wonderful boho chic range which seems to be the rage, combining both the traditional and modern prints.
Application of wallpaper does not in any way indicate the disuse of paint. In fact, the best results are produced when paint and wallpaper are used in tangent with each other. Wallpaper, for example, need not be applied on all four walls of the room. You could apply it on one wall for effect or likewise paint one wall for effect. In this manner, the height of your walls can also be played with. In a more traditional style, where POP rails are another element introduced, a dado (POP) moulding can run horizontally round the room at a height of 36” from floor level or even 15” from the ceiling. This division, because of the rail, allows you to divide your room and paint one half and wallpaper the other.
For an added twist, add wallpaper on to your furniture. Covering an armoire or stand-alone cupboard or merely panels of the armoire with leftover wallpaper is an interesting and quirky method to avoid wastage. In this manner, a lot of creativity can be exercised, as the choice is vast.
It is important to maintain your wallpaper. Most wallpapers are washable and last for a couple of years if there is no humidity or leakage. If a particular piece of wallpaper gets damaged, it can be replaced, keeping in mind if the selection is still available. It is, therefore, often best to buy a few extra rolls in the beginning itself to avoid this mishap. Most wallpaper companies offer an annual maintenance contract to take care of your wallpaper. Enjoy!
The writer is an interior designer, with offices in Delhi and Mumbai. E-mail her at info@fleurxavierdesign.com