Special offer

Is wallpaper, making a comeback?

By
Home Stager with Abella Home Staging & Redesign

Is wallpaper making a comeback? Wall paper was very popular in the early 1900's but since then it has hit hard times. Just recently in the past, wallpaper was synonymous with chintz-loving grandma or high-end designers. But with the internet, homeowners are re-discovering wallpaper once again.Wallpaper can dress up a room or hide imperfections on the walls. As a redesigner, I love using wallpaper as accent wall. And as a homestager I have at times, recommend using paint-able wallpaper to had flaws on the walls. So what should you know before you go out and buy wallpaper?

  • What are the cost? Retails brand can run from $25 to $250 a roll. Designers can cost upt to $500 a roll.
  • Should you hire a professional or do-it-yourself? If your walls aren't plumb or the paper is high-end, you may want to consider hiring a professional. Professional charge anywhere from $30-60 a roll. Not counting the cost of the roll or the removal of old wallpaper.

Once the decision to wallpaper your room is made, the next decision is, what type of wallpaper should you use? Plain paper? Vinyls? Metallic? Nonwovens? Embossed? Or grasscloth?

  • Paper- Can be coated or non-coated. Non-coated makes stripping more difficult to remove.Usually coated with thin vinyl or acrylic film for better stain removal.
 
 
  • Vinyl- Durable sheets of rubbery plastic, laminated to paper or nonwoven backing. Stands up to scrubbing, scrapes and splashes.
 
 
  • Metallic- Metallized films and foils are laminated to either paper or nonwoven backing. Metallic can add sheen and piazza to any space but they tend to highlight flaws so be careful!
  • Nonwoven- Easy to hang and strip. Made of synthetic and paper fibers glued and pressed together.
  • Embossed- Raised patterns pressed into vinyl or paper. Great at hiding flaws in the walls. They even come paint-able!
  • Grasscloth- This is wallpaper made of strips of real grass woven into sheets. Backed by either paper, fabric or nonwoven materials. It gives a natural element into any room. Delicate, best used in low traffic areas.



Which wallpaer can be used where?
 
  • Kitchen- Vinyls stand up to the grease and moisture. Great for easy clean-ups.
  • Bathrooms- Nonwovens and vinyls. An ideal room to use bold prints, since the room tends to be smaller it won't overwhelm the room.
  • Entry Hall- Embossed vinyls, hides bumps and scuffs. And nonwoven, which are easy to remove should the wallpaper became damaged.
  • Dining Room- You can use just about any wallpaper here. Use the wallpaper as an accent wall or above a chair rail.
  • Bedroom- Grasscloth is perfect for the bedroom since it is a low-traffic area. Plus it gives it a serene effect.
Now that you are armed with all this information, go out and explore the world of wallpaper and see what you can do to a room!! 
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Gene, my husband made a face when I said I wanted embossed wallpaper in our bedroom!! But I think wallpaper is definitely making a comeback. It is not however, the same as in the past!! Tell you mom to wallpaper her room, just skip the border!!

Mar 05, 2012 06:53 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Carmela:  Believe it or not, my wife and my mom were just having this conversation on Sunday together.  My mom has always loved wallpaper and borders, but was expressing doubts about replacing some within her home with new paper.  My wife chirped up and said no ... that she'd been seeing it far more often in magazines and shows once again.  Your post definitely details this re-emerging trend!  Hope all read it and think about adding some pizzazz to their walls again ...

Suggested!

Gene

Mar 05, 2012 06:53 AM
Kathy Burke
Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA
S.F. East Bay Home Staging

Carmela....I for one LOVE some of today's wallpaper!  I will be recommending some for a Master Bedroom this week to a design client!  It can make a GREAT statement and make a room feel cozy & complete!

Mar 05, 2012 10:18 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Kathy, I feel the same way!! Can't wait to use it in my bedroom as well!!

Mar 05, 2012 06:17 PM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

These are great examples, Carmela. Today's wallpaper is definitely different. I've seen the embossed (that can be painted) and loved it. Now if I can only convince my husband (smile).

Kathy

Mar 05, 2012 07:42 PM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Kathy, I hear you and I have convinced my husband to put it in our bedroom. With the understanding that I will have to remove it when I no longer want it up (yea right! Not happening but I won't tell him that!!)

Mar 05, 2012 10:47 PM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Carmela--I love wallpaper--always have.  I especially love the new patterns that they have brought to market in the last few years. 

Mar 06, 2012 04:00 PM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Hi Janet, my favorite is embossed and grasscloth. Love the texture!! There is so much you can do with wallpaper!!

Mar 06, 2012 10:56 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Carmela- I actually like some wallpapers.  What I don't love are old wall papers, you know.. the ones that have been up for over 10 years.  I saw an entry done in a textured wall paper and it was so dramatic. Loved it. 

Mar 07, 2012 04:27 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Kathy I once heard this saying which is so true. "Design like food has an expiration date" Wallpaper will yellow as it ages, 10 yrs is far too long to be on the wall!!

Mar 07, 2012 04:30 AM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Carmela - great post and I will admit after years of dated wallpaper and removal...I too think the 'new vogue' wallpaper is making a come back.  Rather than doing an entire room like many used to I am fine with an accent wall.

Mar 07, 2012 09:27 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Wendy, I agree that's what I'm doing in my bedroom.

Mar 07, 2012 09:56 AM