Sometimes we come home and want to change everything: we move the furniture, carry the paintings out of their positions, and paint the closet… and yet there is still something missing. It’s the wall that needs a new look! Knowing how to choose the ideal wallpaper helps a lot when redesigning the place where we live.
To decide the most appropriate, some care is necessary, for example, analyzing the material, the prints, the area that the wallpaper will occupy, the quantity to be purchased, and the method of application.
Want to know more? Follow this text and get to know essential tips to avoid making a mistake when choosing your wallpaper. Check out!
1- Know the types of wallpaper
Choosing the colors and patterns of the wallpaper is essential, but you also need to look at the product’s material. If it is not resolved correctly, it can change the visual appearance at the time of application or be damaged by environmental conditions.
Check, below, the main types of wallpaper, characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of this decoration item, and evaluate which one is the most suitable to meet your needs and expectations.
2- Traditional
Traditional wallpaper is a pioneer in the market, made from cellulose, as well as standard paper. Its appearance is smooth and dry and does not cover imperfections and. Therefore, it should be applied on flat surfaces with no textures, cracks, or holes.
Another precaution that this type of material requires is that it should only cover dry environments away from moisture, such as bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and entrance halls. Otherwise, it can constantly contact water, steam, and cleaning products and quickly degrade.
3- Vinyl
Made from PVC or coated with a layer of vinyl, it has a plastic-like texture—smooth, shiny and slippery. In this way, it covers and disguises wall imperfections and can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth, sponge, and neutral detergent.
These characteristics are ideal to be applied in humid environments, in constant contact with water and steam, frequently exposed to light and have excellent circulation, such as leisure areas, kitchens, washrooms, and bathrooms.
4- TNT
Non-Woven Fabric (TNT) gained significant prominence in the market and became an excellent option for decorating the walls elegantly and practically. Made with polyester and cellulose, it has a unique appearance, similar to fabric.
It can be applied on smooth surfaces and with irregularities, as it hides imperfections a lot. Although it lasts longer in dry environments, it is also very resistant to humidity and can be used in washrooms, kitchens, and leisure areas.
Its cleaning must be done with loofah and detergent, as long as they are applied gently. For rinsing, a clean, damp cloth is the best recommendation.
5- High Relief
Sophisticated environments deserve a different wallpaper. The embossed one fits this description. Made with some foam injections, which guarantee different textures and levels of coverage with a soft aspect to the coating, they combine perfectly with living rooms and bedrooms.
Those with small kids at home and pets, such as dogs and cats, are better off avoiding this type of coating, as it is delicate and requires more care. It is cleaning so as not to spoil the texture of the paper, can be done with a vacuum cleaner.
6- Velvet
The velvet is more elegant and refined than the others; the velvet ensures a sophisticated style for the property’s internal environments. Its texture is fluffy and velvety, so it should not contact moisture or receive direct light.
As they are compassionate, they need more attention and care to keep them showy and perfect. To clean it, it is recommended to use only the vacuum cleaner.
7- Choose the suitable wallpaper for each room
Each part of the house requires various wallpaper, as the places have specific functions in the home. The color and design of the wallpaper can negatively affect the environment.
a- Living Room
So, if your living room isn’t too big, go for classic papers or choose prints with more minor, more straightforward details. That way, you won’t leave the space with too much information.
b- Bedroom
For the bedroom, it is recommended to observe your style. If you are a more romantic person, bet on floral prints. If your look is more modern, take a chance on bold patterns, such as geometric ones.
c- Bathroom
In the bathroom, you have greater freedom concerning other rooms in the house, as there are usually few decorative objects in this space.
8- Define the effect you want to give the environment
It’s not just the wallpaper pattern that contributes to the desired effect. The way you distribute it in space also influences this issue, and the joining of these two elements creates different decorative situations.
For the model, if you want to make a wall stand out in the room, apply intense colors only to it. It is also the case of using wallpapers with geometric prints.
If you want to leave the entire environment decorated, you must be careful with the colors. I prefer lighter tones and more discreet prints because all the walls will receive the paper, and there can be no visual discomfort.
However, if your home has a charged look, you should only use a wall strip. This helps to balance the environment and does not compromise the other decor elements.
9- Find out what quantity to buy
Measure the width and length of the wall you want to paper and multiply one measurement by the other. Add 10% to the m² of the area to consider necessary losses and excesses at the time of installation.
Calculate the area of coverage of the desired registration as there are different wallpaper rolls — this information may already be on the packaging. Divide the wall area, already with the sum of 10%, by the location of coverage of the roll to find out how many will be necessary to buy to cover the entire space.
10- Know how to apply
Now that you know how to choose the ideal wallpaper, let’s learn how to apply it. You can hire a specialized service to make the application or do it yourself. If you decide to put your hands in the dough, the first step is to cut the strips vertically, leaving 10 centimeters left up and down to avoid mistakes.
Start pasting the paper to the top of the wall and work your way down. Use a dry, clean cloth to aid in gluing and eliminate bubbles and wrinkles. Finally, use a spatula to smooth the paper and cut off the excess.
There are several application modes, the most traditional being the one using glue. You must buy the powder glue, specifically for this purpose, and dilute it in water, as recommended on the package. Smear the glue from the middle to the sides of the sheet of paper and ensure the entire space is covered before adhering to the wall.
However, if you are looking for a more uncomplicated method, a wallpaper comes with an adhesive side and does not need glue. Just take it out of the package and stick it with a spatula on the wall.
Now that you know the main tips on choosing the wallpaper for your home, follow the step by step and customize the environments practically and elegantly, ensuring support and warmth for you and your family.
