FOUR REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD WOW WITH WALLPAPER

Photo courtesy of designer Alice T. Chan featured on HGTV.com

Today’s trending wallpaper is much different than what you may remember from your grandparents’ home or an outdated, tacky hotel.  According to the most recent trend forecast from Zillow Digs, which is a compilation of interior design experts’ survey responses and a home improvement database analysis, “2016 will bring a fresh modern vibe that beautifully mixes simplicity with bold accents reminiscent of the roaring 20’s.”

As you decorate your dream home, consider these four reasons to WOW any room with wallpaper.

1. Bring the outside in. Flowers, gardens and all foliage is abloom in Southeast Michigan, but once winter rolls around, the blanket of snow and clouds outside can dull the inside of your home.  Pretty floral prints are all of the rage right now, especially tropical prints.  Soft hues of flowers are an easy way to make a master, guest or nursery bedroom soothing and intimate.  Bold, bright floral patterns enliven small spaces such as a powder room, or a large space such as your new dream dining room.  Choose a few paper samples and then hang them for a few days or weeks to experience the impacts of natural light, and get a sense for how the wallpaper would complement the furnishings and other design elements in the room.

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2. Complement contemporary decor. New wallpaper designs resemble natural textures such as stone, wood and metals.  Adding this wallpaper style to a feature wall in a large room or entire powder room is an easy way to create a contemporary space.  There are plenty of options available from soft metallic hues to vibrant wood grains.

3. Accentuate transitional spaces. Foyers, stairwells, mudrooms and hallways are ideal spaces to make a strong statement with wallpaper.  If you are attracted to a bold pattern, but worry it may overwhelm the space, consider breaking it up.  Place a large mirror, photo display or a large piece of art which will become the focal point of the space.  Even a slim bench or hall table in a mudroom or foyer will break up a busy pattern, so be certain to check out all styles to find your favorite.

4. Shine a light on paneling and shelving. A popular trend is the use of wallpaper as a backdrop for decorative shelves or custom cabinetry, for example, a wall unit in a living room.  It’s a simple and effective way to inject color or decorative style into any room.  Feature your book or art collection by selecting a complementary style of wallpaper.  Framing sheets of wallpaper onto paneling is a popular way to update a paneled wall.  Framing just a few sheets adds an element of interest and helps complement the room’s overall décor.  This method is most commonly used in dining rooms to add dimension to the space.

Article by: Jennifer Elkow