Wallpaper: It’s one of those interior design staples that goes in and out of style with regularity throughout the decades. Right now, it’s having a major moment in the spotlight, and rightfully so — a well-chosen design can add volumes of interest or even serve as an entire focal point for a room or overall décor scheme. It’s not that hard to paper a wall, nor too hard to change it later (if you change your mind). There is a little more elbow grease involved than painting, but it’s still doable for everyone, from small-space renters to those with unlimited square footage and budget.
Given this, it’s easy to see why wallpaper is back in a big way … but did you know there are dozens of clever and unexpected ways to incorporate wallpaper into your home beyond the traditional four walls? Here are some fun ideas for using this décor workhorse to your creative advantage.
From Ceiling to Floor
So you thought the only thing you could hang from your ceilings were light fixtures? Get those chandeliers swinging by papering the top of your room rather than the walls. Patterns and colors on the ceiling are unexpected, eye-catching and a great way to incorporate style into a room without overpowering the entire space. Don’t be afraid to be creative: Try whimsical themes like stars and planets for a child’s room or try out your favorite (bold) colors in the living areas. Elizabeth from Chasing Paper, a removeable wallpaper company, advises to “be color conscious. While dark walls are a huge trend right now, be sure that the color you choose is something you love. Often, lighter color palettes can help make a room feel bigger but will overall have a less dramatic effect.”
Along these lines, you could also reserve wallpaper solely for another space in your apartment that traditionally is not wallpapered: the stairs. Imagine the effect of a patterned stairway in your rental against a solid background. Unusual? Yes. Striking? Yes, again!
Office Space
Want to refresh your workspace … but work has you so busy you don’t have time for a full overhaul? A simple trick is to use wallpaper on your desk for a quick, modern shot of personality. Try an easy-to-use, peel-and-stick brand to make the job even more time-efficient. Lay out a simple layer over the desktop alone or go a step further and make sure to cover the edges as well. The job should take you less than an hour either way. That’s a small investment, as a cheerful new surface is sure to inspire you to clean out your inbox that much faster!
[tweetthis]Easy-to-use, peel-and-stick wallpaper makes adding style to your rental simple without using paint![/tweetthis]
Got Scraps?
Instead of throwing away all the odd ends and scraps that result from your major papering project, gather them up and get creative! Don’t underestimate the fun you can have with these leftovers, which are brilliant for tying your entire décor scheme together in subtle but striking ways. “Grander patterns make a room feel more intricate and special,” claims Elizabeth. Here are some great ideas for utilizing small and/or irregular pieces of wallpaper.
-Picture frames: Purchase inexpensive frames at your local craft store and give them a polished look by decorating with paper.
-Light switches: Have a tiny piece of wallpaper you aren’t sure what to do with? Consider giving a light switch plate a little boost.
-Hardcover books: Remember protecting your schoolbooks with brown paper bags? Elevate this idea by using wallpaper instead. Either give your kids’ texts a sharp new look or dress up a pile of your own favorite tomes to display on a coffee table or nightstand.
-Tin cans: Save your cans after cooking, wash them out carefully and then simply cover them with a strip of wallpaper. Voila, you now have stylish pen/pencil holders for your desk! Or grow houseplants in them for a pretty window display.
-Chair backs and rungs: A unique way to draw a room’s theme together is to use wallpaper on the rungs or backs of chairs.
Stumped? When in doubt but still wanting to do something with a piece of pretty wallpaper that’s left over, simply frame it or hang it from a scroll and create a one-of-a-kind work of art.
Overall: “Have fun,” suggests Elizabeth. “Choose prints with whimsy and a sense of humor about them. Since the space is small, there will not be a ton of the repeat, so make it count!” Ready to add some pizzazz to your home … beyond the four walls? Enjoy the creativity of working with wallpaper however the medium strikes you!