Wallpaper seems to go in and out of style. When I was a kid in the 1980's, my mom loved decorating and redecorating with wallpaper. It was out of fashion for a while, and now it is back in fashion, but in more discrete and subtle ways. Typically, we see wallpaper used to give texture to a room. But fully wallpapered rooms are making a comeback as well.
Today’s wallpaper is more durable than that of the past and the designs and prints are much more varied and modern.
If you chose to go with wallpaper, be careful in rooms with humidity like the bathroom and the kitchen. The wallpaper will be susceptible to peeling in those rooms.
Finding My Color
If you have a very specific color and color scheme in mind, you will probably want to go with paint. Not only are there so many shades available, but most paint companies allow you to create your own color. Just bring them a sample and they will mix it for you right there.
Another thing to consider when choosing between paint and wallpaper is how often you would like to change the room.
While both jobs are a big undertaking and should be done by a professional, paint feels a little easier and is cheaper. Wallpaper removal is a beast of a job.
If you are decorating a child’s room, you want to consider the fact that a 9-year-old may not want the same decor at 13. Are you ready to re-wallpaper when she moves from pink flowers to something more grown-up?
There are tons of professionals out there who can help you sort through these decisions. If you have chosen a good installation company who does both wallpapers and paint you most likely can trust that they have the experience needed to steer you in the right direction and ask you discovery questions. And if they are in both businesses, you should have no reason to mistrust them!
Latex-based: Cleans up easily with soap and water.
Oil-based: Hard to clean up, but long-lasting.
Textured: Uses additives for a range of textures; some types of application techniques make the surface more textured as well.
Flat: Does not reflect much light and may be harder to keep clean.
Eggshell: Has a slight sheen and is washable.
Semi-gloss: Has a moderate sheen and is very washable.
Gloss: Has a very shiny look and is very washable.