Decorating with wallpaper is a very feasible alternative when designing a room where the walls are in poor condition, or in a space where architectural detailing is lacking. Wallpaper can add immediate impact and infuse an interior with color, pattern and interest for a relatively small amount of money.
There is an extensive selection of wallpaper available at your local hardware store, home improvement center and specialty shop, and through mail order catalogs. Your interior designer and architect can also show you their pattern books.Color, pattern, material, manufacturing method, pre-pasted versions, special finishes and special sizes abound.
So when you start shopping around for wallpaper be certain to examine the room where it is to be installed, keep photographs handy of whatever is going to remain in the room, have fabric swatches available of upholstered pieces and window treatments, and, finally, have accurate measurements of the complete room, including the ceiling height.
After you have narrowed your choices, be certain to bring samples home and look at them on site. Colors and patterns can change when a paper is placed in direct light or shadow, or near other elements that can affect its appearance such as architectural detailing, fireplaces and built-ins.
Once you have selected your paper, make certain that you order enough to completely paper the area you desire to redo. Allow extra paper for repeats and any small mishaps that may occur. If you are unsure of how much paper to purchase, consult a sales associate or a reputable wallpaper hanger.
Once your paper arrives, make certain the right wallpaper was shipped and that all the rolls are from the same dye lot. This is indicated by a dye lot number on each roll. And verify the amount of paper sent to make certain that your order was not short-shipped.
If you are having your wallpaper installed by a professional paper hanger, check his or her credentials, references, insurance and license, if applicable. If you are installing your own wallpaper, consult your local library, home improvement center, hardware store or a knowledgeable friend or family member before beginning your project. Wallpaper that is improperly hung never looks right in your home, no matter how cleverly it is masked.
If you do not know what to do, defer to an expert. Or if you really want to try to wallpaper a room, begin with a small, easily approachable space such as a mud room or laundry room. In this way, if you make a mistake, it won't be as visible as it would be if you had papered the living room or dining room.
Properly installed wallpaper can rejuvenate a dated room in a quick and cost-effective way. But, like any other home improvement, a little planning and forethought will help insure a correct and beautiful result.
Chris Casson Madden, host of the Home & Garden Television cable show Interiors by Design, is also author of 12 books, including the newly released "Bathrooms," available from local bookstores or from Random House at 1-800-793-BOOK.