Let's Wallpaper It!

A Designer's Comprehensive Guide to Using Wallpaper in the Home

Wall papering is in and the unique applications of wall paper can really make a statement. Behind book cases, on the ceiling or in a pantry, wall paper can make a not so exciting venue, pop. Before you go wallpapering your living room after being inspired by an over-the-top, wonderful use of wall paper like the Farm House in Paso Robles, there are several important considerations to make before committing. Read on to learn what some of the top designers are sayng about wallpaper.

We tapped three of the country's top interior designers—Gil Melott of of Chicago's Studio 6f, Jan Showers of Dallas-based Jan Showers & Associates, and New York–based Young Huh of her eponymous design firm—to share their sage advice on all things wallpaper. 

“Wallcoverings are more of an intensive investment than a paint color,” says Melott. “Make sure you can date the swatches before you marry the whole roll, as it were. Be sure you’re committed to the design, that it has longevity and isn’t a fad-ish move.”

Huh says while there is a lot to consider when selecting the right paper for a space, the biggest mistake she notices is that people don’t consider the scale of the pattern they are wanting to use. She advises thinking through how the scale of the wallpaper’s pattern relates to that of the room’s scale—along with any other patterns going on in the room. Showers says one also needs to think about how the paper relates to the art you have or plan to have on your walls, as well as what is happening in the adjacent room.

“I always consider where, who, and how it will be used and go from there,” says Melott. “If it is in a high-trafficked area, make sure it can endure the activity and can be cleaned. If it is being used by children, is it responsive to soap and water to remove drawings and love notes? And if it is in the bathroom or kitchen, can it take certain levels of moisture? The rest is aesthetics.”

Designers’ Favorite Places in the Home to Use Wallpaper

Showers especially loves to use wallpaper in entry halls, powder rooms, and dining rooms, but she loves the unexpected delight it can offer in a laundry room, men’s study, or a bar. She also suggests trying it in a closet or a bathroom for an extra punch of fun in these spaces. 

“We love to use Phillip Jefferies in so many rooms. The texture is wonderful, and they do a great job,” Showers says. “Texture is lovely in a kitchen or bathroom.”

Melott says there is a “natural inclination” to use wallpaper in smaller spaces, like powder rooms. He says that he likes to add wallpaper in areas that “call for unique elements of texture or pattern or command another layer of color dimension that paint alone may not provide.” 

Bromley says while she loves utilizing wallpaper in a powder room to make it feel like a jewelry box, one of her favorite places to sneak in a beautiful pattern is in a kitchen pantry, which she considers an unsung hero.

"These spaces need to reflect the personality of the homeowner, and it is a daily joy to have theses paces feel considered," Bromley says.

Where Not to Use Wallpaper

While there have been many great advancements in the durability of and materials used to create fantastic wallpaper in recent years, it’s still important to consider if your space can handle a wallcovering. Showers says she would hesitate to use wallpaper in any place that gets a lot of wear and tear, especially if you are using an exquisite wallcovering. She avoids using it in spaces like a small child’s bathroom or in a room where good art is being displayed.

“I have a belief that anything is reasonable on design within good taste and functionality; however, the practical pause comes into play in areas with high humidity, where wallpaper will have trouble maintaining its adhesiveness,” says Melott.

BY LAUREN WICKS PUBLISHED: APR 16, 2021