By Mae Chan | Dec 29, 2009
Wallpaper ideas and tips
It doesn’t matter if you are decorating a new home or improving on your current home décor, wallpapering is a good way to add style and depth to your living space.
“Wall coverings can easily brighten up and transform any room in the house,” says Benjamin Goon, sales and marketing director of Maxim Wallpaper. However, each room in the house has its own function and some surfaces are just not suitable for wall coverings.
 |
|
Living room.
|
Fear not. Goon shares some pointers on how to choose and care for the wallpaper in your home.
Wallpaper selection
When buying wallpaper, take into account the overall décor of the house. Choose a design that complements the current style.
When decorating new houses, it is a good idea to select your wall coverings before deciding on furniture and decorative items as this tremendously helps coordinate the look and feel of the space. It is also important to make sure that the design selected suits the room’s function.
Below are some tips on how to select wallpaper for the various rooms in the home:
Living room
The living room is usually the main area where family and friends gather. As such, designs should be simple and colours should be easy on the eyes. Recommended shades: ivory, red, beige or white.
For a contrasting effect, go for a feature wall. Choose striking colours and optimise on the texture of the wallpaper fabric to create the focal point of the room.
 |
|
Bedroom.
|
Bedroom
The bedroom is for resting and relaxing so the focus should be on comfort and balance. Wall coverings should complement the furniture and surrounding décor to create a natural, soothing and even romantic ambience. Pink tones are good for a peaceful sleep while green helps keep one relaxed.
Children’s room
For children under the age of seven, use eye-catching and strong motif patterns or colours for better emotional development. Meanwhile, for older children, use more composed and bright-coloured designs. It is also a good idea to let the children choose their own wall coverings as this helps develop a sense of ownership towards their rooms.
Ceilings
Wallpaper for the ceiling should be plain and slightly brighter than its surrounding walls. To create a high-ceiling effect, use white or a vertical-striped wallpaper design.
Size does matter
The size of the home should be taken into consideration when choosing wallpaper. For small houses, it is better to stick to a single colour and vertical patterns. Don’t use multiple colours. For larger spaces, it is best to use heavy tones with large patterns for balance.
 |
|
Children's room.
|
Wallpaper care
Do not paste wallpaper on damp walls such as those in the bathroom or wet kitchen. Laminated and glass surfaces are also not suitable.
To clean your wallpaper, use a damp cloth or sponge to lightly wipe the surface. Alternatively, a feather duster or microfibre cloth can be used to remove dust and keep the wallpaper in pristine condition. If you want to use cleaning detergent, make sure it is organic.
Any leftover wallpaper should be wrapped in plastic and kept in a dry place to prevent damage from termites and moisture.
Ideally, the wallpaper in your home should be changed every three to four years. This doesn’t only guarantee that the wallpaper will be in tip top condition; it also enables your home to keep up with current trends.
See related stories:
|