Make Your Home Memorable:
How to Use to Wallpaper to Make your Home Stand Out
Wallpaper has come a long way since your grandma’s house. What was once thought of as dated and dowdy, now comes in a vast array of choices. From modern prints to full-wall murals to fabrics like grasscloth and linen, wallpaper has evolved well beyond its origins and offers endless possibilities for any home. It is an easy way to add character, dimension, direction and warmth to blank walls and breathe new life into a room. And new options like self adhesive removable wallpaper (sometimes called peel-and-stick) means you can try it out without the worry of a long-term commitment. A mural in a nursery, for example, can be easily removed and swapped for something more age appropriate as your child grows.
Adding wallpaper can also be a strategic way to hide surface imperfections and awkward structural issues, like soffits and beams. It’s also, on average, longer lasting than paint. Paint usually needs touching up every two to five years, depending on your household whereas professionally hung wallpaper can provide ten to fifteen years of durability and wall protection. Another advantage a high quality wallpaper offers over paint is ease of maintenance. Most wallpapers are produced with a washable surface making cleaning a snap, ideal in rooms where children and pets love to congregate, or high traffic areas like entries or kitchens.
Do you have an acoustically challenged-area of your home where noise seems amplified? Wallpaper can help. Acoustic wallpapers are specially engineered to absorb sound. This is a great solution in areas where you want to enhance tranquility like bedrooms or nurseries, or areas where poor insulation contributes to echos or reverberation. Acoustic wallpaper can work in two ways: keeping sound out or absorbing sounds. Home offices and playrooms are two rooms we can imagine benefiting from a beautiful sound-absorbing wallpaper. It can’t complete with the noise-reducing abilities of insulation, for example, but it can offer relief.
You don’t have to cover every wall to harness the power of wallpaper. Some of our favorite ways we have seen use it in specific rooms that are sometimes forgettable, like a tiny powder room or kitchen nook. Transitional spaces, like hallways or staircases are also great candidates for the pop and texture of a good wallpaper. Another option we love is using it on a focal wall in a bedroom or living space. Painting the facing walls a complimentary color pulls the room together and gives it cohesion. Walk-in closets and converted attics are other spaces that can be transformed by a good wallpaper making the spaces feel intentional and a part of the home rather than just “bonus” spaces.
Another way we have seen wallpaper sell a home is when a traditional home applies an unexpected modern pattern to a wall, instantly adding visual interest while preserving historical features and character. We have also seen the reverse done beautifully as well with a modern home adding softness and warmth with a traditional toile or floral print. And finally, papering the fifth wall, aka the ceiling, can do wonders for a small room by tricking the eye into thinking it is bigger. Likewise, a darker wallpaper on a ceiling can make a cavernous space feel more intimate and cozy.
Designs and patterns aren’t the only options when it comes to wallpaper. Textures and neutral designs abound these days. So if you like the idea of wallpaper but balk at the introduction of color or bold patterns consider a neutral pattern with texture instead. We have seen stunning examples of how texture alone can transform a space.
Wallpaper can be easy to install but it does require careful measuring and some planning. Simpler patterns and peel-and-stick varieties may be safe bets for DIYers. Heavier fabrics/papers and intricate patterns might be best in the hands of professionals. While wallpaper can be a great investment for its longevity and durability, it is typically more costly at the outset. Hanging mistakes can be unforgiving and expensive. When in doubt, go with a professional. Let us know if you would like a referral.
Buyers love a well designed home and wallpaper offers an easy way to bring sophistication and design acumen with minimal effort. Think about how you feel when you walk into a well designed space. It just feels different—you feel different—and buyers notice that feeling, too.
Whether the market is hot or cold, tipped in the buyer’s or seller’s favor, you want your home to stand out from the rest. We are seeing more homes using wallpaper to create visual interest and convey an aesthetic point of view. Harnessed well, it can give a home a feeling that makes a favorable and lasting impression on potential buyers.
If you are considering listing your home and have questions about how to make it shine, please reach out. We would love to talk. Helping our clients navigate design choices when listing their home is part of how we ensure our clients maximize the dollars in their pocket at closing. We offer in-home design services and complementary staging for every listing. Our team can even tackle handyman services as needed. Whatever your needs, Cerruti Real Estate is dedicated to bringing out the best in your home as simply and seamlessly as possible.
