About a year ago, we did a post on wallpaper and its re-appearance in the world of interior design.  When we created that post last September, we had only been seeing the briefest glimpses of the recurring trend, and wanted to share it with you because we knew it was beginning to make its comeback.  Since then, wallpaper has returned full force, which is wonderful because there are so many ways to use it!  We’re not dealing with that revolting 80’s floor to ceiling, wall to wall stuff anymore.  Now we are instead seeing wallpaper used to accent and compliment the existing colors, patterns and textures of a space.  You are going to be so surprised to see the different kinds of wallpapers that are available, and I’m so excited to tell you about them!

We’re going to split this post up into three different categories: color, texture, and pattern.  Each category can be interchanged or mixed depending on the look you are going for, but for the most part wallpapers fall into one of the three, so it’s the easiest way to talk about them!

Color: 

Color is most often mixed with either pattern or texture when dealing with wallpaper, but it’s still important for it to have its own category!  Color, above all else, will be the first and foremost thing that will either contribute to or detract from the feeling of your room.  When choosing color in a wallpaper, first ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish with the wallpaper.  Do you have a room with mostly neutral furniture pieces and flooring that you would like to add a bold splash of color to?  If yes, consider brighter tones when choosing your wallpaper.  Bright papers that have patterns in complimenting colors can really add character to an otherwise run of the mill space.

Image via Kravet

Image via Schumacher

On the other hand, if you already have a lot going on in the room, you can choose a milder color that reflects the feeling in the rest of the room without fighting with it.  In this case, it might be a good idea to consider papering an accent wall, rather than the entire room.

Pattern: 

Mostly all wallpapers come with either a pattern, a texture, or both.  Otherwise, why wouldn’t you just go ahead and paint the wall?  Patterned wallpaper is so much fun because it gives you a world of choices that normal old paint does not.  The right pattern on your wallpaper can instantly create the look that you are going for in a way that furniture and flooring just can’t do.  Here are some great examples of how a specific wallpaper pattern gives an instant style to a room:

Image via Decorpad

Image via Pinterest

Image via Schumacher

Image via Anthropologie

Texture:

Texture is one of the most fun things about the new wallpaper craze!  There are all sorts of textures available in wallpaper that give a new life to the trend.  Grasscloth is one type of texture that is rapidly gaining in popularity.  It adds a style that can be eclectic, homespun, or exotic, depending on what it is paired with.

Fabric options are another of my favorite wallpaper textures.  There are some beautiful wool textures, as well as denim and patterned velvet that I think would look (and feel) beautiful in the right bedroom.

Image via Schumacher

Image via Kravet

When choosing a wallpaper, it is important to remember the things that we talked about in this post, as well as a few other things too.

• Make sure that you choose a wallpaper that you will love for years to come.  While bold patterns like chevron may be at the peak of popularity at the moment, think about how you feel about 80’s floral prints now, and realize that that is how you will feel about chevron in a couple of years.  Find something timeless.
• Consider the size and layout of the area you are papering.  If you are wallpapering a cramped room, don’t cover all of the walls.  Choosing an accent wall will still convey your look without overwhelming anyone who steps into the room.
• Get creative.  Paper things that you wouldn’t usually consider papering, like the ceiling!  But also remember to take into account the way it will feel when living it it- for instance, a dark paper on the ceiling will make the room feel dark and small, but a light paper on the ceiling with a subtle pattern will add more depth and character to the room!
• Feel it out.  Choose the mix of color, texture and pattern that best work for you, remember to be creative, but don’t go crazy!

For more wallpaper ideas, and lots of other ideas too, follow us on Pinterest!  You can also like us on Facebook to stay up to date with everything that we are doing at Home on the Range, as well as get daily inspiration delivered right to your wall!