Where is wallpaper used and why?

Wallpaper is a material used in interior decoration to decorate the walls of domestic and public buildings. It is usually sold in rolls and is applied onto the wall using wallpaper paste.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well, actually it’s not always as simple as that! Nowadays there are so many materials used in wall coverings, and so many different versions, each of which is likely to have its own specific method of hanging, that it can be a rather daunting challenge. Common wallpapering techniques can include pasting either directly onto the wall or on the paper itself. Paste to wall is often used on many specialist finishes such as wall murals and higher-end wallpapers.

As an interior design company, over the years we’ve wallpapered kitchens, bathrooms and other areas where you wouldn’t even think you could use wallcoverings. Here are the different methods along with some images from just a few of the suppliers we use.

Paste to wallpaper
With this method of hanging wallpaper, you apply the paste directly to the wallpaper. This should be done using a wallpaper table and a brush. Once the paste has been applied, the paper must then be folded back onto itself, allowing the paste to soak in.

Wall pasting
This is a method of hanging wallpaper whereby the paste is applied to the wall using a roller or paintbrush. Once this step has been completed, the wallpaper can then be hung. This method is quicker and easier than pasting the paper itself. As the paper is dry when you hang, this reduces the risk of tearing.

Reverse hung
Reverse hanging wallpaper is when you hang each panel of wallpaper in the reverse direction of the first panel. This is done if the edges show minor colour or structural differences, for instance due to the printing process. At first glance, and even when cutting lengths of wallpaper, these differences might not be immediately obvious. But once the wallpaper is up on the wall, these ‘imperfections’ could be visible at the edges and seams, thus affecting the overall picture.

Murals
Why is a mural different to normal wallpaper? A mural is often a photograph or an illustration that has been separated into panels which are identified from left to right by numbers. The number of panels is variable and depends on the width of the wall and the width of the image. Murals can be altered to fit any size of wall, and are a stylish, creative way to totally transform a room. They add visual interest, depth, texture and colour to any space.

Wall coverings
Wall coverings can include textiles such as velvet, leather and felt, and they can make a space feel that little bit more luxurious and special. Wallpapers with a printed design can sometimes be slightly textured or embossed, or even have a surface texture applied during the manufacturing process. Wall coverings can also have real-life effects such as tiles and wood.

For Leigh Hall, owner of Strive for Design, choosing the best wall coverings for your interiors can help to take your design project to the next level. ‘When we begin a design project we discuss every aspect with the client, and that includes the wall coverings that they prefer and that we feel will work best within the space,’ comments Leigh. ‘Historically, wallpaper has had a bit of a bad press, but with so many exciting papers, textures and colour schemes now available, we believe that it’s an area where you can be more adventurous. We work with a wide range of suppliers so we know that we can source the perfect wall coverings for any project – it’s just a case of having the vision and creativity to identify the perfect solution, and that’s where we come in.’

Leigh Hall from Strive for Design is an interior designer in Cambridge and Newmarket, so if you’re looking to freshen up your home interiors, please give her a call on 01223 622 688, drop in or contact us to make an appointment.