Covering the Walls

The walls in your home make the biggest visual statement in any room, so, if you think it’s time for a change, why not consider wallpaper or wall coverings as an option?
Look at the room you want to change. How big is it? Is it a high traffic room? What is the style of the furniture you have or will have in it? What are the predominant colors? Do you want to change the whole room or create a feature wall?
Thanks to new technologies and new designs combined with the practicality it’s always had, wallpaper has reclaimed its space in our houses and our hearts. Forget the image you have in your memories of that seventies or eighties wallpaper with the paisley design, we are talking about a whole new world of fresh ideas.
The choices out there are immensely creative and there is a something for everyone, every room and every style. The variety of textures, colours and patterns will amaze and you.

Wallpaper came into being in ancient China around 200BC, firstly because the Chinese had invented paper and secondly they began gluing rice paper onto their walls for decoration. Recent advances in technology have created products that incorporate compounds that allow wallpaper to be washable, long-lasting, pre-pasted, and yet still very affordable. Recent advances in digital photo and printing technologies have allowed modern printing facilities to replicate just about any image or texture onto your walls. Imagine having your favorite photo or painting reproduced, or being able to fully customise and have exclusive patterns or brands on your walls (truly unique, if you have a business). One of the advantages of using wallpaper is that you can obtain a variety of designs and textures such as tapestry, velvet, chintz, silk drapery, linen, wood, masonry or a mural for a fraction of the price of the real deal.

Another great feature of wallpaper is that when it is installed correctly, it will last a long time. Expect a good wallpaper to last you 10-15 years. When based over these kinds of time frames, wallpaper becomes very cost effective.
When it comes to renovating a room that has been wallpapered previously, as long as the room was prepared properly in the first instance, the changes you want to make should not be too difficult.
Wallpaper will change the whole visual appearance of a room, adding character, beauty and warmth. However, the most important factor, as with any redecoration, is to allow your choices to bring out your personality.


Basic rules for choosing wallpaper

• Use more durable papers such as heavy-duty, vinyl-coated, solid vinyl or fabric-backed vinyl for kitchens, children's bedrooms and high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways. These papers are much easier to clean and can take more abuse.
• Bathroom areas are tricky, as wallpaper may deteriorate rapidly and the excess steam can lead to the edge of the wallpaper peeling away from the wall as the glue deteriorates.
• Your best bet for the bathroom is to use a waterproof vinyl-coated wallpaper, acrylic vinyl or polyvinyl chloride.
• Be sure to buy all rolls from the same dye lot or batch to ensure that the colours and patterns will match.
• Buy at least one spare roll from the same batch in case repairs are necessary. This is important not only because the pattern may be discontinued but because colours from different batches will vary. 
• Like paint, wallpaper requires correct surface preparation before application. Using a primer on the walls prior to applying the paper will allow you to remove it should you wish to revert to a painted surface in the future.
• Keep in mind the dimensions of room you are redecorating, as wallpaper in small rooms can make the room feel even smaller.
• Choose colours and patterns that you like or that complement the room and consider using a second, complementary style of wallpaper. For example, mix striped wallpaper with a solid colour for a contrast.

You can use wallpaper to cover dressers and furniture, by wrapping the item like a present, and you will have a brand new piece of furniture.

Measuring up
Accurate room measurements (length, width and height) along with the number of window and door openings are essential for ordering wallpaper. Creating a simple sketch can be helpful. Take the sketch and the measurements to your nearest Mitre 10 store and the staff can help to determine how much wallpaper you will need for the project.
Take your time, research your options and don’t forget to ask for samples to take home. Samples will help you to decide what to choose, but they will also allow you to see the choices in the light of your own home and next to the furniture. The whole point of samples is to allow you to assess what will look good and what won’t – this is an important process. Do your homework and have fun along the way.