Do you want your living room to look more spacious or your bedroom to appear cozier and more intimate? You can change the ambiance of any space by choosing the right wallpaper. Go for a traditional look or a modern style; the choice is yours.
Wallpaper comes in a dizzying range of colors, designs, and patterns. With so many rolls to choose from, selecting the right rolls for your home, or space, can be overwhelming. How do you choose?
Let a wallpaper supplier based in Dubai give you a few pointers on how to pick wallpaper. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently shop for wallpaper and find the ones that suit your needs and preferences.
Consider the dominant color
Colors can breathe new life into any space, but you need to be cautious about the ones you use. For instance, reds can make the room appear warm, inviting, and exciting, but too much can overstimulate your senses.
Perceptions can vary depending on the culture and personality of the people using the space. You may need to take this into consideration when it comes to more public spaces inside your home such as the living room, kitchen, or dining area.
Take yellow, for instance. In much of North America, yellow is used to connote friendship or happiness. The same cannot be said in Latin America where yellow is used to indicate death, mourning, and sadness.
Going back to the color red. In China and other countries, red is a color for joy and celebration, which is why you will find logos and packaging in this color. However, in the Middle East, red is used to connote evil and danger.
Another consideration is the user’s personality. Confident, passionate people may feel comfortable in a room covered with predominantly orange or red wallpaper. However, the opposite is true with introverts and shy people who prefer soft blues and green.
When choosing between textures
Much like colors, the wallpaper’s texture can also affect how it looks or feels. In general, smooth, shiny, or metallic textures can make the space look modern but formal and cold.
The opposite is also true. Wallpaper that replicates the look and feel of brick, wood, or other rough textures give the space a rustic and homey ambiance. If you want to give your space a more traditional or timeless feel, rough wallpaper is the way to go.
Be careful with the pattern size
Applying wallpaper with small, simple, or geometric patterns is a great way to add interest to any surface. However, the same cannot be said when it comes to larger prints.
There are several issues when it comes to using wallpaper with large detailed prints or patterns. Large patterns can be used to emphasize a specific wall or surface. However, the pattern can also become too overwhelming and make the room smaller than it really is.
There are no specific rules when it comes to mixing different types of patterns. You can mix florals with stripes or geometrics with textures, but you need to strike a balance between the sizes of the different patterns. This way, no pattern becomes too overwhelming.
If you do decide to use wallpaper that features a lot of detail, design, or patterns, counter it with furniture in solid colors. Other than creating balance, the solid colors can also provide some relief for your eyes.
Decide where you want to place the wallpaper
How many walls or surfaces do you plan to use the wallpaper, one or all the walls? Your answer to this question can affect your choices.
For instance, if your intent is to cover all the walls of your home, classic stripes may look simple but still add interest to the space. The use of large stripes on all the walls brings the spaces together without making your home look small or leave the user feeling overwhelmed with the print.
You can also use wallpaper to break the monotony. Have one wall feature bold patterns or designs. This can become the focal point of your space.
If you plan on creating a focal point, choose a wall that is behind a significant feature. It could be the living room sofa, your bed, or a piece of art. The objective is to use the wallpaper to draw your attention towards that area so when you pick a wall, choose one that you want to emphasize.
Don’t forget the fifth surface
Contrary to what the name implies, wallpaper is not limited to walls. Combined with the right lighting, wallpaper can also be used to add interest to your ceilings.
When it comes to the ceiling, the same rules apply. If you wish to use the ceiling as the focal point of your space, use wallpaper in solid colors or simple designs on the other walls.
Wallpaper can give your home a sophisticated look that cannot be matched by paints or other finishes. With these tips, you can now pick designs with greater confidence. For more advice and estimates on how much wallpaper you will need, consult a wallpaper expert in your area.
AUTHOR BIO
James Prathap is the General Manager at NGC Nafees, top importers and exporters of wallpapers, flooring and fabric in the Middle East. Formed three decades ago, the business also offers high-quality panoramics, coordinated fabrics, and creative stickers for residential and commercial projects.
