The many uses of wallpaper

"Looking to add a punch of personality to your walls? When bold paint colours simply aren’t enough, designers are looking to beautifully patterned wallcoverings to do the trick."   Style at Home

If you've ever put up wallpaper you know  how much work it is to remove it.  Most people I know swear never to have to strip walls again.  But...are we losing out on a design opportunity? Maybe there's another way to look at it. You don't have to commit to four walls of pattern in your home or even think in terms of walls at all ; be creative.

 source

If you want to add drama go bold.  Increase the scale of the print and use it selectively as a backdrop to a piece of furniture....

 source

source 

....or a seating arrangement.

 source

Create cutouts for a  nursery or a child's room.

Check out other interesting wallpaper uses at Budget wise Home .
There are several different patterns used on stairs.Keeping the wallpaper the same tone as the walls gives a very sophisticated look or play with wild colours for a totally funky approach.

source

Liven up the back of a bookcase....

source

... or bring a tired cabinet or set of drawers back to life.

source

Highlight a focal point in a room...

... or make it the focal point.  

Frame wallpaper samples simply and presto.. you have a graphic arrangement for very little money. Keep all the frames the same colour for cohesiveness.

source

And here's another idea for framing...

source

Cover a lamp shade ...

 

source

put it on a table top....

source 

 

or a mirror frame... 

source

Create wallpaper scrolls.
And then you could...

• Cover boxes and trays

• Paper the inside of a closet or panels in doors.  The list goes on......
  

Would you like to share your creative use for wallpaper ?

Consider pattern in 2011

 The latest edition of Style at Home and most design forecasts proclaim that what you need for your home this year is pattern.   There's no limit to the ways pattern can be added to a room. Where you place it and how subtle or bold the  pattern choice will  dictate your unique look.

Walls 

 There are many ways to add pattern to your walls. 

   
source

This graphically  designed wallpaper  in two colours is the perfect backdrop to an otherwise white decor. It adds interest without being overwhelming.

 Trellis patterns seem to be popping up everywhere. It's a little busy for me but it has it adherents.

source

Metal wall art is a great way to add subtle texture and pattern to a room.   
 

source

There are many kinds of appliques you can buy for walls or you can make your own from contact paper. 

source

Pillows

Pillows never lose favour as a way to bring pattern into your decor. Ikea offers a range of inexpensive cushions with ethnic influences.

Layered bedding is also a strong trend with mixed patterns used both boldly and subtly.

 source

source

Furniture

Choosing one piece of furniture  to  designate a star in a room is another great way to add pattern.  If you choose this route, keep the pattern in check  by painting the walls  a shade that is  slightly darker or slightly lighter than your fabric. Sometimes the pattern lies quietly and just adds subtle interest.

source

source

  source

This stool might be small but the pattern helps it to hold its own in this room.  The wall display is a pattern in its own right.  Tobi Fairley's love of unusual colour schemes is in full swing here. 

When choosing furniture how much pattern is too much for you?  

source

source

Floors 

 

source

 And don't forget the floor.

But sometimes things for the floor can be found in other places....  This is a very effective use of an area rug to create subtle colour and textural variation.  The pattern works well with the floral on the chair.

source

Personal preferences

Sometimes you can overuse  a pattern and produce a room that is more static than interesting. 

This design could do with an injection of a different pattern in my opinion. Perhaps the intent of the designer was to create a more static look by repeating the same pattern in a number of places.  I admit it is a busy pattern that does have a quiet feel to it. Once again the use of white produces its magic.

 source

The amount of pattern that a person can live with is a very individual thing.  This room has pattern used in multiple ways.  While there's too much going on for my personal taste, my taste is mine, yours will probably differ.  

The room below also has a range of patterns, but the overall effect is quieter and more put together. 

source

What's your pattern preference?