Everything you wanted to know about different types of wallpaper but didn’t know who to ask. While wallpapers have been a favoured design tool for homes in the ...
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Everything you wanted to know about different types of wallpaper but didn’t know who to ask.
While wallpapers have been a favoured design tool for homes in the West, they have only been catching up in India over the last few years. Until a few years ago, wallpapers were considered a cheap, unsophisticated alternative to paint. It has only been a few years since different and exciting types of wallpaper designs began making it to the market.
Today, these different types of wallpaper have become the most favoured way to redesign our homes, helping us transform dull walls into vibrant focal points. However, with such a vast array of options available in the market today, choosing the perfect wallpaper for your home can be both exciting and overwhelming.
Which is why we have put together this guide to different types of wallpaper, outlining their pros and cons to help you to choose the most suitable wallpaper for your space.
Vinyl wallpaper is perhaps the most popular type of wallpaper, mostly due to its versatility. Vinyl wallpapers are not just resistant to moisture but are also durable, making them particularly good for a country like India.
By virtue of its durability, this type of wallpaper is easy to clean. This makes it perfect for areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl wallpapers also come in different patterns and textures and are also available in fabric-backed options lending them a fabric wallpaper look while being water resistant.
On the other hand, vinyl wallpapers are not eco-friendly because they are made of synthetic materials.
If being eco-friendly is on your mind, Grasscloth wallpaper is a great option to consider. Made from natural materials – think reeds, bamboo, grass, etc – the grasscloth wallpaper exudes a natural and organic appeal.
Because of its handcrafted nature, each roll of this type of wallpaper is unique and hence adds a touch of individuality to your décor. It is uniquely textured, visually appealing, and offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.
However, grasscloth wallpaper can also be dainty and difficult to apply. And even when it is applied, this type of wallpaper is prone to damage. So, you will be restricted in the number of areas where you can use this wallpaper. All high-traffic rooms, such as the kitchen and bathroom, are out, and cleaning it can be very tricky indeed.
However, it is ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and low-traffic areas where aesthetics take precedence over functionality.
As the name suggests, this is a self-adhesive type of wallpaper and ideal for those who are into DIY projects and temporary décor. The Peel and Stick Wallpaper is also great for renters who can install and remove it without damaging the walls. Indeed, the landlord never needs to know you had it in the first place!
However, a peel-and-stick wallpaper is a lot less durable compared to others and has a limited variety of textures and patterns.
Made from different types of fabrics – such as cotton, linen, and other types of natural as well as synthetic fabrics – this type of wallpaper is the way to go if you’re looking to achieve a luxurious look. This type of wallpaper usually has intricate patterns and embossed motives, which can create a great visually appealing focal point and also lend warmth to a room.
However, fabric wallpapers are also fairly expensive when compared to other types of wallpapers. These wallpapers work great for large master bedrooms, formal dining rooms, or, really, any space that you think requires an extra touch of luxury.
Invented with the intention to imitate expensive cut-velvet hangings, flock wallpapers were a Victorian invention. This type of wallpaper was traditionally created by adding a flock, a waste by-product of the wool manufacturing process. Today, of course, human-made fibres such as rayon, nylon, and polyester have replaced flocks, but the name has endured.
Flock wallpaper lends a feeling of nostalgia and luxury, its raised patterns giving it a 3D effect. What was once a rage in the Victorian times has made a comeback in ours.
While flock wallpaper remains a really great way to do up your wall, it can also be very tricky to maintain and comes in a limited variety of patterns and colours.
This type of wallpaper is great for dressing rooms, bedrooms or any spaces which could do with a dash of vintage luxury.
If you’re looking to add a touch of glamour and sophistication to any space, a metallic wallpaper is another way to go. It can help brighten up dark spaces and can add shimmer and shine to any room.
But overdo it, and you’ll end up having to walk around in sunglasses at all times.
Metallic wallpapers can be a tad pricey and can highlight the imperfections on your walls because of their reflective surfaces. They do, however, work wonderfully in larger rooms and in spaces where you want to create a sense of opulence.
There is a world of wallpapers waiting to be explored. No matter if you’re looking to do up your home for just a couple of years or for a longer period, many types of wallpapers will work wonders for you.
With such a diverse range of options available, you can undoubtedly find the ideal wallpaper to transform your space into a stunning masterpiece of interior design.
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