Choosing the Right Feature Wallpaper Makes a Room Look So Much More Polished
If you really want to play up the focal point of a room, there's no better way to do it than with wallpaper. The material has long shed its reputation of being difficult to apply—thanks to all of the peel-and-stick varieties on the market—and it can be especially impactful when used to highlight the crux of a design.
“Whether you choose a bold or subtle print, wallpaper adds interest, pattern, and depth to a room,” says Elizabeth Rees, founder of Chasing Paper. “An accent wall is also budget-friendly and approachable, since you don’t have to worry about making the room feel too busy.”
Rees says that the best place to try out feature wallpaper is in the bedroom, since it should be the place that best reflects your personal style. “If you have a large bedroom, it can add warmth, and if it’s a smaller space, you can trick the eye into thinking it’s bigger with the right print,” she adds. With that in mind, Rees describes her six favorite wallpaper options to use for this easy weekend project, and how to apply them like a pro once you’re set on making this statement.
The 6 Best Feature Wallpapers to Try in Your Home
“Botany” by Kelly Ventura: “This print has a very serene motif,” Rees says. “It makes a great impact in a space without being busy, especially in the softer palettes like blush and ivory.”
“Lady Body” by Team Woodnote: “Think of this black-and-white graphic illustration as the perfect starting point to add texture and visual interest to a space,” she notes.
“New Moon” by Chasing Paper: “This monochromatic print is a fan favorite with our customers,” she continues. “It’s a really easy wallpaper to incorporate because it goes with almost every color palette.”
“Beaver Meadows” by Carrie Shryock: “This sweet, illustrative design feels very nostalgic,” Rees says. “The color palette and floral print gives a ‘70s vibe in the best way possible.”
“Spring Leaves” by E. Frances: “I love this bestselling print for its simplicity,” she adds. “It makes a room look fresh and crisp.”
“Multi Floral” by Danielle Kroll: “This print embodies a ‘more is more’ philosophy, since it’s bold, colorful, and adds an incredible amount of depth to a space,” Rees notes. “And surprisingly enough, it mixes very well with other prints.”
How to Master the Art of Feature Wallpaper
Consider what you want the room’s design to accomplish. Before getting to work, Rees recommends having a clear goal in mind for the future design of a bedroom. Think about all the elements of the room—prints, colors, and textures—and weigh whether they all look and feel cohesive. “You want a few design elements to sing, and not compete, in a space,” she says.
Measure twice, cut once. Rees says that she and her team are always careful when measuring a wall for wallpaper, and that usually means double-checking their work. And when they have an idea of how much wallpaper they need, they cover their bases even more with this simple trick: “We suggest ordering 10 to 15 percent more than you need in case of any measuring mistakes,” she says.
Study the wall and its paint finishes. It should go without saying that a wall should be smooth for the best application, but Rees also recommends that you pay attention to the paint you’re about to cover. “They should have a premium eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint,” she notes. “Matte finishes can be a bit trickier, because the adhesive can bond and pull the paint. Textured walls just make it difficult for the wallpaper to stick properly. And if you’re applying fresh paint, remember that paint can take up to four weeks to fully cure—so keep that timeline in mind.”
Wipe down the walls. “Do this at least a few days ahead of time to make sure the walls are clean and have plenty of time to dry,” Rees says.
Plan ahead with pattern. It might feel like a complicated experiment to evenly install wallpaper with a busy pattern, so to make it easier, Rees advises that you use a pencil to lightly mark the places where a panel would end and another would begin. “At Chasing Paper, removable wallpaper panels are sold in two-by-four foot panels, so measure with measuring tape and mark the walls four feet down from the ceiling,” she notes. “Repeat this again at the eight-foot mark, and so on.”
Start from the top. When it’s finally time to install, choose a wall and start applying the wallpaper from the top corner, slowly moving down and across. “Peel-and-stick is very forgiving, so don’t be worried about messing up,” she adds. “To make it easier, peel the back off just the top of the panel, and remove more of the backing as you go.”
Get out tools for the tricky spots. If you are applying wallpaper to an angled wall or any corner that might be tricky, Rees says to use a ruler and an X-Acto knife to make precise cuts and holes. “Smooth out the wallpaper with your hands or with a straight object like a ruler or credit card,” she says. “If you still have an air bubble, just prick it with a small pin to release the air. That’s it!”
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