Say the word ‘wallpaper’ and for some people, it might conjure up thoughts of tiresome walls in a home plastered with a repetitive design, making the home look old-fashioned and dull.
But did you know there are lots of modern wallpaper design choices, with the potential to radically transform your home into a thing of beauty and elegance without breaking the bank?
Yes, you can get amazing wallpaper for cheap, and opt to style wallpaper yourself to save even MORE money!
The satisfaction of completion, and gratification from admiring your DIY wallpaper creation, is simply priceless. Who knows? It might just spark a career shift to interior design.
How Wallpaper Transformations Can Change Your Home
Whether you are on a modest budget, or feel like splurging on a fun wallpaper style, here are some ideas to suit your spending capabilities:
1) Wallpapering On A Budget (< RM500)
A great way to figure out your design style and navigate wallpapering your home is to start small.
Pick a room or even the doors in your home, where you can stick panels of beautifully designed wallpaper to give it the illusion of having more space or depth.
That way, you don’t have to immediately commit to wallpapering an entire wall, but still get to freshen up the look of your home.
Another good small space to kickstart your wallpapering journey is the kitchen backsplash. Here, you want to go for wallpapers that are water-resistant and can be easily cleaned, so maintenance is a breeze.
Pick colours and designs that help stimulate the appetite and induce creativity (think: yellow and orange), so all those creative juices can flow freely as you create wholesome meals in the kitchen.
A roll of wallpaper can go a long way when used correctly. Instead of only going on the walls, line bookshelves or wrap small pieces of furniture like the TV stand and coffee table!
You can even create one-of-a-kind statement pieces like creating a lampshade using wallpaper, to highlight your unique sense of style.
If you are unsure about your style and don’t want to spend money on a whole roll of wallpaper, look for Facebook groups in your area where you can request for unused wallpaper for free! The environment and your wallet will thank you for it.
2) Wallpaper Ideas with a Mid-range Budget (RM501 – RM2,000)
Similar to the idea of using panels of wallpaper in a small space, you could choose to frame geometric wallpaper, or beautiful designs featuring a stylish natural look.
Hang these contemporary pieces of art in larger areas of the home, like the hall or dining area, to create an attractive focal point.
It might cost a bit more to frame your wallpaper, but the best part about having multiple framed pieces means that you can rotate them throughout the different rooms in your home.
Moving into the bedroom, one creative way to use wallpaper is to create the illusion of a massive headboard behind the bed.
Instead of wallpapering the entire wall from top to bottom, simply measure out the wallpaper so it frames the original headboard and makes it look larger.
Blue tones are great for promoting restful sleep and a slightly warmer shade can give you the illusion of depth as you sink into bed.
If you have kids, a special chalkboard wallpaper could save you a whole lot of repainting or wallpapering work!
Dedicate a space for them to unleash their creativity, and you might also find yourself wanting a dedicated space in your home office for a chalkboard to-do list!
Have you considered decorating your stairs to give your home that WOW factor? Besides making your home look pretty, you can boast about having a great Instagrammable spot in your own home (especially when we can visit each other again)!
From a practical point of view, wallpapering the stairs with anti-slip wallpaper in bright colours will assist kids and the elderly navigate those steps safely.
3) Time To Splurge (RM 2,001 – RM5,000)
Want to give your home a total makeover? Then go for high-end wallpaper designs that boast gloss and glamour.
Choose wallpapers that come in different textures like wood grain or stone, or opt for a wallpaper with a metallic sheen for that luxurious feel.
Whether it is the hall, your bedroom, or home office, pick one feature wall and transform it with bold wallpaper, while complementing the other walls with more subtle colours and designs.
You should also think about the furniture and how the wallpaper will enhance those elements in a given space.
Now that you’re updating your walls and giving your home a brand new look, you might want to think about upgrading the appearance of your appliances.
Armed with some beautiful wallpaper, you can easily give bigger appliances like the fridge and even your kitchen cabinets a cool new look with some matte or textured wallpaper!
Did you know that wallpapering the ceiling could be a great way to achieve some much-needed positive psychological benefits?
High ceilings are said to be able to help with clearer and improved thinking, as well as feeling more energetic and creative.
Since the ceiling is a huge space that is often overlooked, it might be a good idea to choose soft shades that blend well with the overall theme of your home, giving you that feeling of ‘floating’ each time you look up!
Are you convinced and ready to start your wallpapering journey? We hope these ideas inspire you to create a beautiful home you can be proud of and enjoy living in, especially during these uncertain times.
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