How to Wow with Wallpaper in Any Room

Ever walked into a room that instantly impressed you with its personality — and then asked yourself why? Chances are, the room may have been coated in a tastefully-chosen wallpaper. As a long-standing player in the interior design game, wallpaper is most loved for its versatility in pattern and texture that allows for any number of looks and increased character in a space. 

Evaluate Your Space & Style

When it comes to wallpaper, the best results are the ones that aren’t done on a whim. Before choosing your wallpaper, be sure to consider the size of your space, as the number of walls you decide to cover will impact the project’s time and budget. Also consider what’s already in the room to be sure that the pattern you choose will marry well with existing elements like furniture and textiles. For small and dark rooms, lighter wallpapers are a great choice, since they reflect light and can make the room feel larger, while textured or darker wallpapers can make a room feel more intimate and are best suited to larger spaces. “Wallpaper gives you the opportunity to really express yourself in a space,” says designer Andrew Pike, who was unabashedly bold in his own use of wallpaper in our Avalon model homes.

Set the Scene

When deciding whether to use wallpaper as an accent or to envelop an entire room, there are a number of factors to consider. “Large patterns are a great way to make a statement, but can become overwhelming on all the walls in a space,” says Pike. “For a more subtle effect, use a quieter paper but cover all the walls; this will really give you that boutique hotel feeling, where they use a textural wallpaper everywhere and it feels incredibly luxurious. If you’ve never wallpapered your home before, the powder room is a great place to start. It makes a statement in a space that’s used occasionally but seen by so many. I think of them as little jewelry boxes, so let them sparkle!”

Play with Pattern

Wallpaper comes in endless patterns and textures, from daring prints and subdued motifs to soft-to-the-touch finishes, so don’t be shy in your selection. Above all else, wallpaper is an artistic tool you can use to your advantage, so spend time finding one that suits your style and will make you happy for years to come. “Wallpaper is more of a commitment than paint, so you want to be sure you’re going to love it once it’s been installed. Be sure that the walls are blemish-free and painted the base colour of the paper so that nothing bleeds through. And once it’s up, pull the colours out of it to help accessorize or furnish the entire space for a really polished, designer look.”

Work with colour and pattern to make wallpaper your antidote to white walls in a space that’s in need of some character. Draw inspiration from the model homes at Empire Avalon below.

For a Simple & Subdued Look

If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone but want to ensure that you’ll love your wallpaper for years to come, a patterned wallpaper in neutral tones is the way to go. Choosing a wallpaper in a more subdued pattern doesn’t equal boring — take a cue from Pike and choose a wallpaper with a floral motif or a faux brick wall pattern to boost visual interest, or play off existing elements in the room to drive a look home.

For a Colourful & Captivating Look

Choosing a wallpaper with bold pattern and colour is a big commitment, but one with a big payoff. Let the colours and motifs of the wallpaper you use guide the decor for the rest of the room, and offset it with quieter accent pieces in solid colours to keep the space from feeling too overwhelming.

Whether pasting, sticking or peeling wallpaper onto your walls, these shops are brimming with high-quality wall coverings with beautiful designs.