Ask the designer

Q I’M new to wallpapering – can you advise on all the different types out there?

A. Choosing the right wallpaper can be confusing because there’s such a variety available. But here’s a brief guide to some of the most common types. First there’s lining paper — plain paper used to prepare the surface for wallpapering. Pre-pasted wallpaper is a good choice for a beginner like yourself as it comes with a coat of adhesive which activated with water. Simplex is the technical name for most non-vinyl wall coverings where the pattern is directly printed onto the paper.

Vinyl is laminated to a paper or linen backing making it washable. Vinyl-coated wallpaper has a vinyl or acrylic finish to make it more durable.

Q. Now that I know the different types, how do I know which one is right for my home?

A. With so many different types of wallpaper out there, choosing the right one largely depends on where it is going to be hung and your budget. If the wallpaper is for your bathroom or kitchen rule out paper or fabric wall covering and go for practical vinyl or vinyl-coated paper instead. Fancy foil, fabric or flocked wallpaper are best kept to low-traffic areas such as the bedroom. When it comes to pattern and colour, the best way to decide is to go to your local home décor store and sign out some books of samples to test on your walls. In general though, large patterns and dark colours look better in big rooms as they can shrink the space.

Q. I’ve never hung wallpaper before — any tips?

A. First ensure that your walls are free from cracks or screws. Use filler and sandpaper to smooth out the surface if necessary and don’t forget to dust off afterwards. Remove all light switches and sockets so that you can paper behind them for a neater finish. As the adhesive can vary from paper to paper, always check the instructions to make sure you’ve got the right paste. When hanging your paper, smooth from the centre to avoid air bubbles. If air bubbles won’t go away, simply prick the paper with a pin. Lastly, take care to match the pattern — a few millimetres off can ruin the look of your room.

Q. What about wallpaper border – is it totally out of fashion?

A. Not at all — affordable, versatile and early to install, wallpaper border is enjoying a resurgence. This little decorative touch makes any wall look more finished. For something a bit more modern, avoid simply sticking at the top of the wall. Consider adding wallpaper border or even wallpaper to the much-ignored ‘fifth wall’ — the ceiling, connecting the vast overhead area to the rest of the room. Double-bordering — two different wallpaper borders run together along the wall or parallel to each other a few inches apart — is another modern take. Try a straightedge border for the top section and die-cut (sculptured edge) border for the bottom. Alternatively, you could hang wallpaper border vertically creating stripes on the wall.