Criterias of choice
Since the range of wallpaper on the construction market paradoxically does not make it easier, but rather complicates the choice, the task should be divided into several stages. Designers propose to separately determine a suitable material, separately - external qualities (the desired color, pattern and texture), and then compare only materials that are at the intersection of these two criteria.
But even before evaluating materials and colors, it is useful to determine the following characteristics of trellises:
- Environmentally friendly. Safety for family members and pets is a significant factor, and it is better not to skimp on it. The concept includes not only the absence of toxic fumes, but also the ability of the material to breathe, that is, to maintain the desired microclimate.
- Difficulty working with the material. Many people believe that all wallpaper is applied approximately the same way, and this is a dangerous misconception. Some types of canvas cannot be glued without professional skills, and an amateurish approach will ruin both the material and the result. Difficulties can arise both at the stage of adjusting the pattern and at the joining stage.
It’s not difficult to customize such a pattern Source wallpapersafari.com
Before choosing wallpaper for the room, you need to remember what features the room intended for relaxation and receiving guests has. In modern apartments and private houses, the concepts of a hall and a living room have the same meaning. The difference existed in tsarist times, and then only in the housing of very wealthy members of society.
At that time, the hall had a large area; family celebrations and balls with a large number of guests were held there. The living room was more modest in size and was intended for daily reception of visiting guests. The modern living room is larger in size than other rooms, and when choosing wall decoration for it, the following factors are taken into account:
- The choice of wallpaper depends on the size of the room. The more modest the dimensions of the living room, the lighter its walls should be. Following this rule will help visually expand the space. In addition to the palette, the drawing also influences perception. A large-format pattern will have the opposite effect: it will reduce the volume and lower the ceiling.
Accent wall in a modern living room Source hzcdn.com
- Availability of natural light. In rooms oriented to the north and east, warm colors are preferred to create a cozy atmosphere. If the windows are oriented to the south and west, then such a room needs to be refreshed using a cold palette.
- Number of windows and doors. If there are several door or window openings in the living room, it is better to choose wallpaper with unobtrusive patterns. A complex, rich pattern, interrupted by window and door “inserts”, can create a flickering effect, and the interior will be perceived as busy.
- Hall with adjacent room. The decoration of adjacent rooms (for example, the living room and corridor) is inevitably subject to comparison. The impression of your home design and your impeccable taste will be stronger if you choose materials that have something in common in color, pattern or style for the decoration of adjacent rooms.
Positive design in a warm palette Source hzcdn.com
Fashionable wallpaper for the living room in 2021
Let's consider several aspects by which wallpaper fashion is determined:
Color. Typically, the emphasis in the color scheme of a certain year is focused on the color of the eastern calendar. This year is the year of the blue horse, and therefore the color blue should be present to a greater or lesser extent in the wallpaper. It doesn't have to be pure blue. After all, there are colors created on the basis of blue. Green, for example.
Drawing. Drawings with floral patterns are more fashionable than ever.
Texture. A voluminous pattern protruding above the wallpaper canvas. Smooth surfaces are a thing of the past.
Wallpaper with thematic images, photo wallpaper. In addition to ready-made wallpapers with themes suggested by the manufacturer, you can purchase original ones from companies that apply designs to order. Nowadays wallpaper with portraits has become fashionable. These can be famous personalities, just beautiful faces, or an image of one of the successful photographs of family members.
Types of wallpaper, their pros and cons
The material of manufacture is one of the determining criteria for evaluating wallpaper, since it is responsible for most of the characteristics of the finishing material. Before choosing wallpaper for a room in a private house or apartment, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with their properties and the advantages and disadvantages arising from the properties. This will help you narrow down your search and make an informed and, importantly, optimal choice in each specific case.
In addition to the material of manufacture, it is necessary to pay attention to such characteristics as the structure of the fabric, the number of layers, strength and moisture resistance.
Thoughtful color palette Source theeffortlesschic.com
Paper
Manufacturers offer one- and two-layer paper sheets with a smooth or embossed structure. Their main (and only) trump cards are affordable prices and variety of assortments. Paper rolls have nothing more to boast about.
They are fragile - they quickly wear out and fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. They are easy to stick to the wall, but they are afraid of moisture, so the dirty stain will remain on the wall for the entire service life (no more than 4-5 years). In the decoration of the hall, paper material is used only for cosmetic repairs (for example, in a rented apartment) or if there are small children in the house.
General color component in wallpaper and furniture Source uutvdome.ru
Vinyl
Durable and moisture-resistant vinyl wallpaper has a two-layer structure, with the front side made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The material is interesting for its embossed and relief varieties. This finish has an optimal price/quality ratio, can withstand wet cleaning and retains its appearance for years, but is rarely used for living room decor.
After pasting, a specific smell lingers in the room for several days. Walls covered with vinyl block air exchange, which negatively affects the microclimate of the room. The scope of application of vinyl wallpaper is the kitchen and corridor.
Non-standard approach to choosing a theme Source shopify.com
Textile
Textile wallpaper is more suitable than other materials for recreating a luxurious interior, having the following properties:
- Two-layer composition: the base is made of non-woven or paper, the front side is made of woven or wicker material. Options made from cotton, jute, viscose, and polyester are common; silk or linen material has a more refined look.
- The material has a varied texture: finely textured, silky, velvety, smooth.
- Textiles can be safely used for room decoration. It is environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, does not disturb the air exchange in the room, and improves heat and sound insulation.
- Textile material creates a sophisticated atmosphere and is therefore suitable for decorating a living room in classic and some modern styles. It can hardly be called budget, it easily absorbs moisture and collects dust, and can only be cleaned dry.
With a touch of oriental luxury Source bigcommerce.com
- The material is tricky to work with. Rolls often have a non-standard width, which is convenient for creating a seamless finish, but complicates the gluing process itself. It’s a shame to ruin expensive and beautiful material, so it’s better to entrust working with it to professionals.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related work
Non-woven
Non-woven wallpaper is made using several technologies; it can be one- or two-layer, smooth or embossed. What they have in common is that they are all washable, but, unlike vinyl, they allow air and water vapor to pass through, since they have a finely porous structure.
Geometry of walls in a romantic interior Source pix-feed.com
Non-woven decor is more durable than paper and easier to care for; There is also no doubt about its environmental friendliness. The material is available for sale in a wide range, it is resistant to damage and is not afraid of temperature changes.
Some types can be painted, and they are in demand both among designers and customers. Advantages of the material: it is easy to work with; it does not form wrinkles when stretched. Therefore, such decor can be glued to walls that may shrink, and it can be repainted 6-7 times. The options for painting are usually wide, so experience in gluing them is required.
If you are deciding which wallpaper is best for the quality of the room, take a closer look at the non-woven finish. It will help bring any design idea to life, and if you choose a dense material, it will simultaneously help hide minor wall defects. Options for painting will help reduce dye consumption, as they will ensure its uniform application.
Green living room in English style Source hzcdn.com
Photo wallpaper
They are used to quickly and inexpensively transform the interior of the living room. The task is made easier by the fact that there is a range of images on the market to suit every taste, from forest and seascapes to city panoramas.
You can choose a panel for any stylistic decision to create a suitable atmosphere or distract attention from the design flaws of the room. If you do not have the necessary skills, pasting the walls in the hall yourself can turn into a fiasco.
Photo wallpaper “Venice” in a modern interior Source m1.lmcdn.fr
Fiberglass
They are made on looms and then treated with modified starch to secure the shape. Standard glass wallpaper is woven from two threads with a simple pattern in the form of a herringbone, matting and other simple ornaments. The jacquard pattern is very complex and is programmed by the designer separately for each idea, often to order.
Fiberglass wallpaper has many advantages over other varieties. They are environmentally friendly, strong and durable, do not require complex maintenance, and are fire resistant. However, there are the following disadvantages that make it difficult to use glass wallpaper in living room decor:
- To work, you need a special glue, which is more expensive than its regular counterpart.
- Any irregularities in the walls or fragments of old wallpaper can be seen through the transparent canvas.
- During pasting, the material sometimes crumbles and causes itching on the skin. Therefore, you have to work in gloves and safety glasses, which is quite inconvenient.
Hall in brown and beige colors Source modernplace.ru
Liquid wallpaper
This is what is commonly called a decorative finishing coating with an interesting, pleasant-to-touch texture. At one time they were very popular due to their environmental friendliness, spectacular appearance, resistance to fading and the ability to increase sound and heat insulation.
The material is applied to the walls according to the principle of decorative plaster (hence the name). This is another advantage of the decor: there will be no joints or seams on the walls. In modern living room design they are rarely used due to the small range of colors, high cost and the impossibility of wet maintenance.
Unity of color smoothes out the diversity of patterns Source remontbp.com
Original wallpaper for the hall
To decorate the living room, you can use wallpaper made from non-standard materials. For example, eco-finishing is trending. It consists of natural ingredients: bamboo, cork, rice paper, and less often straw or reed. Wallpaper looks great in most modern and some classic interiors, and is widely used in eclectic styles.
Wallpaper made from natural materials gives the room a special sound. They retain their original appearance for a long time because they are not afraid of the sun and moisture; easy to clean as they weakly attract dust. Designers advise using natural material in doses, in combination with other finishes; stick it to only one or two walls. The only disadvantage of the decor is the high cost.
Emphasis on brown color in decoration and furniture Source hzcdn.com
Correcting design flaws
Not everyone can boast of the ideal shape and condition of the hall, which sometimes looks like a narrow trailer with a low ceiling and uneven walls. Correctly selected wallpaper can correct a sad picture.
- A light finish with a small pattern will visually increase the volume of a small living room.
- A low ceiling will seem higher if you decorate the walls with wallpaper with a vertical pattern or stripes.
- Horizontally located lines will allow you to visually expand the space. The same effect is created by decorating the lower part of the wall with dark canvases, and the upper part with light ones.
- Photo wallpaper will help to distract attention from irregularities and create the correct perspective.
Video description
About wallpaper ideas for the living room in the following video:
Plain wallpaper is a growing trend that fits into any modern style, from contemporary to hi-tech and minimalism. The solution attracts with its versatility - a plain finish serves as an excellent background for furniture and decor.
Preference is given to light, monochromatic finishes: white, light gray, faded shades of blue, green, pink. The bright color sets the tone for the rest of the design, but it is used in doses. Often, plain wallpaper is paintable wallpaper, and there is a reason for this: a boring color can be easily replaced with a fresh color scheme.
The style and color palette of the room plays a big role in choosing a pattern for the trellises. You can focus on the following options:
- Wallpaper with a monochrome pattern. Subtle floral patterns are great for classic-style rooms. Tapestries with a pattern reminiscent of a pencil sketch will also help create a cozy atmosphere. Graphics can depict not only flowers, but also, for example, birds or landscapes.
Plant motifs for every taste Source kabel-house.ru
- With a pattern (ornament). A repeating pattern, depending on the theme, will suit most classic and modern interiors. Floral motifs, monograms, and the texture of tapestries will decorate the room in a classic style. Fancy patterns with paisley elements (Turkish or Indian paisley) are organic in English, Scandinavian, and modern design.
- With pronounced relief. The relief helps to realize a surprisingly reliable imitation of surfaces made of wood, brick, plaster and stone. Such specimens look truly stylish in a Scandinavian, modern, industrial interior. They will complement the design in Provence, country, and ethno styles.
- With geometric pattern. The geometry on the walls has an attractive appearance in a modern, English, retro style. It is indispensable where you need to change the proportions of the hall. Vertical lines will raise the ceiling, horizontal lines will make the room wider.
- In a cage. Compared to stripes, it looks less strict and formal, and is suitable for decorating a living room in a vintage and English style.
A large cage makes the room not boring Source pinimg.com
Vinyl with embossing
Unusual artistic effects are the indisputable advantage of non-woven vinyl wallpaper. One of them is volumetric embossing. A pattern is created with a pleasant holographic effect.
- They look like stucco from a distance if the print is applied in a classic, romantic style.
- But they do not visually conceal the space or clutter it up, which is likely when using stucco.
- This is wallpaper for a spacious and small living room, for a one-room apartment with or without zoning.
Up close they look like real paintings. They easily cope with the role of background decoration if you hang a photograph, landscape, still life, or portrait on the wall. These are modern wallpapers for the hall of the premium series, which are nevertheless so popular that you can purchase them at a very competitive price if a new catalog or the next collection is launched.
Styles
The interior design style will be the main clue as to what wallpaper to choose for the room. The following solutions are popular:
- Classic. The main thing in finishing classic styles is the emphasis on luxury. Whether it will be discreetly noble or spectacular depends on the taste of the owners. Buy canvas with unusual patterns, including monograms, flowers, patterns (for example, damask). A successful addition is gilded fragments.
- Retro, vintage. In a vintage interior, you can safely use classic-themed trellises. There are rolls on sale with an aging effect, but you can do without them.
Wallpaper color supported by textiles Source hzcdn.com
- Scandinavian. Wallpaper in a light and pastel palette, plain or with medium-sized and dim prints, neat geometric patterns, is suitable.
- Provence. In addition to materials in the obvious floral theme, trellises with soft stripes, as well as with an imitation of a plastered or brick surface, are suitable for decorating the living room.
- Loft. Plain wallpaper in shades of gray, as well as with imitation brickwork or plaster, is suitable.
- Modern style. The leadership is held by monochromatic finishes, as well as specimens with dim geometric or abstract patterns.
Wallpaper combination in the recreation area Source antidiler.org
Metallized wallpaper for walls wall covering
The room will be beautiful without any objections, even a picky person will like it if you use metallic wallpaper with gilding and silver. They have a non-woven base, and foil is used to create the top layer.
They not only look good, but are also useful, multifunctional inventions - they reduce the effect of harmful electromagnetic radiation. Looking through photos of wallpaper for the living room with a metallization effect, you will probably want to buy exactly that.
How to take into account the color of furniture
Furniture is a factor that makes adjustments to the choice of wall decoration for the hall. To get a balanced interior, designers advise using the following tips:
- If you want your living room to feel more airy, choose light finishes for light-colored furniture. This will help objects “dissolve” against the background and be less conspicuous.
- If it is necessary to emphasize the beauty of furniture, the background is chosen as contrasting as possible. For example, a white slide will look impressive against a dark background, and a dark one will look impressive against a light one.
Flowers on the wall soften the impression Source mydesignclub.info
- The right move is to choose wallpaper whose palette matches the color of the furniture (facades or upholstery). The technique is simple but effective in any style.
- If the room setting contains a bright piece of furniture (for example, a sofa with fuchsia upholstery), you can do two things. In the first case, a pale, muted color is chosen for finishing. In the second, a complementary shade is used for the background (here it is pink).
- It is not uncommon for two or three colors to be combined in one piece of furniture, and they are often contrasting. The recipe for choosing wallpaper is simple: a finish in a neutral color palette, or one that includes one of the shades of the furniture, is suitable.
The color of the chairs is repeated in the decoration Source hzcdn.com
Glass wallpaper
This type of wallpaper is made by weaving from many glass threads, forming a very dense and reliable fabric. It is glued on top of the finished wall using starch paste.
- The advantage is that such surfaces can withstand repeated painting and are environmentally friendly.
- In addition, they increase the level of fire safety of the room, since the melting point of these coatings is 600 degrees Celsius.
Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the significantly greater weight compared to other wallpapers, as well as a small selection of shades and textures, which can become a problem.
Briefly about the main thing
The living room, as the main room in the house, needs especially careful design, and wallpaper makes a significant contribution to the overall impression. To ensure that the finish fits harmoniously into the overall design, when choosing, pay attention to the material of manufacture and the qualities associated with it: durability and ease of use. It is also useful to take into account the features of the hall: its size and location relative to the cardinal directions.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the material will help you narrow down your search and shift your attention to the choice of color and pattern. They are evaluated taking into account the style of the living room, not forgetting personal preferences. If you can take into account the color of the furniture, putting the interior together will be much easier.
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Tips from designers
Decorating a room is a process that should be taken seriously. And in order for the living room to please you with the final result, you should listen to the little tricks of the experts.
When choosing wallpaper, you should evaluate not only the practicality of the material, but also the tint structure.
The influence of colors on the human psyche:
- Green – promotes relaxation and does not burden visual perception.
- Blue – lowers blood pressure, suitable for phlegmatic people.
- Black – focuses attention on something.
- White is the color of peace. It is used to visually increase the area.
- Red – conducive to energy. If you have too much, you may feel a sense of anxiety.
- Violet has a depressing effect on the psyche.
- Yellow – reduces phobias and has an optimistic effect.
- Gray is a universal color that goes well with any shade.
It is not recommended to choose the following wallpaper combinations: black with yellow, blue with white, yellow with red and white with orange.
Photo wallpaper
The range of photo wallpapers currently is simply amazing in its diversity: glossy, matte, washable, vinyl-based, satin-based, smooth, rough.
If we consider the areas that are most often decorated with photo wallpaper, then here we should mark a place to relax. It’s so nice to plunge into an atmosphere of calm and harmony after a working day.
The drawing can be very different: from animals and plants to landscape sketches. You can also choose oriental motifs if the entire interior contributes to this.