Wallpaper provides an opportunity for you to give a boost to your home design.

1. HOW TO GIVE YOUR HOME
A DESIGN BOOST WITH
WALLPAPER
Eugene Chrinian

2. HOW TO GIVE YOUR HOME A DESIGN
BOOST WITH WALLPAPER
• Many homeowners don’t immediately think of wallpaper when they want to add
color or texture to their homes. Whereas some find it old fashioned, others may
simply be intimidated by the application process. You can use wallpaper for a wide
array of interior design projects that do not require you to cover an entire wall. Here
are a few of the best ways to boost the design elements of your home with wallpaper.

3. DECK OUT THE STAIRS
• Whatever your desired texture or color scheme, your
stairs provide the perfect canvas for a design upgrade.
Stair risers are inherently plain and have enough
surface area to apply wallpaper. You can create
countless effects by using vibrant pieces of wallpaper.
For example, using the same pattern will help your
stairs to look more traditional. Alternatively, you can
place wallpaper on every other step for a more minimal
color boost. Application is easy. Cut pieces of wallpaper
to fit the stair risers, attach them using glue or
wallpaper paste, and secure them with a clear coat of
polyurethane.
Image courtesy Jeremy Brooks | Flickr

4. LINE YOUR DRAWERS
• You can easily and stylishly create dual-purpose drawers by lining them with
wallpaper. Not only does the addition of wallpaper make for a colorful surprise when
you open your drawers, but it also helps to protect the inside surface from scratches
and spills. As such, wallpaper can make an excellent drawer liner for everything
from the kitchen to the bathroom. While there are numerous types of wallpaper that
you can choose from, pre-pasted vinyl is perhaps the easiest to apply. Simply brush a
wet sponge across the surface to ensure that it adheres it to the inside of the drawer.

5. RENEW A TABLE
• From completely resurfacing to adding a simple pop of color,
there are a number of ways that you can use wallpaper to
enhance the design of a table and an entire room. All you
need to do is take a sheet of wallpaper and cut it to fit the
surface of a table. By adding a sheet of cut glass, you can
create a more finished look. The decorating technique
provides another benefit. You can easily swap out different
colors and patterns whenever you wish. Using wallpaper as a
table runner also allows you to bring vibrancy to your dining
space during dinner parties or other events.
Image courtesy H is for
Home | Flickr

6. CREATE A COLORFUL CANVAS
• If you are looking to revamp a room’s design without committing to an entire wall of
wallpaper, you can find the solution in the form of framed canvases. Installing a
series of side-by-side wallpaper panels will allow you to incorporate all the features
of the wallpaper design with greater versatility. You can easily swap out wallpaper
designs or move the panels to a different room of the house if your aesthetic
changes.

7. SIMULATE A HEADBOARD
• If you are looking to create an easy DIY headboard,
you can use wallpaper in multiple ways. For one
project, you can use two complementary wallpaper
patterns to line three tall panels. By either
hanging or setting these boards beside one another,
you will create an interesting focal point in your
bedroom. For a more subtle design upgrade, you
can line the wall behind your bed with your choice
of wallpaper and “frame” it with a wooden shelf.
Not only will this resemble a traditional
headboard, but it will also create extra storage
space.
Image courtesy Kayte Terry | Flickr

8. LIVEN UP A LAMPSHADE
• With a simple sheet of wallpaper, you can instill new energy into an otherwise old or
plain lampshade. Use a ruler to measure a straight piece of wallpaper and cut it
with an X-Acto knife before adhering it to the outside of your lampshade. You can
also place the wallpaper on the inside of the lampshade to alter the design in a more
subtle way. Depending on the design you choose, you can either introduce an
exciting new look to a room or complement other elements of the decor. You should,
however, choose a style that does not prevent light from radiating properly
throughout the room.

9. DECORATE A DRESSER
• Wallpaper is an excellent addition to any
dresser that needs an updated and stylish
look. One way that you can bring new
interest to these furnishings is to line the
outside of your drawers. For a more cohesive
look, you should line up the pattern of the
wallpaper on each drawer before adhering
the paper. If you would rather keep the
outside of the dresser plain, you can add a
dash of surprise by covering the sides of the
drawers.Image courtesy Meredith Nutting | Flickr

10. BRING COLOR TO YOUR KITCHEN
• A kitchen provides ample opportunity for you to add a bit of colorful wallpaper, but
none so much as your cabinets. In an otherwise all-white kitchen, patterned paper
can subtly add new interest to your cabinets when used as a liner.
Additionally, the right wallpaper design can highlight your dinnerware and help the
space to appear more refined. You can apply the same concept to the open shelving
units in your kitchen. The careful use of wallpaper can revive an otherwise empty
area and visually separate the wall from the cabinet.