The top 10 reasons to try wallpaper

From the Resene decorating blog

When people think about giving their home a new look, their first idea tends to be to repaint it. While painting can be plenty of fun and will undoubtedly look great, check out these 10 reasons to consider wallpaper, instead.

Using Resene wallpaper in your home renovations

Top ten reasons

New Patterns – It almost goes without saying, but one of the best reasons to go with wallpaper rather than paint is for all the fantastic patterns it affords you. Short of hiring a very talented artist to spend hours painting your rooms, you simply can't get the same beautiful patterns and details in paint that you can in wallpaper.
Fun textures – Another thing wallpaper can do (that paint can't) is unique textures on the walls. This can be a good way to introduce something different to the room if you don't want to bring in a new pattern. Even a simple white with a unique texture such as Resene Anaglypta RD171 provides a fresh look without being too much.
Ideal for small rooms – Bathrooms, laundries and other small rooms are often too small to dress up with decorations, which is why a fun wallpaper can be the simple answer. The trick is not to go for anything too busy so as not to overwhelm the room, and to avoid darker shades that could make the space feel even smaller than it is.
Built for longevity – Wallpaper is designed to last. They're highly resistant to chips and scratches, as well as moisture damage. Some are also washable.
Something different – Despite the countless paint colours and shades available, many people will opt for similar hues in their homes. With wallpaper, you can introduce something unique to your living areas, that you can just about guarantee you'll never see in anyone else's home – ever.
Cover imperfect walls – Let's say you have an unsightly imperfection on the wall that you'd like to pretend isn't there. Wallpaper can come to the rescue by creating smooth and fresh wall spaces that appear to be virtually flawless. If the wall is dented or out of shape in some way, a patterned design may further help to hide what you don't want to see.
Create a certain style – It's fashionable to create a specific style within a home. For example, owners of older homes may wish to keep the house looking authentic, with dark wooden furniture and antique lamps. To complete this look, new (but classic-looking) wallpaper styles such as Camargue 48382 could be the perfect final touch.
For a big change – at a small price – The overall effect of a wallpaper can be a huge one. They can add character, make a room feel homely, offer the appearance of more space, or bedazzle with a bold statement in a strategic position (such as in an entranceway). Usually, you might have to invest in furnishings or major renovations to create the same effect as you could for much less through wallpaper.
You don't have to cover everything – A new trend in wallpaper is to use just a small amount of the product. Instead of papering an entire wall, you can create borders with the design, leaving paint covering the main wall, but wallpaper around the outside for a creative effect.
It's not as hard as you think – Applying wallpaper is barely harder than attaching a sticky note to the wall. If you're dealing with non-woven wallpaper (which is the majority of wallpaper products these days), all you need to do is coat the wall in glue using a paint roller, then attach the wallpaper. Any bubbles can be smoothed out with a smoother. See our wallpaper hanging instructions for more details.