A beginner’s guide to wallpaper

Wallpaper is having a surge in popularity as we develop a collective taste for rooms with impact, variety and interest.

Wallpaper is a simple and creative alternative to plain walls. It works beautifully to complement painted walls and surfaces, and is a simple, cost-effective way to add texture, pattern and mood to whatever space you're working in.

A bathroom with bold and colourful wallpaper

The bold colours of Resene Wallpaper Collection E384534 are reflected in the finishing touches of this fun, eye-catching bathroom. Floor painted in Resene Coconut Cream while the side wall is in Resene Pewter, tongue-and-groove panelling in Resene Bunting, ladder and stool in Resene Apple Blossom, soap dispenser and tumbler on the vanity in Resene Coral Tree and vase in Resene Bunting. Stool (painted Resene Apple Blossom) from Mocka, stem from Freedom. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

Opt for simple plain designs, textured surfaces you can paint over to suit your palette, or try bold florals or geometric designs. With a drop of wallpaper you can transform your space into an art deco sitting room, a soothing spa retreat or a Regency-core style parlour.

It can also be an effective way to make the most of older or worn walls that have some bumps and scrapes.

Gone are the old days of limited wallpaper choice with just a few fussy patterns that dated quickly. Today's world of wallpaper is vast with plenty of variety, but where do you start?

Here are some tips for getting the most from your Resene wallpaper.

What wallpaper to use where

A wallpaper can take your room to almost any era, or any part of the world, but you can also use them like bold pieces of art. Cover one feature wall in a bold pattern that complements the rest of your colour palette or just use a couple of drops to create a cosy reading corner or a backdrop for a bed or favourite piece of furniture.
In darker rooms or hallways, choose a wallpaper with some sheen, or a metallic design, as it will help bounce light around. For the same reason you might not want to use high sheen or metallic wallpapers in rooms that are brightly lit as the glimmer could be distracting. Or choose a Resene Anaglypta wallpaper and paint over it with Resene FX Metallic paint.

A living area with dramatic and botanical wallpaper

The dramatic stylised botanical pattern of Resene Wallpaper Collection 47404, is cleverly layered with accessories to give a sense of depth to this living area.

The wallpaper design is reflected in the painted coffee table which has a background of Resene Pale Leaf, with leaf designs in Resene Thor, Resene Swamp and Resene Green Meets Blue. Floor and pendant light in Resene Thor, lounger is Resene Casper and chair in Resene Surf Crest. Artwork from Nood.

Luxurious wallpaper with muted teal and brass tones

Muted teal and brass tones come together in luxurious Resene Wallpaper Collection 24110 adding warmth and sophistication to this lounge.

Pair with wooden flooring stained in Resene Colorwood Emerald Green and trim in Resene Deep Teal to continue that iconic deep green theme throughout.

Heavily textured wallpapers will often absorb more light and make the space seem darker. On the other hand, Resene Anaglypta (paintable textured) wallpapers, or other heavily textured styles are good on imperfect walls, as they’ll disguise dents, bumps and scrapes. Bold floral designs are also good for disguising imperfections.
Just as with painted walls the colour of your wallpaper will impact how your finished room feels. Soft pastel colours like Resene Wallpaper Collection 2008-151-04, will add tranquillity, with deeper colours in busy patterns like Resene Wallpaper Collection E300153 will add warmth and vibrancy.
Stripes and more ornate damask-type patterns such as Resene Wallpaper Collection 81196 can feel quite formal, but other more whimsical prints can give your space a very specific theme. If you want a room that feels like a tropical garden escape, try the bold leaf pattern of Resene Wallpaper Collection 296012, for a Downton Abbey-style den add some old world charm with a tapestry-style design with Resene Wallpaper Collection HX4-021. For a calming spa-style retreat try the natural colours and simple pattern of Resene Wallpaper Collection E388744.
Wallpapers can also be a fun way to transform children’s bedrooms. Add a whole galaxy to the walls with Resene Wallpaper Collection 34-66-1 or try the simple whimsy of unicorns with Resene Wallpaper Collection 36158-2 or cats in Resene Wallpaper Collection 36754-2. If you only paper a wall or two in the room, it is a simple and inexpensive job to update the wallpaper theme as your kids grow.
Anaglypta wallpapers are also a good choice if finding a good colour match for the rest of your room is proving a challenge. Anaglypta wallpapers come in a huge range of patterns from mid-century modern geometric like Resene Wallpaper Collection RD819 to organic shapes like Resene Wallpaper Collection RD80027 and florals like Resene Wallpaper Collection RD838. Then you can paint them in any Resene colour to work with your palette.
If you’re wallpapering a smaller room, small patterns will make the room look larger. Large patterns make a space feel smaller and more intimate. Stripes and vertical patterns make walls appear taller, whereas horizontal patterns make a wall appear longer. Layered patterns and trellis-like designs give flat walls more depth.
If you’re stuck for design ideas for your home, browsing the Resene Wallpaper Collection can be a great source of inspiration. Find a wallpaper design you love and use it as the starting point to build your whole room look.
There’s no need to get too caught up in what’s on trend for wallpaper. Find something you really love, that suits your colour scheme and it becomes timeless for your room.
For something totally personalised try the Resene WallPrint service where you can create your own wallpaper from a photo or favourite print.

Wallpaper with a dramatic backdrop - 1960s Scandinavia style

The dramatic backdrop of Resene Wallpaper Collection PSH033-VD3 and retro minimalist styling of this room makes it seem as though it has been transported from 1960s Scandinavia.

Practical tips and tricks

Just like you would test a paint with a Resene testpot, you should also test a wallpaper. Order a sample through your Resene ColorShop, take it home and pin it to the wall. View it during the day and after dark to see how the lighting changes the way it looks. If you plan to use it on multiple walls, move the sample to each wall to check it suits.
To calculate how much wallpaper you need, measure from floor to ceiling, the length of each wall and make a note of the size of any doors and windows you’re papering around. The amount of wallpaper in a roll can vary, so take your measurements to your local Resene ColorShop and the staff will be able to calculate how many rolls you need.
You may need to allow extra if you’re working with a patterned wallpaper so you’re able to match the pattern at the seams.

Mid-century modern style wallpaper

As this sleek mid-century modern style space demonstrates, wallpaper can add sleek sophisticated simplicity to a room. This wall is covered in Resene Wallpaper Collection 467543.

Wallpaper collections usually refresh every three years or so, with older looks deleted. It’s a good idea to order slightly more than you need so you have spare for any patches or tears.
Surface preparation is just as important for wallpaper as it is for painting surfaces. How you prep will depend on the state of the surface you are wallpapering and what that surface has been covered with before. Old wallpaper will need to be soaked and removed, while surfaces previously painted with high-gloss paints will need to be thoroughly cleaned before sanding. Your local Resene ColorShop team will be able to advise you on the appropriate preparation for your walls or ask a Resene paint expert free online.
You will also need to size your walls before applying the adhesive and hanging your wallpaper. Size is a product that helps your paper stick better to the walls. It prevents the wall from absorbing all the adhesive and it slows down the sticking process so you have time to get the paper placement right.

Outside the box

Wallpapers don’t need to be used strictly on the walls. Here are some fun “off the wall” suggestions for wallpaper.

Cover the stair risers on a staircase.
Wallpaper the drawer fronts on a chest of drawers; try the same pattern in different colours on each drawer.
Use a section of a bold print wallpaper and frame it, or pull over a canvas and staple. This is a great way to carry a bold paper you’ve used on the wall in one room, into a connecting room.
For a pressed tin effect, paint a repeat pattern like Resene Wallpaper Collection RD124 in Resene Silver Aluminium. This also makes a great headboard.
Go old-school and use your wallpaper offcuts to cover school exercise books, or even gifted notebooks for friends.
Paste wallpaper around a basic light shade frame.
Glue a wallpaper offcut to a corkboard for a fun office memo board.