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Here is a look at some classic wallpaper myths and after you have read the truth about this excellent form of decorating, get searching for a glorious vintage wallpaper or a bold floral print to adorn your walls and brighten up your room.
Myth #1: Worried that wallpaper is not on-trend?
For some reason, there seem to be some people who think that wallpaper is not "in", but in fact the opposite is actually true and interior designers amongst others, are busy recommending all sorts of creative patterns and vibrant wallpaper designs to their clients.
If you want to talk about trends, then the minimalist plain wall is well and truly out of fashion and bright colourful wallpapers can be spotted adorning the walls of many homes featured in magazines and on TV makeover shows right now.
Myth #2: Wallpaper is not eco-friendly
Another common myth is that wallpaper is not an eco-friendly choice.
Many of us are much more environmentally aware these days and want to do our bit for the planet, so you will be pleased to know that wallpaper is most often made of paper which is renewable and biodegradable.
You can also get wallpapers that are made with grasses, cork, parchment and rice and many wallpapers use inks that are water-based with extremely low Volatile organic Compounds (VOC) so the observation that wallpaper may not be eco-friendly, simply doesn’t stack up.
Myth #3: You can’t use wallpaper in kitchens or bathrooms
A lot of people seem to think that this is the case, but you can happily have your choice of colors and designs hanging on the walls in your bathroom and your kitchen without any worries at all.
Kitchens are actually considered to be ideal places in which to decorate using wallpaper. Not only do they look terrific, but the protective coating on many wallpapers, makes them easily washable and it may even stand up to a gentle scrub, so keeping everywhere clean is much easier than you think.
It is the same story with your bathroom. Modern wallpapers are pretty much able to mimic a number of different surfaces like metal, stone and tile which makes them easy to co-ordinate with your existing décor and as long as you use the recommended adhesive, your wallpaper should definitely stay put in your bathroom, regardless of all those showers going on nearby in the cubicle.
Myth #4: Wallpaper is difficult to hang or remove
Some our put off by past experiences of hanging wallpapers, but the new breed of easy-hang wallpapers that are out there, make it a job you can tackle with confidence over a weekend.
Look out for “non-woven” wallpapers or “easy-hang” and also remember that these new wallpapers are much easier to remove when it’s time to redecorate. Give them a try and you will soon see that wallpaper is not really difficult to hang or remove after all.
Myth #5: You tire of wallpapers more quickly
Some people think they are better off using paint for their walls because they think it is easier and quicker to redecorate when you feel like a change.
The truth is that most of us take the time to choose the right pattern and color scheme for our walls when we are going with wallpaper and research shows that paint has a three year life span on average, so you will probably end up keeping your wallpaper for longer than if you used paint because you loved it so much in the first place.
Myth #6: Commitment issues
Some people may have plans to move on relatively quickly or may be living in a rental property and therefore think that wallpapering their room is a bit of a big commitment in the circumstances.
Even those with some commitment issues need have no fears about using wallpaper for their decorating plans.
Temporary wall décor products are there to give you great options and a beautiful room as well.
These increasingly popular peel-and-stick products are super easy to hang and if you are moving on and the landlord wants the walls back to how they were, simply grab a corner and pull it all down within a few minutes, without any damage to the walls.
Now that these wallpaper myths have been well and truly debunked, what are you waiting for?
Michelle Martin is a home decorator. She is a wallpaper fanatic and she loves sharing her insights on interior design. Her articles appear on many DIY and home improvement websites.
