When it comes to the walls inside most homes paint covers nearly every crevice and corner, but it doesn’t necessarily corner the market on wall space. In the last few years wallpaper has been making a comeback, and many designers say a new take on this wall covering will be one of the top trends of 2021, according to an article published this month by the National Association of Realtors.
This trend doesn’t use traditional wallpaper, or use it in the traditional sense. We’re talking self-adhesive, removable wallpaper, which can feel like less of a long-term commitment—if you get tired of it you can reclaim your wall without the typical hassle of removal. We’re also talking about wallpaper that’s hung in small doses and in unexpected places, and as accent walls—not covering an entire room.
Small Doses
Above chair rail
One aspect of the new take on wallpaper involves using it on portions of walls—above chair rail, for instance. Dining rooms, which are often clad with chair rail and wainscoting, are popular spaces to incorporate this trend. The look can have even more of a polished appearance if the wallpaper butts up against crown molding.
Inside media center built-ins, reading nooks, kitchen pantries, and closets
If you’ve got a wall of built-ins around a media center open shelves can be backed with wallpaper as an accent that adds interest and depth. The walls inside a reading nook are another great opportunity to use removable wallpaper—it can make the space feel even more charming, cozy, and inviting.
Wallpaper can be used to enhance the walls of a kitchen pantry with floating shelves, or even to add a nice touch inside coat closets.
Accent Walls
In 2020 a majority of remodeling experts agreed that painted accent walls would be the most popular painting style inside of homes for sale that year, according to home improvement website Fixr. This year, however, accent walls covered with removable wallpaper are expected to overtake the painted accent wall in popularity.
Consider using a subtle wallpaper design to create an accent wall behind a bedroom headboard. You can dress up a drab mudroom, or make a splash in a boring laundry room, with a stylish wallpaper focal point.
