Which Wallpaper Should You Choose For Your Living Room?

Sneha Singh

While you visit anyone’s home, one of the most common things noticed in today’s modern interior design is the wallpaper. People are preferring this over going for textured, metallic, or glitter paint. The best wallpaper can beautify your living room and make your guests envious. Not all wallpapers are the same, as they come in different materials and styles. It is not only used in the living room but also in the bedroom and in the kitchen. The different types of wallpapers include- Vinyl, Non-Woven, Peel and stick, flock, and many more. Wallpapers also come in different patterns: geometric, floral, Damask, and mural. 

Installation of wallpaper is also very easy, as you just need to peel and stick. The selection of wallpaper depends on your preference apart from style. For example, if you are seeking a high moisture area, want durability, or are looking for some other characteristics. 

The Ultimate Guide to Selecting Living Room Wallpaper

Now comes the selection process, which one you should go for, as you might get confused with so many choices. Choosing the right one requires balancing aesthetics with the practicalities of your specific space. Here is an elaborate breakdown of how to make the right choice.

 Identify Your Architectural Goals

Before picking a pattern, look at the physical limitations or assets of your room. For low ceilings, use verticality. Vertical stripes or patterns that draw the eye upward (like climbing vines or tall geometric lines) make the ceiling look higher than it is. If your living room is huge but feels impersonal, use large-scale patterns or dark backgrounds. These "shrink" the distance between walls visually, creating a cozy, intimate "cocoon" effect. For small or dark rooms, choose wallpapers with a metallic or sheen texture. These reflect ambient light into the room. Avoid tiny patterns, which can make a small room feel cluttered; instead, go for light colours with minimal design.

Selecting the Right Material

The "look" is only half of the selection; the material determines the longevity and the tactile feel of the room. 

Mastering Pattern and Scale

Scale is where most people get nervous. The trick is to contrast the scale of your wallpaper with the scale of your furniture. If you go for large-scale prints, these are bold and act as art pieces themselves. If you have a large, simple sectional sofa, a large-scale floral or abstract print behind it creates a sophisticated balance. For small-scale prints, they often act as "visual texture". From a distance, they look like a solid colour, but up close, they reveal intricate details. These are perfect for rooms with lots of wall art, as they don't compete with the frames. Opting for geometric print brings order and modern energy. They work best in rooms with clean lines and mid-century modern furniture.

Colour Psychology in the Living Room

The colour of your walls will let you know which wallpaper will go well in your living area. Cool Tones (Blues, Greens, Soft Greys) promote relaxation and calm. They are ideal if your living room is primarily a sanctuary for reading and quiet evenings. Warm Tones (Terracotta, Gold, Mustard)  make a room feel "sun-drenched" and welcoming, even in winter. The "New Neutrals" like deep olive, navy, and charcoal are becoming the go-to "neutrals" for living rooms. They provide a dramatic backdrop that makes wood furniture and indoor plants pop.

 Common Things To Avoid While Getting A Wallpaper

• Ignoring the Lighting: A wallpaper that looks "Cream" in a sunny showroom might look "Yellow" under your warm LED bulbs at home. Always observe your sample at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

• Over-Matching: Don't try to match the wallpaper colour exactly with your sofa. Instead, look for a wallpaper that contains a small "fleck" of your sofa's colour. This creates a curated, professional look rather than a "boxed set" feel.

• Forgetting the Texture: Sometimes the best "pattern" isn't a print at all. A faux-concrete, plaster-effect, or silk-texture wallpaper adds depth without the visual noise of a pattern. 

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