Guides & Advice

Wallpaper is steadily becoming a popular home trend in Malta. Many homeowners are turning to wallpaper to better customise their rooms to their personality and tastes. And with growing demand, more and more stockists are supplying an array of beautiful wallpaper designs and brands to suit all styles and budgets. If you’ve never used wallpaper in your home before then you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Why not just stick to a good old-fashioned lick of paint? The truth is that while a creative use of paint can add plenty of colour and drama to any room, wallpaper simply offers decorative appeal that paint never can. The benefits of adding wallpaper in your home Here are just a few reasons why wallpaper may be your best bet to add greater individuality to your home. It showcases your personality – When decorating your home, you want each space to accurately reflect your tastes. And wallpaper really enables you to showcase your unique personality to the max. From clean and minimalist designs all the way to flamboyant floral patterns, wallpaper is a brilliant way to express your inner you. And whether you love animals, books, sports, art, superheroes, travel, or anything else imaginable, you’re bound to find the right wallpaper design that perfectly reflects your passions and can establish the ideal mood for your rooms. An endless choice of patterns and designs – While paints come in plenty of hues and shades, entering the wallpaper world provides an endless choice of textures, colours, patterns, and designs to make your walls look entirely unique. From simple one-colour designs to classical damasks, abstract motifs, photorealistic murals, and even decals that contain quotes or images, you’re simply spoilt for choice. Textured wallpaper can even add three-dimensional depth and warmth to a room. There really is no limit when you come to design your dream space using wallpaper. Wallpaper can look great in almost any room, however you need to be aware of potential issues that may cause damage to your wallpaper. For example, if you’re hanging wallpaper in a room without adequate ventilation, this may lead to steam and dampness which will cause the paper to peel. Also, if you have young kids, it’s a good idea to go for highly durable materials that can be easily wiped down of any handprints and smudges. As well as choosing your ideal design, you’ll also need to think practically to ensure your wallpaper lasts. Makes a feature out of specific spaces – One of the great things about wallpaper is that it can be used sparingly to great effect. You don’t need to cover an entire room in the same pattern. Instead, you might opt to decorate just one wall to transform that space into a real feature that draws the eye. Wallpaper is also great to highlight other features in your room. Say you’re a fan of antique furniture, Art Deco ornaments, or Scandinavian-style joinery, then you can find the perfect wallpaper design that will really complement and amp up that décor style within your room. Considerations when installing wallpaper in your home For all its decorative benefits, wallpaper can be a deceptively tricky material to install on your own. You might think that hanging a few strips of paper on a wall is kid’s play, but there are a few important factors to consider before you start the actual wallpapering process. Logistics, space, materials, quality of wallpaper all play a crucial role to the final effect of your chosen design. Here are some common considerations when preparing to apply wallpaper in your home. Choosing the right wallpaper types Not all wallpapers are the same and the sheer number of variations available can be downright confusing. There are paper options, silk-woven, vinyl-coated, fabric-backed, organic textures, peel-andstick wallpapers, and so many other options. Not every wallpaper type will be appropriate for your walls. That’s why it’s essential to first understand which wallpaper material is best suited to your requirements before you even go about selecting your dream pattern. Speaking to an expert is a must here. They will save you on time and money to find the ideal wallpaper variety that is guaranteed to stick to your walls, and which won’t simply peel and fall down after time. Humidity in the home The majority of wallpaper brands are manufactured in countries where humidity in homes isn’t a major concern. In Malta, however, humidity continues to be a major issue for many homeowners. With this in mind, you’ll first want to check your chosen wall for any signs of damp or water damage. It’s important to rectify these issues before applying wallpaper to these areas. Otherwise, you might find that your lovely new wallpaper will start to bubble and peel shortly after installing. Secondly, if certain areas of your home are prone to the effects of humidity, you may want to consider looking into more durable wallpaper materials, such as vinyl coated wallpaper, which can be easily wiped down with a damp cloth. This will ensure your wallpaper will remain in good condition for you to enjoy for many years to come. Prepping walls In addition to checking for signs of damp, you will also need to make sure your walls are clean of any nails, cracks, or stains before you start hanging the wallpaper on it. Holes or protrusions will need to be patched up and removed to create an entirely flat surface which won’t cause air bubbles behind the paper. It’s also a good idea to wipe the wall down to remove any dirt and dust. All this ensures that when the paper is applied, it will be bond tightly to the walls. It will also make it easier to align the seams properly. Otherwise, you may find that the wallpaper will begin to move or pull, creating inconsistencies in the overall pattern over time. Wallpaper installation can be a messy and costly job, especially if you’re new to it. You need to be prime your walls correctly and be gentle when handling the sheets. Incorrect installation can cause the wallpaper to droop, peel, or even tear, which will mean you’ll waste money replacing sheets or having to re-do entire walls. Appropriate glues and adhesives Just as there are many variations of wallpaper, you’ll also need to consider the right glue or adhesive that is right for your paper. Unfortunately, finding the right adhesives is not that easy in Malta as many home décor shops don’t stock a large supply of wallpaper glues. However, there are several wallpaper specialists who ship over good quality adhesives from the UK and other countries where wallpaper is more popular. Choosing the wrong adhesive may not only damage the wallpaper, rendering it unusable, but it can potentially cause damage to walls. That’s why it’s always best to tread carefully and speak to an expert before you make your purchase. Hire a professional wallpaper installer The above considerations are all to be made before you even start hanging the actual paper on the wall. When you come to the wallpapering itself, it’s important to know that there’s a definite skill and talent to hanging wallpaper correctly. You’ll need to ensure the paper is hanging straight with the use of a spirit level, seams are aligned precisely, adhesives are correctly and evenly pasted. You will also need to be adept at cutting away the excess paper to fit the length of your wall. A small mistake may cause rips or tears in the material. That’s why it’s always recommended to hire a professional. They can ensure that the right steps are taken to prep and prime your walls and get the job done with minimal hassle and hiccups, meaning all you’ll have to do is sit back and enjoy your newly decorated room. Ready to wallpaper your home? Then it’s time to call in the pros. Explore all verified wallpaper stockists and specialists listed on Check Your Traders here.