Are you looking for an economical and quick solution to change the look of your room? Well look no further. SURFACES REPORTER recommends Wallpaper as a great option.
The Magic of Wallpaper
Decorating with Wallpaper is a great way of grabbing the attention of your visitors, and makes your interiors more inviting. The concept of Wallpaper has gained immense popularity in the last few years, not only in the metropolitan cities but also has spread its wings in smaller cities in India.
Being easily available with multiple design options and equally easy and fast to install, the products is getting more space in the interiors today. The general trend is that in a room, at least one wall is highlighted with Wallpaper, if other options like designer panels and tiles are not in the offing.
From muting the bright colours to creating statement, wallpapers are the pandora’s box of interior decor possibilities. You can turn a boring place into lively by hanging a striking wallpaper on one wall.
Called the “Feature wall”, the trend today is to mix and match wallpaper on one or two wall or ceiling with the overall paint scheme. Coupled with appropriate lighting, the setting can do magic.
Wallpaper and the Indian context.
As far as India is concerned, a phenomenon brought from Europe, wallpapers are fairly new as an alternate to Wall coverings. Regarded as a premium feature meant for high end bungalows often looked at as a status symbol too. At the same time, Indians were sort of apprehensive about using it, questioning whether it will work well with our lifestyle, cleaning, maintenance and value for money criterias. “Earlier the trend was to use wallpaper only in homes and high-end residential villas but now the trend has changed, it has moved towards midsized homes and commercial spaces” says Lipika Sud, Interior Designer, Lipika Sud Interiors Pvt Ltd, New Delhi. Wallpapers are long lasting and easy to maintain and thus gradually the trend is catching up.
There’s a Wallapaper for every design style
Wallpapers come in a wide variety of choices not just in terms of design, patterns, themes, colours and all decor styles but also choice of materials. Naturally, one of the many reasons which makes them so popular. Whatever, maybe your choice, you can find a wallpaper to meet your taste. The costs can also vary significantly as per the product selection. Wallpapers come in different kind of designs, floral, plain, cartoon characters, nature themes, etc. These days, poster wallpapers and 3D Wallpapers are in trend due to their more realistic feel. “ All kinds of wallpaper are good and enhance the look of the area, the only thing that should be kept in mind is that they should be in sync with the complete area” advices Richa Jatale, Interior Designer, Rich Design, Bangalore.
Buying the right Wallpaper
Wallpapers are believed to be ideal for any vertical surface, inwardly inclined surface or ceiling. Additionally, the horizontal or outwardly inclined surfaces require additional protection. This is to ensure that dust does not settle on the wallpaper and it looks fresh and new for years.
For the movement areas like corridors, partitions, lobbies – heavy duty fabric backed, scratch resistant wall coverings are ideal. Experts stress that it is important to buy from the right place to ensure guidance and quality of material.
Maintaining your Wallpaper
As most of the Wallpaper today are vinyl based, so there is almost zero maintenance issues. They are washable and scrub-able with sponge. Therefore, you just have to take care of the kids moving around it. Rest, if untouched and in closed area, a wallpaper can even last up to 10-15 years.
The Wallpaper actually needs no real maintanence. Ideally, wash the vinyl wallpapers once a year, so they keep looking fresh for years.
(This article is an extract from a comprehensive cover story on published in SURFACES REPORTER Jan 2015 issue – WALLPAPER – The Lasting Impression. To request and read the complete story, please email to press@surfaces.in. Title – WALLPAPER STORY)