Warm Up Your Walls This Winter

It’s cold outside, but your home doesn’t have to be. Here are a few of our favorite quick tips to warm up your space with wallpaper.

INCORPORATE TEXTURE.

Add warmth instantly by wrapping your room in cozy, textured wallpaper. Not only will it add depth and visual interest, but textured wallpaper is also perfect for hiding small wall imperfections. Next, add in a sprinkling of chunky woven throw blankets, room-softening window treatments and throw pillows in a variety of complimentary shades and textures, such as velvet, fur and linen. Select accessories in materials like wood, leather and warm metals like copper, bronze and brass to really up your texture game.

 LIGHTING MATTERS

…Especially when it gets dark at lunchtime, am I right? Make sure you have an abundance of several lighting types through your home, such as task lights and table and floor lamps. Add ambiance lighting like candles and string lights to really set the mood, but bulb selection is key - avoid using cool white bulbs as they’re harsh and uninviting. Keep it to soft white lights for the ultimate warm glow.

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN.

Selecting wallpaper made from natural materials such as jute, bamboo and cork will instantly add an organic feel to your space, evoking memories of warmer days. Botanical and floral prints can also make it feel like summer all year long. Plants and fresh flowers are beautiful, functional pieces of home decor that helps a house feel like home. Be sure to treat yourself to fresh flowers at your next Trader Joe’s run!

USE RUGS.

Tile, laminate and hardwood can feel especially cold during the winter months - both literally and visually! Not only will rugs add insulation to a chilly room, laying several different rugs will help bring a cozy aesthetic to the space. Don’t be afraid to use accent rugs on top of existing carpet, too – just make sure your accent rugs incorporate complimentary colors.

If you need help cozying up your home this winter, we’d love to help.

One Wall Does it All: Feature Walls

We’re huge fans of feature walls around here, and for good reason. They immediately create a focal point that catches the eye, and allows you to roll your personality onto the walls of your home or business. Feature walls are also a great place to take design risks because one wall won’t overwhelm a space. The point of a feature wall is to steal attention and to get people talking, so don’t be afraid to push the boundaries.

Here are our top Dos and Don’ts when it comes to feature walls:

DON’T PUT AN ACCENT WALL IN A TINY SPACE.

It will only make it look smaller. If you want a bold color or pattern in a small room, go big or go home - wallpaper the entire room for a dramatic effect.

Photo credit: Lilly Bunn

DO BE CHOOSY ON WHICH WALL YOU CHOOSE TO HIGHLIGHT.

The feature wall should compliment the room’s existing focal point; for example, the wall your TV is mounted on, or the wall behind your headboard. Think about it this way: your wallpaper feature wall will be the peanut butter to the jelly of your room’s natural architecture. If you choose a wall that’s not the natural focal point, you run the risk of the space being too busy and overwhelming.

DON’T CHOOSE A PATTERN OR COLOR THAT DOESN’T FLOW WITH THE REST OF THE ROOM.

Wallpaper feature walls are a great way to exercise your creativity and take risks, but don’t choose a bold pattern for the sake of being able the choose a bold pattern. Make sure you balance all elements in your room: that includes window treatments, furniture, floor coverings, etc.

DO USE FEATURE WALLS TO DEFINE SPACES.

Accent walls can help define areas in open-concept homes. A feature wall acts as fantastic separation between a dining area and living area, for example.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE WALLPAPER.

This one is pretty obvious, but we hear it in the shop all the time. Our clients are scared to utilize wallpaper because they think it’s going to be a nightmare to remove. This was definitely the case 40 years ago, but remember - this isn’t your granny’s wallpaper! Just like technology, wallpaper paste has advanced leaps and bounds through the years. Not only do we carry peel and stick options, there are several traditional wallpaper pastes that guarantee 100% clean removal with no wall damage.

Do you have any questions or concerns about feature walls? Reach out in the comments below - we’re happy to help!