Your home is a place where you can express yourself through design, creating a personalised living space tailored to your personal preferences. You can leave your mark throughout your home, even when the budget or time you have for designing your home is limited.
When decorating your home, there are several elements you can consider. What kind of haven do you want to create for yourself and your family? From modern chic to vintage farmhouse vibes, the choice is entirely yours. Whatever your taste, this post will show you how choosing a suitable wallpaper can be a great way to achieve a new look and refresh your walls!
The Origins of Wallpaper
Wallpaper originates from China, where merchants would line their cupboards and shelves with paper, and people used it to cover and decorate the walls. Papermaking came to Europe in the 13th century, while the first wallpapers in the region date from the 15th century. The styles, manufacturing technologies, and patterns changed with the times. Europeans often copied Chinese wallpaper techniques and designs, replicating them with machines and block printing. In the 18th century, wallpaper manufacturing was already a flourishing business. Wallpaper decorated both poor and wealthy homes.
Why Is Wallpaper Becoming Popular Again?
After its fall in popularity after the ’60s, wallpaper has been making a dramatic comeback in recent years. Before, it was perceived as an annoying, difficult-to-use decor element. Many homeowners were reluctant to use wallpaper because it was hard to put up or remove. Now, wallpaper is popular again because manufacturers have developed new products that are much easier to install and remove.
Wallpaper Then and Now
As mentioned earlier, antique wallpaper was often hand-painted and manufactured from rice paper, linen fibres, or other textiles. In the 20th century, the delicate and impractical paper cover made space for sturdy embossed paper. Embossed wallpaper created many effects and textures, and it was washable.
Modern wallpaper is highly customisable, as manufacturers can use digital printing to recreate any image. The materials are also washable, and the wallpaper may come in a peel-and-apply option. Some wallpaper types can even block WIFI waves or have in-built LED lights.
Is Wallpaper Expensive?
The cost to add wallpaper to your walls varies depending on the design and material of the wallpaper, along with whether you need professional installation. Wallpaper is generally more expensive than paint, but it may be a better long-term investment. While painted walls can last ten years before needing a new layer, the lifespan of wallpaper can easily exceed 15 years with no issues.
Redesign Your Home with Australian Heritage Homes
Modern wallpaper is much more practical compared to its counterpart from several decades ago. Today, you can personalise your home with countless designs of wallpaper.
Here at Australian Heritage Homes, our team of boutique home builders will work with you to create the perfect interior design for your home. We are up to date on all the latest decorating trends and have decades of experience working with wallpaper and other design elements. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.