One design element that I've never added to a room, ever, is wallpaper. I've lived in plenty of homes that had old wallpaper on the walls. You know the kind...the hard to remove, funky colors kind. It was never my style and I always wanted it gone as soon as we moved in.
Well, it seems that my negative opinions about wallpaper have been changing lately. I'm finding myself drawn to so many of the gorgeous wallpaper photos on Pinterest and it has me thinking about adding it in our cottage. I don't want to do a whole room in it, but I am thinking about adding it to a smaller space. Specifically, our new bedroom closet that we just built.
Like I said, there's tons of ideas out there so I gathered a few favorites I've come across to share with you. Some are closets and some not, but all are pretty.
Wallpaper Inspiration
Now I just need to not let the old wallpaper phobias creep in and decide on the perfect one for the closet. I'm actually thinking that I might go bold. Stay tuned!
What are your thoughts on wallpaper? Would you try it in your own home?
Debbie H says
In the mid 80s we were having a house built and I wanted to put wallpaper in every room. My husband managed to talk me out of it. LOL Today I wouldn't put it anywhere except on the back of book shelves as you showed. I have always liked that look. I think I would get totally bored with it one the walls, even one wall. Years ago on HGTV I saw them put wallpaper on boards that fit into the back of a china cabinet. By putting it on the boards they could remove it, change it and replace the board without ruining the cabinet. I always thought I would do that on a shelf. I don't think I would waste my time on the closet.
Kristi says
Ha, I bet you're glad that your husband talked you out of it. 😉 I remember seeing the wallpaper on the china cabinet boards too. Great idea and so easy to change up.
I'm ok trying it in a closet but I won't put it anywhere else. We'll see how it goes.
Hope you have a great week Debbie!
erika wilson says
I love wallpaper. I haven't used it in years, but am also thinking about it again. i think hanging it in your closet is a GREAT idea.
Kristi says
Thanks Erika! I'm excited to see how it turns out. The hubs...not so excited. 😉
Jillian says
This is a brilliant idea...love it. I have that same fear of wallpaper. Yet, in the closet is perfect! I know you will pick something attractive. Aren't there papers now that are easier to take down if desired? Now I am thinking a wall in my new bedroom turned closet would be really gorgeous. It shouldn't take me more than a year to decide on one 🙂
Kristi says
The paper is supposed to be easier to remove. I'm hoping it won't be an impossible task to pick a pattern out. I can be a bit indecisive too. 😉 I have all of my lovely readers to keep me in check though. 😉
You should totally try it in your closet too. I'd love to see what you do. 🙂
PAT D says
I think it's a wonderful idea, and I'm sure you have the patience and skill to do it. I've been thinking about a stencil in the closet; something colorful. Then white walls and cream furniture. Then I could draw out the colors in the stenciling in decorating the rest of the room.
Kristi says
Thanks Pat!
The plan for your room sounds great. A colorful stencil would be an awesome addition to a room. I'd love to hear all about it when it's done. 🙂
Pat M. says
I've used wallpaper in nearly every home I've lived in. I'm currently removing wallpaper now from my foyer, but will probably put up new paper there again since they now have paper that is easily repositioned and removed. I'm not a big pattern flowery or flashy kind of person, but I do like the texture that wallpaper gives. I've used it in bathrooms, foyers, bedrooms and even as an inexpensive backsplash in my kitchen - although not all at once in the same house, of course. I've also used the paintable wallpaper on distressed walls because it's heavier and hides imperfections in the wall surface. Using wallpaper in a closet is, in my opinion, a waste of time and effort, but it would be pretty when someone, however seldom, opens the closet door. It certainly is a very safe way to introduce wallpaper to a decorator who's never used it. 🙂
Kristi says
Wow, Pat, you sound like the wallpaper queen. I think that I've moved into so many houses with paper that wasn't my taste, that it's totally turned me off. I think, for us, just putting it in the closet is a good place to start. I have no desire to do a whole room with it so this is a good way to introduce it without having to look at it every day.
Hope you have a great week!
Kim says
The closet is the perfect place for wallpaper. You can get your decor fix without a huge commitment. Love it!
Kristi says
Exactly my thought, Kim. I could never do a whole room with wallpaper, I like change too much (and who wants to remove wallpaper all the time). 😉
Marlene Stephenson says
Yes i have had it , i had it in my bedroom and the entry but not anymore, i think i may stencil next time. I do like the closet idea, thanks.
Kristi says
Stencil is a great idea too Marlene, and there are so many available now.
I'm hoping that hanging the wallpaper in the closet is a good idea. Hubs isn't thrilled but I think it will look fab. 🙂
jillian says
Just a P.s. love the bold contemporary patterns you are looking at. A little closet would be cool as a design statement.
Kristi says
I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to them (totally not me) but I am. A closet just may be the perfect place to experiment with such a bold pattern. We'll see if I chicken out. 😉
kim says
I've been eyeing wallpaper for the powder room, but after removing wallpaper years ago I'm not sure I want to add it back and the mister who knows how to hang it says no way!
Kristi says
Ha, I know what you mean Kim. My husband is the same but I'll probably tackle this myself so he can't complain too much. Your bathroom is coming along and your tile wall will look awesome! Can't wait to see it all done.
JeanneAntha says
If you prep your walls with a primer or sealer BEFORE hanging the wallpaper, it will come off much more easily if you decide to remove it later.
Kristi says
You are so right, prep is everything. Thanks for the tip!