How to choose wallpaper for the living room

 

Knowing how to choose wallpaper for the living room is vital to creating a space that reflects your personality and caters to your lifestyle. This task, however, involves more than just picking out attractive designs. 

In this article, we guide you through this process. We'll unpack aesthetic elements and practical factors. Lastly, we'll share the common mistakes to avoid, helping you make a well-informed and confident decision for your living room's wallpaper.

 

Aesthetic considerations when choosing wallpaper for your living room

The aesthetic of your living room significantly influences the ambiance and overall feel of your space. Some critical design elements are color, light considerations, space and architectural elements and materials, furniture coordination, patterns, and adherence to style or theme. We’ll discuss them one by one:

 

Color

Choosing the right colors for your living room wallpaper is a crucial step. This room is often where you entertain guests, unwind after a long day, or spend quality time with family. Considering these activities, you'll want a color that promotes relaxation yet is welcoming and vibrant. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow can make your living room feel cozy and inviting, ideal for gatherings. On the other hand, cool colors like blue, green, and grey can make your living room a tranquil space, perfect for unwinding after a busy day.

 

Light considerations

Lighting can transform the appearance of wallpaper in your living room. Hence, consider the room's access to natural light via windows, skylights, or glass doors. If your living room receives ample natural light through large windows or glass doors, you have the luxury of choosing darker wallpapers, which can add depth and richness to the room. Conversely, for living rooms with small windows or limited natural light, opting for lighter wallpaper can help enhance the brightness, visually expanding the space.

 

Space

When evaluating your living room's spatial considerations, wallpaper selection becomes a key player in both setting the tone and influencing the perception of size and scale. For rooms with lower ceilings, selecting wallpaper with vertical patterns can ingeniously create an illusion of increased height, lending an airy feel to your living space. Conversely, if your living room is generously spacious, it offers greater flexibility in choice. You can consider bold patterns or rich textures, adding a striking element to the room that enhances its character without causing a sense of overwhelm.

 

Architectural elements and materials

The architectural features within your living room significantly influence the choice of wallpaper. The usual living room architectural elements, such as fireplaces, built-ins, and large windows, naturally draw attention and hence serve as the room's focal points. Identifying these areas allows you to choose a wallpaper that accentuates these spots strategically. Additionally, the materials used in your living room's architecture, like wood, stone, or metal, should also influence your choice of wallpaper. 

How? Align the patterns, colors, and textures of your wallpaper with these elements and materials to build a harmonious design. For instance, a subtly patterned wallpaper can enhance a stunning arched window without overshadowing it. Similarly, a stone fireplace can be further complemented with a wallpaper incorporating earth tones, creating a natural, cohesive look. Consequently, this approach ensures a pleasing interplay between architecture and decor, leading to a well-integrated and aesthetically engaging living room environment.

 

Furniture coordination

The furniture in your living room significantly defines the character of your interior style, making them an important consideration when choosing wallpaper. For modern, minimalist furniture, a wallpaper featuring a simple geometric pattern or a solid color can maintain a sleek and uncluttered aesthetic. If your furniture leans towards a traditional or ornate style, a wallpaper pattern with intricate, vintage-style designs can unify the room's look.

In terms of color coordination with furniture, consider the palette of your furniture. Complementary colors, such as blue furniture paired with orange-toned wallpaper, can add a dynamic contrast, invigorating the room's ambiance. Alternatively, an analogous color scheme can create a calming, harmonious environment.

 

Pattern selection

Patterns on your living room wallpaper can significantly shape the overall ambiance. Large-scale patterns can act as a bold statement piece and a conversation starter, but in smaller rooms, they may overwhelm the space. Small and delicate patterns can subtly enhance the room's texture and depth, imparting sophistication without dominance. For a contemporary aesthetic, geometric and symmetrical patterns can be a fitting choice, whereas floral or organic patterns can evoke a traditional or classic feel.

 

Adherence to style or theme

The overall style or theme of your living room should guide your wallpaper selection. Whether your living room has a vintage, minimalist, Scandinavian, rustic, or any other theme, your wallpaper should augment and cement this style. For instance, a minimalist-themed living room can be accentuated with solid, neutral-colored wallpaper. Alternatively, a rustic-style room could be enhanced with a wallpaper design inspired by nature.

 

Practical considerations when choosing a wallpaper for your living room

Choosing the suitable wallpaper for your living room involves more than just aesthetics. It's about practical considerations, too, such as durability, ease of installation and maintenance, and simple wallpaper calculation.

 

Durability

Living rooms are often high-traffic areas, a space for family gatherings or entertaining guests. Therefore, you need durable wallpaper that can withstand daily wear and tear while maintaining its aesthetic appeal. Non-woven wallpapers are a wise choice, as they are tear-resistant and dimensionally stable.

Photowall's non-woven wallpapers are not just durable; they are also fire-rated and resistant to fading in sunlight. Additionally, their premium wallpapers are scrape-resistant, providing your living room with long-lasting elegance. Their peel-and-stick wallpapers are also made from high-quality self-adhesive material.

 

Easy installation

Ease of installation is a significant factor when considering wallpaper for your living room. Non-woven wallpapers, which can be applied using the paste-the-wall technique, are favored for their cleaner installation. Another easy-to-install choice is peel-and-stick wallpapers, a favorite among DIY enthusiasts.

Photowall offers both non-woven and self-adhesive wallpapers. Importantly, the company delivers sequentially labeled strips for a hassle-free installation, making your living room transformation a breeze. For a detailed guide on wallpaper installation, check here: How to install wallpaper

 

Easy maintenance

The living room is frequently a high-traffic area where family members gather and guests are entertained. As such, it's prone to accidental spills, smudges, or dust accumulation. Thus, having an easy-to-clean wallpaper is also a practical necessity that contributes to the freshness of your living room.

For this, non-woven wallpapers, which can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, are a popular choice. If you are using Photowall premium wallpapers, you’d have another advantage as they are suitable for cleaning products. Their peel-and-stick wallpapers are also wipeable and resistant to surface stains. Ultimately, both their non-woven and peel-and-stick wallpapers are easy to maintain, ensuring your living room looks neat. For more information on cleaning wallpapers, check here: How to clean wallpaper

 

Simple wallpaper calculation

Calculating how much wallpaper you need can be a daunting task, especially in living rooms where architectural elements like fireplaces, windows, and built-ins need to be considered. But, with Photowall, this process is simplified. Just provide your wall's dimensions, choose your design, and crop your motif. Photowall will create a customized wallpaper perfect for your uniquely shaped living room. Learn more about calculating your wallpaper needs here: How much wallpaper do I need

 

Flexibility and changeability

If you enjoy changing your living room decor according to the season, self-adhesive or peel-and-stick wallpapers offer excellent flexibility. Photowall’s peel-and-stick wallpapers are a dynamic solution for quick and stylish transformations. With this wallpaper type, you can easily change your living room wallpaper as you desire, allowing you to keep the heart of your home up-to-date. For instance, you could opt for a festive design during the holiday season and then quickly switch back to your standard decor afterward. In case you’re planning to update your walls occasionally, here’s a complete guide on removing wallpapers: How to remove wallpaper

 

Common mistakes when choosing wallpaper for the living room

When it comes to dressing up your living room walls, take note of the common missteps homeowners often make and tips to prevent them:

•   Ignoring room function and activities: A common mistake is choosing wallpaper solely based on its look without considering the activities that the room will host. For example, if your living room serves as a vibrant play area for kids or a cozy lounge for pets, you could add an extra layer of fun and character with lively, durable wallpapers. Conversely, if your living room is a space for relaxation— soothing patterns and colors would be an excellent choice. This way, your wallpaper not only enhances the aesthetics but also supports the room's functions.

•   Choosing style over durability: While it's essential to select a wallpaper that matches your aesthetic preferences, don't forget the importance of durability. This is especially relevant in a high-traffic area like the living room, where the wallpaper should withstand everyday wear and tear. Opt for wallpapers that balance style and durability, such as those offered by Photowall.

•   Overlooking room harmony: Choosing a wallpaper that clashes with the existing color scheme, furniture style, or decorative elements in your living room can disrupt the room's harmony. Always consider how your wallpaper choice will blend with the existing decor.

 

Embrace variety and ease of use with Photowall

Considering all the aesthetic and practical considerations mentioned above may seem daunting. But with Photowall, this becomes an exciting exploration of possibilities. Housing over 30,000 designs, Photowall caters to every aesthetic need and preference. 

In terms of color selection, Photowall's wide-ranging palette enhances the versatility of your design options, from a welcoming, vibrant ambiance achieved with warm hues to a tranquil environment induced by cool tones. As for pattern selection, the company’s spectrum of designs ranges from subtle, intricate patterns for a sophisticated aura to bold, large-scale motifs that serve as statement pieces. Regardless of your living room's design theme— be it vintage, minimalist, Scandinavian, industrial, classical, retro, luxurious, rustic, or anything else— Photowall stands ready with a diverse wallpaper collection. 

As for practicality, Photowall is an excellent choice for durability, easy installation, easy maintenance, simple wallpaper calculation, and flexibility.