How to Decorate Using One Wallpapered Wall as an Accent

Selecting Wallpaper

• 1

  Take an inventory of the colors and patterns of the existing furnishings in the space. If there are patterns on the furniture or draperies, a color coordinated paper with a discreet pattern will be most effective. For example, in a bedroom where the bedspread and shams are awash in pink roses and vines, a wallpaper featuring flowers will not work. A pale pink paper with a simple white trellis pattern would look lovely. However, in a living room where the furniture is upholstered in off-white, a boldly patterned paper in strong colors will be a stunning accent.

• 2

  Decide which wall in the space you want to feature as the accent wall. Consider whether you will be able to view the accent wall from the doorway into the room. It is important that the colors and patterns of the wallpapered wall are consistent with the design style of the surrounding spaces. For example, if the surrounding rooms have simple lines and contemporary styling in the furniture and accessories, an accent wall featuring a French toile paper will look unrelated and somewhat out of place. The wall opposite a window is a good choice because it will receive optimal natural light during daylight hours.

• 3

  Measure the wall to calculate the number of wallpaper rolls needed. Consider the repeat on the chosen pattern. The repeat is the length of one entire pattern, before it begins again. As the repeat increases, more waste wallpaper will be lost in order to line up the pattern on the wall. To arrive at the required number of rolls for a wall, multiply the length of the wall by the height, and divide by the usable square footage per roll for the selected pattern. Patterns with the smallest repeats will yield close to 25 square feet per roll, while those with the largest repeats yield around 18 square feet.

• 4

  Select the paper for your feature wall. If possible, bring samples of your fabrics and colors with you to the wallpaper gallery. Even if you do this, it is best to check out two or three wallpaper books and take them home for viewing in the light in your space. Analyze whether you want to create a light open feeling or a cozy, intimate ambiance.

Applying the Paper

• 5

  Cut the required number of strips to fit the wall, matching the pattern and allowing 2 inches extra at the top and bottom of each strip. Prepare the paste, if necessary. Set up a water tray, if you are using pre-pasted paper.

• 6

  With a pencil, draw a plumb line, perpendicular to the floor, at a distance 2 inches less than the width of the paper from the left side of the wall. This ensures that even if the wall is not completely square, the wallpaper will appear straight, and not have a slanted effect.

• 7

  Activate the paste on pre-pasted wallpaper, apply paste to the back of the paper, or roll on paste for the first strip of paper to the right of the plumb line. Allowing a 2-inch overlap at the top, hang the first strip of paper so that its left edge lines up perfectly along the plumb line. Smooth the paper with your hand or a wallpaper smoother.

• 8

  Trim the excess paper at the top and bottom with a sharp utility knife. Use a broad knife held below the utility knife to provide a straight edge and prevent tearing.

• 9

  Working from left to right, and from the top down, hang the remaining strips of wallpaper. Align the pattern and the edges, then smooth down with your right hand. To prevent sticking in the wrong places, hold the paper away from the wall with your left hand as you work your way down. Trim each strip at the top and bottom. Apply the last strip to the left of the plumb line and trim the top, bottom and vertical excess.