And for those on a budget, papering a room can get even more affordable, said Rockville-based decorator Sandra Meyers. “I use a lot of commercial wallcoverings, which are less expensive,” she said; one of her favorite firms is Wolf Gordon Wallcoverings. Meyers added that because commercial papers are designed to be used in public places such as restaurants and hotels, they’re made of vinyl and therefore tend to wear better over time than traditional paper.
But no matter how much that roll of wallpaper costs, it can still feel like a major commitment. While today’s options are lighter and easier to put up than in the past, papering a room is still pretty tricky for the inexperienced. The majority of wallpapers require paste to adhere to the wall, and the patterns on each sheet must be lined up very carefully. “If you’ve done tiling or wood floors, it’s pretty simple,” said Michael DiGuiseppe, a professional wallpaper hanger who’s been in the business for 25 years. “But if you’re clueless and don’t do home improvements, it could be a challenge.” DiGuiseppe charges an average of $650 to paper an entire room, though convoluted spaces or fickle papers can up that price.
Still, some of the new developments can somewhat offset its daunting-ness. First, most wallpapers these days are easier to remove than they used to be, which means a bad choice is far easier to reverse. That’s particularly valuable to renters, who can usually just peel off the paper when they’re ready to leave without fear of damaging the walls — though finicky landlords should probably be consulted first.
The other upside is that wallpaper doesn’t have to cover all four walls of a room. It can be used as an accent: as backing for bookshelves, on a single wall in the bathroom or even on the dining room ceiling. “It’s a great way to customize a space, and the wallpaper won’t bust the bank,” said Edith Gregson, an associate designer with the D.C. firm J.D. Ireland.
Still, some people, like J.D. Ireland client Louis Cardenas, decide to go bold and paper an entire room. Cardenas was looking to spice up the dining room of his Adams Morgan rowhouse and wound up papering the entire space with an outsized floral print by Neisha Crosland. He’s fully satisfied with the result. “It really adds texture and warmth to the house, much more so than paint could ever do,” he said. “It’s probably the first thing people notice when they come in, and they always comment on it.”
That’s nothing compared to Reich and Pracher, the Leesburg family. After papering their hallway, the two went on to add wallpaper to several other rooms: The kitchen walls are now covered in a mid-century floral design, one bathroom features whimsical birds and another is lined with a tropical fish pattern.
“I love it. We’re judicious: We put it in places that are strategic, and it really works for our family,” said Reich. “It started with a colossal mistake. And now we’re really pleased with how it’s turned out.”
Amanda Abrams is a freelance writer.
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