The living room is generally the most spacious and used area within the home – the right wallpaper can transform the lounge into a space that feels both welcoming and comfortable for residents and guests.
If you’re stuck on what kind of wallpaper to choose for your living space, here’s the Craft Axis guide to choosing the right one; covering wallpaper materials, colours, design, and placement. However, not everyone has the time or patience to pore over thousands of wallpaper options – which is why many homes end up with poorly chosen wallpaper in the living room.
4 Considerations for Living Room Wallpaper
Wallpaper Material
Aside from variations in wallpaper cost, the important consideration regarding wallpaper material is durability.
There are three main types of wallpaper material: paper sheets (regular), a blend of natural and synthetic fibres (non-woven), and vinyl-coated paper. Non-woven and vinyl-coated wallpaper material is significantly more durable than regular paper sheets.
The living room is usually the most heavily used room in the home, so your choice of wallpaper for your living room should consider longevity. Ideally, wallpaper in the living room should be made from non-woven or vinyl-coated paper to minimise the risk of issues like tearing, peeling, or bubbling.
Non-woven and vinyl-coated paper are also resistant to stains, easy to clean by wiping down with a cloth, and do not fade when exposed to sunlight.
Colour
The colour of your living room wallpaper is largely a personal preference, but there are certain interior design principles worth considering.
Cool colours like blue, green, and purple evoke a calmer sensation, making them a great choice for a living room built around relaxation and lounging.
Warm colours like red, orange, and yellow can inject more energy into the visual space of the living room, but should be used sparingly to avoid making the living room feel restless.
Earthy colours like brown can create a cosy atmosphere that feels nature-inspired, especially when combined with a faux wood wallpaper texture and wooden furniture.
Avoid black or excessively dark colours, as these can contribute to a cramped feeling. In contrast, white and light colours can create the illusion of space and help the living room feel more breathable.
Design and Patterns
Wallpaper designs range from geometric patterns to landscaped scenery and minimalist/textured appearances.
Keep in mind that the designs in a physical or online catalogue will look very different on your living room wall – the best way to visualise them is to work with a wallpaper specialist in Singapore like Craft Axis. We can develop a virtual model of the wallpaper in your living room space to help you better visualise how it will actually look once installed.
As a general tip, the wallpaper in your living room should complement your furnishings and decorations, not the other way around. Unless you are planning to have a featured wall with a custom mural, living room wallpaper should be plain enough to serve as a pleasant backdrop, and decorative enough to add character and depth to the space.
Placement
Wallpaper placement is arguably the most important consideration when choosing living room wallpaper. Many homeowners make the mistake of plastering the same wallpaper all across the living room, resulting in a space that looks like it’s been gift-wrapped.
There is merit to choosing differently designed wallpaper for each wall in the living room. For example, you could pick the largest wall in the living room to feature an intricate wallpaper design, and apply wallpaper with a simpler design on surrounding walls. This creates a visual effect that draws the eye toward the featured wall, making the living room feel more intentional and inviting.
Again, a wallpaper specialist will have the expertise to offer placement advice for your living room, as well as help you calculate how much wallpaper is needed. Before you go wallpaper shopping, we advise consulting with our team at Craft Axis to get a better idea of what your living room could look like.
We can assist with wallpaper recommendations for your living room, create custom wallpaper designs, and provide professional wallpaper installation for an impressive and long-lasting outcome.
