There is a wonderful new world of contemporary wallpaper. From the sublime to the bold, biophilic patterns to industrial motifs, as a decorator I can confidently suggest there is now something for everyone.  

Wallpaper used to be an expected element in homes around the world. At some point it became so ubiquitous that one way or another, for example overwhelming boldness or inescapable use of the colour salmon, homeowners became quite nervous about using it at all. 

Indeed, I have had clients at my studio whisper their experience of being haunted by the colours and musty smells of wallpapers of the past.

Nowadays, wallpaper is usually printed on non-woven substrates. This changes everything – wallpapers can now be easy to remove in one piece! and are made of breathable material with no more trapped moisture in the walls.  

Add the crispness of laser printing and wallpaper has re-emerged as a contemporary product that can take the lead in an interior scheme. It can last for decades or be changed with ease; patterns and colourways are developed with a keen eye for trends whilst employing classic combinations.  Wallpaper can even be a way to include other trends not accessible to you, such as convincing representations of timber or brickwork that can redefine your space. 

In addition, we also now have removable wallpapers that sit as well on the walls as their pasted-on counterparts (read: they don’t look like stickers anymore) which can be especially practical for children’s rooms, renters, or commercials spaces.

There is a world of wallpaper designs, each with an array of colourways to select from.  Patterns range from the earthy to the whimsical, simple to busy, monotone to multicoloured.  When I am sourcing wallpapers for my clients, I look for elegance and balance, which will help layer the wallpaper’s features into a home with harmony.

For more information contact South Coast Colour at  www.southcoastcolour.com.au