Welcome to Part II of our six part series covering interior design trends of 2021. In this installment we will dig deep into the resurgence of wallpaper as a key design element in 2021. As discussed in Part I, wallpaper is making a resurgence this century and just may hang around a while.
Today’s wallpaper is a far sight better than the product of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, in both form and function. Wallpapers of the mid-19th century required soaking or pasting the paper prior to applying it. Removal of the paper was a story unto itself; steaming, peeling, and scraping for days to extract layers of paste from the wall.
The introduction of self-adhesive wallpaper in 2008 was a renaissance in the wallpaper industry. This more temporary application revolutionized the way we use and view wallpaper. With the ease of peeling and sticking, homeowners who like to update their style frequently can transform a room in less than a day.
Self-adhesive paper also opened wallpaper to an entirely new market: renters. These not-quite-yet homeowners are no longer forced to endure their landlord’s stark white walls. Renters now have the option to personalize their temporary homes without risking their security deposit. An added bonus is that most self-adhesive wallpapers are reusable.
As for wallpaper designs, there is certainly something for everyone: florals, animal prints, nature scenes, geometric prints, and speckles. The list goes on and on. However, there are a number of wallpaper trends making a big impact in 2021 that you may want to consider for your abode.
Wall Gardens
Les Fleurs abound in this nod to nature. Adorning walls with bursting peonies, blazing poppies, and pretty pansies lighten and brighten spaces (without pesticides or frequent watering). There is also an emotional benefit to bringing flowers into the home. According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction, and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.
Pro tip: when working with wallpaper, pay particular attention to the scale of the design selected. Dainty designs will make a space look larger while Jurassic prints will make a small space appear even smaller.
Maximalism
Maximalism is just as the name suggests: interior design TO THE MAX. While this design style is big, bold, and in your face, it also takes great forethought and careful curation to pull it off. Maximalism is all about surrounding yourself with objects you love the most and that evoke an emotional reaction.
Design items in a maximalist home are thoughtfully chosen based on what makes the homeowner happy. A fuzzy pink area rug may be reminiscent of a once loved baby blanket; a chandelier made out of ostrich feathers may be a nod to a beloved aunt with a pension for feathered hats.
Connect the Splots
simple clean furniture for an uncomplicated, timeless look. On the flip side, a maximalist would pair the same paper with heavily patterned draperies in a contrasting color, with heavy guilt-framed mirrors, a plush zebra print rug, and tufted avocado green victorian sofa. Pair it with a lime green laminate hall table, and now your speckled paper is retro.
Texture
To quote Keats, “Touch has a memory.” Who can forget the feel of grandpa’s wool sweater as he enveloped you in a bear hug? Or the feel of a favorite blanket, providing security and comfort as it’s rubbed repeatedly through tiny fingers. Bringing texture into the home is more than just a design style; it can also provide comfort.
Today more than ever people are seeking solace and memories of happier times. Textured wallpaper can provide depth and dimension to a space, act as a sound buffer with the right material, and evoke memories of sunshine, freedom, and love. We won’t even judge if you decide to give your walls a gentle stroke now and then.
Now that you’ve jumped on the wallpaper bandwagon, we’d like to impart a few simple tips to take with you to the store:
- Buy from a trusted manufacturer: with wallpaper, you get what you pay for. Look for established brands such as Thibaut, Anthropologie, Cole & Son, Schumacher, and Andrew Martin.
- Don’t guesstimate; use a wallpaper calculator to ensure you don’t under or over buy.
- Buy from a vendor that allows you to order samples.
- Wallpaper comes in a variety of materials: vinyl, paper, fabric, grass cloth, etc. Identify the material that is right for your room before heading to the store.
We hope you’ll check back with us next month as we discuss natural materials that can make a big impact on your home and on the environment. In the meantime, be sure to follow us on Facebook and look for design inspiration on our Instagram and Pinterest pages.
As a reminder, Styld is your new go to for curated and designer–sourced home decor. All the products are carefully selected, pre-styled and bundled together so you can effortlessly decorate your mantels, coffee tables, bookshelves, and so much more. Best of all, the Styld bundles pair well with wallpaper!
As always, if you need a consult, we hope you’ll reach out for your future interior design or home staging needs.