Kate Hart

When you think of wallpaper, do you picture tiny flowers, lots of stripes and fancy prints? Well think again. Wallpaper has made a comeback in the design field, and there are lots of easy to use papers with modern styles, fresh designs and bold colours. You just need a bold heart and some imagination to go with it all!

Here are some ways to get your feet wet with wallpaper, without committing to an entire room of daisies!

• Dress up a door. Do you have a flat door that could benefit from some stylish detailing? First, add some simple moulding in a rectangle to the door. Paint the moulding and the door a colour that works with your overall look. Now, cut a piece of wallpaper that has a pattern or texture that coordinates with the overall look of your room and paste it into the rectangle. Easy way to dress up a door, and add some visual interest to the room. Carry this design detail through your room with coordinating fabrics on pillows, drapes or throws.
• Add some spice to a dining room with moulding and wallpaper. Use mouldings to create a panelled effect on the lower part of the walls, and dress the top with an eye-popping paper. Subtle or graphic, this can turn a simple dining room into a grand affair
• Detail one wall. Select a wall to act as the focal point in your room. The wallpaper should coordinate well with the colours in the room as well as provide some graphic relief that highlights the space. Pick a pattern that does not overwhelm ... or underwhelm the space.
• Add a mural. Murals aren't just for kids rooms anymore. They are a fun and attractive way to create a distinctive space. Use an abstract mural, like "Orion Nebula" from muralsyourway.com to create a unique backdrop to a modern graphic living room.
• Paint your paper. Anaglypta wallpaper is completely paintable and comes in many styles and designs. Use it to create a subtle texture, pattern or design ... and then paint it to your personal colour palette.
• Paper a room divider. Need to separate some space without building a wall? Add graphic paper to one side of a flat panel room divider. Use a stripe on one side and a large flower pattern ... think modern take on a daisy ... for an easy break in a kids play room.
• Really feeling adventurous? Wallpaper your ceiling, the risers of your stairs, picture frames or a floor. All require special preparation, protection and time, but can be add spice and style to your decor. You can even use some of the left over paper to create your own art to be framed and hung on other walls in the room.

Keep in mind there is more to selecting wallpaper than just the colour or the pattern. There are different types of paper available, and each has certain characteristics you will need to consider. Make sure you know what the installation process is and if you need a professional to do it for you. Some of the newer "papers" like leather, silk or mica require a skilled hand to install them correctly.

So the next time you gear up for a room change, consider adding a bit more spice with a little bit of paper.