Is Wallpaper Making a Comeback?

For some, wallpaper is outdated, reminiscent of their old family home or grandparents’ home for those who are younger. However, gone are the days of psychedelic ‘70s backgrounds or the floral vintage of the ‘60s.

Wallpaper may be back on the rise through mixing the old with the new to bring a contemporary renewal to a 2020s household.

The Return of Wallpaper

First things first, there is plenty of evidence that wallpaper is back on the rise. Often when trends become old-fashioned, they soon make a revival because calling them ‘outdated’ starts to become… outdated.

Wallpaper has been making a comeback for several years now, although this year, we’re also noticing wallpaper border experimentation on the rise again.

Pros and Cons of Wallpaper

If you’re considering getting in on the trend, you’ll want to know the various pros and cons of wallpaper and how they compare with painting your walls instead.

Advantages

So, what are the benefits of opting for wallpaper over having your walls re-painted in 2023?

Modern Wallpaper Aesthetics

It’s important to note that modern wallpaper designs do not scream ‘outdated’; in fact, they are far from it. Today, many wallpaper designs offer intricate, detailed and vibrant looks that offer a great aesthetic contrast to the designs of yesteryear.

Ads a Retro Vibe

Of course, there is also a wide range of wallpaper designs that can beautifully combine the old and new. These styles are perfect if you’re a fan of retro wallpaper designs but don’t want your rooms to look like they’re from the 1970s or ‘80s.

Here are some more trends to give your house a fresh look.

Well-suited to a Heritage or Period Property

If you have a period or heritage property, you might want to consider opting for retro wallpaper too. Of course, given the nature of your home, you might want to lean that bit further into the ‘retro’ side of things. This will allow you to maintain your property’s quintessential nature.

Not as Messy to Install

Another consideration is that wallpaper, while generally more time-consuming to install, does not cause quite a mess as a paint job can.

Disadvantages

While there is an array of benefits to wallpaper, it’s important to consider the downsides, too, so that you can make a fully informed decision.

More Challenging to Install

Wallpaper is more difficult and time-consuming to add than painting a wall. Therefore, it’s arguably best to hire a professional to do this work unless you’re absolutely sure you can comfortably pull it off.

And obviously, if you feel okay with painting but not adding wallpaper, then opting for wallpaper will likely prove more expensive due to the labour costs involved in hiring a professional.

High-end Wallpapers Don’t Come Cheap

It’s also important to note that high-quality wallpapers are costly. Therefore, you’ll want to spend some time considering whether it’s worth the extra cost if you want to go for an intricate or/and extravagant design.

Cost of a Wallpaper Installation

If you opt for ordinary wallpaper, you’re looking at spending about £25 to £30 in material costs (as mentioned, high-end wallpaper can be significantly more expensive).

However, if hiring a professional, you’re looking at a labour cost of somewhere in the region of £300 to £700, depending on the scale of the installation. Moreover, labour rates will also differ from region to region.

It’s best to get quotes from three professionals before making a decision on who to hire. Be sure to consider their prices, experience levels and any online feedback they have from prior customers!