You don’t need to be seasoned in interior design to make good decisions for your home.
I work with homeowners at all levels — some who are collaborating with designers and builders, and others who are simply trusting their gut and a Pinterest board. Either way, I’m here to guide you. From choosing the right white paint to complement your wallpaper to figuring out where a bold pattern makes sense (just one wall? a whole room?), I’ve got your back.
And if you’re still overwhelmed, start small. Powder rooms, laundry nooks, and entryways are perfect spots to dip your toe into pattern without committing to a whole house transformation.
If the idea of putting wallpaper on your walls makes your palms sweat, you are absolutely not alone.
I’ve heard all the fears — “What if I mess it up?” “Will I regret wallpapering my room?” “Does wallpaper ruin your walls?” or the big one: “Is peel and stick wallpaper safer than the traditional kind?” If any of these have crossed your mind while dreaming about a beautifully patterned space, take a deep breath. I’ve got you.
This post is for the cautious, the curious, and the just-need-a-little-hand-holding crowd — because choosing wallpaper shouldn’t feel like a risky leap. It should feel like a joyfully confident one.
RAISE YOUR HAND IF ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING IS TRUE:
1) Ohhh I can put wallpaper in our downstairs powder room!
2) …or the entryway!
3) I wonder if I should put wainscoting in my bedroom and wallpaper the top half?
4) Let’s do an accent wall in the kids’ bedrooms!
5) I WANT IT ALL!
It’s simple really, I promise. Take it room by room.
….and I’ll show you how.
STEP ONE:
Pick your room. This doesn’t have to be the one you plan on wallpapering first either. Just pick ONE room to “map out.”
STEP TWO:
Let’s make some notes about this room. You really just need to consider three components:
Level of Attention: Are we going subtle for texture or a bold statement piece?
Texture and Pattern: Is this pattern about incorporating a certain pop of color or texture or are we wanting to highlight a prominent pattern?
Story Telling: Let you're wallpaper tell a story about your space. Is it a social space? Is it a playful space? Is it a formal space?
STEP THREE:
Repeat Step One and Step Two for remaining rooms.
Below, I’ve got more detail on considering attention, texture and pattern, and story telling throughout your spaces without feeling overwhelmed.
. . .
The paralyzing fear of wallpaper is so real. As a designer of the product Itself, I even have a hard time making the commitment for my home. Wallpaper isn’t like rearranging throw pillows — it feels permanent. But here’s the thing: it’s not as permanent as you think.
With proper wall prep, traditional wallpaper is far easier to remove than it used to be. Many wallpaper pastes today are formulated with removable agents that allow for a clean, gentle release when the time comes. No scorched earth. No drywall destruction. Just a little water and patience.
So yes — you can fall in love with a pattern today and still evolve your space in the future. I promise.
