WALLPAPER WOES?

We’ve got you covered. Five Morris- and Essex-based designers share tips for wow-worthy walls.

By Haley Longman

Paint is fine in a pinch, but if you really want to update your space, wallpaper could be the way to go. New trends, styles and textures are a far cry from your granny’s wallpaper of yesteryear; 2023’s are glamorous and sophisticated. And your choice needn’t be especially dramatic or grandiose to contribute to an effective look; sometimes all it takes is a subtle textured paper or a pop of color. Morris/Essex Health & Life asked five local designers to share wallpaper wisdom—about materials, style, sizing and more.

Our Experts

WHY WALLPAPER?

Sure, it takes a bit more of a commitment than paint, but wallpaper can also make more of an impact in your space, our designers insist.

“Wallpaper can be a great place to add print, texture and color to a room,” says Santoro. “It can transform the feeling of a space and set it apart from an ordinary painted wall.” If you’re wary of a bold print or pattern, consider a textured wall covering— it can add luxurious depth to a room.

Regardless, “the home should be a collected, cohesive environment that balances textures, colors and motifs in a holistic way to tell a story of the people who live there, says Mizrahi. “Wallpaper is a beautiful way to accomplish that.”

MIND YOUR MATERIALS.

Where you’re considering putting the wallpaper will help determine what kind you should get. Our designers agree that vinyl, though not the most beautiful, is a popular choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, mud rooms and kids’ rooms because it can be wiped down and scrubbed when needed. It comes in a wide variety of finishes, including matte, glossy and embossed. “Pretty is always possible, but address function first,” notes Rich-Morren. Non-woven wallpaper is breathable and removable, meaning that it’s perfect for living rooms and bedrooms, while the more high-maintenance grasscloth or silk works for bedrooms, dining rooms and home offices—rooms with lower traffic and lower humidity levels, says Suvalsky.

“Grasscloth in particular adds texture to spaces where you may prefer color blocking and durability,” Mizrahi notes.

SELECT A STYLE.

As with any other design element, the wallpaper you select should fit the room and coordinate with everything else within it. “The simplest and most effective way to find a wallpaper is to start with a color story,” Suvalsky advises. “You can either find the perfect wallpaper that inspires the fabric and other paint and finish selections, or choose a wallpaper at the end that pulls all those reference points together.” You’ll also want to use the room’s architecture, hardware and furniture to guide your choices. However, if a wall covering speaks to you without necessarily being the “matchiest” choice, it’s likely still the one. “There are no hard rules here,” says Minister. “Simply pick something that inspires you and let the rest fall into place!”

GO BOLD.

Walls are the customary location, sure, but you’ll really make a statement by papering in unexpected places—Rich-Morren papers the back of a bookcase, Minister loves a papered pantry ceiling and Santoro is a fan of using wallpaper as an accent wall in the bedroom.

“I love unexpected wallpapering, such as in a mural in a dining room either covering the full wall or intricately placed within millwork framing,” notes Mizrahi, to make it look like a piece of art. Another idea is to paper stairwells or hallways to create the effect of a feature wall.

CONSIDER SCALE.

Besides finding a style you love, you’ll want to consider the size of your room and the scope of your wallpaper print, if applicable, before pulling the trigger. Santoro says bold prints are great in small spaces, and Suvalsky agrees. “Putting a large scale print on the walls and ceilings of a small space can absolutely make that room feel bigger,” he says. Minister says the trick is to paint the trim of the room in a dominant color from the wallpaper. “This can have an expansive feeling when you walk into a space because everything is monochromatic and consistent,” she notes. “Wallpaper and the paint tie together to make a small space bigger.”

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.

A wallpaper can sometimes feel like a tattoo—painful to get, and even more painful to remove! So, before you move forward with your selection, try it out first at home. “Depending on the price, you may be able to buy a relatively inexpensive (possibly returnable?) roll,” Suvalsky says. “If so, pin it up full height on your wall to see how you relate to it.” Santoro says many companies are good about lending out large-size samples too, so don’t be afraid to ask. Just be certain to observe the sample in different lighting conditions and in a spot on all four walls before committing to the whole room. As for what to look for during the trial period? “Make sure the wallpaper corners adhere really well and see if it passes the wipe-down test,” Santoro notes.

MAINTAIN YOUR WALLS.

How can you make sure your wallpaper looks good as new for years to come? It’s important to clean papering as needed (especially if kids’ fingerprints are all over them), because “allergens can get caught just like in upholstery,” says Minister. Santoro says to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations before applying any kind of harsh cleaning agent or moisture to wallpaper. “That said,” says Mizrahi, “most papers can handle a bit of spot cleaning and light dusting as needed.”

Five Faves

It wasn’t easy choosing just one, our designers report, but each picked a top-choice wallpaper to recommend:

“I really love Kelly Ventura’s designs, particularly the Peonia wallpaper in Apricot (pictured). Her prints are hand-drawn and then made into wallpaper, and can go from traditional to transitional and also be used in various spaces.”

—Lisa Santoro, LSJ Interiors, Morristown

“One paper I have been considering for our family powder room is a mural on panels by Andrew Martin called Mythical Land. The background is a dreamy pink plaster haze, and it just feels so painterly with the oversized vine-ripe pears hanging over beasts from his imagination.”

—Arielle Mizrahi, Arielle Mizrahi Design, Short Hills

“I love the Nuvolette by Cole & Son in a neutral metallic ‘gilver’ and charcoal.”

—Campbell Minister, Campbell Minister Design, Montclair

“I love the Limerence wallpaper in Sky by House of Hackney. I have it on a feature wall in my dining room.”

—Andrew Suvalsky, Andrew Suvalsky Designs, Montclair/New York City

“I suggest the Bankun Raffia wallpaper by Thibaut. It’s a visually realistic vinyl faux grasscloth that’s durable, comes in numerous colors and is timeless.”

—Allyson Rich-Morren, A&R Interiors, Denville

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