This isn’t your grandmother’s wallpaper. Advancements in materiality and technology have changed the ways in which wallcovering can be made, what they look like, and where they can be installed. Following are six wallcovering trends that are here to stay.
1. Digital
“Digital” has been a hot topic surrounding wallcoverings over the last few years, but manufacturers have been playing with computer-based and printed designs for almost two decades. The speed and efficiency in which digital can now be produced, along with technological capabilities to print in high resolution, makes working with digital ideal for custom needs. The more clients want individualized solutions to their design problems, the more digital will make its way into specifications.
2. Big and Bold (with coordinating patterns)
Big is in. Whether patterns or digitally printed photographs on walls, scale is larger than ever. Wallcovering manufacturers are taking note of the interest in big, bold patterns or photo-realistic prints and coordinating more toned-down patterns and colors that can easily be used in conjunction with a statement wall.
3. Wellness
Designers know that everywhere they turn health and wellness is being emphasized; this holds true in the wallcovering industry as well. Manufacturers are looking for ways to incorporate wellness-focused themes like muted hues and nature-inspired patterns into any interior.
It can be said that metallics are having a resurgence these days, but the addition of glittery embellishments in wallcoverings does more than add a trendy flair; a pop of gold, silver, or copper gives a two-dimensional surface like walls a sense of depth. For those who don’t want to go the shiny route, layers of overlapping colors and slight embossment can give a similar depth of field.
The slight metallic sheen in Versa’s Matka wallcovering mixed with a horizontal embossing gives the wall depth.
Credit: Versa Wallcovering
5. Hiding Rough Surfaces
When retrofitting an existing interior, worn walls can create a design dilemma. The wallcovering industry is seeing an increase in the use of heavy-embossed and more tactile coverings. Embossed wallcoverings minimize the appearance of warped or cracked drywall unlike smooth wallcovering or paint.
6. The Fifth Wall
Design solutions don’t need to end just because the vertical wall does. More often, wallcoverings are being used on ceilings in commercial settings. In many cases, wallcovering products can be installed to ceilings the same way one would adhere to a vertical wall.
