Using Wallpaper to Refresh Your Space

May 11, 2023

Are you like me and loving the wallpaper trend but just not sure if it's for you?  Is it too much work?  How do I decide on a print?  Is it too much commitment?  Well then this post is for you!

This is our sad, sad main floor powder room before.  Now don't judge!  We are hoping to redo the floors on our main level so I always thought I'd just wait to do anything about this bathroom until we tackled that big project.  And so it's sat lifeless and boring. 

When RCF came out with their removable, peel and stick wallpaper the wheels started spinning on how it'd be perfect for this little space!  I took the plunge and wallpapered my entryway last fall and I've absolutely loved the transformation of that space.

My adult son and I were able to do this accent wall in an afternoon. We followed the installation instructions found on the RCF site as well as watched the recommended YouTube videos found on the site.  It was a great 'starter' project and intro into wallpapering.  We found the peel and stick process surprisingly simple.  For the entryway I chose the weave surface paper for a textured linen look finish.  I ordered multiple samples and I'm so glad I did!  It's so nice to see the prints in your space and to get a good visual of how they look with furniture, lighting, etc.  This bold floral really stood out to me and I loved the statement and mood it creates in this space.  You can see how I picked a print here (hint, I ordered multiple print samples in different scales too!) and our process here.

The powder room is just off of the entryway so I wanted to give it an update to echo the feeling of this bold black and white look.  So off to the RCF site I went!

Have you checked out the Wallpaper site yet?!  With over 5000 wallpaper prints to choose from it can get a little overwhelming.  This is where the search options come in handy.  It's automatically set to sort by bestselling which I think is helpful so you can see what's trending.  You can also filter prints by designer, style, or color.  I knew I wanted something with black to tie in with the entry.  This dot print really jumped out to me for it's simplicity and versatility.  I knew it wouldn't be too bold and I loved how fun it is.  It was the perfect canvas to really have fun with all of the other details.  For this print I tried the smooth finish paper.  Both papers are such amazing quality!  They are nice and thick and so easy to work with.  When you have the inevitable bubble or it gets off position, it's easy to peel back and reposition over and over if you need to.  It's so durable!  This is a high traffic bathroom and I have no doubt it will hold up for a long, long time.  It's so easy to wipe down.  It's been three months since it was finished and it still looks brand spanking new.

A coat of paint on the cabinet, a new countertop, mirror, faucet, lighting, art and hardware completed the makeover.

After doing these two spaces I have a few tips for you.

• Try all of the samples!  You never know what print you'll end up loving in your space.  It might surprise you.  It's great to narrow it down and to play with the scale as well.  The generous samples give you a great idea of scale, color, and feel.  As a bonus, get creative with your leftover samples.  Maybe frame up a sample in another space, line a desk drawer, cover a light switch plate, or add a pop behind a bookcase. 
• Use the resources on the RCF site.  The YouTube videos and instructions are so helpful.  One tip we learned on our bathroom was to seam a corner instead of trying to wrap it.  It gives a nice clean finish!
• Trust yourself!  Wallpaper is such a bold statement and can be such an expression of YOU!  Do something that will make you happy.  Honestly, who knew taking care of 'business' in my new bathroom could bring me so much joy, lol!
• Have fun!  Hanging wallpaper can seem intimidating but it doesn't need to be.  Start small.  This wallpaper is so forgiving and easier than you think.  It is doable for one person but if you can grab a partner or buddy to help you'll have twice the fun!

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