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wallpapering for renters…

Wallpapering for Renters

Wallpapering for Renters

Oh wallpaper. It's one of those home decor items that so many people love, but so many are also afraid of. Whenever I share photos of my living room (which is covered head-to-toe in wallpaper), we get a lot of questions from those of you who can't or don't want to put up something so permanent. Usually, you love wallpaper but…

A. You don't own your home and your landlord won't let you use wallpaper.

B. At $150/roll, it can get pricey to wallpaper a whole room or even a whole wall.

C. You're not sure if you will love THAT ONE PATTERN…forever.

So we came up with an easy solution for adding some wallpaper love to your home that doesn't involve a huge commitment or lots of money. Simply wallpaper one giant panel and turn it into a statement piece for any room. We used one single roll of wallpaper from Justina Blakeney's collection to demonstrate. Here's how…

1. Purchase a large sheet of foam core, wood plank, or foam insulation sheeting to use as your canvas. We used foam insulation sheeting because it's light in weight, large in size, and really affordable at $20 for an 8' by 4' piece.

Wallpapering for Renters

2. Using spray adhesive, affix the wallpaper sheets to the foam piece by spraying the back of the wallpaper and then carefully smoothing it onto the foam backing. We found that wallpaper glue didn't work as well with this material and spray adhesive was much better and easier to work with. You'll still have to line up the wallpaper as you would on any wall. But since you're not doing a whole wall, you'll still use less than one roll.

Wallpapering for Renters

3. If you're using a thick piece of backing, cut a strip to cover the side of the foam. Let dry.

Wallpapering for Renters

Wallpapering for Renters

That's it! You can display the piece vertically leaning up against a wall. It makes for an amazing focal point behind a couch or chair in a seating area.

Wallpapering for Renters

Or display it horizontally for a cool pattern-blocked look in a dining room or behind a bed as a faux headboard.

What do you guys think? Would you try this?

{Photos by Casey Brodley, styling by Julia Wester, production by Jessica Hong. In living room: chair by Eric Trine, pillow by Oh Joy for Target. In dining room: table by West Elm, gold chair from Target, silver wire chair from Target. Wallpaper by Justina Blakeney for Hygge & West.}

31 comments

  1. It’s a good idea but I’m not sure if I will try it. Having a display piece as big as that lying around unsupported is not something I would be comfortable with. I love how you have created the piece and the corner it does look good. But I would rather try the wallpaper on one side of the wall thank add an external piece 🙂 Btw this wallpaper is gorgeous!

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  3. I love this idea and think that Justina’s print on anything would deb gorgeous! But I also just wallpapered my powder room using a ‘removable’ paper from Spoonflower, and it was MUCH cheaper than traditional wallpaper and doesn’t give you all the hassle. It isn’t quite peel and stick either, more permanent than that. Anyway it was also a great option- you can see my renovation here to see how it came out!
    -Stefanie
    http://thestylesafari.com/?p=7901

    Reply

  4. What a great idea! I currently rent a condo with my boyfriend and it takes so much out of me not being able completely renovate the space to make it our own. I have to say, our landlord is pretty cool and has allowed us to paint and change out light fixtures so we are lucky with that. This really is the perfect way to add some pattern to a room! I think I will try this for the home office I am creating. Thanks for the great idea.
    Rachel
    http://rachelinflight.com

    Reply

  14. Thanks! Glad you like! I have found that removable wallpaper definitely has less options design-wise and you can’t get super vibrant colors or metallics from it, so I love this because you can use any wallpaper you want.
    Joy

    Reply

  16. I LOVE this idea!!!! Our home was built in the 80’s, and we have taken down so much outdated wallpaper that I haven’t been willing to put wallpaper up again. This idea is great though! We could add wallpaper and never have to deal with taking it down!

    Reply

  17. Such a great idea! Looks very beautiful on pictures. I love that it’s not expensive and can be changed easily. Looks like a fun project. I think I might try it! Thank you!

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  18. Thank you for sharing this! We have a beautiful wallpaper map that has been sitting in a closet for more than a year because we did not want to permanently put it on the wall. Can’t wait to get started!

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  20. I can’t tell you how much I love this idea. This is the perfect solution to a 5 year problem…..long story, too depressing. But this is fabulous and I am going to do it asap. Thank you, thank you!!

    Reply

  25. I really love this idea, so simple but could be very impactful. I can imagine moving the panel around between rooms to freshen up my apartment. Stripes would look fantastic and could really raise a ceiling and open up a room. Would also look great in an outdoor space such as a balcony or against an ugly concrete wall.

    Reply

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