PUTTING up wallpaper is a great alternative to painting a wall because the method is quick and the results can make a tremendous difference to the overall appearance of any room.

In many countries around the world- including certain African countries, wallpaper is available in a vast range- from different textures and qualities to types of imagery, themes and patterns.

Wallpaper can be used in a subtle manner or to make a dramatic statement, its popularity is increasing in Rwanda however the options are not yet vast.

Whether you decide to shop for wallpaper in Kigali, on the internet or in a foreign country, the following tips will guide you towards making the right choice when buying wallpaper for your home.

If you have furnishing that makes a bold statement, consider using wall paper which is simple. This approach is particularly successful because your wallpaper and furnishing will not overwhelm the eye by fighting for visual attention.

On the other hand, wallpaper with defined prints and bold colours provide a healthy level of contrast in a room where the furniture is neutral- the wallpaper will ultimately complete the room by enhancing furniture and accessories.

Wallpaper was first used in Europe in the 16th and 17th century as an inexpensive alternative for costly hangings. Today this can be done too! Have a wall painted in a contrasting colour and hang on it a large piece of wall paper in a customised picture frame, this will be sure to give you pleasing results.

With everything, quality equals durability. The quality of your wallpaper is defined by how good the material is. Try not to buy something too inexpensive as you might have to redo the whole thing within a few months as the poor quality paper withers away.

Guidelines to hanging wall paper

A beautiful piece of wallpaper that is hung in a crooked and messy manner will lack precision, and ultimately destroy it all together. Therefore the process of putting up wallpaper should be done with patience and attention to detail.

First of all, wash any dirt or dust from the old walls. To hang the wallpaper, start at the ceiling and carefully unfold the wallpaper gently in line with your measurements.  Don’t forget to leave a few extra inches of paper at the top and bottom for trimming later- better too long than too short.

To make the installation easy and the removal process stain-free, wallpaper is now available with a glued back- this enables it to go directly onto the wall without the need to apply separate adhesive.

If your wallpaper does not come with a glued back, cover the entire back of the wallpaper with adhesive. Any area left dry- even a small space, will bubble and not stick to the wall.

Over the centuries Wallpaper has become increasingly commercial with more and more homeowners and businesses using it. It has the ability to enhance interiors, and is therefore an effective finish to your walls.

Keep in mind that the colour, pattern or material of your chosen wallpaper should complement the rest of the interiors in your home.

And remember to plan well- find out everything you need out know about hanging wallpaper because in this case, ignorance won’t turn out to be bliss!

The author specialises in interiors and fashion