Thinking Bespoke Feature Wall? We Answer Your Wallpaper Questions!

Spring is only just upon us but perhaps you're already thinking about that new look for your home.

A new you, fresh room, a change of theme or style. You're thinking options, change, what's new, what's different; what's possible.

Thinking about decor? Colours and paints, curtains and rugs, possibly wallpaper ideas for that living room or bedroom feature wall.

Looking on the high street and in the magazines, perhaps patterns off the shelf and on a roll. But this time though, you're looking for something a bit more...unique.

Wide width or bespoke wallpaper murals
You've researched and decided on a bespoke or made to measure wallpaper design. Printed pattern wallpapers and wall murals have been around for a number of years now but you're still hankering after some more information.

The skinny on the world of bespoke wallpapers
Technology has caught up and where once a wallcovering print run would have to be hundreds or thousands of linear metres, now just one wall, one panel even, is possible and at a quality that's as high as anything more traditional processes can produce.

We've been involved in custom and digital wallpaper since its beginnings and we can take its individuality and value sometimes a little for granted. When we hear people who are a bit unsure about the whole process we like to go back to basics and see where the jitters come from.

After asking a number of our friends and clients what they thought about bespoke wallpapers and what potentially could hold someone back from jumping in, we got the following:

• Too expensive
  
• Difficult to install
• Too much choice
• Hard to know quality when online
  

So, a good insight into what a range of people felt about custom wallpaper and wall murals and why they might have shied or would shy away from them.

We thought about how to answer these questions and try to use a bit of our collective know-how to inform, answer and generally help out. Okay, let's go!

Cost of made to measure wallpapers
For something that is created specifically for your wall, we understand that it sometimes does seem to carry a premium price tag. However, with bespoke wall art, remember that you only buy what you need? measure the wall, pop in the sizes. No extra roll or so needed just to be safe.

Any repeating patterns flow across the panels without any waste. Nothing worse than having lengths left of a wallpaper roll that are now useless because the pattern just won't repeat where you need it to! With an individually crafted mural designed for your wall, this just isn't going to be an issue.

Also, and we'll run through this more when we get to quality, bespoke wallpapers are not usually of the same thickness or type as off-the-shelf wallcoverings. They should be stronger and harder wearing. You're paying the extra for quality so make sure you're getting it!


Installing bespoke wallpapers
Everything that's a little bit out of the ordinary usually needs a slight change of method. Not a major change though? it is still wallpaper - but a tweak in best practices here and there. Wherever you buy it from they'll have installation guides on the site. There are many videos on YouTube and plenty of help if needed so don't be daunted.

If you're all geared up with wallpaper ideas for your feature wall, don't be put off by the putting up!

We think sticking up by pasting the wall, as most of these papers will be, is actually a simpler process than pasting the back of the paper. With inexpensive ready mixed pastes available at the superstores like B&Q, this way of fitting is rapidly becoming the norm.

The width can be a little bit overwhelming at double the normal 52cm or so that off-the-shelf wallpapers usually arrive in but, once the panels are laid out and the job started, they never seem quite as large. The big benefit with the wider material, of course, is that there are half as many joins to match up.

The overlap and trim way to join panels is to help with any unevenness in the wall. Once you've done a couple of strips, you'll be zipping across the room like a pro.

Like any new way of learning, after you've done it once, it's not as daunting or quite as different anymore.

We've been part of projects from atriums in commercial properties to full rooms being covered in an intricate geometric mural. We've worked alongside seasoned decorators and first-time newbies and everyone in between. Sure, people are always cautious initially but all the jobs ended with the stand back and 'I did that" factor!

Too much choice of custom images
Even though we can print any image or pattern your heart may desire, we understand that when confronted with a photo library of gazillions of pictures it can be a case of analysis paralysis! Which skyline? Beach scene? Nature wallpaper? Flower mural?

When there's an unlimited number to pick from, it's often the hardest selection to make. What did Henry Ford supposedly say about the colour options for a Model T?! As a tip, it can be often easier to stick to a style or theme and explore that for inspiration.

At forthefloorandmore.com we are building and curating a quality line of patterns with an emphasis on floral designs and geometric shapes for wallpapers and wall murals. Similar designs are printed on our vinyl flooring, glass and Wall are relative newcomers to the pattern side and it can be a challenge creating and sourcing what our designers (and hopefully you) think is the next new hotness. You'll see additions and collections updated regularly and things switched around. If we had waited for the perfect range before launching we would still be a dusty idea in a notebook? remember, analysis paralysis!

We'll always be growing (anyone out there with an eye for designs, do get in touch) but as far as having millions of images to choose from, we can't see it quite happening!

Difficult to know the quality aka Media Mayhem!
Like most online shopping it can be a struggle to know and trust something when it's, well, virtual. You can ask for samples and read up on it but sometimes you've got to take a leap.

Any reputable supplier should hold your hand part of the way to make sure you're getting what you expected. Ask for samples and make sure your questions are answered. Online can be tough when it come to things that are tactile like wallpapers but it shouldn't ever be a lottery.

It's not that surprising there are questions about the quality of bespoke wallpapers when a quick search shows many similar materials yet all are very different.

From prepasted to self-adhesive and paper-backed stocks to non-woven. Papers that need water to be sprayed evenly on the entire wall before application and ones that need dunking completely in a trough before hanging. Media weights that are 90gsm, 120gsm, 140gsm, 180gsm and probably everything in between!

All you need to know is that the heavier the weight, the stronger and more durable the material. Don't be duped by prices quoting the economy grades and then comparing to a higher standard elsewhere. Aim for something around the 350gsm weight, check its a washable and scuff resistant vinyl on a non-woven grade back for the premium choice. Sorted.

Print perception
Another reason the premium product wins out over the cheaper alternatives is down to the amount of ink they can absorb and this directly increases the level of high definition print and clarity.

When you've decided upon your fine-and-dandy wallpaper mural it has to be manufactured with bite and impact. That feature wall has to be a feature!

It's the same with the application process. We kept with the paste the wall method as it's synonymous with the top end bespoke wallpapers. It's been tried and tested and we stick with it (pardon the pun!) because paste the wall works with every type of wall finish out there. If it's a tricky install, talk to your supplier as they should be able to recommend different adhesives or primers to make sure it all comes out rosy.

All done!
Well, there you go.

Did we answer a few of the questions that pop up when thinking about bespoke wallpapers? If you'd never thought of or considered custom wall murals before, did it gave a little insight into the whole hows and whys?

Look for us on our social media, say hello and let us know your next projects!


Article kindly provided by forthefloorandmore.com