Wallpaper: It's come a long way

If you're trying to update your homes look, especially if you're trying to sell, paint is not the only option for giving your home a nice new update. While you may have been hesitant to use wallpaper in the past or you've heard countless times how it is a turn off to a potential buyer the truth is, wallpaper is coming back in big way. What wallpaper can give you over paint is it can hide a multitude of imperfections in the wall.

Easy installation- For kitchen and bathrooms, there are great neutral choices that are easier to install like this example: Brewster 425-6004 Trends For Kitchen and Bath Paper Crackle Wallpaper. Why is this paper a great choice? Well it is neutral, and so will not offend most buyers since it will go with a wide array of styles and décor. It has a random non repeating pattern which means you won't have to line up patterns. This saves you a lot of money because there are no extra cuts needed. It's scrub able, peel-able and this is something you can pass on to the new buyer or homeowner.

Damaged walls- How about a wallpaper that will really cover damage? Here's a great solution and it's paint-able so you can make it as neutral as you like: Large Tile Flower Heavy Textured Paintable Wallpaper. This wallpaper gives you all the flexibility you need to customize it to your existing décor or make it an easy match for the next family if you're selling. This is an ideal wallpaper for walls that have a lot of minor damage, scrapes, scratches and shallow indentations. Here's another example: Graham and Brown 13194 Cordoury Wallpaper.

Gray is the new beige- Don't forget, gray is the new beige in neutrals and it is extremely popular today. Gray has found a new following in the décor industry. It pairs well with bright white trim, and dark woods that are popular in many furnishings today. Try using updated modern wallpaper to create a focal point or a feature wall in your home, like this style: Brewster 176-65522 Beacon House Dynasty Foils Petals Wallpaper.

Teen room make over on a budget

Teenagers are a finicky crowd to please and often will not like just any decor you suggest. However, there are times when it is necessary to breath new life into their rooms. You can come together with a great low budget compromise by simply allowing them to be a part of the decision making process.
First tell your teen ahead of time that the budget is low. It is no use in them dreaming up grand scale projects no one can pay for.

Keep it simple, start with new bedding. Be prepared, this is where the bulk of your budget will go, so it is imperative that whatever bedding your teen chooses, it be something you can work with. Colors, shapes and quality are important. You can always use inexpensive accessories.
Paint the room in a color that coordinates well with the bedding. If you aren't planning on selling your home in the next five years, use any color you like, however if you may be selling, always choose neutrals. Gray colors that might appeal to your son are a neutral a teenaged son might like so don't shy from that color.

Wallpaper questions? Many homeowners are told by experts on television to avoid this choice, however, wallpaper is sometimes a great inexpensive solution or accent. Most pre-pasted wall paper choices can easily be removed if you apply them to walls painted in satin and semi-gloss finishes. If you are still uneasy choosing wallpaper borders can be a safer easier choice as well.

Accessories are where you will have the fun. Have your teen help with picking out fun accessories and make sure you don't limit the options of where to find accessories. Your teen is a lot more creative than you may give them credit for so be sure to have the surf for accessories via the internet, tag sales, etc. for wonderful creative things to personalize their room. Use spray paint on items that may be ideal but need updating. Have your teen go through magazines to find inspiration for their new room make overs. Then find economical compromises.  Once you are done, your teen will be happy and you will have a clean coordinated room to appreciate, for a short while at least.

When Wallpapering is a must...

I'm sure many of you know the drudgery of wallpapering, all of us that follow design shows on TV see wallpapering coming off the walls not going on. However, wall paper is making a subtle yet significant comeback and can be a great solution.

Textured, paint-able, and stylish many wall papers offer a greater range of versatility over their cheesy hard to remove predecessors. Consider badly damaged walls that have scars, imperfections, and patch jobs, textured paint-able wall paper can be a God send. A trip to your local hardware store, I went to Lowe's for mine, will open your eyes to new possibilities with wall paper. If you take the necessary precaution of painting your sheet rock/drywall in advance with a semi gloss paint, most wall paper can be removed at a future date easily.

What made it so difficult in the past was some builders, home owners in the past were adhering the paper directly to un-primed, unprepared drywall. In this case, you are in for a nightmare. Sometimes it is better to just paper over a drywall disaster than to keep patching and sanding.