Beyond the Paint Can: Why Wallcovering is the Ultimate Design Tool for Your Home
When you think about refreshing a room, your mind probably goes straight to a new coat of paint, right? It’s the classic, reliable go-to. But what if you want something truly fun? Something unique? What if you want to add personality, solve a design problem, and introduce texture all at once?
It’s time to talk about wallcovering.
For years, wallpaper carried a bit of a stigma (we all remember that fussy floral from a relative’s house), but today’s wallcoverings are sophisticated, stunning, and incredibly versatile. As designers at Vujovich Design Build, it’s one of our favorite tools for completely transforming a space. Here’s why.
1. It Can Magically Change a Room’s Proportions
Let’s bust a common myth: the idea that wallcovering makes a room feel small. In fact, the right pattern can do the exact opposite.
A bold, large-scale print in a small powder room can actually blur the corners, making the space feel surprisingly expansive and turning a tiny utilitarian room into a show-stopping jewel box. In a space that can feel dull, like a laundry room, a light, airy botanical or a simple stripe can make the whole room feel like it’s breathing fresh air. It’s an instant mood-lifter for a space you use every day.
2. It’s the Ultimate Design “Peacemaker”
This is one of the best-kept secrets of interior design. Do you have an existing finish you’re “stuck” with? Maybe it’s a granite countertop from 15 years ago. You don’t want to replace it, but you just don’t love the colors and can’t figure out how to make it work with the fresh, new look you want.
Enter wallcovering. It can be the perfect bridge to make all the finishes in a room make sense together. We can find a pattern that strategically pulls in a tiny bit of that countertop’s color, while also tying in your new cabinet paint, your flooring, and your hardware. Suddenly, that dated finish no longer looks like a mistake—it looks intentional and completely cohesive with the rest of the room. It’s a budget-saving miracle worker!
“I’ve always loved the magic of wallcovering — it has a way of adding instant dimension and personality to a home, ” notes Vujovich Senior Design Director Christina Rymer. “People often say, ‘Wow, wallpaper is back!’ but to me, it never should have gone away.”
3. It Adds Texture, Warmth, and Depth
Paint is flat. Wallcovering is tactile. It engages more than just your sense of sight; it adds a sensory layer that makes a room feel rich and complete.
One of our favorite applications for our Vujovich designers is using a grasscloth in a dining room. It instantly brings a layer of organic texture and warmth that feels sophisticated, cozy, and inviting. It can even help slightly dampen sound, making the room feel more intimate. From silks and linens to embossed patterns and natural fibers, texture is what elevates a “nice” room to a “wow” room.
Rymer adds reflecting on her childhood design dreams, “I was that little girl who covered her room in three different patterns just to make everything come together, and I spent countless hours with my mom flipping through wallpaper books, dreaming up new looks for our house. Sometimes, wallpaper really is that one missing element that transforms a space from simply good to absolutely amazing.”
4. It’s a Stylish Coat of Armor Texture, Warmth, and Depth
Wallcovering isn’t just a pretty face; it can be a practical workhorse, too. In high-traffic areas, walls take a beating from bags, coats, shoes, and kids.
In a mudroom or a busy hallway, we often use a durable vinyl wallcovering. These modern vinyls are a world away from their dated counterparts—they are stylish, beautiful, and incredibly tough. They protect your walls from scuffs and dirt, and most are completely scrubbable. It’s the perfect marriage of form and function.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?
From solving tricky design dilemmas to adding luxurious texture, wallcovering is one of the most powerful and exciting tools we can use. It’s your best opportunity to make a space feel personal, unique, and truly yours.
There are so many uses for wallcovering, and we’d love to help you figure out which one is best for your home. Let’s get creative!
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Visit our Transformations page to explore our projects, get inspired, and discover the difference that Vujovich Design Build can make in your home!
