For sometimes now specialist in wall decor and interior decorating have promoted the use of wall stickers, wallpaper enthusiasts have been fighting back against that trend. In reality we have to admit that both methods of decoration have their advantages and disadvantages. To help you decide what is best for you I propose this little comparison of the two methods.
Let's first give credit to the old and trusted wallpaper. After many years of success, in homes around the world, use of wallpaper declined, lost its fashion edge and was progressively replaced by paint. Paint was easier to use, easier to change and less expensive in many cases. But wallpaper was not yet done in, like the phoenix rising from the flames it came back into the world renewed with vigor, designs, and exciting new propositions. Large bold motifs like the one offered by Streetwall are making people look at wallpaper in a new light.
Streetwall will size the design to fit your wall
Wallpaper today is produced with warm textures, new finishes like silk, originals motifs, the endless choices could only revive the wallpaper renewal. However, I already hear you about hanging it, it is a pain and you have to pay someone... and... and objections are plenty, but read on.
This too has changed, all you need is a roller to apply the glue (unless your paper is pre-pasted) and a brush to smooth. Besides the way we hang paper today is fast, most often we only paper one wall leaving the rest painted in white or any other color, or we even use only one strip of paper for a great effect.
Really it is all about making your home environment a very personalized affair and wallpaper can accomplish it beautifully.
The newborn of wall decor is the wall sticker. And that is one baby that grew quickly, because all the "gurus" jumped on the bandwagon and made it the "last bastion of decorating". It is true I will grant you that when they appeared on the scene wall stickers (or peel and stick wallpaper as it is sometimes called) made a big splash and rejuvenated wall decor with a fresh, modern look. Trompe l'oeil, natural scenes, baroque, faux brick, every one found something to be happy. The list of suppliers is endless but I found a good selection at American Blinds and Wallpapers. With a peel off wall paper you can accomplish things like the image below.
The primary advantage of the sticker mural is that it allows you to personalize your home, with colors not always available in paint, it is not repetitive and therefore more effective.
I do not want to give you the impression that hanging a large sticky mural like this is going to be a piece of cake. That is the biggest drawback, but it is very doable by the average person with the help of a friend, spouse, or partner, and the results are worth it. You will need a little patience and watch out for air bubbles and area where it did not adhere to the wall properly. Instruction from the sellers are usually very good on how to do it.
All you need now is to find the design that will strike your fancy but I am confident, considering the very large selection available that this will not be difficult. Now go and customize your walls, end the all white overdone look.
Conclusion: it is difficult for me to opt for either wallpaper or wall sticker for your home decor. Each has its advantages and each has some drawbacks, but like the Little Prince so well said "nothing is perfect". In fact rather than choosing one or the other, I would say that they complement each other. Both are equally durable and will last a few years, you should however, remember that it will be easier to remove the sticker when you are tired of it than it will be to remove wallpaper.
