ORIGINALLY made in China, wallpaper has certainly come a long way from when rice paper was used on their walls.

Drawing inspiration from this, the Europeans commissioned the Chinese to hand-paint the rice wallpaper, which they used to decorate their homes.

Since then, wall coverings have evolved and wallpaper, as we know it today, is an intricate part of decor in the home and in commercial spaces. It is transforming and defining walls in a significant way - with bright, bold wallpapers making a particular statement.

TRACKING TRENDS

Like all trends, wallpaper designers draw inspiration from the catwalk, with colour, patterns, prints and texture being hotter than ever.

With a diverse availability of wallpapers, there is definitely something to catch every eye - whether you lean towards a modern look or a retro feel, your options are endless.

In terms of what's hot on the market, textured and metallic wallpapers add depth and interest to the design - these have the ability to create lifelike distressed finishes that add a vintage or historical look and feel.

We are also seeing natural corks and grass-cloths emerge, as well as clapboard and vintage planks, retro prints and skylines.

Very exciting is washable vinyl in textures such as silks and linen, animal and reptile skins. And most popular of all are elegant Damask designs with a subtle metallic sheen.

On the local front, digital printed wallpaper is a growing trend in SA, with homeowners in search of a personal touch.

It is simpler to implement than traditional roll-produced wallpaper, which means that you can customise the colours to your room scheme for that perfect look.

WALLPAPER DIY

• Always aim to accentuate the positive.
• Choose a wall that you wish to focus attention on, such as a dining room, conversation area, or bedroom.

An accent wall naturally draws your eye, so don't compete with a major architectural feature such as a fireplace, or a wall of windows.

• Complement or contrast your furniture piece to the wallpaper.

While it's quite easy to choose a print, most homeowners need a bit of advice from a wallpaper expert, such as how the wallpaper will translate into the space that it's being chosen for.

Successfully introducing wallpaper into your living spaces requires papering accent walls within the rooms, in tones that complement or contrast with the existing furnishings.

It's a good idea to create a synergy of colours from room to room, with papers in different rooms displaying matching tones.

If you're tired of staring at dull walls and and want a quick revamp, consider wallpaper, whether it's a digital print or from a designer collection.

It's sure to make a difference.