Wallpaper Trends for 2012 and Beyond

 
From classic to contemporary and sophisticated to playful, wallpaper is back in a big way. Advances in modern technology mean our choices of colour and design elements are enormous. Patterns are sophisticated, yet they form part of wallpaper system that coordinates colours, textures, even fabrics. In these modern times, wallpaper is all about making a statement – a statement that’s no longer reserved for our smallest rooms.

“Wallpaper is not just for bedrooms anymore”, says Resene colour consultant Sarah Gregory. “We’re seeing it in lounges, on the wall where the TV is, and more and more in the kitchen. Really boring kitchens can become really quite cool.”

Bold patterns, interesting textures, metallics and paintable papers are hot for 2012, but feature walls remain the key trend.

“We’re definitely seeing lots of splashes of wallpaper, but they’re still used primarily on feature walls,” says Wendy Elers of Wendy Elers Colour & Design. “That’s where people can have some fun without going overboard. They can individualise their space more through the use of wallpaper. And they can be quite graphic, quite bold. The colours are strong that are coming through, and the patterns are really big and really bold.”

Botanicals are still very popular, with flowers and plants of all sorts making the grade. Large sophisticated silhouettes (25220) through to dainty flowers offer pure glamour or classic sophistication. Wind-rustled bamboo (75153) and larger-than-life leaves whisk you away to the sunny tropics.

Locally inspired botanicals are creeping through too. The Resene WallTrends II collection offers a selection of textured koru-design prints in a number of colourways – a rich black on a silver metallic background (75140) through to a subtle cream on a pale beige metallic background (75141).

An embossed fantail design in black on silver metallic background (75130) also features in the collection, quirky and playful, but still elegant. Or bold stylised leaf designs reminiscent of the childhood bach, in colours of rustic red and concrete grey (25202), or deep purple, corn yellow and henna brown(25202).

While floral femininity remains a strong trend for the season, moody sophistication and masculine persuasions are coming through.

“When wallpaper first started coming in it was very floral,” says Sarah, “because women were the ones who were using it. Now there are some that are really quite masculine, like bricks and tiles, even schist. There are some quite geometrical patterns as well.”

The combination of geometric patterns and vivid colours typically generates a strong energy, creating a sense of vibrancy without overpowering. The same goes for very intricate patterns (46030), as seen in the Chacran collection. Many are tone on tone, which creates a more subdued look for busy patterns.

Likewise, The Gardens of Amsterdam’s collection has a number of very detailed designs – many classic or retro inspired, such as vintage florals (46161) and motifs, one depicting ceiling roses (46101) and another iron gates (46192). There’s even a fern-covered wallpaper (46181) to remind us of home.

Stripes are a hot option, both in bold or softly elegant tones. Grey is a prominent colour, reminiscent of days gone by, but you’ll see it juxtaposed with contemporary hues such as orange (1508-13), turquoise, mustard green and salsa red. A modern twist from the Schoner Wohnen 2 collection is a stylised vine and berries pattern (1506-15), essentially stripes (the vine) mixed with curves (berries).


 
Textures continue to be a trend, with flock papers very much in fashion. Flocking is a process by which small fibres are applied to an adhesive-coated surface, making the paper look and feel like velvet. Typically, flock wallpapers carry large floral or damask designs, as seen in the Flock collection, with fleur-de-lis (5514-67), roses (5515-42) and other botanicals (5543-52) a highlight. A new twist has seen striped (5513-37) and retro optic (5519-24) patterns emerge too, all with a velvety texture to the touch.


 
“That’s an excellent reason for using these wallpapers,” says Sarah. “You get that texture. Whereas sometimes, when you do a scheme of wallpaper, it’s still quite flat. Just like you might use different gloss levels to make your paint scheme interesting, textured wallpaper adds interest. Textures are really good for walls that aren’t good enough to be painted, that don’t have a level 4 finish.”

Besides flocking, texture is finding its way onto wallpaper in other ways. Grasscloth speaks to our passion for sustainability. Manufactured using natural fibres of jute, reed and arrowroot, these nature-inspired papers add warmth and texture to a room, whether in a formal or informal setting, in traditional or contemporary styles.

Grasscloth was originally a product of the sixties and seventies, but today’s versions have a broader, fresher look with a more sophisticated range of colours. Choose from earthy tones, like natural mid-beige and muddy red (21410), to creams and whites, grassy greens and browns (22118), or blacks and chocolate browns. Try one with a hint of glitter, where silver twine is interweaved with natural colours. (22117).


 
Another echo of the past are the paintable papers, which hark back to the days of Anaglypta. A roaring success of olden days, these uncoloured, embossed wallpapers have once again surged in popularity.

“It’s the perfect way to subtly change the texture of the wall,” says Sarah. “Just pop on an Anaglypta and paint over it.”

Anaglyptas range from light to heavily embossed patterns, from floral to geometric, in classic designs – stripes, herringbone, stippled or grasscloth-like – to more contemporary koru-like swirls (Painton 27001). Look for these in the Resene Collection 2011 and the Painton range. They’re perfect for those who want the monochromatic look but with added texture and their favourite Resene colour, and they do wonders in covering lumps and bumps that would normally show through in flat wallpapers.

Undoubtedly metallic wallpapers add decadence to an interior’s colour scheme, generating an opulent ambiance with colour accents in golds, coppers, rich bronzes, and silver. When light falls on these sumptuous papers they come shimmering to life.

Many of the new wallpaper collections are devoted to this look, with Schoner Wohnen II’s collection ranging from shining leaf and vine prints (1514-45) to classic stripes (1519-19) and cracked earth effects (1518-27). Brocante combines metallics with texture and padding (45965), as well as super-sized florals with cream and pearl lustre for pure romance (45922).

The metallics shine through in Resene WallTrends II as well, both in the elegant fantail (75131) and bamboo (75152) designs.


 
But for those who wish to tread carefully, Resene has a range of wall art with more subtle appeal. Decals are a quick way to spice up walls without damaging the paintwork. Add dinosaurs, alphabet animals or funky flowers to your kids’ rooms, or fancy filigrees, retro spheres and classic chandeliers elsewhere. The homegrown styles are very popular, with tuis, ferns and koru-inspired designs consistently at the top of the popularity poles. These large-scale vinyl graphics are super easy to apply and remove, hence their appeal.

Murals can transform an entire wall, and there’s a vast choice available for both kids and adults. Choose from farmyard, pirate and princess, and sports themes for kids spaces, and cityscapes (Komar Photomurals Vol II 4-258), nature (Komar Photomurals Vol II 8-519), world maps (Komar Photomurals Vol II 4-050) or florals (Komar Photomurals Vol II 8-899) for adults.

The wallpaper world really is your oyster, with Resene showcasing the very latest in fun and sophisticated designs.

Resene has all the wallpaper, paint, colours and professional advice you need to get a quality finish on your home, business or project, from tip to toe inside and out. so come in and see us and we can ensure you have the right products, tools and knowhow to do the job right first time.  We have thousands of colours to choose from, including our The Range fashion collection and our extensive whites and neutrals collection, or we can create a custom colour match to suit.  We started in New Zealand in 1946 and today our products are still formulated right here to suit our environment.
 
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View the Resene wallpaper range and the Resene colour range on the Resene website or in store. Then try your colours out without lifting a paintbrush with our free Resene EzyPaint virtual painting software.
 
And if you need help with your wallpapering or painting technique watch the how to videos in our online video library.
 
Come in and see the friendly professional staff at your local Resene ColorShop and we’ll help you achieve a quality result on your projects.

For your nearest Resene ColorShop or for colour and paint information and advice:

Call 0800 RESENE (737 363)
Visit the Resene website, www.resene.co.nz
Or email advice@resene.co.nz

Read more from Resene:

Curtain Trends for 2012 and Beyond

Do You Know How Many Stars Your Home Is?

Smart Redecorating Ideas to Help You Save Time and Money

Colour Trends for 2012

Colour Confidence

Walls That Work

Keep Safe
 

Published 18th Nov 2011

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