Name: No Chintz
Price range: $$$

Choosing a wall colour or wallpaper is one of the most impactful decisions you'll make in a room, and one of the most intimidating if you're doing it alone. A good decorator looks beyond the swatch to how a colour or pattern will actually live in your space, day and night, through every season.

Our Sydney decorators have been guiding clients through exactly this for over 30 years. Here's our take on choosing colour, using wallpaper well and where to start if you're not sure.

How do I choose a wall colour for my home?

There is a synergy and a great deal of thought that goes into the balance of interior wall colours: so in actual fact, it is a tricky proposition choosing a colour as opposed to panting the walls white. White walls can have quite a noisy effect, being bright and light, they can jump out at you. A colour on the other hand, can be soothing, holding the room down gently and gracefully. Colours don’t always need to be bright: they can be soft and deep; they can even be different shades of neutral. It is fun to have at least one room with colour.

If you have a room on your hands which has no personality, say a guest room, a wallpaper is a lovely solution. Pick a paper which speaks to the rest of the house and bring some personality and warmth into the room. There’s been in a time in our lives where wallpaper was not what we regarded it as today. In the early years, the selection was small, and consisted of flocked and textured wallpapers, dull colours and patterns. Mid-century modern style brought new sensibility, with bolder designs and the use of grass cloth wallpaper. Something that’s never gone out of style.

Which rooms are best for a first wallpaper project?

Designer wallpapers today are fun and versatile, easy to clean and install. But if you're not ready to commit to wallpaper throughout your home, start somewhere smaller and lower traffic, a powder room, guest bedroom, child's bedroom or study are all good places to experiment with pattern and colour.

When working on your home’s colours, do chat with a No Chintz decorator. We can help you figure out your comfort zones with colour and introduce you to interesting ways of expressing them in your home. If you have a friend who is an artist, chat with them too!

Should I wallpaper a whole room or just a feature wall?

No Chintz we generally recommend covering the whole space rather than a single feature wall, unless you're specifically highlighting an architectural detail. Modern designer wallpapers are far easier to live with than people expect.

Can I still hang artwork on wallpaper?

A common misconception is that interior wallpapered walls do not work for hanging art. It really depends on your style but taking good advice from the interior decorating experts will ensure you achieve a satisfying result between artworks and wall pattern, which is unique to your style and home.

Call us to discuss, complete our custom make enquiry form below or visit your nearest No Chintz Sydney Textiles and Soft Furnishings store below:

Mosman: Shop 6, 1-5 Mandolong Road, Mosman NSW 2088 - Phone: (02) 9969 7509
Woollahra: 123 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra NSW 2025 - Phone: (02) 9386 4800
Willoughby: 509 Willoughby Road, Willoughby NSW 2068 - Phone: (02) 9958 0257