The wallpaper you choose for your front room, or entryway, is the first visual statement guests make about your home. It needs to be durable enough for foot traffic and welcoming enough to set the right tone.
Understand your front room wallpaper options
Not all wallpapers are created equal, especially when considering the higher traffic and potential for scuffs in an entryway. Your primary choices will likely come down to material and application type.
Vinyl wallpaper
This is a workhorse for entryways. Vinyl wallpaper consists of a paper or fabric base with a solid vinyl layer on top. It’s highly durable, scrubbable, and resistant to moisture, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. If someone brushes past with a bag or a pet’s tail wags against the wall, you can often wipe it clean. It comes in a vast array of designs, from subtle textures to bold patterns.
Non-woven wallpaper
Also known as ‘paste the wall’ wallpaper, non-woven material is made from a blend of paper and textile fibers. It’s breathable, durable, and easier to remove than traditional paper. The ‘paste the wall’ method means you apply adhesive directly to the wall, not the paper, which simplifies the hanging process and reduces the risk of stretching or tearing the material. It’s a good balance of durability and ease of use for a front room.
Peel and stick wallpaper
This is a popular choice for renters or those who like to change their decor frequently. Peel and stick wallpaper has an adhesive backing, meaning no paste is required. It’s generally made from vinyl or a similar plastic material. While convenient, ensure you purchase a high-quality version for an entryway. Cheaper versions may not hold up as well to scuffs and may not be as washable. The adhesive can also lose its stickiness if repositioned too many times.
Traditional paper wallpaper
While beautiful, traditional paper wallpaper is the least durable option for a front room. It’s susceptible to moisture damage and can tear or scuff easily, making it less practical for an area that sees daily use and potential contact.
Choosing the right pattern and color
Your front room wallpaper sets the mood. Consider the overall style of your home and the size of your entryway.
Scale of the pattern
For smaller entryways, avoid very large, overwhelming patterns. A smaller, more intricate design or a subtle texture can make the space feel larger and more sophisticated. In a larger front room, you have more freedom. A bold, large-scale pattern can serve as a dramatic focal point.
Color psychology
Lighter colors like creams, soft grays, or pale blues can make a small entryway feel more open and airy. Warmer colors like muted yellows or terracotta can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Darker colors can add drama and sophistication, but use them carefully in smaller spaces to avoid making them feel cramped. Consider how the color interacts with the natural light available in your front room.
Texture and finish
Textured wallpapers, such as grasscloth, linen, or embossed patterns, add depth and visual interest. They can also help to disguise minor imperfections in the wall. A matte finish is generally more forgiving for hiding seams and minor flaws than a high-gloss finish, which can highlight every imperfection.
Installation considerations for your front room
Proper installation is crucial for the longevity and appearance of your front room wallpaper. It’s often the area where people make costly mistakes.
Surface preparation is non-negotiable
Your walls must be clean, dry, and smooth. Any holes or cracks should be filled and sanded. If you’re wallpapering over a previously painted surface, ensure the paint is well-adhered and not peeling. If the existing paint is glossy, a light sanding may be necessary for the new wallpaper adhesive to grip properly. For prepasted wallpaper, follow the rehydration instructions precisely. For non-woven, you’ll be pasting the wall.
Measure twice, cut once
Accuracy in measuring is paramount. Always measure the height of your walls and add a few extra inches (about 4-6 inches total) to each strip for trimming at the ceiling and baseboard. For patterned wallpaper, you’ll also need to account for the pattern repeat. This means you might need more wallpaper than a simple linear measurement suggests. You can learn more about calculating how much wallpaper you need in our guide: how much wallpaper do I need for a 12×12 room.
Hanging the first strip
The first strip is the most important, as all subsequent strips will align with it. Use a spirit level to ensure your first strip is perfectly plumb (vertical). Don’t rely on corners or existing architectural lines, as they are often not perfectly straight. Starting plumb ensures your entire wallpaper job looks professional.
Working with seams
For traditional or non-woven wallpapers, ensure seams are butted up closely together without overlapping (unless the wallpaper specifically calls for it). Use a seam roller gently to press down seams. For peel and stick, seams should generally be overlapped by about 1/16 inch to prevent the backing from showing through, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions. Poorly handled seams are a common giveaway of amateur wallpapering.
Trimming excess
Use a sharp utility knife or a specialized wallpaper trimming knife with a sharp blade for clean cuts. A dull blade will tear the paper, leaving a ragged edge. Trim carefully along the ceiling line and baseboard, and around any obstacles like light switches or outlets.
Common mistakes to avoid in your front room
Steer clear of these pitfalls to ensure your front room wallpaper looks its best:
- Using the wrong type of wallpaper: As mentioned, delicate, non-washable papers are a poor choice for an entryway.
- Insufficient surface prep: Skipping cleaning, sanding, or priming can lead to peeling or adhesion issues down the line.
- Not using a level for the first strip: This is the most common error leading to crooked wallpaper.
- Over-handling peel and stick: Repeatedly repositioning peel and stick can degrade its adhesive quality.
- Using a dull blade for trimming: This results in messy, torn edges that detract from the final look.
- Ignoring pattern repeat: This leads to running out of wallpaper or having mismatched patterns, especially at seams.
Enhancing your front room with wallpaper
Beyond the main walls, consider how wallpaper can add personality. A bold geometric print can energize a minimalist space. A subtle damask or floral can bring classic elegance. For a truly unique look, consider using wallpaper on the risers of stairs in your entryway, or even inside a shallow closet or on the back of shelves.
When choosing wallpaper for other areas, remember the specific needs of those spaces. For instance, quirky patterns can make a statement in bathrooms, as explored in our quirky bathroom wallpaper guide. Similarly, pastel shades offer a specific mood for bedrooms, detailed in our pastel bedroom wallpaper post. For bathrooms, especially, prepasted options offer a convenient solution, which you can read about in our prepasted wallpaper for bathrooms guide. An accent wall in the master bedroom can be a focal point, as discussed in master bedroom wallpaper accent wall: your guide.
By carefully selecting your material, pattern, and color, and paying close attention to installation, you can transform your front room into a stylish and welcoming space that reflects your personal taste.