Wallpaper: 3 fun ideas for replacing wallpaper and avoiding the hassle of wall connections

You love the graphic effect of wallpaper, but you’re exhausted by the fittings. The good news is there are simple techniques you can use to give your walls a new look, without glue or construction. Here’s how to get started, with style and precision.

Replacing without sacrificing style

According to the method put forward by decorating pros, a solid color, a painted arch or a geometric frieze can give structure to a room in just a few hours. Masking tape and a short palette are all you need to create a strong visual reference point. What’s more, these solutions can be adapted to children’s bedrooms as well as living rooms.

Stencils allow you to create repetitive patterns without aligning strips. As a result, you retain control over the rhythm and density of the pattern. This control eases the fear of joins and reconciles you with the spirit of wallpaper.

La Boutique du Grand Cirque – Profil d’une œuvre brings art and decor into dialogue. Generous format 2.55 x 1.50 m and priced at €129: a ready-to-install option for a wall with character.

“Replacing without gluing means greater freedom.

Paint: simple shapes, quick effect

A two-tone wall resolves the issue of stains and redraws perspective. A line placed at eye level visually lengthens the room. On the other hand, a vertical stripe energizes a corridor without weighing it down.

Arcs, semi-circles and ovals warm up a headboard. A simple basic pot and a small roll do the trick for a clean finish. You’ll rediscover the spirit of wallpaper without the effort of fittings.

• Trace with a pencil, then carefully tape the edges.
• Degrease the surface and remove dust before opening the paint.
• Start with the corners, then fill in in criss-cross passes.
• Remove the tape when the paint is still fresh.
• Allow to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions, i.e. without precipitation.

Chipsum – Autumn plays on seasonal hues for a soothing reading corner. At €55, it’s a smart way to test a decor without obligation.

Stickers, washi and trompe-l’œil adhesives

Etsy – Birch Trees offers a graphic trunk decor in 170 x 48 cm format. At €73.23, the set can be installed without complex tools and removed without stripping the paint.

With repositionable stickers and washi tape, you can try things out without risk. So you can correct a height, adjust a symmetry, then try again. If you like the look of wallpaper, these alternatives offer a very similar visual rhythm.

Estampe and Co – Ihia Minuit highlights a night corner with a deep motif in 60 x 250 cm. Prices start from €66, suitable for studios and large bedrooms alike.

Etsy – Mires de soleil levant spreads a graphic vibrancy in 209 x 48 cm format. Priced at €33.43, this luminous panel enlivens an entrance without invading the space.

Rhythm a room without major renovation

A painted base protects the base of the walls and frames the furniture. In this way, the table, headboard or bench seat find their place in the blink of an eye. For tenants, the decorative effect competes with wallpaper without the need for drilling.

La Boutique du Grand Cirque – Olson Nude has a soft silhouette that soothes the room. At 2.50 m high and €59, it’s an affordable entry into wall art.

Estampe and Co – Arqueiro creates a cadence of shapes in 60 x 250 cm. Priced from €66, you can alternate several strips to create a coherent panorama.

Budget, maintenance and mistakes to avoid

4murs.com – Rio planks imitate wood in a practical 46 x 200 cm format. Retailing at €9.99, this board goes well with light-colored walls and a mineral floor.

When it comes to cleaning, a splash of paint can be revived with a local touch-up. A quality sticker can also be dusted off effortlessly with a microfiber cloth. You’ll stay away from the peeling that can occur with wallpaper in damp rooms.

Before painting, test the shade in situ to avoid surprises. For example, natural light can cool a beige or warm a gray. This control protects the decorative intent of the wallpaper, while at the same time assuming the color.

Finally, thinking about volume and flow changes everything. As a result, a dense pattern concentrates on a single panel, while a muted hue spreads out smoothly. In short, the coherence of the whole takes precedence over the multiplication of effects.

• wallpaper