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11 Things You Need To Know BeforeDecoratingYour Wallsma.

How can I paper a small room?
The worst wallpaper in this situation would be a dark-coloredpaperwith a small print, says New York designer Fawn Galli. “Itmakesthe room gloomy, even smaller and. in the most dramaticcasesclaustrophobic.” Instead, go with a large, fantastical print,suchas one of botanicals or birds. The oversized design createstheoptical illusion that the walls are bigger.

Where should I try small prints?
These patterns work in rooms where you want a sense of calm,saysHolly Becker, a stylist at Decor8Blog.com. Her favoritesplacesinclude bedrooms and spacious master baths. One caveat: nogreatrooms or living rooms. There, small prints often fade out andgetlost in the largeness of the space, a problem that’sidentifiableonly after the paper is up.

How do I keep it from getting too expensive?
Do one wall in a dramatic pattern and add a mirror on thewallopposite, says Lee, which creates an echo of the print butdoesn’trequire the expense of papering both. If designer papers areout ofreach for even one wall, consider creative options, like giftwrapand papering smaller areas. “I adore the trompe l’oeilseriesfeaturing vintage Penguin Book spines. Use it to line thebacks ofbookcases with double-sided tape.” (Other options forbookshelvesare a punchy color or small print, suggests Galli, sothe shelvesdon’t look cluttered once the books are placed.)

What do I do in rooms with low ceilings?
“Check out some of the dip-dyed wallpapers that are nowavailable,”says Ashlyn Gibson, owner of the design and clothingstore OliveLoves Alfie. They have intense color at the bottom, thenfade outto white or neutrals at the top, giving the magicalillusion oftaller walls.” Vertical patterns like stripes create asimilareffect, says Becker. “Consider painting the ceilings whiteoranother light color, such as pale yellow or blue, to addextraheight.”

How do I paper my bedroom?
Covering just one wall in an over-scaled, dramatic print makesastrong visual statement, says Lee, but it can ruin thepeaceful,serene feeling that most of us want in that room. Hersolution?Paper the wall that’s behind your headboard. Then, shesays, “paintthe walls that you face while in bed in soothingcolors.”

Is there some place to put wallpaper that most ofusoverlook?
Wallpaper tends to end up in bedrooms and living rooms, saysGalli.We forget the hallways. “A corridor can become dead anddark,” shesays. “Placing a wallpaper on the wall brings it alive.”You havetons of liberty in your choices, because you don’t need tomatch awhole room full of upholstery.

What about wallpapering inside closets?
“This is very in right now,” says Galli. “I love to use a paperwitha bit of foil to give extra reflection and light in thosedarkcorners.” Both she and Lee advocate bold patterns. “They givealuxurious feel in what’s usually a small, forgotten space,”saysLee. To save on costs, try shopping the remnant bin at alocaldistributor, because you don’t need that much to coverthearea.

What’s the one mistake that most people make?
“Double and triple check that your pattern is running in therightdirection,” says Becker. “So many people install wallpaperandrealize afterwards that the pattern is upside down.” And,ofcourse, make sure the patterns line up so it’s not obviouswhereone roll ends and another begins.