Fabric has a special effect on your walls. Compared to other wall coverings, fabric can deliver the desired softness, warmth and texture in a room. You have the option to use it as a major backdrop in a room or just as a supporting character to highlight other furnishings.

With wall fabrics, you can either go for a formal or informal look based on the material and technique you are going to use. Understanding which technique best suits a material is a key advantage in helping you finish your improvement project sooner. Also, two factors will help determine which technique is right for you: the look you have in mind for your walls and the amount you are willing to spend for your wallcoverings.

Here are three wall fabric application techniques to help you choose the best design for your home:

Pasting
Applying adhesive to the wall allows a more steam-resistant surface and gives you the chance to strip off the material without any effort. If you are concerned with the residue paste, don’t worry as you can wash them off later on.

When you want to paste fabric, one important thing to remember is to flatten any crack or bump before deciding on this technique. Also, apply a white primer coating on colored walls to pave the way for trouble-free application of your light-colored fabrics.

Photo Credit: Inhabitots

Stapling
With this technique, fabric panels are sewn together and later stapled on the wall. The edges are then trimmed on double welt as a general rule.

A quilted fabric is preferred if you want to also enhance insulation as well as create an upholstered look. First, check the wall to see if stapling fabric on it is possible. Placing furring strips is an option if the walls have holes but make sure the surface won’t be damaged by the staples.

Upholstering
If you decide to upholster your walls with fabric, be ready to spend more time on the project. You can make your room insulated and less susceptible to noise through upholstery batting. Under upholstery batting, padded fabric is flanked by two-layered upholstery covering which refer to materials made from cotton, polyester or foam. Through this, the fabric appears more soft and splendid. Similar with stapling, the edges are trimmed as well.

Upholstering walls help hide the uneven surfaces and other imperfections, including cracks. However, this technique is not recommended in areas where steam and grease are constant source of concerns such as bathrooms and kitchens. You can also apply upholstering techniques on ceilings, but preferably to smaller rooms. This way, you can stretch the fabric very evenly and securely fasten it in different places.

Photo Credit: House to Home

Using fabric as wallcoverings will surely introduce a beautiful appearance into your room. One advice before you settle on an application technique is to purchase a small amount of fabric you have in mind and then scrutinize the material with your room furnishings. This is the only way you can see for yourself if you have the right fabric in mind.

Written by Maria Samuels of InStyle Modern