Oh, go ahead

Tips for people considering wallpaper in their homes:

Pick your spots: “Entryways, powder rooms, dining rooms, guest rooms and libraries are great,” Masters says. “Don’t wallpaper your sauna, laundry room or anywhere damp.”

Use color and pattern: “It’s very fashionable at the moment to go for bold hues and big prints in home décor,” Masters says. “Instead of reupholstering a $5,000 sofa in orange and getting sick of it, keep the furniture neutral and go a little bit wild on the walls.”

Check the scale: “The taller the wall, the bigger the print can be,” says Tom Helme, creative director at wallpaper manufacturer Farrow & Ball.

Know which prints work: Some are charming, others alarming. “Vertical stripes add height to a low-ceilinged room,” Masters says. “A small room can carry a very bold print or complicated pattern, which can cover an imperfect wall. Reflective wallpaper enlarges a room, but not on every wall — that can be a little overpowering.”

Try one wall: “People are using wallpapers as an accent, for a dramatic effect,” Helme says. “A bolder pattern or a stronger color on just one wall is the best way to achieve it.”

Buy extra: “You have to buy more paper if you have a big pattern in order for things to match, and wallpaper can’t be touched up,” Masters says. “It’s good to have a spare roll or two. You can always use it for wrapping paper or shelf liners.”

Don’t worry about resale value: “If your house looks smart and pulled together,” Masters says, “people will fall in love with the wallpaper.”

For more information or to see a range of designs, call Graham & Brown at (800) 554-0887 or go to www.secondhandrose.com, www.farrowandball.com and www.studioprintworks.com.