WHAT IS TEMPORARY WALLPAPER AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
While the name itself is pretty self explanatory, you might be wracking your brain to figure out how temporary wallpaper actually works. We all know that regular wallpaper ideas aren't the easiest job to carry out, and removing them is even more difficult; all that soaking and scraping is tiring. So, how does temporary wallpaper stick to your walls and, more importantly, how do you remove it?
Each brand's wallpaper will differ slightly but in most cases, they're a self-adhesive paper which sticks to your walls without the need for a paste. 'Our removable paper is a smooth, PVC free, non toxic, natural latex saturated, cellulose based paper that is backed with non toxic pressure activated adhesive,' explains Nathan Turner Co-creative Director at Wallshoppe. 'You can easily peel back the liner, place the paper on the surface and use a soft spatula or a roller to activate the adhesive.'
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Temporary wallpaper is ideal if you're planning on decorating a rental, or if you're the sort of design enthusiast who likes to shake up your home's style regularly. 'Everyone deserves to create a space that feels like them, regardless of their circumstances,' says Jennifer. 'Removable wallpaper is a fantastic option for renters, people who love changing up their home regularly, and for those looking to be mindful of budget without sacrificing style.' It's great for kids' rooms, too. We all know how quickly children's interests change, but removeable wallpaper makes it easier to design a room that suits their style more quickly, easily and cheaply than regular wallpaper. Unlike regular pasted wallpaper, you can also reposition temporary wallpaper plenty of times during installation if you fail to align it completely straight first time round. As James Mellan-Matulewicz, Creative Director and Designer at Bobbi Beck, explains: 'Its tacky backing can be stuck down and removed hundreds of times without losing adhesion.'
IS IT SAFE TO USE ON YOUR WALLS?
It certainly sounds promising so far, but there's still a niggling question at the back of our brains: is removeable wallpaper really safe for our walls? Surely an adhesive that's strong enough to hang wallpaper is likely to cause peeling to the wall's surface during removal? According to Jennifer, as long as you remove it correctly (see below) it's totally safe. 'The adhesives are formulated to be strong enough to last until you’re ready for a change, yet gentle enough to prevent peeling or other damage to your surfaces.' You can rest assured that you can keep up with changing wallpaper trends without having to worry about your walls! For those worried about the potentially harmful effects of the glue, we can put your concerns to rest, also. As Nathan notes: 'Wallshoppe's paper is PVC free and non toxic (we don’t use Vinyls) and contains no VOC’s which means there are no toxic odors or gases to worry about. We use a non toxic water based latex ink which makes it ideal for nurseries and kids rooms.' Always check with each individual manufacturer if you're worried about toxins or off-gassing.
HOW DO YOU APPLY (AND REMOVE) TEMPORARY WALLPAPER?
When it comes to how to wallpaper a room with the temporary kind, you won't be following the traditional method you're probably familiar with. You'll be pleased to hear that it's actually a far lot easier. 'Simply peel back the liner, place the paper on the surface and use a soft spatula or a roller to activate the adhesive,' says Nathan. 'You can remove it by pulling the top corner and peeling it off softly. There should be minimal to no damage to the walls.' Jennifer recommends using a plastic smoother to push out air bubbles when hanging peel and stick wallpaper. 'Work from the center of the wallpaper strip to the outer edges,' she advises. 'As tempting as it might be to just use your hands, the extra pressure from using a plastic smoother ensures all air pockets are worked out and that your removable wallpaper properly adheres.'