Last Updated on December 17, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
What do you do when plain walls no longer cut it for you? Do you go with textured walls, or do you take the leap? In the last few years, more people have been doing the latter. What are they choosing? Ombre effect walls! The ombre effect is not new. It features different shades of one color in intensifying effect to create a smooth yet barely noticeable contrast.
For example, you use the ombre effect rather than have white and blue walls with clear contrast. So, you have a deep blue at the top that reduces its intensity until you get to the bottom with a plain white. The result is striking and is just what you need to liven up a room.
So, where can you use an ombre effect wall? Anywhere! However, it works best as an accent wall. So, pick a spot in your home that needs some sprucing up and follow the guidelines below:
How To Create an Ombre Accent Wall
You had to paint your walls to create an ombre effect wall in the past. People used spray paint or paintbrushes and would use different shades of paint to get it right. They still do, which is still an option for anyone who wants such a wall. But with peel and stick temporary wallpaper, you can skip this hassle. You just get wallpaper rather than move through one shade to the other. It attaches to the wall with ease and comes off just as fast. Oh, and it lasts as many as 15 years! Plus, it is easy to clean. Besides, with ombre wallpaper, you don’t need to fuss over how deep the shades are. The manufacturer will have you covered in that aspect.
Now, how do you create this coveted wall effect?
Gather Your Supplies
Installing removable wallpaper is a DIY task that almost anyone can accomplish. Unless you want to cover several areas at once, you should not require professional help. All you need to have by your side are:
- A sponge or cloth,
- A mild cleaning detergent,
- A pencil,
- A measuring tape,
- A straightedge,
- A smoothing tool, and
- A utility knife.
Of course, you must add your wallpaper to the mix. Can you see how easy that was? Let’s move on to the next step.
Prep Your Walls
Ideally, your walls should have a smooth texture. Otherwise, the wallpaper will not adhere to the walls and will leave room for air. The air bubbles eventually weaken the seal, and the paper can start peeling off the surface. It could even fall off. But the texture is not the only thing you need to look into – the finish of the paint also matters. Your paint should have a satin, semi-glossy, or eggshell finish. These kinds of textures allow the paper to adhere to the surface. But other finishes might not be as suitable, which could mess up the work.
Once you have checked for these critical considerations, you must then:
- Turn off the power to avoid any injuries or losses of property,
- Remove any light switch plates and outlet covers in the area you will cover with paper,
- Clean the wall using the sponge/ cloth with some mild detergent and water (ensure the cleaner is not abrasive as this could affect the paint and thereby mess with the adhesiveness),
- Give the wall time to dry (Ideally, this should be within a few hours. To be safe, wait at least 24 hours before papering the wall. The water on the paint might get trapped between the paper and wall, which could pave the way for sweating. Water will weaken the bond with the wall. Also, do not paper newly painted surfaces. These require about 30 days before they are fully dry),
- Read the instructions on the wallpaper. Has the manufacturer mentioned any prerequisites you cannot afford to overlook? Find out now before you start papering.
Stick the First Piece
To apply the wallpaper, you must first measure its width using the measuring tape mentioned earlier. Note its dimensions, and using a straightedge, mark this on the wall. The line should move from the ceiling to the area you want to cover. Of course, this depends on how much of the surface you wish to cover. Note that ombre effects are more pronounced when they cover a wide area. Decide what extent you will cover and mark the width of the paper. That is where you will place the first paper.
Start by peeling off only 12 inches of the paper from the backing. Any more than this will result in warping, making the application process difficult for you. Instead, take these 12 inches and start laying the paper on the wall, from top to bottom. As the paper touches the wall, press it against the surface and smooth it. Keep peeling off 12 inches as you go down until you get to the bottom. Then run the smoothing tool down the paper to eliminate any air bubbles in the paper. Once you are at the bottom, use the straightedge to guide the knife in cutting off the excess paper. You are done with the first paper!
Apply The Other Pieces
Do what you did with the first one for the second and other pieces. The goal is to align the papers to create a full wall. You can slightly overlap the previous piece to create some seamlessness to achieve this. Keep trimming the wallpaper when you get to the bottom.
What happens when you run into barriers? First, you let the wallpaper run on them. Then you cut off the excess and trim the area around the barrier to ensure you don’t have any gaps. Once you put back the sockets and other fittings, the design will have continuity.
Don’t forget to check for air bubbles. They are aesthetically unpleasant and weaken the bond between the paper and the wall. If you encounter them when papering, poke them with a pin to release the air. Then smooth the surface again to create a perfect ombre effect. Have fun!