Buyer's guide to wallpaper

1. Strong botanicals

Greenery goes graphic, moving away from delicate lines. Key to this trend is bold, large and confident patterns rather than fussy designs. Check out IE...Wallpaper's Eco velvet leaf or Portofino range. For something more unique, we're fans of Kuboaa's work, where designer Andrew Hardiman tackles nature with difference. Get his simply graphic Ginko wallpaper, based on the shape of the Ginko plant.

2. Be unique

'Why force yourself to live with poorly printed patterns, in washed out inks and colours when you could invest in something unique,' says Johanna Basford, who draws bespoke wallpapers by hand, before they are traditionally silk-screen printed in her Aberdeenshire studio. Go feminine with her parlour design or monochrome with her intricate Peking wallpaper.

3. Graphic and green

Dominic Crinson uses technological processes and futuristic designs to create his graphic wallpaper prints. Best of all, his collections use FSC certified textiles and products and non-toxic inks so they're completely above-board environmentally. We love this washable Jantar Mantar design which can even be used in wet areas. Read more about Dominic Crinson in our exclusive interview.

4. Traditionally English

Sanderson, Zoffany, Osborne & Little and Cole & Son are among the most established wallpaper companies producing high-end quality designs worth their weight (and cost). Their collections reflect classic, stylised motifs and will become timeless additions to your decor. Sanderson's birdsong design from their Classic Collection at Wallpaper Direct is a fresh option for spring.

5. Size matters

'Choose a pattern that suits the size of the room,' says Bryonie Porter, who wallpapers furniture. 'A large block print will make a small space appear even smaller. See if there are any photographs of the paper. These will give you a better idea of what it will look like in your space.' Get a tactile and truly unique piece of furniture with her skulls and flowers desk, in The Magnificent Chatwin Brothers wallpaper.

6. Metallic sheen

If you are fortunate enough to have walls that are flat and silky smooth, metallic wallpapers will work wonders giving them a shiny edge. Go super graphic with Erica Wakerly's monochromatic designs like Angles. 'Avoid mirrored wallpaper if you have bumpy walls' says interior designer, Emma Stevenson who admits to having made the mistake herself. Instead choose wallpaper with an embossed or expanded surface texture.

7. Cheap and cheerful

Even big stores like B&Q and Focus will get top designers to do their ranges today, says Bryonie Porter, so buying cheap may not mean you are compromising on quality. B&Q's flock effect Divine Wallpaper is both tactile and contemporary. But Porter recommends, 'if you want your wallpaper to last longer it can be varnished using a waterbased satin varnish after it has been put up.'

8. Stick it on

Wall stickers have arrived thick and fast on the design market, and are a great way to customise your walls without the all-out effect of patterned wallpaper. These Giant Poppy stickers from 'notonthehighstreet' are bursting with colours and appear to the eye as though they are glossy painted-on designs. Smell the blooms.

9. Eco wall

Our eco-conscience shows no sign of subsiding. Graham and Brown's eco wallpaper range uses water-based inks and FSC approved paper and even the packing is environmentally friendly. The Bittern design was the winning design of their collaboration with Central St Martins and reflected the endangered Bittern bird, of which only 50 are left, so show you care. Read more about Graham and Brown's eco range in our article, Nurturing young saplings.

10. Good for kids

'Fun, sophisticated and daring - kids rooms are great for wallpapers,' says Caroline Silfverling of Wonder Walls. 'You could do a small feature wall, wallpaper border or a whole room. It's an excellent way of adding that extra wow factor.' Little girls will love their Pink Nature design in Pink - although the colours are adaptable so it's future David Attenboroughs will love it too.

Or try Cherries also from Wonder Walls for a bit of bold colour and fun. It's made to measure and you decide the colours and size of the pattern.

About the Author

Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is clocks, outdoor furniture and garden

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