🥳 Wallpaper party

Hello, Saturday! Today we're talking about wallpaper's big comeback.

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Today's newsletter is 689 words — a 2.5-minute read.

More Chicagoland homes are being plastered with tropical scenery and textured wallpapers, according to Kate Marker, who owns an interior design studio in northwest suburb Barrington.

The big picture: Designers have been wrapping rooms in personality-packed paper this year — and the trend is here to stay for 2025.

• Taskrabbit saw a 70% increase in wallpapering bookings nationwide from January to May 2024 compared to the same period last year.

What they're saying: Wallpapers bursting with lush botanicals, florals and nature scenes are hot, along with those that mimic materials like grasscloth, linen, and even wood or stone, Marker tells Axios.

The latest: It's not just bedrooms and dining rooms. Nooks and crannies, closets, bookshelves and laundry rooms are all getting makeovers, too.

• These small spaces are a playground for bold colors and patterns that might be overwhelming in main living areas, experts say.

Fun fact: Some people are adorning their walls with hometown pride. Texas-based company Katie Kime sells prints featuring iconic Chicago sights such as Navy Pier and Sue the T. rex.

• A double roll of traditional wallpaper starts at $188.

The bottom line: Wallpaper is a must-have in most of the spaces that Marissa Nelums' South Side-based company designs.

• It "can be bold and be the center of attention in a space or it can act as a beautiful backdrop," she tells Axios.

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Before you break out the toolkit or hit "order" online, consider these expert tips.

📏 Measure carefully. Calculate a wall's square footage by multiplying its height and width.

✂️ Buy 10-20% more wallpaper than you think you need to account for mistakes or any repeating patterns, since the wallpaper sheets will need to line up, Nelums says.

• That means some paper goes unused and it takes more to complete the job.

🤔 Choose the right type of wallpaper.

• Vinyl is durable, easy to clean — good for kitchens and bathrooms, Marker says.
• Non-woven options are easy to apply and remove — "great for DIY."
• Peel-and-stick variations are ideal for renters because they're easy to change, she says.

Thanks to everyone who replied to our request for wallpaper snaps and hot takes.

• Here are a couple Axios Chicago reader notes we had to share.

✂️ Mario Greco of West Town admires how his wallpaper, which a designer selected from the Merchandise Mart, has cutouts that show the blue wall underneath.

• Wallpaper is now "more of an accent in smaller spaces instead of a room-dominating pattern," he says.

👋 The other side: The wallpaper in Sue Blumberg's Highland Park home is "where it should be" — hidden in the closet.

Parting shot: Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd's bathroom is decorated with a turquoise scalloped print for an Art Deco theme.

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Wallpapering a room is pretty but pricey, especially if you're hiring a pro to hang your new wallcoverings.

By the numbers: Installation costs range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on factors like the complexity of your space and type of paper, according to home services platform Angi.

• For instance, installation for larger spaces like living, dining and bedrooms costs about $200-$1,500 on average, while smaller spaces like a laundry room may cost under $250, according to figures Angi shared with Axios.

In some cases, professional installation costs upwards of $10 per square foot, according to Houzz, another home project platform.

We want to know what you'd like to see more of in your Saturday real estate-themed newsletters.

• Do you have questions about the housing market? Are you looking for more home inspiration? Is the rent vs. buy debate your Roman Empire?

Email realestate@axios.com with your thoughts and questions.

Get your brand in front of highly engaged readers in Chicago.

What's in it for you:

• Reach civic minded leaders and smart professionals.
• Support local journalism with Axios Local.

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Our picks:

🤩 Bri is eying peel-and-stick grasscloth and maybe these framed panels for her walls.

🤨 Sami can't decide on art, let alone wallpaper.

Thanks to our editor Ashley May.