Wallpaper has been around since the beginning of the renaissance and it has remained an integral, and useful, part of making a home beautiful since. It has been decreasing in popularity in recent years but many people still use it to give their home a sense of elegance to the rooms they place it in.
Most of the time, you will find them in two size classifications, American and European, with the former being 27 by 27 feet and the latter being 21. 5 by 32 feet, but each will cover about 60 square feet of surface space. This is not a hard and fast rule since many companies will have lengths that are greater and less. Borders can be sold in any increment, so it is important you know how much of the room you want to use it on to be able to get enough.
Vinyl wallpaper is the most encountered type you can buy. Vinyl coated is also called strippable, and is the type you will most encounter. Strippable is somewhat of a misnomer, since this paper is permanent once placed on the wall, and is very durable. Cloth backed vinyl is also common, and is easy to install. Paper backed vinyl is the most expensive of the vinyl, and it is harder to apply then others. They all have different looks, so this is a matter of preference.
The most decadent of the papers is foil, and it is one of the costliest. Some will look like brocade and can make the room it is installed in look very expensive and luxurious. This is often used in dark rooms and bedrooms, due to the metallic sheen that picks up light, and is considered some of the hardest to install properly.
Silk and linen are common cloth based wallpaper, and if you are unsure of how this is used, the Victorian homes are a good example. Acoustic paper that uses carpet to sound proof a room is also common, as are rattan and paper with botanicals evaded into the surface. Some of these can be highly expensive due to them being to be specially made at the time of ordering.
Borders are made to fit into any room with any theme and are placed at the top, bottom or center of the room. These are done to contrast of compliment the decor are purely of a decorative nature.
Hanging wallpaper is relatively easy if you get a paper that isn't too difficult to work with. Walls should be clean of dirt and debris, and holes patched and sanded before installation. Acoustical paper and some other custom forms will be easier when hung by professionals, and the foils and textiles might need to have the adhesive applied to the wall instead of the roll for ease of hanging.
Wallpaper can be used to give your home a different look, add a tone of decadence and give you many options that pain cannot. You can choose them to give your room a new dimension or jus to make it pretty. The choices are limited only by your own tastes.