Among a wide variety of finishing materials, bamboo wallpapers occupy a special place. An unusual coating of woody stems of an exotic plant brings warm natural motifs to the interior, making it homely. This is a wonderful addition to the ethnic (Japanese, Chinese, African, tropical) or rustic style, and as an accent, such wallpapers will fit well even in a laconic ultramodern design. The environmental friendliness of a bamboo cloth is comparable to a wooden lining, while its beauty and durability constitute the last successful competition.
Bamboo Wallpaper: Pros and Cons
Due to its natural origin, bamboo stalk wallpaper has a beautiful texture. It can be either horizontal or vertical lamellas of various thicknesses, and all kinds of weaves. The natural color of the canvas is straw, but depending on the processing of raw materials, it varies from pale green to reddish brown (wenge). Often there are small bumps characteristic of bamboo, rings of a darker color.
In addition to high aesthetic qualities, the main trump card of bamboo wallpaper is their incredible practicality. Such a finish can last at least 5-7 years, remaining as perfect as after repair. Despite the relatively high cost and complexity of mounting, it is in many ways superior to alternative options.
Dried stalks of bamboo grass have great mechanical strength and resistance to moisture. They do not leave scratches from the claws of pets, cracks and chips do not appear, and any dirt is easily removed with a furniture polish sponge. With high humidity, it is recommended to use a bamboo cloth treated with mold impregnation and varnished.
The versatility of bamboo wallpapers allows you to use them to finish any surfaces: walls, floors, ceilings, window sills, door slopes, furniture facades, countertops and other interior elements.
How to glue bamboo wallpaper
Due to the large weight and density, bamboo wallpapers require compliance with special rules when gluing. Violation of technology can lead to the fact that the canvas will move away or form bulges.
In order for the bamboo wallpaper to hold firmly to the wall, the surface should be flat, smooth, not crumble. As a base, cement or gypsum plaster with a deep primer, gypsum board sheets, concrete and other coatings with good bearing capacity are suitable.
To avoid errors, the wall is first marked with a pencil horizontally and vertically. This may require a level, rope or laser ruler.
Before gluing, it is advisable to straighten the bamboo wallpaper, having stood for some time not on a roll, but on the floor in a horizontal position. You can cut the blade along the lamellas with a sharp knife or scissors, across - with a jigsaw or hand tools for metal (small hacksaw, scissors).
It is very important to choose the right glue, sticky enough to support the weight of the wallpaper. A special one, marked “for bamboo”, which is a quick-setting synthetic rubber, is best suited. Sometimes liquid nails are also used for this purpose, and a more reliable grip is provided with metal brackets or small nails without caps that are stabbed with a construction stapler or air gun between the bamboo strips.
The selected glue is spread on the wall and the inner fabric side of the wallpaper with a short-haired velor roller or a spatula (depending on density). Then the canvas is pressed to the base with palms or any other convenient device. The average drying time is 10-30 minutes.
The optimum temperature for working with glue for bamboo wallpapers is from 17 to 40 degrees Celsius: at lower rates, the mixture will be too thick, and may not dry out in hot conditions. In general, this material should not be used in southern rooms and on open balconies, because under the influence of sunlight the bamboo itself darkens a little and can dry out, and the glue can melt.
Special finishing corners, moldings and baseboards made of bamboo or wood of a suitable shade will help to hide various irregularities and joints.
Bamboo wallpaper in the hallway
Choosing the design of the corridor or hallway, you always want to find a balance between the beauty, price and durability of repairs. In this case, bamboo wallpapers can be a really optimal solution: they look modern and stylish, do not require maintenance, are easily washed from dirt and remain attractive for many years.
Against such an unobtrusive background, a wooden wardrobe, wicker accessories (for example, a high basket for umbrellas or a large vase), a wardrobe with the image of sakura branches on the doors, paintings with Japanese characters will look advantageous. In addition, the natural colors of bamboo wallpapers will beautifully emphasize the texture of doors made of natural wood, parquet or porcelain on the floor.
Bamboo wallpaper in the kitchen
A warm kitchen in natural colors, where everything reminds of the comfort of a country life, will be even more comfortable if you use bamboo wallpapers in its design. They are not very suitable for an apron, because they are exposed to high temperatures and can absorb fat, but this material will only decorate the wall near the dining area.
In addition to the golden-straw finish in the kitchen, you can hang several paintings in rich green tones, choose simple furniture and utensils in Japanese or country style, and repeat bamboo motifs in the decor.
Bamboo wallpaper in the living room
The atmosphere of a tropical island suits the living room as well as possible, tuning in to a wave of relaxation and pleasant thoughts about hot countries. To create such an interior, bamboo wallpapers can be considered a true find, because this exotic material seems to radiate the accumulated heat of the southeast sun.
However, do not paste over all the walls of the living room with one texture - combinations of different shades or a separate bamboo panel that stand out against the plain background of the wall will look much more stylish.
In such a living room, upholstered furniture with “wicker” or “suede” upholstery in sand-brown tones, a rocking-chair made of rattan or vine, rough fabrics, textured bamboo curtains on the windows or Japanese curtains-panels will be appropriate. Evergreen indoor plants - dracaena, palm trees, orchids, citrus fruits will also help add color.
Bamboo wallpaper in the bedroom
The bedroom, decorated in natural shades and textures, is subconsciously perceived as a cozy, safe place, where nothing will interfere with a sound and healthy sleep. In addition, bamboo wallpapers provide additional noise and heat insulation of the room, which is never superfluous.
In the setting of a bedroom with bamboo finishes, the same natural materials should prevail: smooth polished parquet, plain fluffy carpet of natural color, minimalist wooden furniture, wicker decor elements, unpainted textiles (grayish linen, hemp and cotton fabrics, burlap).
In combination with a bamboo canvas, themed photo wallpapers (green leaves, tropics, a waterfall, blooming sakura, a sun-drenched bamboo grove) can look very beautiful, the same pictures in stylish frames.The realistic depth of the image will not only diversify the interior of the bedroom, but also visually expand the space, fill it with light.
Bamboo wallpaper on the loggia / balcony
As an alternative to lining, bamboo is very suitable for decorating closed loggias and verandas, but it is not recommended to use it on the south side, which is very hot in the sun during the warmer months. Due to the temperature difference, this natural material can fade in places or darken on the contrary, as well as peel off from the base. Dense blinds, bamboo curtains or Japanese curtains-panels will help to save the situation.
On the balcony, loggia or porch covered with bamboo, you can put a beautiful table and rattan wicker chairs for evening tea, and any green plants will make this corner look like a small tropical garden.
Video: Bamboo Wallpaper - Interior Ideas