People ask this a lot, usually because they are unsure whether wallpaper is worth the effort or if everyone has quietly moved back to paint. After more than forty years in the wallpaper and paint trade, and after running six stores over that time, I can say the answer is simple. Wallpaper is not outdated. It is still very much in use and it is working its way back into the spotlight.

The long term trend has definitely dipped. For the last twenty years, demand has been slowly falling. Younger people are decorating less and the skills that used to be passed down from parents to children are not being passed down in the same way. That is part of the reason people think wallpaper has disappeared. It has not, but the confidence to hang it has dropped. That is the real issue.

In our store today we keep around four hundred designs in stock, covering every type. Textured, vinyl, washable, bold patterns, plain designs and feature wall styles. We try to offer something that suits every budget and every taste because people walk through the door with very different ideas. One customer wants a striking feature wall. Another wants something subtle for the whole room. Someone else wants the lowest cost option possible. Wallpaper still covers the full spectrum.

Sales now come mainly from older customers who still appreciate the overall look wallpaper creates. They understand what it can do for a room. Younger customers are not absent, but they are less confident about attempting the job. Almost every concern comes down to one thing, the fear of hanging it wrong. My answer is always the same. Preparation matters and if you have never done it before, watch a couple of YouTube videos first. The job is not difficult. It only becomes difficult if you guess your way through

In terms of what is selling, brick wallpapers continue to be the strongest choice for feature walls. They give instant impact for very little cost and customers like the effect. Florals are definitely coming back. Manufacturers are putting out more strong bold florals in traditional colours and customers are responding to them. These designs were quiet for a while but they are gaining ground again.

For those who want something more dramatic, we stock a full range of murals on our website. These give a complete picture effect and create a look you cannot achieve with paint. They are not a premium brand as such, but they deliver that high end finish people want.

As for whether certain styles are dated, a few things never change. Fleur de Lys patterns are timeless. They have been around for generations and they still work. Woodchip, on the other hand, has had its day. Most customers agree on that before I even say anything.

There are a couple of myths worth clearing up. First, wallpapering is not expensive. We sell plenty of low cost wallpapers and if we buy low, we pass the saving straight on. Second, it is not complicated. People build it up in their heads and assume it is a specialist job. It is not. If you take your time with preparation and follow a simple guide, you will be fine.

A lot of customers come back to show us photos of their finished rooms. You can see the pride in it. Wallpaper gives them something they feel they have actually achieved. Paint does not quite offer that in the same way. And you cannot get the same finished look without wallpaper. It gives a room warmth, character and a more homely feel. High end houses rely on wallpaper for exactly that reason.

Peel and stick wallpaper is the only area we avoid. It has its place for upcycling furniture but for walls it is limiting and rarely gives the same finish as traditional wallpaper.

So, is wallpaper back to stay or is this just a short trend. It is here to stay. The market might have shrunk but the product has not lost its value. All it takes is for people to see it used well on a TV decorating show and interest jumps again. When it looks easy and achievable, customers follow. The more people try it, the more they realise it is not the hassle they imagined.

Wallpaper will always have a place because nothing else creates the same effect. Trends move, tastes change, but a well chosen wallpaper still transforms a room in a way paint cannot.