Well we did it! We finally hung the octopus wallpaper in our bedroom. And you know what? I think it looks pretty awesome. 😉
We got a late start, so we were only able to hang two panels before we had to head off to our dinner reservation. But my friend Jen and I finished up the next day and the whole process went so much better than I thought it would.
I had bought the peel and stick wallpaper as soon as I knew we were buying the house. I wanted something fun and quirky for our super small bedroom and I think I accomplished that.
Basically the only thing that fits in our small bedroom is a queen size bed and a dresser. But I was able to maximize the space and squeeze in a couple of 8” wide nightstands as well.
Now I’m on the hunt for 2 buffet {tall and skinny} style lamps. Those, and maybe a shallow table for a small tv. We’ll see.
But about that peel and stick wallpaper. We started with the left side first by simply peeling back a little bit of the backing {maybe about 8 inches} at a time and then adhering it to the wall.
After we had it stuck to the wall, we smoothed out any air bubbles with a plastic dough scraper. The first row took the longest {maybe 45 minutes}. The next one we did in about 20 minutes.
Peel, stick, smooth. Peel stick smooth. It went pretty easy.
The HH would pop in every once in a while and check to see if we needed any help. And we did. Especially when it came to using a box cutter to get clean edges around the trim.
In the end we all thought it turned out really good. It’s a little kookie and whimsical, but I think it gives the space just enough character without making the room look any smaller than it already is.
The next project for the bedroom is getting some roman shades made for the windows. After that, I plan on whipping up some artwork for the other walls.
It sure had been a busy summer!
Peace Out,
~Mavis
Mel says
Fun! I wonder if you could find nautical lamps, like lobsters or buoys.
Holley says
Looks great! Now it’s time to enjoy your trip! Have fun!
christina says
I may be in the minority here, but I would not want to sleep with octopuses above my head. Sort of bad Feng Shui or just a weird image to go to bed with.
Tammy says
I’m weird in that anything that lives in the ocean gives me the creeps. But it’s not my room and it’s pretty cool and quirky, so congrats, Mavis!
debbie in alaska says
Funny – I actually love Octopi 😉 — they are so smart and just such cool creatures. I might have chosen whales personally but I think the octopus is really cool.
J in OH-IO says
Nice job and tutorial! Where would I be able to find some peel and stick 8” wall paper border?
You’ve already accomplished so much! Have a great visit with your friend!
Lana says
I love it! How about wall mounted lights on either side of the bed to free up the tops of the night stands? And you could wall mount your TV. We have a tiny bedroom at our vacation house so I get it. No room for even a dresser in our master.
Virginia says
My thought too — wall lights and a mounted TV.
You can probably find some sort of artsy wall cabinet with doors (or make something) to hide a wall-mounted TV behind.
The octopus wallpaper makes such a statement and the room is so small that I would not use any other beach themed items in the room. Love the coordination of the wallpaper color and the bed frame.
Christie says
Super cool and so unique! Love it!!
Annette says
Can you tell us about the gray fluffy throw?
Mavis Butterfield says
Maybe Home Goods a few years ago?
Laura says
I have that same octopus framed in my little half bath. Along with whales on another wall. It’s one of my favorites.
Sue S. says
Very cute and unique. Wow there’s not a lot of room around the bed. By the way can you tell us where you got the bed? Thanks!
Pam says
Pretty!
Lesley Parent says
It’s totally fantastic! Looks like it might be an older house (those plank floors!) … you must have had some luck finding plumb walls and right angles for hanging that paper! Love it.
Jean C says
I love Pina rechargeable lamps (Lumens) – they maybe are not as tall as you are looking for but they are very clean lines, throw off a lot of light and are so functional (especially if you lose power). I first saw them in a cool art gallery in Portland.
https://www.lumens.com/pina-pro-rechargeable-led-table-lamp-by-zafferano-america-AILP311315.html
Becky-TN says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the wallpaper, Mavis!!!!
Dianne says
Mavis.
I love it!!!!! I really love it. Sconces, as mentioned by another reader, would look nice with the octopods. Or a narrow sofa table behind the bed, if you have room, and tall skinny lamps on each end. you could put something (flower arrangement) or painting of landscape between the lamps. If HH is like my husband, no girly flowers, etc in the bedroom.
I really love how the paper turned out. Can’t wait to see the finished project!
Have a great, relaxing trip with Jen!
Cindy Brick says
I LOVE these Victorian-style octopi…can’t tell you why, because I don’t know. But I buy them as charms.
I bought a bulletin board with a big one printed on top from the dollar store, and put it on the front door. Boy, did it get weird looks…after all, we live in the ‘high desert’ mountains of Colorado. The nearest reservoir does NOT have any octopus swimming around in it. I think.
But no worse looks than the Bigfoot medallion that’s up there now.
Judi Y. says
I LOVE it!!!
NeeNee says
WOW this is so not your usual style
Good for you for being adventurous with your new home!! I love color I find all white to be rather boring
That wallpaper is not boring!!!
Can’t wait to see what else you come up with!! Great job
Kimberly Vassar says
I love it! It’s quirky and fabulous, and a totally good vibe!
Linda says
I love the wallpaper but could not sleep under that! I did not realize how small the bedroom was. I would hang a tv to keep floorspace since you would have to have something for it to sit on. I have only put up wallpaper that uses paste. My father was a wallpaper contractor. I love Roman shades!
Tracey says
Looks FAB! we have a bedroom with the same dimensions. our solution to keeping the space minimalized was to install floating bedside shelves and use rechargeable table lamps -no wires or batteries!! (also great for blizzard conditions when the power goes out!!)
Jean C says
I love rechargeable lamps too ! Low profile and light weight. So handy if power goes out.
Cecelia says
My bedroom is also small and because of the doorway the bed has to be offset. Can you give a link to your 8″ nightstand? I have a 3 tiered cart on one side but would love a closed storage option.
Nancy says
How fun! It looks so great!! I didn’t even know there was peel and stick wallpaper. Very cool!
Deanna Fladgard says
Love that wallpaper!!!