Steps:

1. Determine what colors, motifs, and other elements you want in your wallpaper to make your room look better. Use your furniture, carpet, curtains, art and collections to make this decision. Once you have a basic idea of what you want go to step two.

2. Measure your room, determine wall height minus baseboards and moldings, then measure the length of each wall segment. Round up measurements to the next foot. To find square footage, multiply room height by circumference, then subtract openings you won't be papering. (It's always better to buy too much than too little and be stuck in the middle of your project.) Once you have done all of that, it would be wise to sketch a detailed floor plan, including doors, windows and other permanent features, that way you know exactly what you need.

3. Next, take that sketch, your notes on what you think you want, paint samples, for color matching, carpet and fabric samples, etc. all to the place you will be buying your wallpaper from, whether that is a wallpaper dealer, home center or home decor retailer, etc..

4. Get samples of wallpapers you like and take them home to see how they look in your home.

5. When it comes to choosing wallpaper, pattern matching is often difficult. So, pick bold patterns for large rooms full of activity or for rooms used briefly or only occasionally such as a hall, powder room or formal dining room. Select neutral, smaller patterns for a family room, bedroom or home office.

6. Choose wallpaper that points out the best, not the worst in your home. For example, stripes accentuate crooked walls, so if your home has this problem, use a floral or intricate pattern. Such patterns disguise cracked or uneven walls or mask an awkward room shape. Apply liner paper first over bricks, concrete blocks or paneling.

7. Choose the right wallpaper for the right room. For example, choose vinyl or vinyl-coated paper for a kitchen, bathroom, child's room or anywhere you need a durable, easy-to-clean surface. An added bonus is that vinyls tend to cost less than papers. Choose paper wallpaper for a living room, dining room or other light-use area. More delicate than vinyl, paper adheres well but can tear when wet.

8. Have a salesperson calculate how much wallpaper to order. Buy all the rolls you need at once to assure uniform run or dye-lot numbers.
When choosing wallpaper, simplify your life by going into the process with an idea of at least the color you want. This will allow you to select wallpaper sample books with only that color. This will save you time. Also think of the uses of the space, and find wallpaper that fits the need for durability.