The world of interior design has seen its fair share of fashion trends come and go, especially since the explosion of DIY programmes that hit our screens some time around the early nineties.

First came the compulsion to paint stencils on every available wall, then we were creating fantasy rooms from a few bits of MDF and a recycled chest of drawers. But one design trend that has seen something of a resurgence in recent years is the humble roll of wallpaper.

Wallpaper fell out of favour during the Eighties and Nineties with people preferring to create their decorative effects with paint.

But now, wallpaper is making a comeback and it has come a long way from the boring old woodchip that we were so familiar with in the Seventies.

Wallpaper can add colour, pattern and texture to a room and even the world of fashion is getting in on the act with fashion designers like Matthew Williamson and Orla Kiely creating designs to grace the most style-conscious walls.

Modern designs are steering clear of repeat patterns of country flowers or delicate leaves and vamping it up with large, bold images that are designed to make an impact.

Some designers are even creating tromp l'oeil wall papers which are designed to trick the eye into seeing 3D book cases or magazine racks obviously something that is a matter of taste, but you get the idea.

But even if wallpaper has come screaming into the 21st Century, fans of the retro look can still indulge their preferences with lots of designs that are inspired by decades gone by. Some specialist stores sell genuine vintage, and even antique, rolls of paper for that really authentic feel.

Modern wallpaper doesn't even have to be made of paper as textured wall coverings made of cork, fabric or even plastic are becoming popular.

This helps to add another dimension to the room with tactile surfaces adding to the whole experience. Wallpapering doesn't have to mean covering the whole room. It can be very effective to just cover one wall and paint the rest in a contrasting or complementing colour.

This will create a focal point and can avoid the possibility of a very striking design becoming too oppressive or overpowering, especially in a smaller room. In fact, some wallpapers are designed to be hung in just one or two strips rather than on an entire wall.

Some people are put off the idea of hanging wallpaper as it looks complicated and time-consuming. But as with all DIY, some good preparation can make life a lot easier. Make sure you start with clean, flat walls and strip off any old paper so that you have a good surface to work on.

It is also important to calculate how much you will need and then add a bit extra, just in case there are any mishaps.

Of course, you can always hire a professional decorator to do all the hard work for you. Then all you will have to do is invite all your friends round to admire your new, ultra-fashionable room.