Light emitting wallpaper is a type of wallpaper developed by Jonas Samson, a Dutch designer, as a concept piece, although the immense interest may be lead to a commercial release of light emitting wallpaper. As you might imagine from the name, light emitting wallpaper is designed with a backing of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which can be used to create illuminated patterns on the wall paper, turning the flat surface of the wall into a vibrant source of light. Should the product be released commercially, it has a great deal of potential.
In Samson's initial presentation of light emitting wallpaper, the wallpaper had a static design, which could be turned off or on. Given that LEDs are extremely easy to configure, it may be presumed that commercial releases could be programmed to create desired patterns, and that the wallpaper could even be animated.
As a light source, light emitting wallpaper has a lot of advantages. LEDs are cooler than conventional lights, and they are also extremely energy efficient, making light emitting wallpaper a cheap alternative to conventional lighting, as well as an interesting one. The ability to create shifting patterns could be used to change the ambient lighting in the room, allowing people to create anything from a soft glow for relaxing to a bright, clear light for working.
Light emitting wallpaper also has a great deal of potential uses as a design element. The potential reconfigurability of the product could allow people to quickly change the look and feel of a room without spending a lot of money, and when the wallpaper is off, it simply looks like a neutral wall cover. Light emitting wallpaper could be used in businesses to create a shifting wall of art, or to change the feel of an office at the flick of a switch.
Initial releases of the product will probably be expensive, but if it proves to be popular, prices could drop quickly. LEDs are inexpensive to produce, and if demand rises, a mass-production system could be established for the wallpaper to make it readily available to consumers. It would certainly be one alternative to consider when decorating a home.
Samson released his light-up wallpaper concept in 2007, and it met with a great deal of comment and critical acclaim. It may take several years to see the wallpaper developed into a viable commercial product, if not longer.