The Cost of Discontinuation: A Closer Look at Wallpaper Challenges in Interior Design
/Over the years of working in the wallpaper industry, one recurring issue keeps coming up — and it's something that affects designers, clients, and entire project timelines: discontinued wallpaper and long lead times.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again. A designer finds the perfect wallpaper — the one that ties the entire concept together. Samples are approved, mood boards are finalised, and everyone is excited to see the space come to life. But just when it’s time to place the order, there’s bad news. The wallpaper has been discontinued. Or worse — it’s only available on a 12-week lead time from an overseas mill. Suddenly, the project is delayed, liquidated damages might arise, budgets are stretched, and the original design intent is at risk.
It’s frustrating — and completely avoidable.
The Real Impact of Discontinued Wallpaper
For interior designers, wallpaper isn’t just a decorative afterthought. It’s a central piece of the design puzzle. When a product is unexpectedly discontinued or severely delayed, it throws everything into disarray.
Unpaid Reselection Time
One of the most overlooked consequences? The time designers spend re-selecting a suitable alternative — time that often goes unpaid. Clients rarely understand the hours involved in sourcing a new product, coordinating approvals, and managing suppliers. These costs fall directly on the designer, cutting into profit margins and slowing down other projects.
Compromised Vision
Finding an alternative that matches the original wallpaper’s tone, texture, and impact can feel impossible. That one design choice was made with intention — to create a specific feeling or focal point. Losing it can mean re-working the entire scheme, which isn’t just disheartening, it risks the overall success of the project.
Delays That Disrupt
When wallpapers are imported and have extended lead times, it introduces significant risk. Waiting for stock to arrive can delay builders, painters, and furniture installation — pushing out project completion dates, risking liquidated damages claims and testing client patience.
Unexpected Costs
Last-minute changes can lead to unplanned expenses. Express freight, costlier alternatives, or the need to modify other finishes to match a new wallpaper — it all adds up. And again, these are costs that rarely get passed on to the client.
The Hillmorr Difference: A Guarantee You Can Count On
At Hillmorr, we designed our entire business to solve theseis problems.
We produce all of our wallpapers in-house, right here in Australia. That means no unpredictable shipping delays, no overseas stock issues, and most importantly — no discontinued designs. If we’ve created a wallpaper, it’s available. Always.
This guarantee gives designers peace of mind — the confidence that what you specify at the concept stage will still be available when you’re ready to order. No last-minute swaps. No lost hours. No compromise on the original vision.
Protecting Your Projects — and Your Time
Working with Hillmorr means more than just beautiful wallcoverings. It’s about protecting the integrity of your designs, keeping your timelines on track, and eliminating the stress and uncertainty that often comes with specifying wallpaper.
In an industry where products can disappear overnight and lead times are unpredictable, we’re committed to doing things differently. We’re here to support designers, not disrupt their process.
So, the next time you’re specifying wallpaper, ask yourself — what’s the real cost if it gets discontinued?
Choose reliability. Choose certainty.