In interior design circles, there is a seemingly constant conflict when it comes to wall decoration, and whether the minimalist beauty of painted walls or the structured elegance of a well-chosen wallpaper is the best option.
Every year, one or the other, or occasionally a combination of the two using the latter as a kind of accent wall, will be heralded as the next big design trend or yesterday’s news.
From the standpoint of a painter and decorator, both types absolutely have their place, and the key is to know when to choose one or the other, with some tricks for making the most of your favourite wall covering.
When Should You Paint Your Walls?
The versatility of a good coat of paint means that it is ideal if you tend to change your mind when it comes to your interior design, as there is a near-endless variety of colours, subtle finishes and styles you can work with.
It is particularly ideal in high-traffic areas of your house which are in frequent need of touch-ups; repairing damaged wallpaper is tricky, but spot fixing a painted wall is much, much easier and helps your design last longer.
This makes it better suited to kitchens, hallways, utility rooms, home gyms and other rooms where the chances of marks or scuffs are higher than they would be elsewhere.
It is also better in humid spaces, particularly given the increased availability of washable finishes, and the inherent simplicity of painted walls often helps to make small spaces feel bigger and more open.
When Should You Apply Wallpaper To Your Walls Instead?
Perfect for causing an immediate impact, wallpaper makes an immediate and dramatic difference to your room, and your choice of pattern, colour and texture can make or break a particular room’s design.
At the same time, however, wallpaper is ideal for use in rooms with slight imperfections in their plasterwork (as long as they are not used to hide structural defects), and the right choice of high-quality wallpaper can last for years, if not decades, if installed properly and in the right place.
It is the best option, therefore, for low traffic areas, such as bedrooms and living rooms, where the textures and patterns can add dimension to your room, create a focal point and add a degree of character that is not always possible with a single coat of paint.
Because it can be difficult and time-consuming to install and very difficult to spot repair without taking down the entire sheet, it is best suited for areas where it is less likely to be visibly scuffed or stained.
Can You Use Both Paint And Wallpaper?
You absolutely can, and for most interior design projects, the decision is not necessarily paint or wallpaper but where and how both are used in a particular room.
The ever-popular accent wall is a great example; it takes the eye-catching effect of a patterned wallpaper and uses it to create a focal point for a particular room. However, this is not the only way it can be used.
It can be used on two walls to help add balance to a particular space, or it can even be used in a half-and-half arrangement if you have a suitable dado rail to split the wall.