Paint vs Wallpaper

It can be a lot of fun changing the walls in your home. I’m not talking about grabbing a sledgehammer and knocking down bricks and mortar (although that is fun), but rather changing the colours and/or textures of your existing walls.

Aside from adding artwork to your walls – you know how much I love art – there are really only two main options: Paint vs Wallpaper.  So, which one is right for you? What are the pros and cons? Are you limited to using only one? Which technique is trending?

 

What are the pros?

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Forget most of what you know about paint and wallpaper. It seems like both are always evolving; new textures, materials, finishes and styles. So let’s start with the pros:

Paint

• Relatively inexpensive
• Versatile colour choices
• Different textures
• Easy to apply and to paint over
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Wear and tear can be easily touched up
• Different finishes including gloss, copper patinas, flat etc

Wallpaper

• Multitude of textures, patterns and styles
• Can create an atmosphere
• New vinyl-coated wallpapers are easy to clean
• Unique and can replace the need for art

There are cons too

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Paint

• Preparation can be tedious and time consuming
• Uneven coverage if applied incorrectly
• Professional painters can be expensive
• Colours can be discontinued

Wallpaper

• More costly to apply and remove
• More permanent than paint
• Average cost of rolls start at $30 and can reach over $100
• More fragile than paint – wear and tear is more noticeable
• Installation is tricky and needs patience and skill

 

Can you have a mix of both?

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In recent years, wallpaper has become extremely popular, and now it has become even more popular. With so many new products and materials, the new generation of wallpaper is vibrant, vivid and valued by interior designers. So despite the obstacles, it is definitely worth looking into, especially if you want to create a unique look that just screams ‘you’.

But, before jumping on the trend, do not discount paint. You can easily transform the look of a room and freshen up a space in just a few hours – I suppose that’s why the phrase “a fresh coat of paint” is so over-used.

Personally, I love both and don’t see why it has to exclusively be one or the other. By mixing the two mediums and working with your existing wall art, furniture, furnishings and general décor, you can truly create a home that has your unique stamp.

My favourite’s are:

Paint: Porters Paints

Wallpaper: Cole & Sons

Don’t be afraid to experiment but spend your time researching, looking through magazines and even asking advice from interior designers. There is a huge difference in quality and price out there, so do your homework! At the end of the day though, neither is permanent, so you can always change it up. It’s always about making your house, your home.

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