This is one of the biggest questions any keen interior decorator has to ask themselves. Both interior paint and wallpaper have their pros and cons, but there are a few hidden features that you might not know about until you get started.
As you can probably imagine, a company called ‘Paintmaster’ is naturally going to be a little biased towards paint and primer over paper and paste. But we see the value of wallpaper, and try to stay unbiased when talking about it in comparison to our paints.
So to give you the confidence to paint for Christmas, or in the new year, let’s see what’s best for you.
Choosing Whether Paint or Wallpaper is Right for you
There are a number of factors that can determine which option is best for your walls. This can include any or all of the following:
- How much decorating time you have
- What style you want for your walls
- How much budget you have – and where you want to spend it
- The condition of your walls
The latter is very important to keep in mind. If your walls are stained, marked, scratched, or dented, it’s tempting to use wallpaper as an easy way to hide imperfections. However, this quick fix can cause a few issues. First of all, there’s no guarantee that it will work, as attaching wallpaper properly can still show dents and inconsistent texture that sanding would remove.
But wallpaper certainly has its advantages, so let’s go into more detail about the pros of wallpapering.
The Advantages of Wallpaper
As we mentioned, wallpaper is seen as the fastest way to revitalise your walls. This is absolutely true, as multiple layers aren’t needed, and you don’t have to do as much prep.
There are also a lot more styles to choose from. Unless you get very adventurous with your paint, you’re limited to one colour, maybe two or three if you like an accent wall. But wallpapers can be everything from plain colour to detailed and intricate design. If you love a specific theme, such as floral, wildlife, or even a particular art style, wallpaper gives you more choice.
A lot of people assume that wallpapers are all universal in material too. In fact they have a number of different textures, from smooth and flat to lined and containing 3D prints. Just like paint, texture can make or break the look of your walls up close and at a distance, so it’s important to use your samples wisely and take your time making the final decision.
We don’t blame anyone who wants to use wallpaper, but there are some things you should know about first.
The Disadvantages of Wallpaper
Wallpaper is great on, well, paper, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows (even if that’s part of the design you chose).
The biggest difference between paint and wallpaper is what it does to the surface of your interior walls. A high-quality interior paint, like our range of acrylics and oil-based paints, should do more than just look good. It clings to the wall, especially if a layer of primer was added first, which adds layers of protection. Our tough paints make walls resistant to scratches, scuffs, and stains, so they’ll look better for longer.
Wallpaper can be tough if you choose a high-quality roll, but it can still start to peel or be damaged and stained. Some washable wallpapers help with preventing stains from sticking around, but you often have to sacrifice some bolder designs for this.
The Advantages of Painting Walls
One advantage of paint can make it the obvious choice for both professionals and domestic decorators: painting walls is much easier to do that putting up wallpaper.
While wallpaper is seen as the quick fix, if you’re new to decorating, it can be a much more laborious process. There’s also more that can go wrong, which can affect your budget if wallpaper tears.
There’s also the price. Although you need multiple layers of paint, even the most durable paints work out cheaper than the equivalent wallpaper roll. To find the latter for a similar price, you’re missing out on a lot of style and substance, as they won’t last nearly as long.
Last but certainly not least, the colour. Thanks to our Colour System, we can create any colour you can think of; simply enter the RAL or British Standard code and it’ll be ready in no time. Wallpapers are rarely customisable, so if you have a very specific scheme in mind, paint is the way to go.
The Disadvantages of Painting Walls
Wallpaper does give you more style options, with detailed prints and scenery that you can’t create with a regular tin of paint. So if you want your walls to be the centerpiece, wallpaper might be the bolder option.
You also need to choose your type of paint carefully as there are a lot available, from simple acrylics to more specialist paints designed for commercial or industrial applications.
The Best Solution for your Walls
The debate between paint and wallpaper shouldn’t really be a debate at all. They each have their pros and cons, and just because they’re alternatives doesn’t make one better than the other. It all comes down to personal preference, but if you still aren’t sure, we have a solution.
Wallpaper and paint can actually go hand in hand. Thanks to its distinctive style, a full wall can be overwhelming, especially when the pattern repeats itself. If you use a few strips of wallpaper, and paint the rest of your walls, they can complement each other and create a unique look overall.
We’re always encouraging people to try something bold with their interior walls, so we hope this has inspired you to pick up a roller and give it a try. In the meantime, if you have any questions about us or any of our products, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!