The age-old “paint vs wallpaper” debate has probably been going on since the invention of wallpaper (in the 16th century in case you were interested, according to the V&A Museum).
Certainly, during my time as a professional decorator I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve had the discussion with customers (the decision is still being made for the job I’m meant to be starting next week!).
There certainly seem to be time periods, maybe decades, when wallpaper is felt to be more out of fashion, and other times when it is more “in”. But fashion is far from being the only factor to consider – there are many practical considerations to consider when deciding whether paint or wallpaper is more suitable for your space.
Paint – Options, Pros and Cons
These days, the range of options when choosing paint is vast. Although this can feel like “too much choice” at times, as a decorator I think it’s great; paint technology has developed to the extent that we can now pick not only the perfect colour, but the perfect finish for any room. Whether we want a chalky-feel flat matt, a super-durable eggshell or an easy-to-wipe silk, the options are there.
Pros of paint vs wallpaper
- Easier to apply, maintain and change.
- Usually cheaper.
- Unlimited choice of colours available, including matching any colour.
- Durability – easy to wipe clean, more resistant to scuffs (depending on the paint you choose).
Cons of paint vs wallpaper
- Very few options for adding texture to the surface.
- Prep required to get a perfect finish (especially on poor plasterwork).
Wallpaper – Options, Pros and Cons
According to the V&A Museum, the earliest wallpapers were used to decorate the insides of cupboards and smaller rooms and were usually in black and white. Only later did they become more popular in grand stately homes, once printing technology developed and more colourful, intricate designs could be produced.
These days, the range of options is almost as huge as for paint. Patterned paper, relatively plain paper, vinyl, textured, custom murals which take one image and blow it up to the size of your chosen wall…
Pros of wallpaper vs paint
- Patterns, textures and murals create a unique look.
- Can create great impact on feature walls.
- Hides imperfections in plasterwork.
- Applied properly in low-traffic areas, it can be very low maintenance.
Cons of wallpaper vs paint
Requires skill and precision to apply.
The wallpaper and the installation can both be more expensive than paint.
Not so easy to replace if you want a change.
Factors to Consider
While there are no hard and fast rules, and personal preference is of course important, there are certainly practical considerations to consider when deciding between paint and wallpaper for any given room.
The size of the space
It’s a widely held belief that the smaller the room, the simpler the décor should be. If there is “too much going on”, the room feels smaller and claustrophobic. Smaller rooms are therefore often painted, rather than decorated with strongly patterned wallpaper. However, there is a trend now for using fun wallpapers in the smallest room in the house, to keep guests amused when they “pay a visit”. Not fun to install, but fun to look at while you’re sitting there…
What is the focus?
A patterned wallpaper, or even more so a mural, will always grab the attention. And that can be great – there are some really fun murals for kids’ bedrooms, for example. But if you want other things to be the focus of attention – pictures on the walls, feature pieces of furniture, a stunning view out the window, for example – then a patterned paper will detract from those, and a simple pastel paint on the walls could work better for you.
Wear & Tear
If wallpaper gets scuffed, it’s a much harder job to fix than with paint. For high traffic areas such as halls and stairs, or children’s bedrooms, painting with a good quality durable trade paint is a more practical option.
You can still have fun with the colour and make the space your own, whether that’s calm and understated, or bold and fun. You could still opt for a wallpaper feature on one of the walls where damage is less likely to occur.
And if you really want to wallpaper in a high traffic area, you can always apply a couple of coats of Polyvine Decorators Varnish to protect the paper and hopefully keep it looking its best for longer.
In areas where there’s less traffic, you can really have fun with paper, knowing that there is less risk of it being damaged. Dining rooms, snugs and bedrooms – especially spare bedrooms – are all areas where you can use wallpaper to create a really unique space without fear of it being damaged. Wallpaper the whole room, just do a feature wall, or (if you have a dado rail as a dividing line), go half and half! You can have real fun combining paint and paper, it doesn’t have to be just one or the other.
Risk of Water Damage
It used to be the case that people didn’t like having wallpaper in bathrooms or kitchens, because of the risk of the paper being damaged by water (or food) splashes. While this is still a practical consideration (and I personally would still prefer to use wallpaper as a feature on walls away from that risk in those rooms), vinyl papers are water-resistant, and Polyvine decorators varnish can help protect any wallpaper from these splashes, so wallpapering in these rooms is no longer a complete “no”.
Personal Style/Preferences
Some people like a clean, modern almost minimalist look (ideal in modern houses), others prefer a more traditional or ornate look (which can look amazing in some period properties, for example).
Some like bold colours, some like pastels. Some like big patterns, others prefer to keep it clean and simple. There are no real right or wrong answers, if you think about the size of the space and how much traffic it has, so that your choice is both practical as well as attractive.
Bold doesn’t have to mean wallpaper either; I did two bold red dining rooms last year – one in a slightly textured plain red paper, and one with paint. Both looked stunning! The one thing that you can always say with patterned wallpaper though, is that it always draws the eye to it. If you want to make a particular wall a feature, then wallpaper is a great way to do it. If you want something else (e.g. the furnishings) to be the hero, then keep the walls plain.
Budget, Maintenance and Longevity
Installing wallpaper almost always ends up being a more expensive option than painting, simply because of the extra time needed and the cost of the wallpaper itself. If there’s a risk of it being damaged and so needing to be replaced, or if you’re the sort of person who likes to change the appearance of a room fairly regularly, then paint is going to be a simpler and more cost-effective option. That doesn’t mean you can’t use paper – if applied well in an area where there is low risk of damage, wallpaper can last for years. I’m just encouraging you to think about the cost implications as well as everything else.
Final Thoughts
There really is no right or wrong answer. Personal taste is always going to be the deciding factor, but there are practical considerations – size of the room, wear and tear, budget, etc – that should always be taken into consideration when deciding whether to wallpaper a room, or just a feature wall. And as I said before – it doesn’t have to be one or the other, it can be great fun combining the two.
FAQs
Is wallpapering cheaper than painting?
Wallpaper is more expensive than paint, and it takes longer to wallpaper a wall than it would to paint it. So, wallpapering is more expensive than painting.
Is paint or wallpaper better for damp walls?
Damp walls aren’t great, regardless of how you decorate them. Both wallpaper and paint will deteriorate over time if exposed to moisture, but a painted wall is far easier to rectify.
Why did people use wallpaper instead of paint?
Fashion is by far the biggest factor. 20 years ago, wallpaper was a lot more popular than paint. Then there was a sway towards paint only, then paint with a papered feature wall. Decorating trends develop and drop off all the time.
Does wallpaper lower property value?
Wallpaper does not lower a property’s value. However, it’s far easier to sell a house if it is decorated in neutral colours. This is because it’s easier for a perspective buyer to envision implementing their own décor and furniture.
What is the lifespan of wallpaper?
If it doesn’t get damaged, a good-quality wallpaper can last up to 15 years before you need to replace it.
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