Paint versus wallpaper: the pros of each

So you’ve decided to give your walls a makeover, but now you’re not sure whether to paint or wallpaper them. Each option has the ability to truly transform a home or office space, but there are pros and cons of each that should be considered. Let’s take a closer look at the paint versus wallpaper discussion.

Paint versus wallpaper

Why you’d say yes to paint

When it comes to paint versus wallpaper, this is why you’d choose paint:

1.Colour matching

One of the biggest advantages of paint versus wallpaper is that you can usually find the exact colour you are looking for by mixing and matching paint colours. Similarly, it also affords you the opportunity of creating a unique colour scheme in your home.

2. Fixing mistakes

Mistakes happen. What’s great about painting your walls is that you can fix mistakes relatively quickly, effectively and inexpensively. If the dog happened to bark as you were painting, causing your brush to go outside the lines, then you can just paint over the mistake. It’s not as simple fixing wallpapering mistakes, and removing wallpaper requires patience.

3. Easy application

Although painting can be hard work, it’s quite easy compared to wallpapering. It is not a complicated process to paint your walls. Anyone can do it! Even the preparation that goes into applying paint is quite pain-free. Wallpapering, however, can be quite a time-consuming process.

4. Cost-effective

Painting your walls can be a really cost-effective option if you plan your paint project well. It obviously depends on what paint you choose and how much you need, but paint is generally cheaper than wallpaper, especially when it comes to bigger projects as you can buy in bulk tins.

5. Versatile

Another big advantage that paint has over wallpaper is that it is a lot more versatile. Paint comes in interior and exterior options, and it can be applied in any room of a home or business. Wallpaper, on the other hand, is limited to indoor use and cannot be applied in all rooms, especially not places where there is moisture, as they will start to peel.

6. Wide assortment

Paint not only comes in any colour you can possibly think of, but there is also an assortment of options when it comes to the type of paint. Paint can be matte, glossy, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, gloss, etc. Then there’s chalk paint, paint for different materials, spray paint and more.

Why you’d say yes to wallpaper

When it comes to paint versus wallpaper, this is why you’d choose wallpaper:

1. Trendy

The greatest advantage of wallpapers is the fashionable effect they have the ability to create. With wallpapers, it’s easy to add some depth, warmth, style and character to any room. Wallpapers are often more detailed, which is usually not possible to attain with paint. And when what you have chosen goes out of fashion, you can just replace them with the next trendy wallpaper.

2.Perfect cover-ups

Wallpapers are superb at hiding any flaws on your walls. Sometimes walls are so badly damaged that the amount of time, effort and money that would go into fixing, plastering and painting them is just not worth it.

3. Long-lasting

Good quality wallpapers can withstand handprints, paw prints, splatters and splashes over a long period of time, whereas painted walls may need a fresh coat of paint more often. Wallpapered walls often don’t reveal wear, tear, dust and grime as much as painted walls do. They’re also less likely to be drawn on by little artists.

4. Unlimited designs

Your imagination is the only limitation when it comes to wallpaper designs because if you can’t find what you’re looking for in a store then you can just design your own and get it printed yourself. You can go wild with textures, colours and designs. Here are some ideas.

5. Quick application

If you have the right tools and equipment then wallpapering your walls can be done relatively quickly. The problem with paint is that you usually have to do multiple coats and each coat needs to dry before you apply the next. This is a long process.

6. Smooth or textured appearance

Many people choose wallpaper over paint simply because of the smooth or textured appearance it offers, especially if your walls are in good condition (or are new). Wallpaper adheres easily and smoothly to these walls, and they can give your walls a wonderfully textured appearance.

So, what are you going to go with now that you know more about the paint versus wallpapers discussion?