Paint or wallpaper? How to evaluate and choose the right solution for your home

When it comes to transforming the vibe of your living space, the look of the walls plays a big role. Whether you're embarking on a full-scale renovation or simply looking to refresh a room, the decision between paint and wallpaper is a pivotal one.

In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of both paint and wallpaper, helping you navigate the complexities of design, cost, maintenance, and personal style. By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision and ensure your home reflects your vision and individuality. 

What paint can do for a room

Paint is a classic choice that never goes out of style. You just have to choose a color or color combination that aligns with your space and personal taste. 

The color choice

Walls painted in one neutral color will have a very clean, modern, and minimalistic vibe. If you paint your walls in bold colors, like sea blue or red, the vibe will be much more extravagant and strong. You can also mix different wall colors in one room and that way introduce a bold statement. Or you can play with patterns – for example, paint geometric shapes on the walls. Different wall colors in one room can also be used to divide the space into sections.

The finish of the paint

Another thing you can do with paint is choose the finish. You can go for a very glossy finish or embrace a matte look. The finish also contributes to the final feel of the room. Matte colors will make a room feel softer and more muted, while glossy finishes will reflect more light and make a room feel brighter and lighter.

Adding texture

When painting you can also choose to introduce a texture to the wall. Even though often people choose to paint as smooth walls as possible, there are options to add different textures or even patterns with a special grout. You make the texture before and then paint the wall with the chosen color. You can also add a paneling look to the walls when working with paint. 

What wallpaper can do for a room

Wallpaper makes a room feel welcoming, cozy, and warm. It is the perfect addition to highlight the room’s design style or make a bold statement.

The design and pattern choice

The biggest trump for wallpaper is the astonishing designs. It is possible to get everything – from plain colors to color blocking, from soft flowers to grunge, from retro designs to modern styles. You just need to choose the vibe you want for the room and wallpaper will help you achieve it in no time.

The type of wallpaper

When it comes to the type of wallpaper there are several options. There is the traditional wallpaper that’s usually made of paper. A newer addition to the wallpaper family is the peel-and-stick wallpaper options – either from vinyl or textiles. All wallpaper types also have a different finish, so the feel, when applied, is also different and contributes to the vibe of the room.

The size, texture, and finish

Wallpaper is very versatile. It can be a mural that covers the whole wall, or it can be a tiny strip you use as an accent. Adding to the whole experience, wallpaper can also come with different textures, for example, tactile elements, and different finishes – from glossy to matte.

Upsides of Using Paints For Your Home

Relatively easy to do it yourself

Painting is an easy task. It's the preparation to apply the paints on the walls that's difficult and quite time-consuming. But once the blemishes are covered, areas are taped off, and the walls have been sanded and primed, you are good to go! Now, you must pick up a roller and apply the paint.

Best for Moist Areas

Here's the deal: most wallpapers don't do well in moist areas, especially bathrooms. But paints do exceptionally well. There are moisture-friendly paints available in the market that don't give in to even the hottest showers!

Adds Value to Your Home

Paints are not only a quick way to boost the overall property value you own, but they are also one of the most affordable. Your home's majestic interior will leave a great impression on potential buyers, and it'll showcase that this property has indeed been taken care of.

Durability

Paints safeguard the home against structural issues and mold growth. Kudos to a healthy living environment and a fresh interior.

Downsides of Using Paints for Your Home

Despite the upsides of using paints, they do have a few downsides as well.

Maintenance

Painted walls are a high-maintenance gig. The paint can begin to chip off and crack, demanding frequent touch-ups throughout the years in areas where there is a lot of traffic. Moreover, most of the paints need to be freshly coated every three to five years, while some wallpapers can go more than that.

Untidy Process

Applying paints is an untidy process. To paint the walls you need to move out the furniture of the space (or at least cover it) and neatly cover the floors so no paint can leak through.

Volatile Organic Compounds

There's a chance that the paints may release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are bad for the human body. In general, it takes at least a year or two for these compounds to warn off entirely from your home.

Upsides of Using Wallpapers for Your Home

Cost Effective

Using wallpaper for your home will be a cost-effective decision in the long run. The main reason is that wallpapers also last up to ten to fifteen years (sometimes even longer). A well-hung wallpaper has the potential to outlast paint by three times.

A Cover for Imperfections

Wallpapers easily cover imperfections on the walls. However, if that’s the case for you, it is best to choose a wallpaper with a busy pattern. Lots of colors and elements will make the wall's imperfections unnoticeable.

Heightened Room Decor

It gives a touch of warmth and depth to the room that monochrome paint can't deliver. Moreover, the stunning prints, designer touches, and attractive textures make the room look as gorgeous as ever.

Generous Variety

Wallpapers are available in an abundant variety in the market. Stunning patterns, dazzling aesthetics, including pearl or glitter, raised fonts, foils, embossed silk patterns, and natural grasscloth – a hefty inventory that will leave you astonished.

Downsides of Using Wallpapers for Your Home

Can be more expensive upfront

While wallpapers may be cost-effective in the long run, they can bear high upfront costs.

Needs some practice to install

When installing wallpaper, there is a learning curve involved. You might need to watch a few YouTube videos or work with a professional. However, when you get a hang of it, you will always have the skill of hanging wallpaper.

Precise measurements are very important

When buying wallpaper it is very important to measure the room right, so you get the correct amount of wallpaper for the space.

If you mess up the measurements and end up with not enough wallpaper, you might have to wait from days to weeks to finish the room while the extra wallpaper rolls arrive. On the other hand, if you purchase too much, you will have surplus rolls that will mean wasted money and you will now need to find a way to utilize the extra wallpaper.

However, to avoid these situations, we, here at Deccoprint.com, have created a wallpaper calculator that will help you get the measurements just right. And if you are still not sure, our consultants will gladly help you out! Find the wallpaper calculator in the accordion on any product page, for example, here.

Can peel off quicker in some areas

Even though modern wallpapers are very well designed and can withstand lots of environments (including moist conditions) wallpaper still will hold up best (and the longest) in dry areas. That said, there are many people who use wallpaper for bathrooms and are happy with the results. It all depends on the specific situation and personal design desires.

Paint or wallpaper? Which one to prefer in different situations

When it comes to deciding which of the two – Paint or Wallpaper – is better, many factors should be kept in mind.

1. Aesthetic Appeal

There is no comparison between the two (wallpaper vs. paint) in terms of aesthetic appeal. Both provide the most astonishing finishes. Let either textured paints cover the realm of your home's interior or go with wallpapers with flashy pattern designs to add to the home's beauty.

2. Durability

Paints do offer an exemplary aesthetic with more durability to temperatures and liquids. Wallpapers fail to provide much durability in that sense.

Given that, paint can only last up to five years before needing another covering contrast, and wallpapers can last up to fifteen years or more.

Best durable for home: Paints

Best long-lasting for home: Wallpapers

3. Customization

Paints are highly customizable, so you can create any color you can dream of. The very fact that any tint, mixture, or hue can be mixed to create the desired color adds to the customization of paints in homes.

Even though there are lots of pre-made wallpaper designs that you can choose from, sometimes it is still hard to find the right pattern or color palette. A good thing is that there are some manufacturers that offer creating your own wallpaper, and it is definitely an option to take advantage of.

If that’s something that interests you, you can get your customized wallpaper here at Deccoprint.com! Check out our custom wallpaper page and let us know what your dream print for your wallpaper is!

Best customizable for home: Both, paints and wallpapers

4. Maintenance

Paints require a touch-up every two to three years which is not so convenient, both budget-wise and longevity-wise.

Wallpapers stand the test of time and need changing after a decade or more, so they are quite cost-effective in the long run.

Best maintenance for home: Wallpaper

5. Removal

Removing paint is an extensively long process. The process requires you to first scrape off the old paint from the walls, stripping it down and sanding the wall again to make it smooth enough for the new paint covering.

However, oftentimes it is not needed to remove the previous coat of paint to add a new layer. So the removal is needed only in specific situations.

In the case of wallpapers, it depends on what kind of wallpaper you are using. If it’s peel-and-stick wallpaper, the removal process will be very quick. You might even get to preserve the wallpaper if you remove it carefully.

If it’s traditional wallpaper, it will take some effort to remove it from the walls. You will need additional tools like a wallpaper stripper, scraping tools, and maybe a steamer. When removing traditional wallpaper, it won’t be possible to preserve it.

Best removal: Peel-and-stick wallpaper

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice between paint and wallpaper for your home is a decision that should be made carefully, taking into account various factors. Both options offer unique benefits and aesthetics, and the decision ultimately depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the specific needs of your space.

Before making your decision, consider the room's purpose, your design preferences, and your long-term plans for the space. Don't forget to factor in your budget, as well as any maintenance or renovation considerations. Ultimately, whether you choose paint or wallpaper, the key is to create a home environment that reflects your style and makes you feel comfortable and content in your living space.