Sometimes, after long days, you come home and feel like something's missing. The interior feels dull, and you know it needs something new to liven it up. However, you might not want to splurge on new furniture and accessories, so you consider what else could change the entire impression and create that perfect 'wow' effect. The simplest and yet most radical solution is a significant change in the appearance of your walls. You can customize them to your liking in several ways. Today, we'll talk about two of them - painting and wallpapering. You've probably faced this dilemma yourself - which one is actually better? Well, each has its advantages and disadvantages, so let's discuss them together.
Painting - A Safe Bet
You can't go wrong with a fresh coat of paint, as it's simply a safe bet. We regularly cover room painting on our website, so there's no need to go into detail about the painting process. You can read, for example, our article 'How to Prepare for Room Painting,' which discusses everything you need to arrange before and during the painting process. In this article, we emphasize the importance of carefully protecting your furniture. Painting is, after all, a messy job, and none of us want to ruin the rest of the interior.
However, we can briefly summarize the most essential aspects of painting that we need to know to decide which option (painting or wallpapering) is more suitable for us.
Painting is undoubtedly the cheaper option, which you can also manage yourself with a bit of skill. The costs for materials are not exorbitant even in today's times when construction materials are generally becoming more expensive. Of course, there are several types of paints, but even the most expensive (and therefore highest quality) can be financially comparable to the costs of wallpapering with the cheapest paper wallpapers. And even if you decide to hire professional painters (such as those we have verified in Adam), the total amount is still reasonable and certainly not prohibitive.
Another significant advantage is the color variability and compatibility. Whether you dream of the most vibrant color or color combination, you can be sure that you will find precisely the shade you desire in one of the color charts!
Paper, Non-Woven, or Vinyl Wallpaper?
The term "wallpaper" might evoke negative emotions in you. In the past, wallpapers were widely used everywhere, and you may only remember their tasteless remnants in your family cottage in the mountains. However, after a significant decline, they cyclically started to make a comeback, and with modern technology came new methods and possibilities that our grandparents likely never dreamed of. Various types have entered the market, and besides the classic paper ones, today we can choose from various others, such as non-woven, textile, or even wallpapers made from reeds.
But let's take it all step by step. First and foremost, it's crucial to thoroughly consider how the room you want to wallpaper actually looks. In the past, it was unthinkable to wallpaper rooms like bathrooms or kitchens. However, with today's advancements, it's possible because there are vinyl wallpapers that easily withstand increased moisture in these areas. Vinyl wallpapers are also very easy to maintain and are suitable for children's rooms, where you can expect kids to give your walls (whether wallpapered or painted) a good workout.
Next, non-woven wallpapers are very popular. Their application is much easier because they don't require applying adhesive to the wallpaper. Additionally, they are easily washable and can have a smooth surface finish. Another significant advantage is their partial thermal insulation. However, it's essential to consider the condition of the walls beneath the wallpapers. They are very sensitive to the evenness and smoothness of the substrate. In case of unevenness, it will be necessary to prepare the surface with filler, which will affect the overall costs.
One of the major trends in recent years is the so-called "wall murals" or "photo wallpapers." These can be produced on both non-woven and traditional paper wallpapers. Some companies even offer custom wallpapers based on your own photographs. However, when opting for this type of decoration, be careful; nobody wants something tacky on their walls! Wallpapers are definitely a cleaner option than painting, and their application is much quicker. However, that's where the list of advantages ends. Wallpapers are not the cheapest option. The cost of wallpapering depends on the quality as well as the pattern of the wallpaper. Also, keep in mind the potential surface preparation we mentioned earlier, which can affect the overall costs. Moreover, if you decide to wallpaper by yourself, it's more complicated than painting. And let's be honest, experimenting with such an expensive matter might not be worth it in the end.
Final countdown
So, what's better - painting or wallpapering? Of course, there's no right answer, and it purely depends on your preferences. Painting is cheaper and undoubtedly more reliable. Here, you can also choose from various decorative painting techniques. Wallpapering, on the other hand, is simply more expensive, and there's a greater chance that you won't be able to do it yourself. If you want to experiment at least a bit, you can try combining both methods. You don't necessarily have to wallpaper the entire room, but maybe just one wall or a portion of it. This way, you'll still freshen up the interior, and it's a good compromise between affordability and a more significant change.