Benefits of Wallpaper Over Paint

Trying to decide between wallpaper and paint? In this article, you'll learn the benefits of wallpaper over paint, and why wallpaper is your ideal choice and the most durable and captivating for your interiors. 

Serenity Sand Damask Faux Finish Wallpaper by Walls Republic R1373

When designing a space there are a vast range of elements and tools to help you add texture, pattern, colour and depth to a space. A rich space incorporates all of these characteristics such as texture, depth, pattern, colour, and a focal point to create a layered and well-designed scheme. There are several ways to treat your walls and ceilings however wallpaper alone is the only method by which you can achieve all of these powerful design qualities together as a single package. Therefore, wallpaper is the easiest and least expensive way to drastically transform a space without needing many other elements.

Wallpaper is beneficial not only for its aesthetic appearance but it also adds to the longevity and durability of your walls. Even when working with solid colours wallpaper is most beneficial, durable, and cost efficient since it adds a protective layer to the wall that is cleanable and washable. It further can add very subtle texture and depth for more visual interest which cannot be achieved with just a simple flat coat of paint. Once you have explored today's contemporary wallpaper supplier you will inevitably throw away your misconceptions of wallpaper and learn its positive benefits that cannot be achieved with paint alone.

Paint Swatch vs. Plain Textural Wallpaper from Walls Republic SR1659, SR1167, SR1424

Paint Swatch vs. Plain Textural Wallpaper from Walls Republic SR1424

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WALLPAPER

• 1. Perception that wallpaper is difficult to clean

 > There are a range of cleaning capabilities for each product most are washable with a light sponging or there are also many with scrubbable surfaces for an even greater durability and cleaning strength.

• 2. I’m stuck with it! 

> New “paste the wall” technology allows you to peel it off the wall in a single strip – no mess or hassle.

• 3. Perception of old styles (my grandmother’s house)

> Old patterns were surface prints that had no texture and were limited in pattern, style, and colour range. New wallpapers break this frame bringing new colours, textural surfaces, and contemporary details etc.

• 4. Perception that wallpaper is no longer in style or fashionable and is a décor element of past generations

> New patterns are in style and are constantly used by interior designers, bloggers, and featured in leading design publications.

• 5. Expensive

> Like paint, wallpaper has a range of price points to keep all users in mind, and in the long run wallpaper will last longer than paint saving you long term expenses.

70’s Wallpaper with Limited Patterns and Colours, 80’s Wallpaper with Limited Patterns and Colours, Contemporary Wallpaper with New Patterns and Colours

WALLPAPER DURABILITY: LONG LASTING & CLEANABLE

Wallpaper is durable, long lasting, and cleanable to meet the needs of different lifestyles and applications, holding up to the wear and tear of children or conditions in high traffic areas. According to a lifecycle analysis, it was established that wallcoverings now can last five times longer than paint under typical usage conditions.

While wallpaper may require a little more knowledge to apply, most wallpaper will have a lifespan between 10-15 years making the work last a long time once it is installed. On the other hand, a painted wall chips and cracks over time, and requires more frequent cleaning to keep it looking fresh. It likely needs repainting after only a few years and in turn requires more work which can now be a process messier than wallpapering with new easy install paste the wall technology.

Orange Hexagonal Geometric Wallpaper by Walls Republic R2256

Washable wallpaper means that the wallpaper can be lightly cleaned with a sponge or damp cloth and a simple detergent solution to get rid of dirt.This makes it great for spaces like living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms and will clean easily with gentile sponging.

Bistre Lumber Faux Finish Wallpaper by Walls Republic R2347

Scrubbable wallpaper means that the wallpaper can withstand scrubbing with a brush and a specific detergent solution. These wallpapers are more durable than washable wallpaper and can handle mild detergent which is most useful in heavy wear areas such as a kitchen, bath, or laundry room. Scrubbable wallpapers will remove any fears of wallpaper cleaning and also makes wallpaper more life lasting and durable than paint.

Back to top

HIDES IMPERFECTIONS

Blue Florid Floral Wallpaper by Walls Republic S43698

In instances where you want to hide a wall such as in cases where walls are damaged, cracked, uneven, or not perfectly square, wallpaper can be helpful to mask these imperfections that will be most noticeable with only paint. Both paint and wallpaper have the ability to liven up bland spaces but wallpaper goes a step further with its ability to disguise flaws which can be much less time consuming and tedious than fixing all the little or big imperfections throughout the wall.

EASE - WALLPAPER INSTALLATION & REMOVAL

Many also fear wallpaper because they are worried about it being difficult to put up and take down, thus being stuck with it forever and creating a hassle and headache when removal is desired. However, this is no longer the case with paste the wall wallpaper technology. At Walls Republic all wallpapers are paste the wall, other than Mica and Grasscloth styles, however, this is not the case with all companies and it is important to check the specifications of the wallpaper to ensure you are getting exactly what you want.

Paste the wall technology makes installation and removal easier than ever and can be just about as easy as paint. With this new wallpaper you apply paste directly to the wall and hang the wallpaper dry making it easier to work with opposed to the traditional papers you must soak in water and hang while wet. These papers also strip off in full sheets when you are ready for an update; you simply pull up a corner and pull the entire wallcovering strip off the wall with no tools or hassle. Where you need to pay more attention in the application of wallpaper is in the pattern match and hanging around corners. To learn more about installation check out our free Installation Guide.

See how easy installation is with this simple graphic from the blog Hello Lidy using Walls Republic’s non-woven fabric backed paste the wall wallpaper!  

Slate Hexagonal Paste the Wall Wallpaper Installation by Hello Lidy!

Back to top

ADDS CONTEMPORARY TEXUTRE, PATTERN, COLOUR, CHARACTER TO LIVEN UP ANY SPACE

Cerulean Cluster Contemporary Wallpaper R2224

While old styles from the 70’s and 80’s may not have come in a wide range of patterns and colours now everything any anything can be found with styles to appeal to all generations, individuals, and spaces. Wallpaper can help bring warmth and depth to a room that cannot be achieved by paint alone. Wallpaper also gives you the ability to really show off your personality and style with the range of patterns, prints, and colours available. Wallpapers that have metallic details and play with lighting bring a heightened sense of curiosity, exploration, intrigue and interaction with the environment as a whole creating a highly dynamic space. Patterns are available in various scales from small to medium to large to suit any space.

Coarse Concrete Wall Mural by Walls Republic M8991

Whether you are just defining a feature wall or wallpapering an entire space the options are endless with grasscloth, glass beads, flock, mica, and textural vinyl. Some of the most popular styles include faux finishes that range from concrete slabs, wood grain, stone walls, fur, and brick for a highly realistic look. These styles are available as residential wallcoverings and often as a wallpaper mural which is also currently a peak trend in wallpaper with its high quality digital printing. Metallics including glass bead, mica, and iridescent inks or foils are also a popular trend in wallpaper.

Grey Spotlight Glass Bead Wallpaper by Walls Republic S43752

Brooklyn Bridge Digital Wall Mural by Walls Republic M8652

Digital wall murals are the latest development that gives you the ability to do virtually anything with your wallcovering by creating custom designs using your own high quality imagery or by simply modifying an existing design to achieve exactly the look you envision.

Back to top

FASHIONABLE AND IN STYLE

Wallpaper is back and is being specified by designers all over with features in magazines and blogs such as Hunted Interior and House and Home Magazine. Wallpaper is definitely on trend with its new cutting edge technologies and contemporary styles to give your home a designer look.

The Hunted Interior Blog Bedroom Transformation with Walls Republic Wallpaper R2338

Style at Home Magazine – December 2014 High Low Feature

Homefront Magazine

Back to top

BUDGET FRIENDLY

While in the short term it would seem that paint is a more cost effective option, but if you weigh in the long term costs wallpaper can actually be more cost effective. If you repaint your space approximately every few years to keep it looking fresh then investing in wallpaper that will last you 10-15 years will result in more savings for you in the long run. Using both paint and wallpaper together can also give you the best of both providing long and short term savings while giving you that bold and one-of-a-kind impact and texture with wallpaper.

Find your wallpaper style now, get inspired, and order your free samples. Get durability, style, and cutting edge colours & textures as a whole package!