Unless you’re really into industrial design (i.e. too lazy), chances are that you’re going to want something to pretty up all the walls in the house. If you’re like most, it’s just a matter of just grabbing a bucket of paint and a brush, and going to town on those walls. If you aren’t, you’ve probably considered wallpaper. So what’s the deal with wallpaper and how does it differ from it’s liquid cousins? Both have their quirks but are worth considering. Need help with that? Here’s a list of five things to think about when deciding between wallpaper and paint.

Preparation and Installation

Wallpaper:

When you’ve got a brand new naked wall to play with, wallpaper is as easy as it gets. For the best finish, fill in those holes and imperfections with plaster and you’re golden. However, if you’re replacing an existing wallpaper, you’d be better off getting the professionals in. There are lots of chemicals and specialised stripping tools involved in the process.

Paint:

Walls need quite a bit of preparation; you’ve got to plaster, smooth, or even wash the walls first. And primer. Don’t forget the primer. Especially if you’re painting over darker colours.

Installation

Wallpaper:

You’d think that installing wallpaper should be easy peasy lemon squeezy and all that. There’s definitely fewer steps and less mess involved but not less time consuming. What’s really tricky is lining up the patterns from one sheet to another. An expert is most likely what you need; you don’t want to end up wasting more wallpaper than you have walls.

Paint:

Once you’ve prepped the wall surface, paint’s pretty easy to do. Well, not THAT easy. There is some technique involved. However, you’ll most likely pick it up and do it yourself quickly. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, you can trick your colleagues into helping out under the pretext of a “team-building” exercise.

Cost

Wallpaper:

Wallpaper, like paint, comes in a wide variety of quality and price tags. That said, you would generally pay more upfront. Plus the professional help you’ll need, it might seem too expensive. On the flipside, wallpaper tends to last far longer than paint. At least 15 years. With that in mind, on average, it costs just as much as paint.

Paint:

Mostly regarded as a cheaper option but it really depends on what kind of paint you settle on. If you decide on faux wallpaper or textured paints, your cost could easily skyrocket. If you’re the DIY type, you could do the job yourself and save on labour cost. But don’t forget paints usually need more than one coat, are prone to chipping, and don’t last as long as wallpapers.

Durability

Wallpaper:

Remember the bit about wallpaper lasting at least 15 years? In most cases, it’s because they are incredibly durable and easy to clean, especially the vinyl ones. Just wipe them. The only caveat is it dislikes high humidity rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms; the condition might cause wallpaper to peel off the wall.

Paint:

Paint is typically less durable; even when well applied, expect it to last anywhere from five to eight years. In that time, it’s prone to dirt and chipping. If you didn’t get the expensive easy-clean type of paint, you’ll be doing quite a few touch-ups. It’s not all doom and gloom: paint is quite resilient to humidity.

Variety

Wallpaper:

The selection available are myriad, with everything from patterns to pictures to textures. Want exposed bricks? There are 3D brick wallpaper designs for that. Timber walls? Why not? One who has a love affair with design has a world of choices at their fingertips with wallpaper.

Paint:

What paint has in spades is every colour of the rainbow, and then some. It’s practically endless! If you’re a regular Leonardo Da Vinci, you could paint a one-of-a-kind wall. Or hire Li Na Dou to do it if you’re not. Naturally, it’ll take more time and money to do so but the option to do just about anything you can dream of is there.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it all boils down to your taste, time, and budget. And who says you can’t have the best of both worlds. Let your creativity go wild. Mix and match to whatever appeals to you. Or don’t mix at all. Just don’t cut corners on their installation — it’ll be years before you get to fix mistakes.