Decorating is never an easy task. Depending on whether you're looking for a fresh look for your own home or are responsible for a more open space such as an office, a shop or a waiting room, it can feel very challenging to make the right decision. Especially, if you plan on having this decor for a while.
Remember that some wallcover solutions will be a better fit for those wanting a cheaper and more simple solution that they can constantly add-on or change as the time goes. Others, however, can cost a bit more, but last significantly longer. So depending on what you're looking for, there are a variety of solutions that can benefit you. In this article we'll look at the different wallcoverings and aspects you'd ought to keep in mind while making your choice.
Design
It comes as no surprise that most people make their decision solely based on the end result. May it be an interesting colour of paint, a never-before seen wallcovering design such as wood wallcovering, perhaps even a photo wallpaper that serves as art, just like a picture would on a wall. And to be fair, that seems perfectly reasonable.
At the same time, most elements in your interior probably found their way into it not only because of the look, but also considering the practical nature and potential maintenance they would require. So why wouldn't you apply the same reasoning when choosing a wall cover? Simple. Most people only know to consider traditional wall paints and sheets of wallpaper, because they've been around for so long, that anything other than that seems like an option only for the higher class. We're here to say - there's more than that available on the market these days!
Different types of plasters are the big game changers nowadays, as they come with both design and other wonderful, practical properties, which we'll look more at in the next section. Silk plasters, lime plasters, venetian plasters and more, offer an exciting new path into home decor, introducing the layman to more affordable new possibilities than ever before.
And just so we're all on the same page, there are more options out there than we look at in this article. You may know people who've used, for example, old newspapers for a more abstract wallcovering look, or they use bamboo wallcovering, which is more of a statement and wouldn't really be something you'd consider for the entire space. In this article we've tried to stay within the options that would fit the wider public in more common scenarios.
It is safe to say that almost any option you choose will come with a myriad of possibilities in terms of design, especially if you're seeking out a more modern wallcovering. From almost any colour on the spectrum, with additional design options and decorative possibilities, the final look shouldn't be the only consideration, as most will provide you with options you'll enjoy. Instead, look for additional benefits that can help improve your space. Interested? Let's take a look!
Properties and benefits
Now whilst there are more than enough options out there, in order to make the best choice for you, we suggest considering the following drawbacks and benefits to each option.
Wall paints
Wall paints have the most options out there, offering almost any colour on the spectrum. Paints are fairly easy to use time and time again, and if you have a creative side, it might even feel like doing a painting, where only your imagination is the limit. And since there are so many manufacturers and distributors, paints would also qualify as the overall more affordable of the choices.
When it comes to drawbacks, traditional wall paints are the most fragile. They will lose colour over time, will not provide any thermal insulation and won't cover any cracks or impurities on the wall. It might even highlight them. And if you have little kids who have a tendency to colour “around the house”, chances are, you're going to have to repaint your walls quite often.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is always a viable option. They are definitely more durable than paints and depending on the manufacturer, type and adhesive used can be a reliable option for many years. Wallpapers come in many forms - different ready-made patterns, photo wallpapers and even white ones you can turn into a fun arts project. They will also work well in hiding any inconsistencies on the wall.
However, wallpapers do fade. Especially when subjected to sunlight. Further, if subjected to humidity, they have the potential of peeling, bubbling and bursting. All of this, however, does depend on the make and model. More modern versions can be more durable, but they'll also be more expensive. Another thing about wallpapers is that any advancements in the field won't replace the fact that they come in sheets and, therefore, will show seams whether you want to or not. Lastly, – odour. Wallpaper does have the tendency to soak up any and all smells circulating the house. From kitchen fumes, to cigarette smoke, to any perfumes and smells dragged in from an open window, it can all contribute to the overall aroma. That is also why you might notice that people's houses smell differently, or just the fact that they have a smell at all.
Liquid wallpaper
While there are many types of plasters, a lot of them have similar qualities. Silk plaster liquid wallpaper, however, has the most benefits and we'll use this as a comparison.
Silk plaster eco friendly wallcovering comes with a series of benefits no other options offer. First and foremost, it's made from eco friendly materials, which will work well for sustainability-oriented people as well as those with outstanding allergies that you want to avoid when at home.
These products come with a unique soft-to-the-touch texture that will make the space feel homey and warm. And because of this wallcovering texture, it also works well in masking any impurities on the underlying walls. Because of its unique texture, Silk Plaster also works as acoustic wallcovering and doubles as thermal insulation, meaning that both your ears and your bodies will be a little more comfortable in a liquid wallpaper covered room.
Liquid wallpapers are odourless! We just mentioned that one of the drawbacks for traditional wallpapers was their ability to absorb and store all in-house odours. While Silk Plaster wall covers provide a wonderful, pleasant to the touch texture found in wallpaper, it also rejects any humidity and odours.
From a more practical point of view, liquid wallpaper also has the wonderful option of fragmentary repair. So if and when something goes wrong and you end up with a smudge or a marker drawing on your wall, you can easily remove the damaged area and replace it, without any noticeable difference! What's more, because of its texture and form of application, liquid wallpaper will never show any seams or be subject to bursts, like the other options might.
Finally, Silk plaster products also come with the added benefit of fire-resistance, making it one of the safer options out there!
Application
This is an important step, especially if you're looking to do the job yourself. At the end of the day - they're all manageable, but the question is, how much time and effort are you willing to put in to make that happen? Here's a short insight into the process.
(Please take note that this is not intended as a step-by-step process for you to use. These short descriptions are meant to give you a general idea of what it will look like and how much time it's going to take. Ultimately - we advise you to consult the information provided by the seller or a specialist.)
Wall paints
Paint jobs are one of the easier one's, but they still need a bit of preparation. To begin with, make sure you cover the floors or any furniture in the room with a drop cloth. We promise it's a lot easier than having to remove the spilled paint later! The same goes for the edges of the room’s corners, base and crown mouldings, door and window casings, or anything else you want to keep the way it is. For this you'll need a roll of painters tape.
Preparing the surface of your wall. Before you start with the actual painting process, it'll be very beneficial to the process, if you cover up any apparent cracks and holes with putty, as the paint won't hide them. Next, if you've chosen to repaint your wall with a lighter colour than the one underneath, make sure to start with a primer. It will make the wall a bit lighter and more susceptible to the new colour.
Application. Make sure you have all the products you need. If it's more than one can of paint, mix it into a single batch, so as to make sure the colour stays consistent. Mix well, both at first and as you go. Next you take a paint tray, a paint brush or a roller and start painting! Make sure to ventilate the room throughout and follow the instructions on the packaging as regards drying time.
Wallpaper
Putting up wallpaper may actually be the most difficult of the mentioned options. So if you're looking for a DIY project, we suggest you get some friends on board, otherwise you may want to consider wallcovering installers to give you the result you're looking for.
Regardless of which you choose, the process will usually begin the preparation of the wall by using putty, sandpaper and anything else to get the wall smooth. Next, make sure to put up at least one coat of primer onto the wall. This is especially significant for wallpaper as it will help the paper adhere to the wall and reduce the chance of the paper shrinking. Moreover – primer makes it easier to remove the wallpaper when the time comes.
You'll need to make sure you have enough wallpaper and that they're cut in appropriate length pieces (should be a bit longer than your wall, as it's better to cut it off than not have enough). You'll need to lay them out piece by piece and cover with the necessary type of adhesive paste. It should be indicated on the packaging. Then fold them up to carry up to the wall.
Start from the ceiling and let it slide as you straighten it out with a smoother. Finally, use a sponge to clean off any paste residue after each sheet is hung. It’s a lot easier to clean it up while it’s still moist instead of when it dries.
Silk plaster liquid wallpaper
If you're the type of person who likes doing things themselves or perhaps just want to try something new, Silk plaster liquid wall covers will truly provide you with the opportunity of a DIY plaster wall project.
As these products are applicable to both indoors and outdoors, it opens up a myriad of potential walls the material can be applied to, and most of them have their nuances in terms of preparation. Since the list is fairly long, we trust that those who want to know in more detail will look it up on our
website. For now we'll leave you with this – the goal is to have a ready-to-go surface that's dry, smooth, clean, monochrome white, free from stains and dust.
Once you have prepared the surface - you can treat it with a deep penetration primer. This means applying two layers of Silk plaster primer over the entire surface, aiming for total coverage. Drying time between the application of layers is 24 hours. Plus, the decorative plasters should be applied 24 hours after the second layer of Silk plaster primer.
Preparation of the material is an important step towards an amazing outcome.
You start with pouring clean, room temperature water into a plastic container. The amount of water for each type of decorative plaster usually is indicated on the packaging. Then pour the content of the package into the water. Similarly to the paints, if you need several packages of Silk plaster, mix them all at once. A single wall should be completely covered with the material from the same mix. If you wish, this is also the time to add glitters and/or decorative additives.
Mix the material by hand thoroughly. Some materials will require you to drill with a mixer nozzle, but you'll see that noted on the packaging. When that's done, put the soaked material in a plastic bag and keep it for 12 hours.
Before application, once more mix the material thoroughly by hand/mixer nozzle. Use a plastic trowel to apply small amounts of the mixed material evenly throughout the surface. After 1-2 hours smooth the surface with the trowel, wetting it with water.
To increase durability, as well as for a future possibility of wet cleaning, cover the surface with Silk plaster varnish.
Remember we told you about the possibility of fragmentary repair? This is how you'd go about it. Simply take some water and generously apply it to the area where you want to remove the liquid wallpaper. Let it soak in. Then you take a small trowel and gently scrape it off. Once it's done, let the surface dry and reapply the same material as already mentioned above, and you're good to go!
Durability
As with anything in this world – a product will serve you as long and well, as you treat it. Nothing is indestructible or lasts forever, but some products are simply more resistant to wear and tear, than others. An excellent example to this is seeing how they survive in similar circumstances - sunlight, humidity, absorption, tearing and others.
These parameters will no doubt bring liquid wallpaper ahead of the race, however, as we've said before, it ultimately depends on what you're looking for. Perhaps you want something that's cheaper, but you'll be able to switch out in a short period of time for something completely fresh. Maybe, you're looking for something that's going to last. By now you already know which product will give you what you're looking for.
Price
Finally, arguably the most essential factor to most, price. The easy answer here is that you'll most likely find paint as the cheapest option and put liquid wallpaper and any other non-traditional methods on the more pricey scale. However, with modern day technologies and product advancements, you'll see that some wallpapers come with more benefits and may be more expensive, surpassing paints and plasters. It's always a game of quality over advertising, but at the end of the day,
what you should consider is value for money.
See which product gives you the highest return on your investment. Consider the work, the durability, as well as the drawbacks and benefits of the products and remember – the cheaper option won't always be the worst and the most expensive one won't always be the best. It all depends on what you're looking for.
To sum up, here we've listed a few factors that may come up in your decision making process, when it comes to home decor. The aim was to give a brief overview and help you along the way. If you're still unsure about which way to go or what will look best for your space, make sure to stop by some wallcovering stores and talk to in-house specialists. In the least, having read this, you'll hopefully have a better understanding of what they're talking about!
Inspirational
