Whether you realize it or not, the walls are among the first things we notice when we walk into a room. The color and/or patterns on the walls set the mood of the room, and they affect how we feel in that room. Therefore, deciding what the walls will look like in the rooms of your house is an important decision. You will have guests in those rooms, as well as (perhaps most importantly!) be spending a great deal of time in them yourself. Selecting either wallpaper or paint for your walls isn’t a decision that should be made lightly; it should be well thought-out and researched. Here is a list of pros and cons for both wallpaper and paint to help you make that important decision.
Wallpaper
Pros
- There are thousands of patterns, designs and textures available.
- You don’t have to put wallpaper up on the whole wall; you can use it as just a border.
- Wallpaper can be used to cover walls that are uneven, or have unsightly cracks.
- Wallpaper usually requires less cleaning, because the pattern often hides any dirt or grime that might show up easily on painted walls.
Cons
- Depending upon the type of wallpaper, it can be difficult to remove if you get tired of looking at the design (which may happen much more quickly than with a solid-colored wall).
- If just one spot is torn, you’ll have to replace the whole panel.
- Humidity can cause wallpaper to come apart and/or mold to grow behind the paper.
- It can be harder to clean and easier to damage with multiple cleanings.
- Wallpaper is more expensive than paint.
Paint
Pros
- Painting is easier and can be applied much more quickly.
- It is less expensive to buy enough paint to cover a room than to buy enough wallpaper for the same job.
- There are a wide variety of colors available, and they can be mixed to make your own unique color.
- Painted walls are easier to clean than wallpaper.
- It is easy to paint over nicks and marks.
Cons
- Walls must be smooth before they are painted.
- There are no ready-made patterns available.
- You may have to clean and re-paint walls more frequently.
According to some popular opinion, wallpaper is outdated, and paint looks more modern, but in the end the choice is up to you. Some designers are beginning to make unique mixtures of paint and wallpaper, using wallpaper as a top and/or bottom border, or in the middle of the wall to separate complimenting paint colors on the top and bottom of the walls. Additionally, while paint cannot give you the ready-made designs that wallpaper can, stencils and various paint techniques can be used to give your room unique designs tailored to your own tastes. Furthermore, a professional paint job can give your room a very modern and sharp look.