Wallpaper vs. Paint: Which is Right for Your Interiors?

Trying to decide between wallpaper vs. paint? It’s not always clear which option will best suit your personal style, your home’s architecture, and your family’s practical needs. 

Wallpaper adds warmth and elegance to your interior spaces. It’s also durable and comes in a wide array of designs, patterns, and themes. Paint is simple and flexible to decorate with, and it’s easier to paint your walls than to wallpaper them, right? Not always.

Modern peel and stick wallpaper is actually pretty simple to install. Paint requires a lot of prep work and doesn’t hide wall imperfections as well as high-quality wallpapers. But both have their pros and cons, and you should always consult your personal taste and consider your practical needs when choosing between wallpaper and paint.

Benefits of Wallpaper

There’s a timeless elegance to interior designs that incorporate wallpaper. Paint can look understated and upscale, but it tends to blend into the background more than wallpaper does. Unless you choose an unusual color or combination of colors, paint is more of a backdrop than a statement piece in a home’s design.

Here are some of the key benefits of choosing wallpaper over paint:

• More design variability to choose from

• Covers wall imperfections

• Adds texture and dimension

• Moisture-resistant and bathroom-friendly wallpaper materials

• Removable peel and stick options

• Creates a focal point

Benefits of Paint

Paint is simpler to decorate with than most wallpapers. If you want a blank canvas to act as a background for unique furnishings and bright artwork, paint may be the right choice. While paint doesn’t cover wall imperfections as well as wallpaper, it’s sometimes easier to touch up small areas of damage on painted walls.

Here are a few advantages of opting for interior paint:

• Lower up-front cost

• Versatile look

• Simple application

• Easy repair process

Factors To Consider When Choosing Between Paint and Wallpaper

Design Preference

Perhaps the most important consideration when choosing between wallpaper and paint is your own personal style. If you enjoy warm spaces overflowing with charm, then wallpaper is almost certainly the way to go. But if you want your walls to act as a backdrop rather than a focal point, then paint may be more your speed.

Type of Space

Any room in your home can be wallpapered. However, it’s important to consider the space itself and its purpose. For example, many homeowners stick to paint in humid rooms like kitchens and bathrooms because moisture can damage traditional wallpapers over time. 

However, you can still wallpaper a bathroom! You just have to choose water-resistant materials and ensure the room is properly ventilated. 

Budget

Your budget is always a major factor when redecorating your home, especially if you’re doing any type of major remodel or project. Paint is generally less expensive upfront, but it needs to be touched up and replaced much more frequently.

While wallpaper may be more expensive initially, it also tends to last longer than paint, especially in high-traffic areas, giving you more bang for your buck.

Renting vs. Owning

If you own your home or business, you don’t have to worry about following rules when it comes to upgrades and decorating. But if you’re a renter, you may have to follow strict requirements. 

Some landlords require you to obtain written permission and follow specific restrictions, such as choosing from approved paint colors and finishes. In many cases, you’re also required to restore your apartment or rental space back to its original condition before you move out.

Unlike paint or traditional paste-the-wall wallpapers, peel and stick wallpaper is removable. It’s designed to be taken down with little-to-no damage or residue left on the wall surface. While you should still check with your landlord first, peel and stick wallpaper is a go-to option for renters.

Ease of Installation

While the painting processes can be tiring and time-consuming, it’s usually pretty easy to apply. However, installing wallpaper can be even easier when you choose a peel and stick method. 

Traditional wallpapers require a separate paste or glue for the design to stick securely to the wall. But peel and stick wallpaper has a built-in adhesive backing – sort of like a giant sticker. This makes installing your wallpaper even simpler and faster than painting.

Maintenance Requirements

Wallpaper takes the prize if you’re looking for a durable, long-term option. When installed properly, wallpaper can last 15-20 years with only occasional cleaning and dusting. 

Even high-quality paints can sustain chips and cracks that need to be touched up. However, wallpaper may be more difficult to repair if it gets seriously damaged or torn. 

Do You Have To Choose? Using Paint and Wallpaper Together

Wallpaper and paint aren’t mutually exclusive. You can easily decorate using both mediums in the same home or even the same room. For example, consider using wallpaper to create an accent wall, to highlight an architectural ceiling, or to create a separate area in a larger space, such as a small breakfast nook or reading alcove.

Combining wallpaper and paint in the same design can give you more flexibility and creative license in your interiors. For example, consider painting two walls in your room white and decorating with colorful, bold wall art. Then wallpaper the other two walls and add neutral artwork like mirrors, simple botanical prints, or black-and-white charcoal drawings.

Decorate Your Interiors With Premium Wall Coverings from Mitchell Black

Whether you’re planning to create a stunning accent wall with an artistic wall mural, create a gorgeous wallpaper backsplash in your kitchen, or cover your walls in a bold botanical print, wallpaper can breathe new life into your interior designs. 

Mitchell Black carries hundreds of top-quality designer prints. Choose from premium paper, type II vinyl, and removable peel and stick varieties, or opt for a textured grasscloth or custom wall mural. 

Not sure exactly what you’re looking for? Have questions about installation and maintenance? Speak to an expert and get your questions answered by booking a free session with our concierge service.