Paint or wallpaper, which wall covering should you choose?

The work on your house is nearing completion and you need to choose how to dress your walls? Or are you simply renovating your house? You are considering the choice you will make between paint and wallpaper, but you cannot decide?

Although the choice is a matter of taste, let us discover together the advantages and disadvantages of each covering, which will allow you to choose the one that best suits your house, your walls and your expectations.

• PAINT

First of all, there are two types of paint: acrylic and glycerophthalic. Acrylic, water-based, releases no odour and contains no toxic solvents. It is perfect for walls that may become stained, such as kitchen walls, as they can be easily cleaned with water and a sponge. By contrast, glycerophthalic contains polluting substances, but it is very covering and lasts over time. It is now also possible to use ecological paints, which respect the environment. They are essentially composed of natural materials.

Paint, if the proper preparation has been carried out, can be applied to all types of surface (walls, ceilings, floors, furniture…), and adapt to all rooms in the house and all uses. For frequently used rooms such as the living room or kitchen, opt for a velvet paint, which will make the walls stand out more. For rooms with little traffic, a matte paint is suitable. For rooms where humidity is present, such as bathrooms, it is preferable to choose a bright or satin-coloured paint.

Paint has a very long lifespan; it can last for years if applied by professionals. In the long term, therefore, it allows for significant savings!

But we must find a disadvantage… between its coats, its undercoats, and the application time, paint requires a great deal of time and work. The finish will depend on the preparation of the surface, and this takes time. Depending on the chosen colour, count on a minimum of two coats and three or four for darker colours to obtain a good finish. Not to mention the investment it represents. But do not be afraid, you will be able to enjoy the result for many years.

• WALLPAPER

Wallpaper, for its part, is easy and quick to apply, and you do not need to have it installed by a professional. Thanks to an impressive range of designs, it adapts to everyone’s tastes, and will allow you to achieve the decoration of your dreams. Add originality to your interior, thanks to all the choices of colours, patterns, graphics… And if you like change, its price is not excessive, so you can change your covering more regularly.

Traditional wallpaper is perfect for bedrooms, and for bathrooms or damp rooms, vinyl wallpaper is more suitable as it is waterproof. There is also expanded wallpaper, with texture effects.

If your wall has imperfections, it is perfect for hiding all the small flaws. However, your wall must not be too damaged, otherwise it will no longer be able to hide them.

Wallpaper is a wall covering that does not withstand wear for long, so you will need to consider changing it more quickly. However, a revolutionary wallpaper exists: magnetic wallpaper. A true innovation, this trendy wallpaper is very practical; it is removable and repositionnable. You simply need to place a magnetic sheet on the wall before applying the wallpaper, and then place it on top. It is therefore very easy to replace it when the time comes.