TYPES OF WALL COVERING
- Shivani Agrawal
- Jan 10, 2021
- 4 min read
Walls form the foundation of any decorating scheme. They can also dramatically transform a space, lending historical reference or sleek sophistication, eye-catching architectural detail or functional soundproofing, depending on your preference and how you approach them. From fabric coverings, classic wood panelling to worldly plaster siding these ideas for your walls are just the thing to reinvent the walls around you in a way you’ve always dreamed of.
PAINT
There’s no quicker way to reinvigorate a room than with paint, whether you coat all four walls with a solid hue, a vibrant colour for an accent wall, or an interesting texture or stripes. It’s not only the easiest finish to apply but also can be changed whenever the mood strikes.
From landscapes and country scenes to delicate branches and trellises, murals and other decorative artworks can add personality and quirk to a space. Such decorative paintings also include eye-tricking treatments like trompe l’oeil and faux bois.
TILE
Tiling as a form of wall covering has become very fashionable in modern homes over the last few decades or so – and not just in the bathrooms and kitchens! With so many different types of tiles out there made from a range of materials and with various looks and aesthetics, it’s no wonder that it has grown in popularity. The classic treatment has become surprisingly versatile, from porcelain options that resemble wood and durable marble slabs to decorative terra-cotta pieces in a variety of colours and patterns.
There has also been a growing trend of metallic toned tiles. Tiles made to look like brass, copper, gold and other metallic elements make for a seriously rich texture and they look absolutely fantastic!
VINYL WALLPAPER
This is a form of paper consisting of a vinyl plastic film onto which the design is printed, rather than printed on paper and then coated. As with the other paper types this can also be textured or embossed and in some cases can have a metallic effect.
The combination of this creates a wall covering that is much tougher and hard wearing than a washable paper. Stains and marks can be scrubbed away and removed, but only if the paper was hung correctly. You have to be careful when cleaning so as not to lift the seams by over soaking it.
Many of these kinds of wallpaper come ready-pasted and, due to their plastic layer, are extremely easy to strip away, leaving the only paper backing on the wall which can be easily scraped or scrubbed off the wall.
Ideal locations for this type of wallpaper include hallways, landings, a child’s room and staircases.
FOAM VINYL WALLPAPER
Similar to the previous type, the main characteristic of this paper type is that the surface is aerated with tiny bubbles which produce a slightly cushioned feel. This not only offers a rather luxurious feel, but it is also partially sound absorbing. These paper types are also warm to the touch due to the insulation effect created by the air bubbles, which also makes them an ideal choice for spaces that are prone to condensation. They may also feature heavy textures or embossing of the surface for certain effects such as imitating materials like wood grain or bricks.
FLOCK WALLPAPER
These paper types are generally either printed papers or a type of vinyl that features a very characteristic raised pile effect, generally made of fine wool or silk fibres on paper types and generally synthetic fibres on vinyl types. This very closely resembles a velvety texture to the touch.
The paper types have to be hung with great care as they are rather delicate and are prone to tearing and/or wrinkling, but the vinyl types are extremely tough and hardwearing and do not need as much care when hanging.
FABRIC WALL COVERINGS
The practice of using fabrics to cover or decorate your walls has been around for a very long time and is evident in many different cultures from all over the world. Lately, however, this is a trend that seems to have just exploded with popularity. Not only does it look rather stylish, but it is also very cost-effective and much less expensive and time-consuming than a lot of the other types of wall covering materials available.
Depending on the exact appearance you want, there are a couple of different ways to go about creating an upholstered look on your walls.
The most popular seems to be the “headboard” styled version, whereby you turn the wall (or part of it) into the headboard for your bed to create a space that is both stylish and comfortable.
The most popular and well-known is tufted upholstery. Seen on headboards, sofas, chairs, bed benches, footstools, and, of course, now walls, this is an aesthetic that feels rather lavish and grand. Tufts are most recognisable for their diamond pattern, but can also be square in shape.
Another type of upholstery that is more specific to wall coverage is the padded fabric wall panels. These are not only very modern and chic but are more versatile than the tufts as they can be virtually any shape or size you want, and in as little or as many different fabrics you want.
Just make sure that you measure your wall properly and that you take into account that these panels are padded and so will not lay flush against one another.
MIRROR OR REFLECTIVE SURFACE
Mirrored walls are very popular in gyms and dance studios, but why not bring this into your home? A mirrored wall will do wonders to open up the space in a room, bounce around the light to make it bright and airy, and give off the illusion that the room is bigger than it actually is. A wall of mirrored panels also imparts worldly patina and sleek sophistication.
However, there is a lot of maintenance and care that comes with a mirrored wall. You have to keep it clean and free of smudges and dust and be very careful not to crack or shatter the glass. A mirrored wall might not be the best idea if you have young children about.
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