Style Guide: 5 Reasons to Choose Wallpaper Over Paint

When it comes to decorating your home, nothing does more to convey your personal style than wall coverings. If you’re in the process of remodeling, or just revamping your space, you’ve probably caught yourself scrolling the seemingly endless array of wallpaper patterns and styles, or swimming in a sea of free paint samples. In this article, we'll explore five compelling reasons to choose wallpaper over paint. Additionally, we'll cover the pros and cons of the wallpaper world’s two main groups: peel and stick wallpaper and traditional. The goal of this guide isn’t just to get you over to team wallpaper, but to help you make an informed decision, and ultimately, have a space that suits your needs and reflects your own style. However, if you’re still in love with your paint samples after reading this, then take a look at our guide on “How to Pick the Perfect Neutral” to help with your selections!

Explore our guide on wallpaper featuring chic, yet functional powder bathroom and laundry room remodels.

Laundry Room Gallery

Powder Bath Gallery

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In this wallpaper style guide you’ll find:

5 reasons to choose wallpaper over paint

Project Spotlight: Laundry Room

Laundry Room Gallery

Laundry Room Before and After

Peel and Stick Wallpaper vs Traditional: The Pros and Cons

Project Spotlight: Powder Bath

Powder Bath Gallery

Powder Bath Before and After

Selections

5 Reasons to Choose Wallpaper Over Paint

Versatile
Wallpaper offers an endless range of designs, patterns, and textures- making it an ideal choice for personalizing your space. Unlike paint, wallpaper can replicate intricate patterns, fabrics, and even photographs. Whether you prefer a textured grasscloth, a whimsical floral design, or a contemporary geometric motif, there is guaranteed to be a wallpaper option that caters to your unique taste.
Long Lasting and Durable
One significant advantage of wallpaper is its durability. While painted walls can be easily scuffed or chipped, wallpaper is more resistant to wear and tear. The initial cost of wallpaper is often higher than paint. However, considering its longevity, wallpaper is a cost-effective choice in the long run. With proper care, quality wallpaper can last for several years without losing its charm.
Low Maintenance
Maintaining wallpaper is simpler than you may think. Most modern wallpapers are washable and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. This makes them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas like mudrooms and bathrooms where dirt is inevitable. Paint may show signs of wear through chipping and staining over time.
Hides Imperfections
Wallpaper can work wonders in concealing small imperfections on your walls. Wallpaper provides a smooth and flawless finish for walls with minor cracks or irregularities. In contrast, paint may highlight these imperfections, requiring additional repair work.
Unique Aesthetic Appeal
Wallpaper’s wow-factor is undeniable. It can add depth and dimension to a room that paint alone cannot achieve. The tactile experience of textured wallpapers or the visual impact of a well-chosen pattern can create a unique and inviting atmosphere in your space that perfectly reflects your personal taste.

Project Spotlight: Laundry Room

The laundry room is often an overlooked and under appreciated room in the house. And, depending on your family’s phase of life, you might feel like its the most used space in your home as well! Our clients have little ones running around, meaning laundry is a never-ending cycle. Our clients figured if they’re going to spend that much time in the laundry room washing and folding, they might as well have a space that they love!

Our clients chose to put a personal touch on their laundry room with a powder blue and cream color scheme. The light blue wallpaper combined with polished chrome finishes and Sherwin-Williams’ Krypton for the trim, door, and cabinets is a chic, yet calming duo.

This laundry room renovation is as functional as it is chic. The custom cabinetry offers plenty of storage space for linens and cleaning supplies. A pull-out rack next to the washer and dryer conveniently stows away soaps and detergents. The centrally located sink is perfect for soaking stained clothes; while the hanging rack above gives delicates a place to air dry.

Our clients were looking for durable solutions for their high-traffic laundry remodel, and wallpaper is the perfect solution because it wipes down easily and protects the drywall from scuffs and scratches. In addition, our custom cabinetry can hold up to years of daily use. The blue and white color scheme is just the icing on the cake for this optimized and oh-so-cute laundry room!

Looking for more laundry room inspo? Check out this laundry and mudroom combination, or see how we converted our clients’ attic into a a luxe laundry room!

Laundry Room Gallery

Laundry Room Before and After

Peel And Stick vs. Traditional Wallpaper: The Pros and Cons

Peel and Stick Wallpaper: The Pros

Easy Installation: Peel and stick wallpaper is a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts and renters. It doesn't require any glue or adhesive, making the installation process straightforward. Simply peel off the backing and apply it to the wall, making it easy to reposition if needed.

No Residue: One of the most significant advantages of peel and stick wallpaper is that it leaves no residue when removed. This makes it ideal for renters who want a temporary design solution, or those who want to experiment with a new style. You can update your space without worrying about damage to the walls.
Variety of Designs: Peel and stick wallpaper comes in a wide array of designs and colors, just like traditional wallpaper. You can find options to match any decor style, from modern and minimalist to vintage and eclectic.
Non-committal: If you're looking for a quick and affordable way to refresh your space, peel and stick wallpaper is an excellent choice. It allows you to update your walls without the commitment of traditional wallpaper, which can be more challenging to remove.

Peel and Stick Wallpaper: The Cons

Limited Durability: While peel and stick wallpaper is convenient and easy to use, it tends to be less durable than traditional wallpaper. It may not hold up well in high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
Not Ideal for All Surfaces: Peel and stick wallpaper works best on smooth and clean surfaces. It may not adhere properly to textured or rough walls, which can result in an uneven appearance.

Traditional Wallpaper: The Pros

Superior Durability: Traditional wallpaper is known for its durability. It can last for many years without showing signs of wear, making it a long-term investment in your home's decor.

Customization: With traditional wallpaper, you can often choose a custom design or order a specific pattern to match your unique vision. This level of customization is typically not available with peel and stick options.

High-Quality Materials: Traditional wallpaper is often made with high-quality materials, offering a luxurious look and feel that can be challenging to replicate with peel and stick alternatives.

Greater Variety: While peel and stick wallpaper offers a wide selection, traditional wallpaper provides an even broader range of patterns, textures, and materials. You can find options that suit both classic and contemporary aesthetics.

Traditional Wallpaper: The Cons

Complex Installation: The installation of traditional wallpaper can be more labor-intensive and time-consuming compared to peel and stick options. It typically involves adhesive application, careful alignment, and precise cutting. If you have never installed wallpaper before (or even if you have), we recommend hiring a professional. They will be able to get it up faster, with less waste.
Challenging Removal: When it comes time to update your decor, traditional wallpaper can be more difficult to remove than peel and stick alternatives. The process may involve scraping and the use of special solvents.
Wall Preparation: Before applying traditional wallpaper, walls may require more preparation work to ensure a smooth and even surface. This can add time and expense to your project.
Limited Reusability: Traditional wallpaper is less forgiving when it comes to repositioning. Once it's in place, it can be challenging to adjust or move without causing damage.

Project Spotlight: Powder Bathroom

This colorful powder bathroom remodel marries classic southern charm with contemporary accessories to create a tiny space with a big impact. Painting the cabinetry and trim in Farrow and Ball’s Cooking Apple Green gives this powder bathroom an unexpected, but not out of place, pop of color that accentuates the wallpaper’s watercolor motif.

The custom vanity’s inset drawers and cabinets, paired with brushed gold accessories and plumbing fixtures to give this hall bath a contemporary flare.

If you’re looking for more powder bathroom inspo, check out our guide on “5 Steps to Creating the Perfect Powder Room”.

Powder Bath Gallery

Powder Bath Before and After

The decision between wallpaper and paint is a significant one when decorating your home. Wallpaper offers design versatility, durability, and easy maintenance, making it a compelling choice. It can also hide imperfections and add a unique aesthetic appeal that paint may struggle to achieve. However, peel and stick wallpaper and traditional wallpaper each have their own set of pros and cons, catering to different needs and preferences.

When choosing between peel and stick wallpaper and traditional wallpaper, consider factors such as ease of installation, durability, customization, and the specific surface you're working with. Both options have their strengths and weaknesses, so the right choice ultimately depends on your individual circumstances and design goals.

In the end, whether you opt for wallpaper or paint, and whether you choose peel and stick or traditional wallpaper, the most crucial factor is that your choice aligns with your vision for your space. Your home should be a haven that reflects your personality and style. So, take your time, explore your options, and make the choice that best suits budget, design, and style. Remember, nothing you love truly goes out of style.