Could your bathroom walls use a bold pattern to spice up the space, or is a solid color best? Essentially, you’re choosing between using wallpaper and paint. So, which is the best decor option for your bathroom?
There are many factors that influence whether you should choose wallpaper or paint. With a better understanding of the advantages and shortcomings that each of these wall finishes offer, you can make a better informed decision.
Wallpaper: The Pros
Today’s wallpaper offers even more in the way of designs, style, and quality than it did in the past. For this reason, it’s a popular choice among many homeowners. Why might you consider using wallpaper in your bathroom?
● Durability: When you buy a quality wallpaper and have it professionally installed, it can last for decades. Keep in mind today’s wallpapers are much improved upon the earlier designs that may first come to mind when you think of wallpaper. For instance, moisture-resistant wallpaper is now available and can last even in a steamy bathroom. Moisture-resistant wallpaper is also wipe-clean.
● Attractive Designs: Whether you go for a bright and bold pattern or an understated pattern featuring neutral colors, there are many attractive designs available. Intricate patterns can also provide an attractive air of elegance and warmth in bathrooms, creating an effect that would be impossible to replicate with paint.
● Cover Wall Defects: Paper right over nicks, scratches, and holes in your wall with wallpaper. This can be easier and more affordable than filling in and sanding down all of the imperfections before painting. Do keep in mind that larger imperfections or holes should be repaired so that the wallpaper sticks evenly and doesn’t get torn.
Wallpaper: The Cons
Here are some reasons you should proceed with caution when choosing wallpaper to decorate your bathroom.
● Easily Damaged by Moisture: Despite the fact that some wallpapers can withstand the moisture and steam associated with the bathroom, many less resistant wallpapers may start to peel and bubble up over time. However, if your bathroom has excellent ventilation, or you choose a moisture-resistant design, you could still have wallpaper that looks beautiful many years later. If you’re finishing the walls in a powder room, you probably don’t need to worry about moisture being an issue.
● Difficult to Remove: Wallpaper is a more or less permanent choice. You can’t just paint over it if you get bored with the pattern. Also, wallpaper removal is a big ordeal involving chemicals and professional help. Even so, the removal process can sometimes damage your walls! So, you have to be committed to the wallpaper you choose if you go this route.
There are plenty of compromises to mitigate some of the potential downsides of using wallpaper. For example, you can use it on an accent wall instead of covering an entire room. Or, you can use a piece of it in a large frame as bathroom art!
Paint: The Pros
Good, old-fashioned paint is a popular choice to finish walls thanks to its many positive characteristics which include:
● Affordability: Even quality paints are quite affordable for homeowners to purchase and apply.
● Easy to DIY: While a professional paint job can improve outcomes, most people are capable of painting a room and achieving an attractive finish. All you need are some basic tools such as a rollers, painter’s tape, paint, and brushes.
● Wide Array of Colors: The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing paint colors. You can also opt for different levels of shine or gloss as per your preferences.
● Easy to Change: If you decide you’d like to change the color of your painted walls, all you have to do is apply a coat of primer and you’re ready to go!
Paint: The Cons
Unfortunately, paint isn’t perfect. Here are some of the potential downfalls of paint.
● Easily Damaged: A bump to the wall with a sharp object or the scrape of a chair along the wall can easily result in scratches and nicks that damage the paint. Upkeep of this sort of damage with touch-ups can quickly become tedious.
● Limited Designs: While it’s true that you can paint just about any color, you won’t get the depth and patterns available with wallpaper. Sure, you could use stencils, but that’s a very involved process when compared to the ease of wallpaper and a job more suited for someone with good experience.
● It’s Work: While it’s relatively simple to DIY with paint, it also involves a lot of care and precaution. You have to cover everything with drop cloths and move as many objects as possible out of the room being painted. Even if you take all of the precautions, there will still be lots of cleanup involved. You may even need to temporarily remove lighting, hardware or other fixtures to make sure the paint coverage is thorough.
Knowing the details about the pros and cons of both wallpaper and paint will help you make a decision that makes the most sense for your bathroom. With either one, you have the potential to completely transform your bathroom and make it a much more inviting, attractive space.