While the many components such as pipes, cables, insulation, and structural necessities that make up your walls are the lifeblood of your home, that doesn’t mean that you want to see them all the time. You need a wall finish to cover up everything going on underneath, to give your home a put-together look, and also to protect your walls.
If you are having work done and are trying to decide on the different types of interior wall finishes available, read on to discover more about these types. And why decorative wall finishes could be the best choice for you…
What are the different types of interior wall finishes?
There are several key types of interior wall finishes, some of which are cheaper than others. Alternate choices provide more of an aesthetic boost, and others still can offer texture as well as a positive look. The most important and popular of the wall finishes available include:
Wallpaper
Perhaps a somewhat simple and obvious choice, wallpaper is nonetheless popular for several fantastic reasons. You can find low-cost wallpaper, high-quality wallpaper, and utterly luxurious textures and designs to suit every budget as well as every taste. You can choose any of the seemingly limitless choices on offer to get the end result that you want.
With wallpaper, you can easily add greater layers of depth than you can with traditional paint, and yet it is still possible to find the wallpaper you want at an affordable price. It can be applied swiftly and easily, covering up certain imperfections if needed to leave your walls looking better than ever.
Wallpaper can be easy to clean, provides your ideal finish, and is a great way to inject some character into a room. On the downside, it can also take a fair amount of preparation to be done right, and cannot be added directly onto just any surface.
Paint
Paint is the most popular choice for most homes, available in an impressive range of textures and styles, as well as an unending rainbow of colours. You can choose paint for its protective qualities, as you can opt for UV-resistant paint, chemical or moisture-resistant paint, and so on. The right paint can even help prevent pests, and you can find exactly the paint that you want with relative ease.
You can use paint to highlight features or disguise blemishes, to protect your walls, and even to improve air quality inside the property. You may not be able to apply every kind of paint to every type of surface, and you may have to do a certain amount of prep to any surface before applying it. However, it is worth the effort.
Between all the different types of paint and the finishes available, you can style your walls however you like. You can go for glossy or matte, cheap and cheerful water-based options, or perfectly chosen finishes to combat any issues from the weather or anything else. There is more than one reason why paint remains such a popular choice for wall finishes, though the fact that you can find paint to suit any requirements is perhaps the most important.
Cladding
Cladding involves adding one material to another in order to cover a wall. The material you use can really be anything, though it often has protective qualities to add an extra layer of security to your wall. Often found on exterior walls, cladding can also be used inside your home. You can use stone, brick, wood, metal, or composite panels as cladding, with each offering a different yet beautiful look.
If you choose timber, for example, you can opt for a more shabby-chic look or go more natural. You can use stone for its durability as well as how good it looks, while brick is a classic choice that would give your home more of a traditional finish. Metal can be a superior choice for protection, and it can be the longest-lasting option.
Cladding is an excellent choice for more reasons than simply providing an attractive finish. A cladded wall can also have better soundproofing, be more insulated, and be better protected from the natural elements.
Textured wall finishes
You can find textured options in all of the above categories, and also in the choice of plaster that you apply. 3D or textured paint, materials that stand out and provide a better feel as well as look can be some of the best choices for wall finishes that you can pick.
What is a decorative wall finish?
Decorative wall finishes are generally considered high-quality alternatives to traditional wall finishes. If you choose a decorative wall finish you are making a statement about the kind of property you have, adding often luxurious touches like decorative metallics or fancy plaster to your walls. Unlike normal wallpaper or paint, decorative wall finishes are more complex but can produce better results.
One of the key examples of decorative wall finishes is Venetian plaster. Venetian plaster is a high-quality choice for your walls, adding character and charm to any property. Made from marble dust and lime putty, it can be applied to your walls to create a smooth and shiny surface. When applied right, it can then resemble materials like marble, stone, or concrete.
Venetian plaster looks hugely impressive, and yet it is not much more money than many other types of wall finish that you can find. It is becoming increasingly popular once again, reviving its former place as the wall finish of choice. Particularly for anyone who wants their walls to look magnificent without actually having to apply something like marble.
Some other examples of decorative wall finishes
- Textured finishes
- Concrete effect
- Fresco plaster
- Venetian plaster
- Feature Walls
- Metalic effect
- Weathered/aged effect
- Interior wood panelling
- Coral wall finish
- Tile/marble/stone cladding
- Plaster of Paris
- Tinted glass wall finish
Final thoughts
When you are considering the different wall finishes for your property, think about the effect that you intend to create, whether you have any protective requirements, and what aesthetics are important to you. With a decorative wall finish like Venetian plaster, you can create an unbeatable look that is timeless, yet achievable without breaking the bank.
While wallpaper and paint may be the cheapest and most varied options out there, you can’t really go wrong with a decorative wall finish for your house.
