You’ve probably noticed the wallpaper craze is still strong. If you’re on the fence about wallpaper, you are not alone. Today, we have a lot more application options than in the past, making wallpaper a more accessible choice. Let’s explore some pros and cons of wallpaper to help you make your decision.
Benefits of Wallpaper
- Texture and Pattern: Wallpaper is a great way to add texture and/or pattern to your walls. If you want an intricate design or something elaborate, hand painting may be a little too lofty of a project. Wallpaper patterns will be error free and can come in endless design options to suit your style.
- Cover Flaws: Flaws such as small surface cracks, dings and dents from toys or pets, and even colored-on walls from kids can be covered easily with wallpaper.
- Durability: A high-quality wallpaper can last well over a decade and stays nice and vibrant over the years. It’s important to invest in a nicer wallpaper if you want it to last for many years. Trendy, peel-and-stick wallpaper can be a great option if you want to swap it out in a few years.
- Options: Today’s wallpaper trends range from sleek and subdued to bold and dramatic. But in addition to design options is application options. There are some peel-and-stick varieties that are easily removable, making this type of wallpaper a good choice for renters. Do a little research before you buy to ensure you’re getting the type of wallpaper you want for your project.
Negatives of Wallpaper
- Tricky Removal: For durable, classic wallpaper, removal can be pretty difficult. Vinyl or laminate-coated wallpaper can be especially tough because it’s designed to repel water. Traditional paste wallpaper is also tricky to remove, so if you go this route, know it’s a long-term solution.
- Humidity: Wallpaper doesn’t love humidity, so if you’re installing it in a bathroom with an awesome shower that tempts your family to stand in there for hours a day, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Too much humidity can cause it to peel.
- Repairs: When paint peels or chips, you can easily sand and repaint that area with the exact same color, but with wallpaper, repairs are much trickier. Modern wallpaper doesn’t tend to rip or peel like older wallpaper did, but it’s still something to consider if you want to invest in a wallpaper project.
- Looks Dated Faster: Because certain wallpapers can be tricky to remove, some owners tend to leave it up for longer than they initially planned. If you’ve installed a very trendy wallpaper today, it’s probably going to be out of style within 10 years. Paint is generally easier to cover up and redo. Often, if you’re going for a bold trend, you may want to choose an easy peel-and-stick option rather than a long-lasting option.
With all home design decisions, you will be faced with pros and cons. We may be a design, build, and remodel company, but we’ve seen a lot of décor fails and successes and can provide advice from our experts.
