Paint or wallpaper: how to choose
Both can transform a room. The decision comes down to how the wall is used, how much light it gets, and how long you want the look to last.
What this decision really turns on
Wear and moisture
Hallways, kids' rooms and bathrooms punish delicate finishes. Scrubbable paint or vinyl wallpaper survives; matte paper does not.
Light and colour shift
North-facing rooms cool every colour down. The swatch that looked warm in the shop can read grey on the wall.
Commitment
Paint is cheap to undo. Traditional wallpaper is not — peel-and-stick sits in between.
Questions worth answering first
- Which room, and which direction do its windows face?
- Who uses the space, and how hard is it on the walls?
- Are you covering an imperfect wall surface?
- How long do you want to live with this look?
HOW HOUSE asks these one at a time, then reasons from your answers — and your photos, if you share them.
Mistakes that cost homeowners money
- Choosing a colour from a small chip instead of a large sample viewed at different times of day.
- Using flat paint in a high-traffic hallway.
- Wallpapering a wall with moisture problems that haven't been resolved.