Paint or Wallpaper: Which is Better?

 With grasscloth 

 

If you’re designing a space, it’s common to start with the walls. But the first choice many designers encounter is wallpaper vs paint. In this article, we will review the wallpaper vs paint pros and cons so you can make the best design choice for the room you’re working on.

 

Wallpaper vs. paint

When looking for a way to decorate and style the walls in a room, many designers are faced with the choice: wallpaper versus paint. Each material has its distinct qualities, benefits, and drawbacks, and the right choice comes down to your design intentions. For example, when reflecting on wallpaper vs paint costs, paint typically tends to be less expensive, although that comes with limitations to the design possibilities. It’s easier to change paint often, since wallpaper requires professional installation, so in most cases choosing wallpaper is not easier than painting. But the right material also depends on the lifestyle of the people living in the home. If there are young children frequently making a mess on the walls, choosing paint may make sense as it is easier to clean. But for other more predictable environments, wallpaper–particularly in dining, living, and bedrooms–opens up a creative world of design possibility, far beyond the potential of paint applications.

 

Why would someone choose wallpaper instead of paint?

Comparing wallpaper vs paint, it’s clear that the price point and ease of maintenance can be a major selling point for paint. So why would a designer choose wallpaper instead? The world of wallpaper opens up options for texture, color variance, subtlety, pattern, and more. Even within the world of grasscloth, there is immense variation depending on whether you choose a tight, subtle weave like Sisal, or a thicker, bolder texture like Jute. Plus, with colors that span the spectrum–from Salt to Maritime–you can achieve richness and variety.

 

Why is wallpaper a good idea?

Why is wallpaper better than paint, and what makes it a desirable material for designers? Grasscloth can bring a unique texture and depth to a space that cannot be achieved with paint. Even when considering creative paint applications, in a textured paint vs wallpaper comparison, grasscloth offers more options than paint. Plus, the weave of the grasscloth and variety of paper backings mean you can choose more than color, but also textural qualities, sheen, contrast, and level of detail as a strong basis for the design of the entire room.

 

Which lasts longer: Wallpaper or paint?

Comparing wallpaper vs paint, paint lasts years and can easily be touched-up when it gets dirty or damaged. That said, grasscloth wallpaper can be long lasting when installed professionally and in the right conditions. Wallpaper is an investment–but this can pay off over time as you won’t have to replace it regularly. The only thing to look out for is fading when in direct sunlight. Grasscloth can change tone over time, but if you are installing wallpaper in a bright, naturally lit room with a lot of direct sunlight, you may want to choose a Japanese Paperweave, all of which are UV resistant. We also recommend investing in drapes or other window coverings to protect your grasscloth from light over time.

 

Is it better to paint or wallpaper a bathroom?

If you’re designing a bathroom and deciding between wallpaper and paint, in most cases, you should choose paint. We do not recommend installing grasscloth wallpaper in high-use bathroom areas that see steam and moisture. However, grasscloth can make a great statement in a small room when installed in a powder room or half-bath that sees minimal humidity. So when deciding paint vs wallpaper the better choice is paint for high-use bathrooms, and either for bathrooms that see minimal moisture.