Wall Covering Ideas

Whether you're renovating your house or shifting into a new one, giving your walls a makeover can completely transform your living space. Many of us don't think beyond the options of paint and wall paper when interior decorating; we head straight for shade cards and swatches. However, there's a world of options to consider as great wall covering ideas.

The Conventional Way

Paint

The most conventional of all the ways to cover walls, painting needs little introduction. There's a plethora of options available in terms of colors, shades, and textures.

Painting is also a great DIY option, which can help in cutting costs if you're on a tight budget. Make sure you read up on painting techniques and tips though, before you take on a project.

Wall Paper

Papering your walls is another great way to stamp your personal style onto a space. Like paint, wallpapers come in a myriad of textures and finishes, and you're more than likely to be spoiled for choice.

Many people choose the one that they can match with their furniture or linen, to create a coordinated overall look that is pleasing to the eye. With new and innovative techniques and a slew of manufacturers to choose from, you can find wallpaper to suit any budget.

If you're looking for basement covering, for instance, and don't want to shell out a huge sum, papering is a good option. You can also use furring strips that are available in 2x2 sheets, under wood paneling to give your basement a rustic makeover.

Tiles

Bathroom setting with assorted traditional tiled areas

Tiles are a popular choice for spaces where there is a lot of water exposure, mainly kitchens and bathrooms. Ceramic tiles are designed to withstand and resist deterioration on prolonged water contact and therefore are a preferred choice for bathrooms.

However, if you have a spacious bathroom, with demarcated areas for wet and dry, you can use a combination of bathroom ceramic tiles and paint or wallpaper, as an option. The same applies to your kitchen, where you can use tiles around the sink and paint the rest of the area.

Tiles do however, require a good amount of maintenance. Since they are routinely exposed to water, they also form breeding grounds for bacteria and mildew. Wiping tiles down regularly, will help reduce the effort you need to put to clean the grout between tiles.

Wood Paneling

You could consider paneling, or creating a single wood paneled wall as a focal point in your room. If you're unsure about using wood paneling for the entire wall, wainscoting is another option to consider.

There are numerous wainscoting ideas that you can go through before you settle on a style that appeals the most. Wainscoting is often seen along corridors and stairs, to create an interesting contrast in texture.

Wooden wall coverings also include using heavy grade adhesives to fix sheets of veneer. Most of these are expensive though. So this may not be a great solution if you have budget constraints.

The Creative Way

If you're looking for unusual ideas, your options need not be restricted to those that cover the entire wall. It can be vexing to find unseemly patches, especially if you've found a shade of paint or paper that you're very happy with.

In such cases, you can cover up patches, using framed works of art. Haven't got a painting lying around? Look for your most colorful rug, or that silk scarf you never wear, get it framed, and mount it on the spot you need to cover.

Children's rooms are spaces where you can really let yourself go. Visit your hardware store and you'll find a variety of finishes that you can experiment with. One that is likely to be popular with children is using chalkboard paint, to create a chalkboard wall.

Get your kids some chalk in different colors, and give them a free hand - they're sure to give wall art a whole new meaning! Another easy idea for kids' rooms, is to cover one wall, or a section with soft board. Kids can use this as a surface to pin up pictures, notes, schedule or even create collages if the urge takes them.

While giving walls a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into any space, you need not restrict yourself to just painting. Think of your wall as a blank canvas, that you can use to express your creativity. You will be pleasantly surprised at the results!