How Do I... Select a Wall Finish?
A great way to refresh your home is to update your walls, but there’s more than just paint to choose from
The most common way to cover the walls in your home is obviously paint; and usually white paint. But there are other types of wallcoverings you can choose from and they can be just as easy to use.
We got some experts to get their tips on what the new wallcovering trends are, and how to use them in your home to get the best results.
We got some experts to get their tips on what the new wallcovering trends are, and how to use them in your home to get the best results.
The Cost: Paint is generally the cheapest way to refresh your walls. You can buy your own paint and DIY, or hire a professional contractor which can cost anything from $450 to $6,350 depending on the size of the job, the details, i.e., if you have a lot of cutting in to do, or the types of paint you’re using. Paint brands like Dulux offer deals if you use their preferred decorators.
Wallpaper is totally cool right now …
Gone are the days of wallpaper being a naff reminder of the ‘80s. Wallpaper is totally cool these days.
Gone are the days of wallpaper being a naff reminder of the ‘80s. Wallpaper is totally cool these days.
According to the team at StarWalls, wallpaper is experiencing a resurgence in Singapore.
The most common wallpapers are conventional wallpapers in small roll size with repeated motifs or designs. The StarWalls team explains: “These conventional wallcoverings can also come in different types of materials too, but paper-backed is the most popular because of the generous options for designs offered and the lack of information during selection. But there are a lot more options if consumers really look around.”
Jean Leong at Goodrich Singapore, agrees that wallpapers have really made a comeback.
“At Goodrich we have over 20,000 wallcoverings and wallpapers which offer various textures ranging from vinyl, paper, textile, natural handcrafted material and hand-painted papers,” explains Jean, “but we have found that the most requests [in Singapore] are for vinyl finishes.”
“Vinyl finishes for wallcovering are ideal for commercial properties and high traffic areas. They usually come in large widths that will not show any visible joints… and are usually used for corridors, dining areas,” says Leong.
“Vinyl finishes for wallcovering are ideal for commercial properties and high traffic areas. They usually come in large widths that will not show any visible joints… and are usually used for corridors, dining areas,” says Leong.
How to choose?
Wallpaper murals
Singaporean interior stylist Priscilla Tan says that you should look for natural textures and murals – something that both StarWalls and Goodrich echo.
Wallpaper murals
Singaporean interior stylist Priscilla Tan says that you should look for natural textures and murals – something that both StarWalls and Goodrich echo.
“Gone are the days when wall murals were capped by limited production sizes that were usually too large or too small for your wall,” explains the team at StarWalls.
Starwalls Inspiration
“Today’s wall murals are customised to each and every wall to fit nicely and with the huge number of mural designs available, there are an overwhelming number of choices no matter what interior design theme.”
Murals not your style?
If a mural is not what you’re looking for, the most popular and on-trend prints for wallpapers are large floral or botanic prints, geometric patterns and metallics.
If a mural is not what you’re looking for, the most popular and on-trend prints for wallpapers are large floral or botanic prints, geometric patterns and metallics.
Wallcoverings from Phillip Jeffries
“Singaporeans are more adventurous in exploring design inspired wallcoverings for their feature or focal walls as there is limited wall space available in an HDB flat,” explains Leong.
Wallcoverings from Yuan Ping
“We still have requests for the classic and contemporary prints, but geometric, floral and resort themes are frequently being sought after too.”
The Cost: Prices for wallpaper vary depending on what type you use. At Goodrich, prices for vinyl range from $120 onwards per roll (54 centimetre-wide). “Natural handcrafted textured wallpapers are usually higher in price due to the material,” says Leong.
Add texture to your wall
Another trend is the use of more traditional wallcoverings or decoration like wainscotting and padded walls.
Another trend is the use of more traditional wallcoverings or decoration like wainscotting and padded walls.
Wainscotting
“I have definitely seen the revival of wainscotting,” explains Tan. “I used to think it was more for Parisian or European style homes but I have realised lots of modern homes are using it as a statement as well as to add texture to the walls; especially the half-wall version.”
“I have definitely seen the revival of wainscotting,” explains Tan. “I used to think it was more for Parisian or European style homes but I have realised lots of modern homes are using it as a statement as well as to add texture to the walls; especially the half-wall version.”
This use of traditional wall treatments has been growing in Seoul, Korea, as most people live in apartments but are looking to have a more ‘cosy’ feel in their homes.
The Cost: The cost will come down to a combination of the size of the area, materials and labour. If you want to get a solid timber look in your home, but don’t want to spend too much, there are some tricks that experts use that you could gain from.
Padded walls
This luxurious treatment is similar to quilted furniture but the technique is used on walls instead. The most common place you’ll see this technique is as a padded headboard; but these days you can go all out and pad anything you like.
This luxurious treatment is similar to quilted furniture but the technique is used on walls instead. The most common place you’ll see this technique is as a padded headboard; but these days you can go all out and pad anything you like.
“We are seeing many people using silicone leather or natural leather to wrap around wall panels for a quilted or textured look,” says Leong. “They are also using high performance fabric to minimise sound in their entertainment and gaming rooms.”
“Quilted or padded wall finishes are usually done with textiles as they are more pliable and the finish product looks aesthetically pleasing and expensive depending on the selection of material,” explains the team at StarWalls.
“Not all textiles are suitable for quilting or padding on walls; but if done correctly, it is a look that cannot be replicated through normal wallcoverings.”
“Not all textiles are suitable for quilting or padding on walls; but if done correctly, it is a look that cannot be replicated through normal wallcoverings.”
The Cost: Factor in the cost of the materials, labour and also the area you’re working on. You can save by using a cheaper fabric, but you will still need to invest in the backing and padding material. If it’s just for looks, this shouldn’t be too expensive but if you’re after real soundproofing, be prepared to spend more. Contact various contractors to get a quote for the work.
TELL US
What do you think about these new ways of updating your walls? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
What do you think about these new ways of updating your walls? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Sure, you could refresh your home with a coat of paint; you could even just go for a different shade of white but why not be bold and choose a dark colour for your home?