Pros and Cons to Putting up Wallpaper

Changing your wall color is a quick and fairly easy way to spruce up your space, whether you are decorating a new space or remodeling an old one. One of the biggest questions involved in making this change is whether to use paint or wallpaper. Here are some important issues to consider when making your decision.

Variety of color and pattern

If you are looking for a wide range of choices in the color and pattern department, wallpaper beats paint by a landslide. Painting provides a nice color range, but creating a pattern on the wall takes a lot of time and effort. If you are looking for the extra flair that patterning provides for a space, wallpaper is the way to go. No fussing with stencils or painter's tape: All you have to do is attach the paper to your wall. You can also choose the boldness of the pattern. Some are quite bold and colorful, while some are much more classic and refined. Some are simply textured to add subtle interest to your walls.

Budget

Finances are always an important consideration. Wallpaper is generally more expensive per square foot than paint, so if money is tight, painting may be the better option. If you are wary of investing in enough wallpaper to cover an entire room, but still want to use it in some way, you could consider papering just one wall. Make the wallpaper a focal point in your room by painting the rest of the wall either a neutral color, or a color that you have pulled straight from the wallpaper design. This is an easy way to make your room look like a designer had a say!

In the end, deciding on wallpaper versus paint boils down to personal preference. However, weighing the pros and cons that others have encountered can help you make an educated decision!