Cutting to the chase, we’re not the types who would ever suggest that wallpaper cannot and does not look fantastic. It’s been used in homes, businesses and properties of distinction across the United States for centuries, often bringing something uniquely elegant and sophisticated to an interior space.
However, the benefits and appeal of wallpaper in general have been waning for some time. It can still look the part in certain interior spaces, but elsewhere isn’t the most desirable of interior design commodities.
If you’re completely adamant that the wallpaper around your home and business is an indispensable feature you could not imagine your property without, fair enough. But if you’re beginning to tire of the somewhat dated and perhaps even dilapidated appearance of the wallpaper around your home, it could be time for a change.
With this in mind, here’s a brief overview of four reasons to banish wallpaper from your home or business, making the switch instead to premium quality paint:
- Wallpaper Can Hide Mold and Mildew
First up, wallpaper can be surprisingly effective and efficient when it comes to hiding the telltale signs of mold and mildew. Unfortunately, this is by no means a good thing – the whole out of sight, out of mind approach being a big mistake.
Not only is wallpaper great at hiding mold and mildew, it’s also notorious for creating the ideal breeding ground for the stuff in the first place. Moisture that accumulates and sticks around between the wallpaper and the wall can quickly lead to the development of mold or mildew. An issue that could take its toll on the structural integrity of the wall’s surface – perhaps even the health and wellbeing of the building’s occupants.
One of the greatest challenges of having wallpaper is it takes longer to notice any mildew or mold on the wall. Mold and mildew can easily grow behind wallpaper due to trapped moisture between the wall covering and sheetrock. This can expose you and your employees to deadly spores that can cause sickness.
- It Can Result in an Outdated Aesthetic
Beauty is purely in the eye of the beholder, but it’s nonetheless true to say that wallpaper in general doesn’t have a particularly ‘contemporary’ aesthetic. Of course, this isn’t necessarily an issue if you’re looking to create something of a retro or period vibe in your interior spaces. It’s just that if you prefer to keep up with the times, it’s not easy to accomplish it with wallpaper.
Business owners in particular should be wary of the potential for wallpaper to send a counterproductive message. It’s not as if current and prospective customers will judge your business based on wallpaper alone, but it might not be creating the attractive, sophisticated and quintessentially contemporary ambience they would prefer.
- It Costs Too Much and is Difficult to Maintain
Compared like for like, the costs of wallpapering an interior space are exponentially higher than those of painting it. That’s assuming you opt for premium quality wallpaper, which in all instances is the only wallpaper worth bothering with.
Even then, wallpaper has a tendency to be difficult to maintain. By its very nature, wallpaper isn’t the most resilient of interior decorating supplies and almost always has a relatively short lifespan. Particularly where things like humidity and frequent temperature fluctuations are added to the mix, keeping wallpaper looking pristine and fixed securely in place can be a headache.
- Removing Wallpaper Opens the Door to Experimentation
Last but not least, there’s a reason why most interiors that feature wallpaper aren’t redecorated very often. In fact, you’ll often find that where wallpaper is hung successfully and securely, it’s left to do its thing for decades on end. This is because (even from a professional perspective), wallpapering a room really isn’t the easiest or the most pleasant of jobs.
By contrast, painting is an absolute joy and isn’t nearly as challenging. When you make the switch to painted walls, you subsequently enjoy the freedom to experiment to your heart’s content with all manner of colors and configurations. If you’re not 100% happy with the result, you’re not looking at a mammoth task to go back and try a different color.
If you’d like to learn more about any of the interior painting services we provide or have any questions on the potential benefits of pro painting, contact a member of the team at Homm CPS for an obligation-free consultation.