Wallpaper vs Paint: What Should You Choose?

Imagine your walls as blank canvases. You can transform them by either a fresh coat of paint or a unique wallpaper. But what one should you use? Wallpaper used to have a negative connotation, mainly because wallpaper used to be patterns that were old and dated. But wallpaper has gotten a lot better. It’s easier to apply and remove. But paint is easy as well. Just prep the wall and paint it. So, they both have their own set of pros and cons. To help you decide, here are some factors to consider when deciding.

Selection

• Wallpaper. Wallpaper is extremely durable and will be fine in high traffic areas. Because wallpaper is applied with an adhesive, so high moisture areas (like bathrooms and kitchens), will cause the wallpaper to peel away from the wall.
• Paint. Paint is inexpensive and it’s easy to apply. Paint is somewhat durable but not as strong as wallpaper. If a wall is scraped or hit, the paint can chip and you may have to repaint.

• Wallpaper. Wallpaper tends to be slightly more expensive than paint. You need to purchase the rolls and supplies. Also, it’s better to have someone professionally install it so you know that it is being done correctly. 
• Paint. Paint, on average, tends to be cheaper. It doesn’t require a lot of supplies and anyone could paint a while. But if you purchase higher end paints, a professional would be a good idea as well. 

• Wallpaper. If you have wallpaper already on your wall, it will take some time and effort to remove the wallpaper. If you’re unsure how to remove it, you may have to hire a professional. But if you are starting with a bare wall, you don’t need to prep much.
• Paint. If there are damages to the wall, you will need to use spackle to repair them. If you have a dark or a bright color on your wall, you will need to apply a primer color as a base coat. Painting does require less preparation time than wallpaper, though.