The Pros of Wallpaper

Choosing between paint and wallpaper when making a wall makeover can be a major dilemma, as both have their own set of advantages. Paint has been the preferred option because it is the cheapest way to redo walls and the easiest to apply. But choosing paint over wallpaper and borders also has its own pitfalls. Paint fades much quicker compared to modern wallpaper. It needs more restoration or revamping jobs than wallpaper too.

Wallpaper, on the other hand, has tons of advantages especially if you perceive it as a long term investment. Walls clad in wallpaper and borders do look more attractive, especially when they blend well with the room's fixtures and theme. Wallpaper gives a wall a much nicer detail that paint cannot parallel. Aside from that, wallpaper lasts 10-15 years, which is economically sound, considering that paint jobs need to be redone every 2 years. A homeowner can save as much as 30% for painting costs if he chooses to use wallpaper over paint.

While some argue that traditional wallpaper and wallpaper borders are more difficult to install than paint, modern technology has allowed manufacturers to produce easy to apply and easy to remove wallpaper, wallpaper murals, and wallpaper borders. Most brands today offer a one-step application process, which also makes its repositioning and removal easier. Most wallpapers today are pre-pasted; all the homeowner has to do is cut the wallpaper into strips, dip them in water, and apply them to the walls. Of course, careful and meticulous wall preparation is still an elemental factor if one is to achieve a great finish with wallpaper.

Another advantage of using wallpaper and borders over paint is the wide range of designs and textures they present to the homeowner. While paint may be glossy, achieving the desired shade and hue can be tricky and messy especially when mixing two or more colors. Sometimes, a paint job requires professional help, especially when dealing with oil-based paints. In contrast, wallpapers offer an assortment of designs like landscapes, flora and fauna, geometric shapes, classical themes, among others. Textured wallpapers are also increasingly popular, especially those with faux finishing details. They give walls a vivacity that paint simply cannot deliver.

With a wide selection of wallpaper, murals, and wallpaper borders to choose from, a homeowner can embellish his or her abode according to his or her personality. Men almost always prefer wallpapers that exert a sense of masculinity especially in the living room. Women typically like wallpaper and borders that radiate soft colors and patterns. Needless to say, children in their preteens want their walls to burst with colors and child-friendly patterns. Teenagers, on the other hand, fancy having walls that assert their cool personality --- they are likely to prefer designs that display their hobbies, role models or the music they are into.

Its durability, ease of application, luxurious, stylish motifs and allowance for personalization - wallpaper may very well be the best choice for wall designing or makeovers.

Tammy Billings is the owner of USA Wallpaper, an online retailer of designer wallpaper borders and wall murals. Her knowledge of the wallpaper industry, from manufacturing to installation makes her a valuable home and interior design resource. With a variety of bedroom, bathroom and kitchen wallpaper designs, Tammy has put USA Wallpaper at the forefront of online wallpaper companies. For more visit http://www.usawallpaper.com