Renewing My Living Room: Should I Choose Wallpaper or Decorative Paint?

In a living room the best result is often to use both: decorative paint on the TV wall or the widest flat wall, wallpaper behind the sofa or in the dining area, and plain paint on the remaining walls. If you choose only one, the light in the room and the condition of the wall decide.

A decision in four questions

• Do you want pattern or texture? Wallpaper for pattern, decorative paint for depth and texture.
• Is the wall even? Textured wallpaper covers small flaws; glossy decorative paint needs a perfectly flat wall.
• How often will you change it? Wallpaper is stripped and renewed; decorative paint is permanent.
• Is the wall touched? With children and pets, choose wipeable vinyl wallpaper or decorative paint with a protective coat.

Wall by wall in the living room

• TV wall: travertine- or concrete-effect decorative paint; no seams around niches and cables.
• Behind the sofa: textured or patterned wallpaper.
• Dining area: wallpaper, or a painted wall with mouldings.
• Window wall: plain paint; it does not block the light.

What about a small living room?

Choose a light colour and a fine texture, and limit the accent to one wall. Two different patterns make a small room feel narrower.

Is using both in one room tiring?

Not if one is the accent and the other stays plain. For wall-by-wall detail see our post on Italian paint or wallpaper, and look at wallpaper designs at ithalduvarkagit.com.