Covering walls: 22 Wall Covering Ideas to Add Interest to Your Rooms

22 Wall Covering Ideas to Add Interest to Your Rooms

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If you’re ready to refresh your existing walls, covering them can instantly transform the overall look of a room. What’s more, covering your walls can often be a home improvement project that you can tackle yourself. You can use various wall coverings to hide damage or imperfections to your walls, rather than tearing them down and starting fresh. Or, simply use them to give ordinary walls a facelift. Use this guide to browse through different wall covering ideas to switch up the aesthetic in your space.

Wood Wall Coverings

Wood has been used for centuries as a wall covering, either for purely decorative purposes or for utilitarian reasons. For an extensive list, check out our Wall Paneling Ideas guide, but here are a few wood paneling options to consider.

1. Classic Wainscoting

Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

Wainscoting is a type of decorative wood paneling, typically affixed to the lower part of a wall, that protects the wall’s surface and provides a polished look to the room. Wainscoting varies in style, but traditional wainscoting is composed of a chair rail at the top, baseboard at the bottom, and raised panels in the middle forming a rectangle or square.

While the millwork is oftentimes painted over, it can be stained to highlight the natural look of the wood. Wainscoting works well in living rooms, dining rooms, and adorning the stairway, but can elevate the aesthetic of any room in the home.

2. Repurposed Pallet Wall

Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock

A budget-friendly way to cover the walls (while still adding a farmhouse chic look to the room) is to attach pallet planks to the drywall. You can also use reclaimed wood or barn wood to get the same effect. Use this step-by-step guide to learn how to build a pallet wall yourself to instantly upgrade a full wall or section of a wall in your home.

3. Stylish Wood Paneling

Photo: XtravaganT / Adobe Stock

This wall covering isn’t your grandmother’s wood paneling. Vertical wood planks with gray undertones make this space look effortlessly cool and sophisticated. The light-colored furniture and bright surrounding walls offset the dark wood accent wall to bring balance and modernity to the space.

4. Horizontal Shiplap Planks

Photo: Jason / Adobe Stock

Create a room that Joanna Gaines would put her seal of approval on. This mudroom features an off-white shiplap wall for an eye-catching point of interest to greet you as you hang up your coat after a long day. Placing the planks horizontally is a smart design idea in a mudroom, as it makes the space feel longer. Compared to drywall, shiplap planks are more resistant to scuffs and dings, so you won’t have to worry about your jacket’s zipper or button nicking the wall on those mornings when you’re in a rush to get out the door.

5. Beadboard Paneling

Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock

Beadboard is another type of wood paneling installed on the lower part of a wall that features vertical grooves between each plank. It can be used anywhere in the home, but works particularly well in bathrooms as an easy way to upgrade the look of the room. Paint the drywall a contrasting tone, or keep it neutral to add subtle depth and dimension to the space.

Painted Wall Coverings

Use paint as a tool to cover imperfections in the wall or to customize the space to your liking.

6. Unexpected Chalkboard Paint

Photo: Magryt / Adobe Stock

Cover a feature wall in the home with chalkboard paint to create an interactive surface within the space. Keep it blank so the black paint can create a dramatic effect on the overall appearance of the room. Alternatively, you can use it as a blank canvas to doodle on, make lists to stay organized, or write notes to your loved ones to read throughout the day.

7. Painted Stencil Art

Photo: Stockwars / Adobe Stock

Identify problem areas on the surface of your walls, and use stencils as a way to distract from the imperfections. You can find a variety of different types of stencils—some can be used to make a pattern that covers the entire wall, and others can be used on individual areas of the surface.

8. Textured Paint

Photo: barshkiper / Adobe Stock

Textured paint is a versatile way to cover a wall, and can be used to hide imperfections or simply to create a unique accent wall. There are different ways to get the look, such as using an additive or mixing silica sand into the paint or by opting for textured paint that can be applied directly to the wall with a brush and trough. Remember to choose a room or space that isn’t trafficked as often, as textured paint requires more upkeep and can be difficult to replace.

Unique Wall Coverings

From fabric to mirrors to faux brick, check out some other ways to cover your walls—outside of the more traditional options.

9. Wall Tiles

Photo: Monkey Business / Adobe Stock

Covering a wall with tiles gives a smooth and clean appearance while increasing the strength of the surface. While you can tile any wall in the home, using them in bathrooms and kitchens is a particularly good idea because they’re moisture-resistant, easy to clean, and durable. Opt for a timeless neutral tile to make the space feel larger. Or, use a trendy color, like this seafoam green, to bring color into the space.

10. Hanging Tapestry

Photo: Toyakisfoto.photos / Adobe Stock

Use textiles to cover a damaged area, or opt for a large piece of fabric to extend the length of the entire wall. This macrame tapestry brings a boho-chic vibe to the space and complements the leather accent chairs to serve as a decorative piece in the center of the room.

11. Panels of Fabric

Photo: ostap25 / Adobe Stock

Visually interesting and functional at the same time—fabric wall panels is another unique wall covering to consider. While using fabric on the walls instantly adds texture and dimension to the space, it also can better soundproof the room.

12. Faux Brick

Photo: biotin / Adobe Stock

Bring warmth and coziness into the space by covering the walls with faux brick. Using faux brick wall panels is a popular and versatile wall covering choice, as they’re lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to install. Remember, you can also get a similar look by choosing faux brick peel-and-stick wallpaper.

13. Elegant Marble

Photo: Javani LLC / Adobe Stock

Marble brings luxury and elegance to any room, and works with a variety of interior design styles, such as transitional, modern farmhouse, and contemporary. What’s more, you can find lightweight marble panels to hang on the wall for an easier to install version that still brings natural beauty into the space. Hang it on a full wall for a seamless appearance, or place it on a central protruding area, like this fireplace wall, to provide an eye-catching focal point.

14. 3D Wall Panels

Photo: Dariusz Jarzabek / Adobe Stock

3D panels can transform your walls and take the space from ordinary to original. These white geometric patterned wall panels are an alternative to traditional drywall to bring texture, customization, and uniqueness to your home.

15. Lively Plant Wall

Photo: Deidre / Adobe Stock

Bring your walls to life by designating a plant wall to feature in your home. This living wall creates an ecosystem in your home that you can enjoy every time you pass through the area.

16. Mirrored Wall Covering

Photo: Dariusz Jarzabek / Adobe Stock

A tried-and-true trick used by interior designers to make a room feel larger is to add a mirror to a wall. Wall-mounted mirrors can cover up imperfections while making the space feel more expansive than it actually is.

17. Natural Stone Wall Covering

Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock

Cover your wall with natural stone to create a soothing atmosphere within your home. The floor-to-ceiling stonework in this space makes the wall a focal point.

Wallpaper, Decals, and Murals

From wallpaper to decals to murals, here are some different types of wall coverings you can apply over your existing walls.

18. Personalized Wall Mural

Photo: alexanderkonsta / Adobe Stock

Have a favorite photograph that you can’t get enough of? Consider blowing it up and printing it into a full-sized mural, so you can relive the moment that picture was taken whenever you walk into the room. There are various online retailers that specialize in turning personal photos into removable wall murals, so you can have a one-of-a-kind piece of art blown up to life-size proportions.

19. Custom Wall Decals

Photo: Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock

Another wall covering option to consider are peel-and-stick decals. While this won’t cover imperfections on an entire wall, they are an easy way to create a focal point within the room that shows off your personal style. You can choose from endless style options to find the perfect complement to your interior. The best part? No need to fumble with glue, as most of them are self-adhesive, so they can be easily swapped to fit your aesthetic.

20. Paintable Wallpaper

Photo: Alexandr Vedmed / Adobe Stock

Have a completely customized look by opting for paintable wallpaper for either one large wall or all of the interior walls in a room. Paintable wallpaper is textured, which instantly adds dimension to the room. This is a desirable option for those that want to cover imperfections in the wall, but have a specific paint color in mind. What’s more, this type of wall covering is more durable and easier to clean than other types of wallpaper.

21. Peel-and-Stick Wall Mural

Photo: craftykat / Adobe Stock

Another wall covering idea that can instantly transform the space is to add a removable wall mural to the wall. Opt for a soft patterned design or muted color to bring a refined accent wall into the space. Or, go bold and transform the room with a bright wall mural or design that can easily be changed when you fancy a new look.

22. Patterned Wallpaper

Photo: Dmitry Pistrov / Adobe Stock

Whether you’re looking to conceal flaws in drywall or add a pattern to your space, wallpaper is a classic wall covering option. This space uses a bold design on one feature wall, while the rest of the interior walls are painted a neutral off-white to add character, without overwhelming the look of the entire room.

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18 Creative Wall Coverings That Put Wallpaper, Paint, and Tile to Shame

When it comes to wall coverings, it’s tempting to stick to the safe bets: a coat of paint, a delightful wallpaper, or tile in abundance. And hey, they’re all excellent choices—we’re guilty of obsessing over all three—but the buck doesn’t stop there. For a space you want to feel extra-special, whether luxe or stately or wildly inspired, sheath your walls in something more unexpected. May the following 18 wall covering ideas inspire you to step outside the wallpaper (and paint, and tile) box.

The Textiles

From shirting (à la Miles Redd’s new office) to fuzzy velvet, fabric wall coverings can be some of the most luxurious. (And many can be applied using liquid starch, which means they can be pulled right off when you’re done with them.)

1. Velvet

Thomas Pheasant completely redesigned a Colonial Revival house for longtime clients in Virginia. Teal velvet covers the walls in the living room.

Gordon Beall

2. Twills, Tickings, Shirting, etc

In a Chicago duplex apartment, the homeowners’ Sealyham terriers gather in a family room, where the walls—sheathed in a John Robshaw fabric—display an Italian mirror and a Hiroshi Sugimoto photograph.

Photo: Björn Wallander

3. Leather

A Saint Moritz, Switzerland, dining room is sheathed in 19th-century painted leather; the woodwork is by Studio Peregalli.

Oberto Gili

4. Felt

In another family room, a Louis XV–style sofa is upholstered in a Larsen linen, and an Art Deco club chair acquired at Doyle New York is cushioned with the same Turkish velvet used for the throw pillows; the walls are dressed in a Holland & Sherry wool felt, and the sisal is by Patterson Flynn Martin.

Thomas Loof

5. Whatever Matches Your Upholstery

In the guest bedroom of a 1925 Los Angeles home, patterns are layered: The bergère is upholstered in the same fabric as the wall covering, and an antique Oriental textile is on the bed.

Oberto Gili

The Papers

The sky really is the limit here—almost any paper can be turned into a wallpaper pattern with enough patience (and creativity). You can use double-stick tape if you really want to be crafty, or papier-mâché the pattern to precut poster boards before taping those to the wall.

6. Magazine covers

7. Maps

8. Marbled paper

9. Wrapping paper

The Raw Materials

10. Cork

In a Thom Filicia–decorated vacation home in upstate New York, a powder room’s walls are lined with cork from Innovations in Wallcoverings; the sconces are by Roman Thomas, the basin is from Vessel Sinks, and the wall-mounted sink fittings are by Rocky Mountain Hardware.

Pieter Estersohn

11. Birch bark

In a Montana retreat designed by Michael S. Smith, a birch-bark wall covering by Elizabeth Dow lines the walls and ceiling of the sitting room, where a Bielecky Bros. rattan chair joins a custom-made cocktail table by Jasper.

Roger Davies

12. Concrete

An Ann Gardner sculpture is displayed against a wall of plank-molded concrete in the living room of a Washington state lake house by E. Cobb Architects.

Paul Warchol

13. Wood parquet

14. Terrazzo

15. Plaster

At designer and antiques dealer Richard Shapiro’s Malibu beach house, the living room walls are sheathed in frescoed plaster.

Miguel Flores-Vianna

The Curiosities

16. Recycled Newspaper

One bedroom in actor Will Ferrell’s Manhattan loft is decorated with a Weitzner handwoven wall covering made of recycled newspapers.

William Waldron

17. Antique Doors

18. Antiqued Mirror

In a New York City apartment designed by Vicente Wolf, a Richard Prince silkscreen hangs on the bathroom’s antiqued-mirror wall.

Pieter Estersohn

What is the best wall finish? Which coverage is right for each case?

It would seem that after all the dirty repairs, choosing a wall finish is a pleasure. But so that later the walls do not “crush”, they are perceived organically, you need to pay due attention to the choice of finishes. And you need to pay attention not only to color, but also to functional features.

Contents of the article

What do you see when you enter a guest room, for example. Of course, along with furniture and appliances, it is the walls that catch the eye the most. They occupy the largest part of the surface in the room, and fundamentally affect the perception of the entire interior: if the furniture is tastefully selected, and everything is in place, and the wall decoration does not fit into the interior, then it is unlikely that it will be perceived organically.

Despite the fact that after all the previous dirty stages of repair work, the choice of finishing method seems like a trifle, but it is the final layer that you will constantly see, so its choice should be treated with due attention. Consider the most popular, as well as the most interesting ways to finish the walls, determining what type of room they are best suited for.

Painting

Wall painting is one of the most popular finishing methods. With the help of paint, you can achieve amazing effects, especially if you combine several colors, create drawings and patterns. So, a certain color can do wonders for a room: if you choose it correctly, you can visually expand the space or make the room warmer, lighter, depending on what needs to be adjusted. South-facing rooms can be painted in cold shades, north-facing rooms in warm ones. Light and pastel colors somewhat expand the space, while dark ones, on the contrary, narrow it, therefore, in each case, a different shade is chosen, taking into account both the design idea and the preferences of the residents.

As for the types of paints, today water-based, adhesive, enamel and oil paints are most often used to cover walls. All of them have some features.

So, enamel and oil paints can be combined into a group of alkyds. Their advantages are amazing resistance to water, to ultraviolet, they can be applied in any way: even with a roller, even with a spray, even with a brush, they dry quickly, form a durable surface. But, nevertheless, they are not resistant to alkalis and are fire hazardous, and staining should be carried out in ventilation conditions, since even after that there is a smell. Suitable for wood, metal, plastered surfaces.

Water based paints are significantly better in terms of almost no smell. Here, the coloring pigments are dissolved in water, and after application, the water evaporates, and an even, smooth surface forms on the walls. Such paint dries quickly, allows you to choose absolutely any shade, since the color can be formed by adding the appropriate pigment. In addition, it is easy to apply, and all tools are then easily washed off the paint. There are practically no drawbacks, but still it is not suitable for laminated and glossy surfaces. It is worth noting that among these paints there are also some subspecies, but the general characteristics are the same. When buying water-based paint, you should beware of fakes: they manifest themselves much worse during application and operation.

There are also adhesive paints , which include starch, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose ethers, casein solution and some other substances. This type of coating is very similar to water-based paint, but it is afraid of water, but it allows air to pass through, i. e. breathes.

There are also silicate paints , which are breathable, resistant to temperature changes, water ingress, etc. They behave well in operation, but you need to be careful when applying, since alkali is included in the composition. This limits the colors and scope: it cannot be used for stone, glass and metal, but for plaster it is a great option.

Where to use? Walls can be painted in any room, and if in the living room, bedroom, nursery, etc. paint can be used completely for the entire surface, only by combining its color, then for kitchens and bathrooms it is better to combine paint, for example, with ceramic tiles.

Wallpaper

What other wall material is more common than wallpaper? Since wallpapers come in different types, their use is almost unlimited, however, they are an option more for rooms where there are no negative factors, such as humidity and dirt. But since there are different types of waterproof wallpaper, for example, glass, vinyl wallpaper, liquid wallpaper, the scope of their use is expanding.

With the help of wallpaper you can create an amazing interior: if we are already accustomed to paper wallpapers, then photo wallpapers bring zest to the room, glass, non-woven and linkrust wallpapers can be painted, fabric wallpapers make the room very cozy and unusual.

Wall papering is easy to do on your own, although some types (photo wallpaper, linkrust) require some skill.

Where to use? Each type of wallpaper has its own characteristics: paper, for example, is preferable to use in the living room and bedrooms, but vinyl for the bedroom is no longer suitable, as they do not breathe. But at the same time, paper wallpapers are a bad option for the kitchen, and glass wallpapers can do just fine, although it is still better to equip the working area in the kitchen with something even more powerful.

Decorative plaster

This is a modern type of wall decoration that allows you to create an original coating in a fairly simple way, but at the same time it will be stable and durable. Depending on the filler, the plaster may look slightly different and have different performance properties. Here is just a short list of possible options for decorative plaster:

textured – it is based on synthetic materials and various fillers of both natural and artificial origin. Depending on what type of filler is used here, a certain relief is obtained on the wall after drying;
terrasite. The composition includes mica, as a result of which its appearance is easily recognizable, but most often it is used in public places;
latex – practically not afraid of mechanical damage;
silicate – do not swell and are slightly susceptible to contamination;
Venetian plaster has a surface similar to polished marble due to a special application technique;
tadelakt is a plaster that is not affected by moisture and water, and does not contain any synthetic additives at all.

Regardless of the characteristics of different types of plasters, they all have a lot of advantages: their layer hides minor wall defects, and especially complex surface preparation for its application is not required. The finished coating is not afraid of moisture, it can be wiped with a damp cloth, and it can be applied to almost any surface – from wood to concrete.

Where to use? Decorative plaster due to its decorative and operational properties can be used both in the hall and bedroom, and in the hallway, and even the kitchen, not to mention public places.

Ceramic tile

It is hard to come up with a durable, aesthetic, versatile material like ceramic tile. It is distinguished by a huge selection of sizes and patterns – so there should be no questions when decorating walls, it is fire resistant, environmentally friendly, not affected by moisture, water, chemicals, etc., easy to care for, so it is used where possible influence.

When choosing a tile, you should pay attention not only to its appearance and size, but also to its technical characteristics. So, according to water resistance, it is divided into 8 groups:

the first is characterized by the fact that it absorbs only 3% of the moisture that has entered,
the second – 6%,
the third – 10%.

For an apartment, if the tiles are used in the bathroom and kitchen, it is better to choose the first or second class; for the hallway, a much less water-resistant option is also suitable.

There is also a classification depending on how the tile is affected by chemicals:

class AA indicates that the material is not affected by chemicals at all,
class A – that the surface of the tile slightly changes its appearance under such exposure.

In kitchens and bathrooms, aggressive products are not used, so this indicator can not be taken into account, but it is better not to take tiles of the lowest class C, since there is no guarantee that your detergent will not turn out to be lethal for this dose option. – a chemical.

Where to use? Naturally, in kitchens, bathrooms, also in hallways and places where there is a big impact on the walls. Tiles can be combined with other types of finishes, as cleanly tiled walls can sometimes look a little off-putting, and in the bathroom you can combine tiles of different sizes, colors and textures.

Natural and artificial stone

Natural stone is expensive, luxurious and very durable. Probably, it is not worth telling that natural stones are little affected by any influence. Marble, granite are able to hold out in their original form for about a hundred years, while the coating will be unique, since nature will not be able to repeat exactly the same stone.

Artificial stone does not have many of the disadvantages of natural stone. So, it is much lighter, so it will not be necessary to fix the foundation to decorate the walls a little, it is easier to install, and much cheaper. Its variety is great: different colors, different textures, imitation of brick, marble, granite, sandstone, etc., and some options look very good and even natural, as responsible manufacturers use a lot of different blanks to make the same shape stone was not repeated often – and this is precisely the guarantee that the stone is perceived as naturally as possible.

Stone is great for finishing interior walls, but only in combination with other materials, otherwise you can get the effect of a gloomy medieval castle, and if this is not your plan, then it is better to decorate only individual elements with stone. So, they often decorate door or window openings, arches, the space near the table in the kitchen, the head of the bed, the wall near the fireplace, etc. – there are many options, and with skillful combination you can get very stylish rooms.

Where to use? Since stone for interior walls is not used as a continuous coating, its elements can be present in absolutely all rooms – it all depends on the developed interior design.

Wall panels

Wall panels is a material with which you can transform a room beyond recognition simply instantly by the standards of finishing work, and do it without dirty processes. Wall panels have a wide variety of textures, and can even imitate wood or stone, they are perfectly combined with other types of finishes. They are durable, easy to maintain, and can be mounted on any surface, even on uneven ones. Depending on how the panels are located on the wall and attached to each other, they are divided into tiled, sheet and rack.

Different materials can be used for production, so panels can be plastic, wood, chipboard or fiberboard, plasterboard, cork, etc. The properties of these materials are slightly different: plastic plates, for example, have excellent moisture resistance and are easy to use.

Where to use? Suitable for living room, hallway, kitchen, bedroom, and can be combined with others with other decoration elements.

Cork

Cork is made from crushed crushed cork chips. As a result, plates or rolls are obtained, the difference between which is only in price – plates are more expensive. The coating has, as a rule, a meager choice of colors – these are shades of brown. It adds heat and sound insulation to the room, is characterized by resistance against various microorganisms.

Where to use? Often used for cladding the walls of balconies, as well as bedrooms, halls, sometimes hallways.

Other coatings

In addition to all the above coatings, others can be used, for example, mosaics, which are made not only from ceramic tiles, but also from metal. Leather tiles, glass and mirrors, etc. look interesting.

In conclusion

In addition to the fact that a specific wall covering, according to its functional characteristics, is suitable only for a certain type of room, but also in terms of appearance, it must be selected so that it fits into the interior. For example, fabric wallpapers or linkrust wallpapers are very difficult to fit into a high-tech interior, and there are many such examples, so choosing a finish requires a responsible approach.

prices and photos from Stena Clavel

Flocks (they are also chips) are gaining more and more popularity among fans of original design. Flock coatings are used for both walls and floors
This is a modern coating that has a universal range of applications. They can decorate not only the walls or the floor completely, they are applied to window sills, cornices, ceilings, columns, furniture and individual interior elements. Flock coating attracts attention with a huge number of colors and their combinations. The most refined artistic taste will find its satisfaction in a rich palette of shades. In addition, the material has a dry appearance during operation and a voluminous final structure, which will not only hide the unevenness and roughness of the surfaces, but add visual diversity in creating a unique design. The flock mixture consists of colored acrylic particles and a transparent varnish. Specialists can easily apply the material over a large area. The drying period is short, which allows you to create a beautiful decorative finish of the room very quickly.

The components of this coating are environmentally friendly, do not have foreign odors, are not afraid of fire, and have good thermal insulation. The advantages of the acrylic composition are durability and high resistance to mechanical damage: shock, friction, scratches. The color palette is not subject to fading in the sun. Changes in temperature and air humidity do not have a detrimental effect on the volumetric pattern of the flock, it does not retain water and does not absorb third-party odors. When carrying out repairs, the surrounding elements and furniture do not get dirty. The finished surface can be washed with a soapy or chlorine solution without fear of damaging the application surface.

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The structure of the flock material

The material is used not only for interior work. It hides cracks and other surface imperfections well. Sometimes it is called decorative plaster, but this is a false name. Flocks are also called acrylic flakes, chips, even snowflakes. In essence, these are particles of dry acrylic paint. More rarely, chips are made from melted or ground dyed polyamide. Flakes come in all colors, sizes and shapes. Their ratio creates a unique interior decor. At a cost, acrylic finish will be much more profitable than natural and more practical. It should be especially noted that flocks (chips) are also used as a filler for self-leveling floors – to give them the effect of marble (with black and white filling), as well as to create any pattern on the floor with any combination of colors.

The coating is not afraid of mechanical influences, small defects on the relief surface will not be noticeable. In case of serious chips and damage, you can stock up on the remnants of the flock mixture, such a finish is easy to restore. The quality of high wear resistance has made this coating widely used in public places, flock design is often found in various institutions, including children’s.