Wall Treatments

Whether your looking for a way to add texture and interest to your walls, or your just trying to hide all those nasty imperfections, then consider a wall treatment to do the job for you. Today there are choices galore as to how you can go about accomplishing a wall treatment or technique. You can learn how to wallpaper, stencil, faux finish, add panelling or textured paints to create a space that is uniquely your own.

If you’ve never applied a wall treatment to any of your rooms before, then I think it would be best if you took the time to research your library, local book stores, the internet and television shows, to get an idea of what is available to you and what direction you think you might want to go. This will probably be one of the most important steps that you take before you start. If you don’t do your homework and research then you could find yourself part way through a project and getting stuck and unable to finish. That not only would be disappointing but could cost you some unnecessary money as well. Being prepared is key and having all the proper tools and supplies is paramount plus a time saver. Nothing is worse than when your frantically looking for something that you know you do not have readily available.

A wall treatment can give your room a more polished look and should tie in well with the theme or décor. Wallpaper is a quick and easy way to get a big bang for your buck. It can add instant colour and style to any space. Be sure to consider using vinyl papers whenever your doing an area that has heavy traffic or where you might want to be able to wipe the surface. There is a knack to lining everything up so be sure to follow your manufactures instructions. Stencilling can provide you with a flash of colour or a whimsical charm. Because it is used more sparingly it looks lighter and airier generally. If you are using stencilling in a larger all over pattern, be sure to think about the size of your stencil and how it will look when repeated over the entire wall space. The look of a 3-4 layer stencil is much more interesting to look at and along with shading can give you a three dimensional look. You don’t have to be an artist to be successful with stencilling, it’s considered user friendly.

Faux finishing can give you the illusion of having a marble, granite or wood texture which would be a natural type of finish. The other area of Faux finishing would be creating a fun and interesting texture to the wall and can be accomplished by a variety of ways. There is Colorwashing, Combing, Crackle, Metallic, Ragging, Sponging, Sand or Stony Textures. When using a faux finish it is often used with a glazing product to extend the working time to allow you to move the paint around with whatever technique you have chosen. Allow yourself time when proceeding with a Faux finish as there is often 2-4 layers in completing the look you are going for, but remember all the hard work will be worth the final results.

Who said wall paneling had to look like your parents basement in the 60 or 70’s. Long gone are the paneling doldrums. Today paneling has made an exciting comeback with several choices that could fit most anyone’s décor style. From wood grain, painted or distressed wood grain, marble, mosaic, tile or even faux finishes can all be found on wall paneling. These wall treatments are perfect for walls that have an uneven surface or leftover wallpaper remains and the prep work is minimal other than accurate measurements and saw cuts. Check your local building supply store and I’m sure you’ll find a colour, product, and price point that works well for you.

Textured paints are yet again another choice for covering less than perfect walls. You can create the look of plaster or stucco and the product is thick enough to hide your flaws. Some textured paints come pre tinted in basic colours and others allow you the choice of selecting what is right for you. There are smooth textures, which can give a stucco type effect, and a Sandstone texture, which is a bit rougher to the touch, and you can actually see the sand. Depending on the room you’ve selected for this type of wall treatment I’m sure you’ll receive many compliments on the final results.

Keep your options open, do your homework, and I’m sure you’ll find a wall treatment that will work well for your space. Who knows, you might decide to try more than one. Be prepared for family and friends to be asking for your wall treatment services in their homes.

Written by Sharon @ IDQ