What are the different types of wall decoration? Limitless finishing possibilities: decorative plaster on interior walls. Wood and PVC wall panels

Decorative wall decoration is a creative process in all respects. Depending on the type of material and technique chosen, you will need the skills of an artist, designer, painter and builder. Of course, you can hire a specialist who will develop a unique project and bring it to life, but it is much more exciting to become a creator yourself. Let us examine in more detail the main types of decoration, materials for work, their advantages and disadvantages.

Painting the walls

Decorative painting of walls is a worthy competitor to wallpaper, because it allows you to participate in the creation of a background canvas, rather than gluing a ready-made one. In addition, this method of decoration has a number of advantages:

• Paint will last longer than wallpaper.
• The surface will be solid without seams and joints, the formation of which cannot be avoided when using other materials.
• The paint will adhere to any base.
• To re-repair, you will not need to carry out complex manipulations over the old layer of paint, but the wallpaper will have to be scraped, moistened with water and again scraped off the most stubborn remnants tightly adhered to the glue.
• If you use special types of moisture-resistant paints, then this decoration can be done in the kitchen and bathroom.

Before painting directly, the wall is prepared. The remnants of the previous coating are removed from it and primed. Irregularities and recesses are puttied and sanded after drying. Then an additional layer of primer is applied and only after complete drying begin painting. When choosing a paint, they are guided by its composition and characteristic features that allow it to be used in certain rooms. The product range is classified into:

There are a number of ways to apply paint. Regular paint rollers and brushes will lay it in an even, dense layer on drywall, plaster or concrete. A drawing or pattern is applied to the surface using a stencil, but this is the simplest option. A lot of more original methods have been developed, which require only available means. To get the effect of a “crumpled” canvas, simply wrap the roller with a piece of waste fabric, which is tied to the foam rubber with a coarse thread. The more folds it forms, the more original and interesting the pattern will be. A more sophisticated design will be achieved if you decide to create the illusion of Venetian plaster. This type of finishing was previously used exclusively for cladding facades, but over time it fit into the design of interior walls. For this method you will have to perform a number of actions:

• Take a can of latex paint and pour its contents into a wider container.
• Then pigment is spilled onto one half, which will darken the original color.
• It is carefully stirred so as not to touch the second part of the paint.
• With a simple spatula it is applied to the surface, like plaster. In this case, spots of dark and light tones alternate to create a beautiful picture of two shades, chaotically transforming into each other.

If it is difficult for you to work with one container for two different shades, then pour the paint into two different cans and work with them. These are just the simplest methods that exist. With the help of little tricks and patience, a simple wall can be transformed and decorated beyond recognition both outside and inside the house.

Using acrylic paint, a new surface can be artificially aged (stippling), which is perfect for rooms in retro or Provence styles. In the office they create the “businesslike” effect of expensive leather, for which you only need a homemade suede brush. Using sponges, pieces of fabric, bags, sponges and washcloths, designers create not only texture, but also relief.

Decorative plaster for interior work

The main purpose of plaster is to level walls, smooth out roughness and mask defects. That was until designers paid close attention to this finishing material, which, as it turned out, could play a more important role in interior design. At first, decorative plaster began to be used only for cladding external walls, until this experience was transferred to the interior design of apartments and houses. The decoration of the premises ceased to be pompous and pompous, giving preference to rougher and more practical materials. Plaster is based on various dispersions that determine its characteristics. Depending on the type of binding ingredients, plaster is divided into:

• Acrylic;
• Silicone;
• Silicate;
• Mineral.

The mineral base includes lime and cement. It boasts a long service life and relative cheapness. Before work, this particular plaster is diluted with water. The acrylic mixture is tinted and resistant to mechanical damage. Among the disadvantages, its poor vapor permeability is noted, so it is recommended to use plaster only inside the house for walls and ceilings. Silicone material has a high cost, which is due to its excellent quality: the material is vapor-permeable, can withstand temperature fluctuations, is not washed off with water and will last for many years. Silicone plaster is used for facing work both outside and inside the house. But silicate glass is made on the basis of potassium glass, which can be toxic, so this option is best left for facade work. The mixtures also differ in the size of the granules, which will determine the texture and relief of the treated surface. Before finishing work, the base is treated with a primer, and in rooms with high humidity, also with antifungal solutions. It should be remembered that at the preliminary stage you cannot use mixtures based on glue, oil or alabaster, which will only interfere with the absorption of plaster granules or painting the wall.

If it is not possible to buy ready-made plaster, then you can prepare it at home using the original “recipe” from putty. Pay attention to the composition of the latter; some types will produce a mixture that will paint a section of the wall only after applying several layers.

Wallpapers and photo wallpapers

The wallpaper market offers a wide range of products. Among the most popular are:

• Non-woven;
• Paper;
• Acrylic;
• Liquid;
• Textile;
• Metal;
• Vinyl;
• Glass wallpaper.

Paper and non-woven ones are among the simplest and cheapest. The former have been generally used for centuries, while the latter differ only in the addition of fabric fibers. Both types are used as a base for paint; they are environmentally friendly, have a wide range of colors, but are short-lived (cannot even be washed). The surface of such wallpaper is usually smooth, but there are options with a relief pattern. Acrylic and vinyl wallpapers are durable and resistant to moisture and ultraviolet radiation. The paper or non-woven base is covered with a special “foam”, which forms a durable top layer. The only downside is breathability; therefore, this material should not be used to glue walls in a child’s room. Textile wallpaper is made from a paper base and a second layer of natural fabric. The material looks very elegant, but it is expensive, fades, is easily damaged by moisture and quickly collects dust (they can even be vacuumed). In metal wallpaper, the top layer is made of thin aluminum foil. They look impressive, do not fade and are not afraid of water, but you will have to pay dearly for all these advantages. And finally, the last word in the world of wallpaper is liquid coating. It is sold in powder form and after application vaguely resembles decorative plaster. Liquid wallpaper contains cellulose fibers and glitter, which create a rich, elegant look.

Photo wallpapers are made from the same materials as regular ones. They represent a panorama from floor to ceiling. Images can be very diverse: from bright landscapes with “rich” colors to neutral abstract paintings with calm shades. Before gluing photo wallpaper, you need to clearly demarcate the finishing area so that later your design does not go into a corner or become askew. Paintings are purchased in special stores or made to order according to the selected design using special printing materials.

In a children's room, when choosing the type of wallpaper, focus on its environmental friendliness, and in the kitchen and bathroom you will have to choose a moisture-resistant material that can also withstand temperature changes.

Drywall

Drywall is used mainly to obtain an original wall relief. Using this fairly inexpensive material, you can create decorative niches, shelves, arches, tiers and partitions. It is also often used in rooms where it is necessary to hide communications beautifully and neatly. The top of this covering is decorated with wallpaper, paint, plaster, tiles, artificial brick or wood. You can veneer a room with your own hands without the help of professionals. You will have to choose material from several types:

• Ordinary;
• Moisture resistant
• With increased fire resistance;
• Fireproof and moisture resistant.

Regular drywall is suitable for residential premises. In the bathroom they use a moisture-resistant one, and for the kitchen you can “splurge” on a fireproof one to protect your family in case of force majeure with an overheated stove.

The material bends easily. If you need a “shaped” sheet, you can buy special drywall for arches or gradually moisten the regular one with water. At the same time, it is laid under pressure in the shape that you want to get as a result. 12 hours is enough for the sheet to “set” and retain its bends.

Laminate

Finishing walls with laminate is perhaps the most recent and non-trivial design move. Many have seen this material exclusively on the floor, but not on the walls, but such cladding looks rich and original. Laminate perfectly imitates various surfaces and textures: from natural wood to marble patterns. The basis of the material is fiberboard, which bends easily, and the top layer of protection ensures the durability of the coating. Laminate is chosen not by type, but by class. Each of them has certain characteristics according to GOST, based on which the material is suitable only for a certain type of premises.

Clinker tiles

Clinker tiles are made from clay with the addition of fluxes and dyes. During production it is fired once. The material came to us from Western Europe, where it was used to line houses and lay roads. The tile is highly durable, easy to clean, permeable to water, and not susceptible to temperature changes and ultraviolet radiation. The only disadvantages noted are the extreme fragility of the material and the high price, especially when compared with conventional ceramics. It is for this reason that it is rarely used in home decoration. It is much easier to hang wallpaper or paint a wall instead of fiddling with a material that easily cracks. But clinker tiles look noble and elegant. It combines well with other materials and is ideal for decorating kitchen splashbacks or sections of walls in the bathroom.

Fake diamond

Artificial stone is actively used in the production of sinks, countertops and window sills, but designers have gone further and began to use this material in wall decoration. The stone can be of different textures and colors. It is divided into several types:

• Acrylic;
• Quartz;
• Polyester;
• Cast marble.

Acrylic is considered the most common. It exemplifies good value for money. In polyester, the main binding substance is an ether resin, and not an acrylic one, as in its close “relative”. It has a sharp, unpleasant odor that dissipates over time. Polyester stone does not bend, so it cannot be used to create shaped elements. Quartz material is more fragile, so this surface is quite sensitive to mechanical damage. Cast stone is also called liquid stone. Purchasing the material, as they say, will cost a pretty penny, but it is ideal for creating complex compositions with smooth lines and curves. It is strong, durable and does not crumble.

A natural stone

Natural stone has many varieties. Among the most commonly used in wall decoration are:

• Granite;
• Marble;
• Sandstone;
• Slate;
• Zlatolite;
• Lemesit.

Stone chips, river pebbles and specially hewn blocks are also used. We will talk about sandstone below, because it goes well with an artificial base. The result of such experiments became the material of the “new generation”. Granite and marble are considered the most durable and popular, but such coatings can “foul” and affect the health of the apartment owners. Before purchasing stone supplies for finishing, inquire about their origin. In some quarries, granite or marble is more radioactive. This property directly depends on the area of ​​production. In terms of strength, it is unlikely that any other finishing coating can compare with such a material. He is not afraid of anything: temperature, humidity, mechanical damage. To be convinced of this, it is enough to remember the marble and granite memorials that have stood in the open air for decades and retain their beauty. Natural stone is used to make bathtubs, work surfaces, and lay out floors or paths in the garden. This material is fireproof and is even used in fireplace linings.

Flexible stone

Sandstone is used not only in its “natural” form. It is a plastic sedimentary rock. It is “cut” into thin slices - layers that are attached to fiberglass. This stone bends well and, depending on its thinness, is used to create designer wallpaper or tiles. The material is considered the most successful combination of natural and artificial. It is lightweight, environmentally friendly, fireproof, moisture resistant and can withstand the most aggressive conditions. Flexible stone is universal; it can even be used to cover walls in children’s rooms and bathrooms. According to manufacturers, the average service life of the material is about 30-35 years.

Natural wood

Wood is a unique material that combines beauty and excellent performance characteristics. The range of wood is wide and rich. The most accessible and cheapest are:

• Pine;
• Birch;
• Cedar;

More rare and expensive ones include:

• Cherry;
• Ash;
• Karelian birch;
• Manchurian walnut;
• Crimean mahogany;
• Maple.

And of course, the most “exclusive” type of wood is rightfully considered ebony, better known as “black”. For wall decoration, already prepared wooden materials are used. The most popular include:

• Lining;
• Panels;
• Block house;
• Gusvarblok.

The lining consists of processed narrow boards. Block house is the same material that has rounded ends imitating a Russian log house. The panels are created both from solid wood and from its remains (using a press and a special adhesive base), which greatly reduces the cost. The name gusvarblok hides wooden wallpaper, which is distinguished by filigree work in production and a high price. These are not the paper rolls that we are all accustomed to, but rather thick wooden panels fastened together through grooves. Coniferous, deciduous or rare tree species are taken as raw materials for any of the above facing materials.

Decorative painting

If you do not have artistic talent, you will have to contact a specialist to paint the walls in your apartment. This is delicate, painstaking work, which directly depends on the complexity of the chosen pattern. A room with painted walls will acquire an impressive flavor. The furnishings and furniture will have to match it. Three types of paints are used for artistic wall painting:

• Acrylic;
• Tempera;
• Oil.

Acrylic is durable and not afraid of moisture and temperature changes. Tempera is used to correct the smallest details, as the paint applies more gracefully. To obtain a relief pattern, it is applied to Venetian plaster. The paintings become voluminous and abstract with blurred features. Rooms were painted with oil back in the Middle Ages. Now the composition of oil paints has changed, and it is unlikely that your masterpiece will live as long as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but we do not pretend to compete with the great masters of painting of the past. Recently, airbrushing has been considered a popular type of paint application. The can contains compressed powder or liquid dye that is sprayed over the surface. But such work requires special training: it is quite difficult to adapt to non-standard “writing” equipment. You can practice on any smooth surface that you don’t mind: a door from an unnecessary cabinet, an old mirror, a wall of a building to be demolished.

Cork

Cork is obtained from the outer bark of certain types of trees. Most often it is obtained from the cork tree of the same name, which gave the name to the material. Due to the complex processing technology, the material is quite expensive, which is compensated by the durability and moisture resistance of the coating. Cork is available in two types:

• Rolls;
• Sheets.

Depending on the area of ​​the wall they are going to cover with it, the type of material is chosen. Cork is pleasant to the touch: it is both strong and pliable. The material is resistant to mechanical damage. With a slight impact, it will simply bend and then return to its previous state, so it is quite difficult to scratch the cork coating. The only downside is the “poor” color scheme, which is limited to all shades of brown.

Decorative panels

To install decorative wall panels, you will need a special design: metal or wood lathing. The components are “slung” onto it. Panels are classified into three types:

The second ones are much smaller, and it is easier to lay out an original drawing from them. Typically, tiles of different sizes and colors are used within the same range. Slatted ones vaguely resemble lining: long, narrow planks. Sheet panels are used to cover large areas. The materials used are plastic, glass, gypsum vinyl, wood and its derivatives (MDF, chipboard, fiberboard).

Wooden panels

Chipboard panels are made from chips that are hot pressed. The material is less durable compared to wood, and is susceptible to high humidity and temperature changes. It cannot be used for the bathroom or kitchen, so you will have to confine it to the living room, hallway or bedroom. Fiberboard is produced using the same technology, but instead of shavings, plant and wood fibers are used, which are more resistant to kitchen conditions, for example. However, this material should be protected from direct contact with water on the surface, so the bath remains taboo.

MDF is dry pressed, causing the chips to release lignin. It also forms a durable “film” that holds it together and improves performance. MDF is not afraid of water, ultraviolet radiation, or elevated temperatures. The material is also able to withstand heavy loads, so it is often used to create shelves. MDF panels are suitable for absolutely any room in an apartment or house. OSB boards are made from shavings, resins and synthetic wax. They have a rather unprepossessing appearance, which is compensated by their pleasant price and durability in all respects. The material in interior painting is used mainly for flooring, but this option is also suitable for walls.

Plastic panels

PVC has long established itself as a durable artificial material. Surprisingly, his formula was the result of an accident. The French scientist received it during an experiment and simply could not characterize his invention. PVC is made from polyvinyl chloride and a softener. The latter is added in minimal concentrations. PVC is actively used to create windows, window sills, doors and other products vital for residential premises. Plastic is fireproof, not afraid of water, temperature changes, it is easy to wash and difficult to scratch. PVC is relatively cheap and safe for health. The release of harmful substances is accompanied only by its production.

Conclusion

Repairs are not always an overwhelming burden that you want to get rid of as quickly as possible. This process can be enjoyable and bring a lot of pleasure. Don't forget that walls are the background of your apartment: bright, provocative or calm. The furniture and “box” of the house must be “tied” into a complex composition of the design project, which maintains internal harmony. That is why the walls are decorated in accordance with the rules of the general interior concept.

Decorative wall decoration, that is, interior finishing work, is the most “delicious” creative part of the renovation. A variety of ideas for decorating walls, decorating the comfort of your own home or office are achievable today more than ever! The market offers a myriad of finishing materials for indoor walls. There has long been a succinct saying that even the walls of a home can heal - it’s not for nothing that people say so. To ensure that a large selection does not lead to some confusion, it is enough to have a clear idea of ​​what you want, as well as a little understanding of what modern finishing materials are.

A lovingly thought out, harmonious interior truly relieves stress and calms you down.

Decorating walls with various materials, which has become so organically relevant and so beloved, has a number of advantages:

• such design is almost always unique, inimitable;
• adaptable to absolutely any stylistic decision - from classic to the most daring;
• perfectly camouflages light unevenness and surface defects;
• significantly increases sound insulation;
• significantly enhances the moisture resistance of surfaces.

Paint for interior wall decoration

Painting is the most common, main available method of decorating walls. It is based on the application of coloring materials (paints) to the surface. A huge selection of colors, the presence of various techniques (which can be used even without special training) make it especially popular. For interior coatings, mainly two main types of paint are used: either acrylic or alkyd.

Acrylic paints include water-based and water-based dispersion paints. Advantages: this dye is affordable, easy to work with (due to its composition, practically odorless), it is suitable for decorating absolutely any room. Most often, acrylic paints are used to cover large surfaces; they dry very quickly.

Decorative wall decoration, photo:

Alkyd paint is used a little less frequently; it is dissolved with white spirit or turpentine.

Advantages: indispensable for working on large, small wooden or metal elements - window, door frames, pipes, heating radiators. By combining different gradations, tones of the same color, related or contrasting colors in one room, you can easily create a unique, unusual, but cozy space.

Decorative plaster for interior wall decoration

Another undisputed leader in the construction market used for interior work is decorative plaster. This is an excellent finishing material for walls inside the apartment.

No wonder, because the advantages of this material are obvious:

• protection from mechanical damage;
• individual design of rooms is achieved with a minimum of effort;
• the composition includes environmentally friendly natural materials;
• the condition remains good for a long time, keeps its shape perfectly;
• washes and cleans well.

In appearance, decorative plaster is a special heterogeneous mixture of different structures and grain sizes. For interior work, compositions that dissolve with water are ideal (they do not have a strong odor).

In the photo the walls are decorated with decorative plaster:

As a rule, plasters can be tinted, that is, several shades of pigments can be mixed in order to achieve an individual exact tone, to fully realize the plan. There are a lot of techniques for applying plaster, all of them are quite simple to perform.

Wall decoration with wallpaper

Classic wallpapering, it seems, will never cease to be relevant, simple, and affordable.

Currently, the choice of high-quality, sophisticated wallpaper is very wide. The most common:

• paper classic;
• washable vinyl;
• non-woven;
• natural;
• represented by liquid textures.

Ordinary paper wallpapers can be background or embossed, single-layer or double-layer. Considering their environmental friendliness, they are simply irreplaceable for a child’s room or bedroom, they are inexpensive, “breathe”, and easy to glue. The other side of the coin regarding the types of wallpaper finishes: they are short-lived, fade, and get dirty easily.

Non-woven wallpaper is non-woven, high density, applied to paper. They have great strength, but at the same time allow air to pass through. Cracks and surface roughness are camouflaged. They are very easy to stick - the adhesive mass needs to be applied only to a solid base.

Vinyl wallpaper is foamed vinyl applied to a paper or non-woven backing. They can be smooth, embossed, with a pattern, made using hot stamping or silk-screen printing.

They are great for hallways and corridors, as they are moisture resistant, which means they are easy to wash and clean. Such wallpapers retain their color saturation for a very long time, practically do not fade, and are airtight (therefore, it is better not to glue them to the walls of a bedroom or nursery).

Natural wallpapers are made from environmentally adaptive, natural derivatives:

• traffic jams;
• jute;
• straws;
• veneer;
• bamboo;
• reed;
• seaweed

They are applied to a paper or, less commonly, non-woven base. This is an exclusive, very cozy, pleasant to the touch decorative material. To protect against dust, the manufacturer treats such wallpaper with special means. Most often, such natural coatings are used to emphasize individual elements. They are somewhat capricious and require protection from sunlight.

Decorative panels for interior wall decoration

Today, the construction market offers a wide range of similar decorative materials for interior wall cladding. The shape and material of manufacture, coupled with convenience and speed of installation, allow you to achieve excellent results quickly and relatively inexpensively. Using panels you can hide imperfections, irregularities, electrical wiring, and other construction communications. These decorative materials are attached to a special metal sheathing, which is initially mounted on the mother surface.

Decorative panels are presented as sheets, rectangular canvases, narrow slats. Thus, you can choose an individual, convenient cladding option; they can be installed horizontally or vertically. The most popular, frequently used type of this decorative coating is made from fiberboard, chipboard, MDF, polyvinyl chloride, gypsum, natural (or recycled) wood, and cork. Decorative 3D analogues stand out.

Photos of wall cladding with different materials:

High-quality panels for interior cladding must be environmentally friendly, resistant to moisture and temperature changes. Using different cleaning agents should not be a problem, low flammability in case of fire is also important.

Wall finishing with plasterboard

Drywall is a modern, inexpensive material, a reasonable alternative to plaster when creating a smooth surface is required. Even a novice builder can handle drywall; it is non-toxic, non-flammable, and after working with it there is no large amount of dust or construction debris left behind.

The advantages of plasterboard cladding are:

• excellent sound insulation;
• maintaining an acceptable indoor microclimate;
• environmental friendliness;
• the ability to implement any design designs;
• compatibility with other finishing materials that can be used as a topcoat;
• low price.

When working with drywall, you should take into account its fragility; it also needs a reliable frame. If there is an increased level of humidity, then, most likely, it may be necessary to pre-coat the mother surface with a special primer.

Clinker tiles for interior wall decoration

The use of this modern, up-to-date facing material makes it easy to implement the design concept - a high-quality imitation of wood, stone or brickwork. Today, clinker tiles are in demand because, in addition to their high performance qualities, they look very aesthetically pleasing and are not inferior to the natural materials that they imitate.

Clinker imitation stone, photo:

Such tiles are easy to work with, their minimum thickness is only 8 mm, they have a long service life and are resistant to mechanical damage. If you are tiling a kitchen or bathroom, then the level of moisture resistance of this coating must be appropriate.

Clinker tiles have a rich range of colors, and over time the shades do not fade or fade. For cladding, you can choose a material of any texture: smooth, glazed, rough, rustic. Clinker tiles are not affected by mold or various types of fungi, do not emit toxic fumes, are fire resistant, and durable.

Brick panels for interior wall decoration

Often, the design concept of the interior design requires a realistic embodiment of brickwork. Internal brick cladding looks stylish, modern, and differs from real brick finishing in saving space, time, and effort. Using this material, you can decorate a separate wall or partitions between rooms, or decorate the entire room for masonry, if the situation requires it.

Brick panels are available in a variety of colors and textures, and they perfectly hide defects and utility lines. They harmoniously combine with wallpaper, plaster, painted or wooden parts of the interior. With the help of brick panels you can place accents and create a unique, completely individual interior. The most commonly used brick imitations are made from polyvinyl chloride and MDF.

Types of decorative wall decoration - brick cladding, photo:

The advantages of this facing coating:

• easy installation - even a beginner can handle it;
• easy cutting (convenient to join corners);
• no additional finishing work;
• good sound insulation;
• additional thermal insulation;
• no need to pre-level the work surface;
• replacement of individual panel fragments if damaged.

An acceptable pricing policy is also a significant advantage when choosing this brick decoration.

Wall finishing with laminate

We all know that laminate has long been successfully used for flooring. It looks aesthetically pleasing and is relatively inexpensive. Not so long ago, designers decided to use laminate for wall decoration. This design move - wall laminate for interior decoration - unexpectedly appealed to customers and began to be used to emphasize individual interior details. Naturally, a surface completely covered with laminate will look ridiculous, but skillfully introduced inserts or fragments will only emphasize the individuality of the style.

Laminate cladding, photo:

If you correctly select the shades of the laminate and combine them with the colors of the floor or wallpaper, you will be able to advantageously emphasize the nuances of any style direction - from high-tech to timeless classics. Laminate fragments can be mounted horizontally or vertically.

Wooden panels for interior wall decoration

No matter how many new building materials appear on the market, natural wood will always be in demand and relevant. Such cladding undoubtedly has a lot of positive qualities, but it is the appearance that plays the main role. Solid, practical, presentable wooden panels look appropriate in any room. They can also be made as an imitation of natural wood. This option will also look good, its price will be much lower than its analogue made from natural wood. We are talking about MDF and fiberboard/chipboard cladding.

Wooden panels, photo:

The advantages of this coating are long service life, environmental friendliness, and soundproofing qualities. With its help, you can easily and quickly hide flaws and irregularities, highlight separate areas in the room, and give it respectability. Wooden cladding products do not lose their external and operational qualities for a long time; they will look appropriate in an apartment, country house or country house. If you wish, you can choose any color scheme of the material, its texture, shape.

Artificial stone for interior wall decoration

It looks authentic and, surprisingly, harmonious, and is available in different colors and textures. It can be used to highlight individual details or corners in a room; it harmonizes perfectly with wallpaper or plaster. With the help of artificial stone, you can realize any design fantasies. Even a small fragment of a room (for example, the entrance door area), decorated with this cladding product, can change the perception of the room as a whole.

Artificial stone, photo:

This is a reliable imitation of a wide variety of natural textures; sometimes, artificial stone is even difficult to distinguish from natural rocks. It is much lighter in weight than its authentic counterpart, its scope of application is much wider due to its versatility.

Artificial stone adapts to the room temperature and will never feel cold when touched. It is easy to attach to any surface, be it wood, concrete or brickwork - it is very convenient. This decorative element is environmentally friendly, made from cement, water, appropriate dyes, sand impurities, water, and plasticizers.

Wall decoration with plastic panels

Plastic is a truly universal facing material. It can be installed in absolutely any room; it is not afraid of moisture or low temperatures. The low price is a pleasant bonus against the backdrop of the undeniable advantages of this facing product. Plastic elements have a wide range of colors, shades, and can be of different widths and lengths (there are also square and rectangular tiles). This cladding is characterized by a long service life and high moisture resistance, thanks to the locking type of connection of the elements.

Photo of the working process:

The soundproofing and heat-insulating aspect also takes place (cellular structure inside the panel). The surface of modern plastic panels can be made to resemble wood or ceramic imitation, marble, or leather covering.

The parts are easily mounted on any surface (frame sheathing is required), do not require high construction skills, and after working with them a minimum of construction waste remains. Such finishing panels are easy to care for (abrasive products cannot be used); along with cold, they are able to withstand high temperatures.

Wood wall decoration

As mentioned above, wood is a magnificent, environmentally friendly, visually attractive decorating material. For these purposes, a variety of species are used: oak, apple, walnut, spruce, pine, birch, alder, linden, larch. When choosing wood, you must take into account its texture, for example, the same coniferous species may have multiple eyes and knots.

Photo of wood cladding:

By choosing wood cladding, you provide the room with not only a presentable appearance, but also a favorable atmosphere (moisture exchange, thermal insulation qualities, pleasant smell). Today, it is important to cover walls with clapboard, timber, blockhouse, board, so-called wooden wallpaper, gusvarblock. Let's take a closer look at the most commonly used options.

Lining

This is the most budget option if you take into account natural wood. The lining fragments are easy to install, they can be easily replaced if damaged, and painted if desired. This cladding is quite durable and has good soundproofing qualities. The lining is durable, but it does not like humidity and can be attacked by fungus and insects.

Eurolining

It is not too different from ordinary lining; an indicator of the European standard is the presence of ventilation recesses and improved grooves for connecting fragments. Ventilation grooves prevent the formation of condensation, and grooves help minimize gaps during installation. There are three categories of eurolining on the construction market - “A” (best quality, without knots and nicks), “B” (average rating, with rare presence of knots), “C” (worse than the first two, extremely rarely used for finishing).

Block house

When facing with a blockhouse, it seems that the walls were built from a log house. It all depends on the special technology of cutting the log: the top, bottom, and side parts of the log are actually cut off, and the resulting semicircles are used to make a blockhouse.

The square middle is either used entirely as a beam or sawn into boards. This way, all parts of the log are used.

A blockhouse is good for everyone - it looks beautiful, is environmentally friendly, retains heat, and absorbs sounds. The production technology of this facing material involves high-quality impregnation with antiseptic and fire-retardant compounds. As a result, the blockhouse becomes heat-resistant and unattractive to insects and fungi. It is available in different sizes, but for a room it is better to take a narrow format so as not to “eat up” the area. It is easy to install, and the most budget option (spruce, pine) exudes resin, which helps improve waterproofing qualities and strength.

This cladding is quite durable and will not lose its performance characteristics for many years.

Gusvarblok

It has the positive qualities of the options described above, and has the most varied designs (there are even wood carvings, embossing, brushing).

This is a rather expensive type of cladding; it can be used to create an exclusive coating; hidden joining grooves allow you to create complete panels without disturbing the design. With all this, installation of the gusvarblok is quite simple and does not require special skills or prior training.

Natural wood wallpaper

This is thinly sliced ​​veneer of varying thickness and width, glued onto thick paper. The choice of wood types is incredibly wide - more than 100 varieties. These wallpapers are designed as rolls; if desired, they can be used to cover rounded surfaces, which cannot be done with the other analogues described above.

Wooden wallpaper requires a special approach; it must be periodically treated with a special varnish or wax. It should be borne in mind that they are prone to swelling when in contact with moisture, and also change color when exposed to sunlight. Wallpaper made of wood is afraid of insects, fungi, and high temperatures (fire hazardous). An alternative to this coating is thermowood analogues. They are more practical, impregnated with special antifungal compounds, fire resistant, and look good after a long time. Thermowood wallpaper can only be glued to a flat surface.

Decorative wood panels

This is one of the most expensive cladding options, made from noble wood varieties (cedar, oak, alder, maple). It signals the owner’s wealth, looks elegant and respectable. There are panels with a multilayer structure, the front layer of which is made of valuable wood. To make the middle and lower layers, more inexpensive spruce or pine is used. Decorative panels can be coated with an acrylic fixative or special wax to retain moisture and prevent exposure to sunlight. The option with wax is considered more environmentally friendly and is recommended for bedrooms and children's rooms. Once every 5-6 years, the panels need to be treated with a special varnish or wax mastic.

Stone-look wall panels for interior decoration

This is a sought-after, quite popular material, which was previously used only for outdoor work. This coating is convenient, easy to install, and relatively inexpensive. The basis of its manufacturing technology is mixing plastic and stone powder.

Photo of stone cladding:

Varieties of stone panels are made:

• from PVC, by casting method (homogeneous structure);
• combined type - polystyrene foam with polymer;
• combined type - polystyrene foam with polystyrene foam;
• "Stone" options for the facade.

The most popular wall finishing options are imitation marble, malachite, granite, and limestone. The placement of “stones” on the canvas can be uniform, chaotic, in a checkerboard pattern - whatever you like. The color palette is also varied - without exaggeration, you can find any shade here.

This decorating coating is resistant to temperature changes, is not afraid of moisture, has soundproofing properties, and is difficult to deform.

MDF wall panels for interior decoration

This is a type of wooden elements of internal cladding, as well as one of the most inexpensive, lightweight options for leveling the “native” base. They are easy to install and can be attached to any surface without any problems. In production, mainly wood waste is used, which remains from processing wood of various species.

MDF coating, photo:

A big advantage of using this facing material is the absence of toxic components. Product composition: wood fibers, acrylic varnish, carbide resin, wood veneer. MDF panels have an attractive appearance, are resistant to moisture, have soundproofing qualities, and can be of any shape or size.

To summarize this review, it is worth emphasizing that high-quality building materials are the best guarantee of life safety. They need to be chosen carefully, since we will spend every day surrounded by them. By choosing high-quality, proven building materials with a quality guarantee and appropriate certificates, you can be confident in taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Decorative wall decoration is an important stage of renovation. If you approach this process with taste and give freedom to your creative potential, you can create a room in which it will always be comfortable to be!

Modern wall decoration in an apartment is not such a simple task. There are many materials and sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what to choose.
Wall finishing options can vary, but not every room is suitable for a certain material. All of them are made from different components that tolerate the environment and high humidity differently.
That is, for each type of material a different material is suitable. In this article we will deal with this issue.
You will have the opportunity to look at photos and videos on this topic and choose exactly what you need.

There are several materials that are most often used to do this job. Decorating walls with modern materials is not such a difficult task if you approach it creatively and first of all select the right material.
There are different options for wall decoration, let's look at each element in more detail.

Application of drywall

Many people use plasterboard for cladding. As a rule, this finishing is used if there are uneven walls or you want to hide communications.
But this option is not suitable for every type of room. This material has its advantages and disadvantages.
Here it should be said that the sheets are applied to the sheathing and its correct manufacture is the key to success. The correctness of the geometric shape depends on this, and this is especially important when performing a multi-level structure.
Let's understand all of them before making a purchase. It's likely that it won't suit you.

Attention: this finishing option is ideal for uneven walls and if you want to use another material for cladding. This material is perfect for cladding with any material and will make the surface perfectly smooth and this will be a high-quality base.

Advantages

This material has a lot of advantages that can sway the consumer in its direction:

• This design is perfect for leveling walls. Moreover, their unevenness will practically not interest you.
  Finishing can be done in almost any room;
• All work can be done with your own hands and without resorting to outside help. How you will significantly reduce the cost of all work and this is important;
• You will not need to pre-treat the walls. It will be enough to remove the peeling layer and apply a primer;
• It will be possible to immediately apply additional insulation, and its thickness is not limited. Only this will need to be calculated in advance;
• It is possible to finish the bathroom, only the facing material should be applied to the surface;
• You can always hide all communications. This material is attached to the frame and allows this to be done;
• This finish tolerates temperature changes well and can be installed in a room without constant heating. You just need to use moisture-resistant material.

Also, when buying drywall, you should pay attention to the edge, which also varies.

Flaws

This material also has its drawbacks that should be taken into account:

• You will definitely reduce the usable area of ​​the room. Exactly by the size of the frame, which cannot be less than 5 cm;
• This design absorbs moisture and does not tolerate direct contact with water;
• This finishing cannot be the final option; you will need to do another cladding with a different material, or apply finishing putty.

Attention: there is also a moisture-resistant material that is less susceptible to high humidity. It is suitable for the bathroom, but you should not install it in the bathhouse. It will still spoil. Even in the bathroom, do subsequent tiling, then it will last long enough.

Choosing drywall

In retail there are several types of this product that are suitable for different types of premises.
Before you make a purchase, you should know what is right for you:

• GCR is the simplest and most affordable material. Suitable for finishing any type of room, only heated.
  It cannot tolerate high humidity and temperature changes. Therefore, installation in a bathroom is not recommended. At positive temperatures it can be used almost everywhere;
• GKLO, this material is fire-resistant and can already be placed, for example, near the fireplace or in the utility room. It can even withstand an open flame without changing its structure.
  Can be used in any type of room. Available in green with red markings;
• GKLV, such a material is moisture resistant and can be used to decorate a bathroom, but you should not think that water can be poured on it. He won't last long.
  Its production uses integrated cardboard and therefore can withstand high humidity. Available in green with blue markings;
• GKLVO, this material has all the qualities that are listed in the two previous options. But its price is also much higher.
  This material is used in the finishing of premises that require increased moisture and fire resistance. Can be used in all types of premises. It is produced in green color and has red markings.

Finishing with PVC panels

Wall finishing options would not be complete without a description of PVC panels. They are also used quite often.
They have many advantages that are described in drywall, but there is also something that distinguishes PVC panels from the previous material.

So:

• This material is perfect for finishing non-residential premises. Will perfectly tolerate high humidity and temperature changes. But it is not often installed in residential premises. Gives the inside a non-residential appearance;
• The panels are attached to the frame, but after installation they do not need to be finished. The elements are already finished. And this is important, in this option you avoid additional costs for cladding;
• The price of the material is quite low and much less than its analogues.

Attention: When choosing such material, you should give preference to proven and well-known brands. By using material from unknown manufacturers, you risk causing harm to your health.

Plastering walls

This finishing option is the most popular nowadays. Let's figure out what's attractive about him.
Nowadays, many people prefer decorative materials and there are reasons for this.

Advantages

This material has a number of advantages that are difficult to argue with:

• This plaster is quite easy to apply and therefore the work can be completely done with your own hands and without resorting to outside help. This will reduce the costs of all finishing.
  Moreover, the coating can be applied to almost any substrate, making it suitable for any room. To carry out the work, you will not need any special tools; a roller and a spatula will suffice for this work;

Attention: To complete the work, you will need to prepare the solution correctly. It should not be made very liquid or solid.
It is necessary to achieve plasticity correctly. Never start doing work without checking on the surface the ability of the material to stay on a plane; it may simply float.
Therefore, large sizes should not be applied immediately. First test the solution for strength by applying it to a small surface.

• When applying such a finish, you will not need to do labor-intensive surface preparation. It will be enough to beat off the exfoliated material and apply a layer of primer. Everything else will be covered perfectly.

Attention: Before applying the material, it is worth checking the unevenness of the wall. This finish will hide errors.
But if your unevenness reaches more than two cm, then you should not apply the material right away. First you need to level it with plasterboard and only after that apply the finishing material.

• This material can also serve as an excellent insulation material. Before applying the material, you just need to treat the surface with a primer and select the appropriate class of material.
  Such modern materials for finishing walls in an apartment are produced with the additional property of insulation; the instructions must be fully studied before purchasing;
• This is an environmentally friendly material that looks quite elegant. You can give the finish almost any color and shade and perfectly match any interior.
  You can also make a shaped surface, especially since you can determine the pattern yourself;
• There is no doubt about the durability of the material, which will last for decades, you just have to do everything according to technology and prepare the base plane correctly and efficiently;
• The main disadvantage is the price, which is not low. But if you take into account such factors as: a long service life, the ability to perform the work completely independently and the fact that the material will not need to be covered after installation, then the price will not seem so high.

These were given three options that are most used in our time. They are basic.
Instructions for installing these types of finishes are on the pages of our website, and the instructions are quite detailed.

The decoration of the walls in the room must meet not only the criteria of beauty, but also be practical. Therefore, appropriate “clothing” is selected for each room in the apartment.

There are many options for finishing and design, and every year there are even more of them. They are becoming more and more diverse, there is plenty to choose from. If for walls in rooms intended for relaxation, finishing materials are chosen based more on their appearance and beauty, then for walls in the kitchen, more practical materials that can withstand wet cleaning are mostly used.

No matter how technically the kitchen is equipped: a powerful hood, a dishwasher, steam will still be released during cooking, greasy splashes from the stove, drops of water. In addition, as many people as there are, so many tastes. Everyone wants to decorate the interior of an apartment at their own discretion, so that the design is not similar to any other, and to show their individuality. Wall cladding can be very diverse, and there are no strict rules in this matter.

Ceramic tile

Man gluing tiles to the wall

Traditionally, tiles are laid in rooms where increased demands are placed on the walls for wear resistance, moisture resistance, and easy cleaning. These are bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, industrial premises.

The tile perfectly withstands almost any load; it can be used both in the middle of rooms and outside. There are tiles for walls and floors. You can safely install a heated floor system under the floor tiles.

The variety of shapes and colors allows you to choose ceramic tiles for any interior. Tile manufacturers produce the material in whole series that have a common design.

For example, several options for wall tiles and floor tiles in the same color scheme, but with different textures and patterns. In addition to them, decorative elements, various planks, and patterned tiles, which also have the same color scheme, are also produced. But the choice should be approached carefully and carefully. This material is not so easy to take and change. Covering walls with ceramic tiles is a “dirty” job that can only be done by an experienced craftsman.

Laying tiles

Before laying the wall, you need to mark it with a pencil to find out the location of the tiles. For a guideline and a base, you need to glue a strip or plaster beacon under the first row of the inlet (they should be leveled).

A layer of glue is applied to the base with a notched trowel-comb. The tile is carefully applied to the surface and pressed. Before gluing, the product should be moistened with water. In order to level the tiles, use a rubber hammer, which will not damage the outer layer of the tiles. For correction during installation, you can use special plastic wedges. Each row must be checked with a level.

Tip: To ensure that the seams between all tiles are the same, use plastic crosses. They come in different sizes: the thicker the cross, the wider the seam.

Grouting joints

After the tile is glued, it should be given time to dry and adhere to the surface. After this, you can start grouting. Grout is a dry decorative mixture that is needed for decorative finishing of seams. It is produced in various colors. It is convenient to rub the seams with a special rubber spatula. Excess grout mixture must be removed immediately with a wet cloth.

Watch the video for the process described above.

We use stone

Wall cladding with artificial or natural stone is quite popular today. The procedure for working with stone is approximately the same as when laying tiles. The only difference is that the stone is a heavier material, so you should choose the appropriate glue to glue it.

Combination of fireplace and stone in the interior

In addition, if the pieces of stone are large, it is difficult to simply glue them to the surface. Therefore, if the stone plates are large, then under each plate, from below, in order to ensure the stability of the material, small pegs are driven in, on which the stone tile will rest.

Read more: Plasterboard putty for painting: how to do it correctly - proportions, application technology, useful tips, photos and videos of work

Stone has recently become an increasingly popular finishing material, but most often it is used in combination with other materials. For example, decorative stone islands are glued to a putty wall, while simultaneously framing the door and window openings with stone. Or, in combination with a wooden surface, corners and part of the working wall in the kitchen are trimmed with stone. It is also used for finishing building facades, decorative fences, gazebos, and fountains.

You can see the stone finishing in the video below.

Plasterboard finishing

Wall cladding with plasterboard is used in the decoration of premises of any type. The popularity is explained by the fact that such sheets are convenient and easy to level any surface.

A man attaches sheets of drywall to the wall

The material is simple and moisture resistant. Moisture-resistant boards are used in rooms where there is high humidity, in bathrooms and kitchens. Plasterboard boards can be used for walls or ceilings. Gypsum fiber materials are used for the floor. The ceiling material is thinner and lighter, the wall slabs are thicker.

To design or install a rounded surface, there is a special “arched” material that can be bent.

There are two ways to install plasterboard boards:

1. On the frame. In this case, a metal or wooden frame is first installed. Special metal profiles for constructing such frames are available for sale. They come in different sizes. For the ceiling structure, thinner profiles are used, for the wall they are wider and thicker. Before installing the structure, the walls, if they do not have significant damage, do not need to be specially prepared. The main thing is to align the frame evenly. Then the sheets are screwed to the frame using self-tapping screws. If you plan to strengthen wall cabinets on the wall, then during installation of the frame in the places where the cabinets will be attached, you should additionally install metal or wooden slats. Furniture should then be hung on these slats.
2. For the adhesive solution. The technology for wall cladding in this case is as follows: special adhesive for plasterboard is applied pointwise to the wall. Popularly, this method is also called “gluing on bloopers.” Plasterboard sheets are glued to the solution and pressed. Each sheet is checked for evenness with a level.

Read more: How to treat walls against mold: only working methods

The drywall can then be puttied and painted; you can glue wallpaper, tiles, and stone onto it. Various textured plaster can be applied to a plasterboard wall.

In general, such a surface most often serves as a base for subsequent decorative finishing. In the space between the base and the plasterboard, you can hide communication networks (pipes, electrics).

Installing drywall on walls is not too difficult. See for yourself.

Variety of panels

Wall cladding with panels - this method of finishing walls is similar in installation method to laying drywall. No careful preparation of the walls is required; the panels can be installed on the frame.

The difference is that drywall is used as a material to level the walls. After this, the drywall should still be finished with other decorative materials. The panels initially have an external finish and design. You just need to install them.

Variety of MDF panels

But the price of such material is much higher than the cost of drywall. Decorative panels can be made from various materials - wood, fiberboard, MDF, plywood, plastic, glass, including mirror.

The surface of the panels can be matte or glossy, wood-like or imitation of another structure. The panels, depending on their strength characteristics, can be installed in almost any room. To design corners, transitions, and joints, a number of additional structural elements are available for sale. Sheets can usually be easily cut to obtain the desired dimensions.

These are the main options for wall decoration - choose the best one.

Wall decoration in an apartment, options for which must be selected for each room individually, should take into account their functional purpose. When making a choice in favor of one material or another, you must pay attention not only to the appearance, but also to other important characteristics. In addition, you want to make the interior of each room special, different from the others, but you should remember that their design should resonate with each other and create overall harmony throughout the entire apartment.

Today the market is literally “flooded” with building materials, and it is quite difficult to settle on just one. Therefore, it is worth figuring out which one is better to choose for a particular room.

Criteria for choosing wall finishes

So, when creating a room decoration project and choosing wall decoration, you need to consider the following factors:

• Environmental safety of the material. It should not release toxic substances into the environment during its operation.
• The finishing should not become an allergen for people living in the apartment, especially in cases where some of them have a predisposition to such reactions.
• Technology of installation (application) of finishing material. This is especially important to consider when repair costs are limited, since the work of the craftsmen may cost even more than the cost of the material itself. Therefore, in such circumstances, it is advisable to choose a finish that you can handle yourself.
• One of the most important criteria is the technical and operational characteristics of the cladding, such as hygroscopicity, abrasion, resistance to temperature changes, available methods of caring for the finish, and others. Each room requires a special approach:

— For example, when choosing cladding for the walls of a bathroom, toilet or combined bathroom, as well as a kitchen, you should pay attention to its resistance to moisture, the appearance of mold colonies, and the possibility of regular wet cleaning.

— For an adult bedroom and a children’s room, you need to choose environmentally friendly, breathable wall coverings that do not attract dust.

— The walls of the hallway, corridor and living room require finishing with a more durable, wear-resistant material, since they are passageways or most often visited rooms.

• And, of course, the aesthetic side of the issue. It is recommended to think through the design of the rooms in such a way that they complement each other and are united by one interior style.

The color scheme is also important. For example, for a bedroom it is better to choose calm pastel colors, and for rooms where there is no natural light, light-colored finishes.

Despite the wide range of finishing materials on the construction markets, the most popular finishes remain such as traditional wallpaper, plaster and paint, wooden lining and ceramic tiles. Among the claddings that have come into fashion relatively recently are laminated or plastic lining, as well as artificial stone.

Wallpaper - traditional decoration of apartment walls

Wallpaper can be called the most used option for wall decoration, as it is suitable for almost all rooms and has an affordable price. Therefore, we can safely say that in 85–90% of cases the walls of modern apartments are covered with them.

The advantages of this material over other finishes include the following:

• A large assortment of wallpaper types allows you to choose them for any room, according to aesthetic design, material of manufacture, and also cost. For example, paper or liquid wallpaper is the most affordable option. Other types, such as vinyl, non-woven, textile, as well as canvases made from natural materials, are more expensive finishes. True, in some cases, despite the high price, wallpaper can have not only positive, but also negative qualities.
• The ease of gluing canvases to walls allows you to do the work yourself and save quite a decent amount.

Wallpaper classification

Wallpaper is classified according to different qualities, which will determine which option to choose for a particular room. Such criteria include moisture resistance, surface and pattern structure, as well as material density.

In terms of performance

Resistant to moisture and regular cleaning

Based on this quality, wallpaper is divided into ordinary, moisture-resistant, moisture-resistant and waterproof (washable).

• Regular wallpaper. These include paper options that do not tolerate moisture and begin to warp when it increases in the room. You can remove dust from them only with a vacuum cleaner. They are glued only in dry rooms, where any strong fumes are unlikely.
• Moisture-resistant wallpaper. This can be paper wallpaper with a moisture-resistant coating. They can be wiped with a soft damp cloth, but they cannot be washed. This material is also not used for finishing kitchens or bathrooms, since it will not withstand high humidity and numerous cleanings.
• Washable wallpaper They tolerate wet cleaning with a sponge and detergents well, so they can be used to decorate a kitchen or toilet. It is not recommended to use them in the bathroom.
• Waterproof wallpaper When properly glued to the wall, they can withstand increased moisture and wet cleaning, since they have a coating that does not allow water to pass through to the base on which it is applied.

Surface texture and wallpaper colors

Wallpapers differ in the texture of the top layer. They can be smooth, with a pattern applied to the surface, with deep or shallow relief obtained as a result of embossing the coating of the canvas.

Wallpaper is produced in a single-color version, with a chaotic pattern that does not require adjustment of the sheets, as well as with a clear ornament located at a certain step (rapport). When purchasing the latter, you need to know that the design of adjacent paintings will have to be adjusted, so they must be purchased with a reserve.

Table of wallpaper types according to different criteria:

Prices for non-woven wallpaper

non-woven wallpaper

Material Density

Based on this quality, wallpapers are divided into light and heavy. The light ones include paper and non-woven options, the heavy ones include vinyl, fabric, as well as canvases made from natural materials. Those that have a density of 110 g/m² or more are considered heavy, and they are quite difficult to work with, especially in cases where there are irregularities on the wall surface. Thin paper wallpapers are no less difficult to glue, as they quickly get wet and can tear when smoothing them on the wall. Therefore, the best option for a craftsman without experience is to choose wallpaper of medium thickness.

Wallpaper durability

Depending on the type of wallpaper, they can last from 4 to 10 years, but subject to certain conditions:

• The correct technology for gluing canvases to the wall, for which the surface should be well prepared, leveled and thoroughly primed.

• When purchasing wallpaper, you should pay attention to the pictograms located on the packaging, which will indicate how this type of material is correctly glued and what characteristics it has.

• After pasting the wallpaper, it must be dried properly. This process is carried out with doors and windows closed, without drafts, the room temperature should be approximately +25 degrees. Do not use heaters or fans to speed up drying, as the work may be ruined and will have to be done from the very beginning. Properly dried trim will last a long time without repair.
• It is very important to choose the appropriate adhesive composition for a certain type of wallpaper - this is also one of the factors that ensures the reliability and long-term operation of wall cladding.

Now that general information about this material has been obtained, it is worth considering each type of wallpaper in more detail.

According to the material of manufacture

Paper wallpaper

Although manufacturers have developed and produced completely new types of wallpaper, paper ones still remain in demand. This is apparently explained by the fact that it is an environmentally friendly, “breathable” material and is excellent for finishing residential premises with a normal level of humidity. Modern versions of paper wallpaper are quite diverse in color and ornamental design, so some high-quality samples cannot be distinguished from more expensive material. The service life of this type of finish is from 4 to 10 years, depending on the production technology and their sticking on the wall. Imported wallpapers are considered more durable - they are less sensitive to ultraviolet rays, so they retain their original appearance longer.

The main disadvantages of this type of finish include low strength, a rather complicated process of sticking to the wall, and the impossibility of using wet cleaning on them. Therefore, they are not recommended for use in hallways and corridors, as well as on the lower part of the walls in children's rooms, since they will not last long in these areas of the apartment.

It should be noted that the paper version of the canvas can consist of one or two layers. Some wallpapers are designed for painting and can withstand up to 15 layers of paint, while others are impregnated with a moisture-repellent composition. True, wallpaper with similar qualities has a higher price.

This photo shows paper wallpaper in light, delicate colors, which can be used to decorate the walls of a bedroom, nursery or even living room, if they fit the chosen interior style. Here you can clearly see that wallpaper of similar colors can add light to a room, making it visually larger, as well as giving it neatness. Such finishing will have a positive effect on the mood of the apartment residents, creating a favorable microclimate.

Another option for using paper wallpaper with a deeper color is perfect for decorating the walls of a room in the “English” style. This material is more restrained in shades and has become a good background for pieces of furniture with light upholstery, and also harmonizes well with the color of natural wood. Such wallpapers give the room coziness, but at the same time, they seem to compress the space, so it is better to use them in rooms whose windows face the south, which is why there is too much sunlight.

Non-woven wallpaper

Non-woven fabric is made from cellulose, which makes up 70% of the total volume of the material, and the remaining 30% is occupied by binders. This material is highly durable and wear-resistant, and is also breathable.

Non-woven wallpaper can be divided into three types:

- those that are made entirely of non-woven fabric;

- non-woven fabrics;

- a top layer of non-woven fabric, which is applied to a paper base.

The first type consists of several layers, and all of them, except the outer one, are even and smooth. The top coating is most often embossed and plain. As a rule, it is designed for repeated staining.

The second version of wallpaper is non-woven based and may have an outer layer of paper, textile or vinyl.

The third type of canvas is covered with a foamed or regular layer of non-woven fabric. Such wallpapers are decorated with embossed reliefs; they look aesthetically pleasing on the wall, are amenable to wet cleaning and have a long service life.

Pure non-woven wallpaper or made in combination with paper can be called an environmentally friendly, “breathable” finishing material, so it can be used for any room.

In addition, non-woven wallpaper can hide small defects formed on the wall, and due to its elasticity, the material will not tear at corners, as well as when cracks on surfaces expand.

Non-woven fabrics are perfect for decorating a kitchen, so quite often they have designs of kitchen utensils, picturesque vegetables, fruits or plants. In the interior shown in the photo, wallpaper with images of decorative plates, which were previously used as decoration for walls and kitchen shelves, was used. The wallpaper goes well with the selected color and style of curtains, as well as with the furniture installed in the kitchen dining area.

In this case, wallpaper is used to decorate the walls of an office or living room. If you look closely at this interior, you can see that every detail is important in the design of the room, and together they create the intended style. Pieces of furniture, window frames, indoor plants - everything is in perfect harmony with the color scheme, as well as the ornamental pattern of the selected wallpaper. Calm shades of all elements of the composition contribute to a balanced mood and create a favorable atmosphere for both relaxation and work.

Vinyl wallpapers

Vinyl wallpapers, which relatively recently appeared on the construction market, are very popular. The canvases consist of two layers - the bottom (paper, non-woven or textile) and the top, consisting of polyvinyl chloride, embossed with a specific pattern with the corresponding color design.

Most of all, users liked one of the types of these wallpapers, called “silk-screen printing,” since the top layer imitates silk threads, not only with its structure, but also with its characteristic shine.

Vinyl wallpaper has amazing decorative properties, resistance to ultraviolet rays, mechanical stress and pronounced moisture resistance.

The disadvantages of the finishing material include the difficulty of gluing it. You can also note the peculiar smell that comes from the canvases during their installation and at the beginning of use, but some time later it completely disappears. Be that as it may, vinyl wallpaper cannot be called environmentally friendly, in addition, they do not allow air to pass through well, so it is not recommended to glue them in rooms with high humidity, otherwise mold may form under them. They are well suited for decorating living rooms, hallways and corridors, where surfaces must have durable protection.

Silk-screen printing is suitable for decorating halls in a palace style. If the canvases are properly glued to the walls, it will be difficult to distinguish them from natural silk. It is this effect that creates the rich decoration of surfaces, and all that remains is to select furniture made in the same style, as well as the necessary accessories - and the room will take on an unrecognizable appearance, striking in its splendor and gloss.

There are several other styles that this type of wallpaper will fit well into. These include such as “Provence” or “country”, since the floral patterns used in the design of the canvases are exactly what is typical for these design trends. If you wish, you can choose wallpaper made in calm or, conversely, light, bright colors - this factor will depend on what mood you plan to create in the room.

Textile wallpaper

Textile fabrics consist of two layers - a base consisting of paper or non-woven fabric, and an outer layer of interwoven fibers or finished natural fabric - this can be cotton, linen and silk, as well as a mixture of different materials.

Textile wallpaper has a number of advantages over other finishes, but it also has its disadvantages. Their positive qualities include the ability to absorb extraneous noise and retain heat inside the room. The fibers are treated with special compounds that make them inert to ultraviolet rays. Since natural raw materials are used for the production of linens, the finishing is an environmentally friendly material, and linen also has bactericidal properties.

Velor wallpapers have a velvet surface, which creates a special chic in the room, as their color looks deeper and more saturated.

This finishing is also made from synthetic threads, which are fixed to foam rubber - this material is used in those rooms where it is necessary to create good sound insulation. But it is still not recommended for use in residential premises.

The manufacturing process of textile wallpaper is quite complicated, which is why, and also because of the use of natural raw materials, they have a fairly high price.

This type of finishing cannot be called popular both because of its high cost and because of its ability to accumulate dust, which is detrimental to people who are predisposed to allergic reactions.

Do not use textile lining in the kitchen, as traces of fumes and odors from this room will inevitably remain on it. It is not suitable for a bedroom or children's room - there is no need for extra dust here. Wallpaper can be used in the living room if you want to create a rich, exclusive interior with deep shades.

Which wallpaper is best for the bedroom?

For this room, the finishing should be selected taking into account its specific features - it should be conducive to proper rest and be completely harmless. The nuances are in a special publication on our portal

In addition to these most popular types of wallpaper, I would like to mention others, which in some cases are irreplaceable.

Photo wallpaper

Photo wallpaper can be made from any of the materials mentioned above and are used quite often to create a certain accent in the room. This type of decoration can visually expand the space of a room, since almost all images printed on them have a 3D effect. This could be a city landscape, a natural area, or floral romantic motifs. Each of the options can transform the interior and set the desired style direction.

Liquid wallpaper

“Liquid wallpaper” is suitable for those who like to be creative and also want to save money on work that can be done by anyone, even an inexperienced craftsman. It is impossible to spoil this material, since if it was not possible to reproduce the intended design the first time, the process of applying the mass to the surface can be easily repeated by removing the applied layer of the composition from the wall and adding a little water to it.

Linkrust

Linkrust is wallpaper on a paper base, onto which a relief of vinyl chloride or lonoxin mastic mixed with wood flour or other filler is applied. This finish has the appearance of stucco and can disguise shallow flaws on the surface of the wall. Thanks to the outer coating, the finish is easy to care for by wiping it with a damp cloth.

Jute wallpaper

Jute wallpaper is made on a paper or fabric basis - this is a natural material that can significantly improve the microclimate in the premises of the apartment. This finish is perfect for the bedroom, nursery and living room; it is durable and strong, and also quite aesthetic, but it is not suitable for all styles. Therefore, if you decide to use a similar material to decorate the walls, then you should carefully think through the rest of the room’s design and select appropriate pieces of furniture for it. Wallpaper is made from natural raw materials, so their price is quite high.

Glass wallpaper

Fiberglass wallpaper is made from natural, environmentally friendly raw materials such as lime, quartz sand, dolomite and soda. Fiberglass sheets are not a favorable environment for the formation of mold and other microorganisms; they are vapor permeable and do not cause allergic reactions, and in addition, the material has dielectric properties. Thanks to all these qualities, this wallpaper can be used to decorate any room, including rooms with high humidity. Very often this type of wallpaper is designed for further painting.

Cork wallpaper

Cork is a unique finish that can insulate and soundproof a room, as well as create a favorable microclimate for apartment residents, as it is an environmentally friendly material with antibacterial properties. Cork wallpaper is resistant to mechanical stress. They have soft ocher shades that “rest the eye,” so covering walls with them would be an ideal option for a bedroom and children’s room, as well as a hallway or living room. The price of cork finishing is quite high, but its durability and unique properties fully justify it.

How to glue wallpaper correctly?

If you choose this style of wall decoration, then you need to decide on the amount of wallpaper to paste. For this purpose, there is a special one on our portal. Well, the nuances of practical work with such finishing are covered in the publication.

Original finishing – decorative plaster

If the decoration of the walls of the apartment is planned to be exclusive, then decorative plaster, which can take a wide variety of forms, is suitable for this purpose. The work of applying this finish to the surface is a creative process and requires the master to have the skills of not only a plasterer, but also an artist.

Plaster is literally translated from Italian as “alabaster” or “gypsum”, since it is from these materials that it is most convenient to create reliefs of different depths. In addition, when hardening, these materials can be adjusted with cutters. Today, to reproduce three-dimensional drawings on the wall, different solutions are used, mainly the same ones that are used for ordinary leveling of surfaces. The mixtures are made from cement, lime and sand, sometimes fillers are added to them in the form of granules of different fractions - their role is played by stone chips, quartz sand or fibers of various origins (cellulose, fiberglass, etc.)

Plaster compositions are sold ready-made or made independently; they may already be mixed and packaged in plastic buckets or they need to be sealed before starting work. Each master chooses for himself the option with which he is comfortable working.

Decorative plaster - types

Plaster mixtures are used to level walls, which is a traditional way to prepare surfaces for painting or wallpapering. In addition, there are types that are designed to create a decorative finishing coating on surfaces.

Plaster compositions are finely dispersed powder or ready-made mass, completely homogeneous or interspersed. Plaster is divided among itself according to two criteria - according to the base on which it is made, and according to its relief.

Based on the binder, mixtures can be of the following types:

• Mineral a composition for which the binder is cement or gypsum. This type of finishing is produced in a dry mixture, mixed before work. Cement-based mineral finishing is suitable for a bathroom or even facade work, as it withstands exposure to ultraviolet rays, high humidity and is an environmentally friendly material. Gypsum, as a rule, is intended for interior work, for rooms with normal humidity levels.
• Acrylic The plaster mixture is made on the basis of acrylic resin, which provides it with elasticity, so it is comfortable to work with. The plaster is sold packaged in plastic buckets; it does not need to be mixed or thinned.

This material has low vapor permeability and resistance to ultraviolet radiation, so the composition is limited in use - it is undesirable to decorate rooms with high humidity, as well as the facade of the building.

• Silicone the mixture is made on the basis of synthetic resins and can be used for both internal and external finishing works. The material is highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation, has moisture-repellent properties and does not attract dust.

This mixture is sold ready-made in plastic buckets.

• Silicate plaster It is produced on the basis of liquid glass and therefore has high strength, resistance to external influences and mold. The material can be used in rooms with any humidity conditions, and is one of the most reliable and durable coatings, with a service life of 50 years or more.

Plaster can also be divided according to external aesthetics, or rather, according to the depth of the relief, which can protrude above the wall surface from two to 10 or more millimeters.

Prices for decorative plaster

decorative plaster

• Relief textured plaster is applied to the wall in different ways, depending on the desired result. A three-dimensional pattern can differ significantly, be evenly distributed over the entire surface, stand out as single fragments or consist of several elements, and also represent entire paintings with different themes.

The most common uniform textured patterns are such as “fur coat”, “lamb” and “bark beetle”, which are used for internal and external wall cladding.

Such types of mixture uniformly distributed over the wall, such as roller mixture, which contains fillers of mineral origin of different fractions of 1 ÷ 2.5 mm, look quite aesthetically pleasing on the wall. With the help of these granules, the desired relief pattern appears on the surface.

• Venetian plaster. This type of finishing consists of several layers, and upon completion of the work does not have a pronounced relief, since it has an almost uniform texture. Visually, a wall finished using this technique resembles a surface lined with marble. The work of applying cladding requires special skills, since the process consists of several labor-intensive steps, each of which is important for reproducing the desired pattern. This plaster is used in interiors decorated in classical, antique or baroque styles.

Depending on the purpose, the wall surface can be made glossy or matte. A coloring pigment of the desired shade is added to the composition, which emphasizes the relief of thin, numerous layers, imitating the cut surface of a stone.

In addition to the visual effect of “stone finishing,” with proper selection of the right shades, Venetian plaster can look like cladding with precious metals. Most often, this option is used as a background for voluminous thematic panels.

There are several more techniques related to the “Venetian”:

— The “wet silk” technique is somewhat reminiscent of the “Venetian” technique in appearance, but has an absolutely smooth surface, and the relief is imitated by strokes and differences in color shades.

- Another option for plaster finishing, which will become a real decoration of the walls of the room - “sea breeze”.

Any of the wall designs mentioned will last much longer than wallpaper, although it will have a look reminiscent of vinyl “silk-screen printing”.

Decorative plaster has a lot of advantages, which include the following:

• The ability to use this finish in rooms with different conditions. The main thing is to choose the right type of plaster composition.
• The solution can be applied to any material – to a cleaned and prepared surface.
• Plaster can mask wall defects.
• It is possible to create a variety of relief designs - it all depends on the imagination of the customers and the level of skill of the artist.
• Resistance to mechanical stress.
• Environmental safety, durability and practicality of the coating.

This decor option is good to use in a small room that you would like to visually expand. By using the effect of the horizon visible through a simulated open balcony door, it is possible not only to give the wall an exotic design, but also to create the impression of increasing space.

The decoration on the walls, made using the Venetian plaster technique or “wet silk,” looks rich. Many apartment owners try to find wallpaper with a similar texture, but do not forget that the canvases pasted on the walls have joints that will inevitably negatively affect the overall picture. In addition, even the highest quality wallpaper will last much less time than expertly applied plaster. The right color scheme for walls and furniture accessories can turn a room in an ordinary apartment into “an apartment in a castle or palace.”

Decorative plaster – can you do it yourself?

It is possible, but, of course, if the owners have an “artistic streak.” If you want to use your creative abilities and independently decorate the walls of your apartment using one of the techniques, then you should read the corresponding article on our portal.

Decorative rock

Decorating walls with decorative stone is quite an expensive pleasure, both in terms of the price of the material itself and the work involved in covering the surfaces. This factor can be called the only drawback of such a finish, since its high performance characteristics allow it to be used in any room of the apartment.

You probably shouldn’t use this material in small rooms, as the stone can visually narrow and “heavien” the room. If you still plan to decorate the walls of a small apartment with stone, then it is best to perform “torn” masonry in combination with a plastered wall.

For finishing, natural or artificial stone is used, which, if desired, can be made at home using gypsum or cement mortar.

There is no need to buy artificial stone!

Study the instructions, prepare the necessary materials, tools and accessories, even if you make a couple of unsuccessful first attempts - and you’ll be good to go! How the process is carried out, which allows you to significantly save money, is described in detail in a special publication on our portal.

Natural stone has a very high price, which is explained by the complexity of its processing. An artificial version of the finishing material is more accessible. Moreover, if the mortar from which it is made is colored in bulk, then the “stone” is not afraid of abrasion, and when laid on the wall it is practically indistinguishable from natural cladding.

Artificial stone has a more diverse range of colors than real natural material, which expands the possibilities for decorating rooms. In construction markets you can find artificial stone that imitates rocks, limestone, round sea boulders, bricks of different colors and others.

Artificial finishing is easier to paint than natural stone, so if you want to change the “mood” of the interior, you can simply take water-based paint and change the color of the masonry.

Stone decorative wall cladding has its own advantages, which also need to be evaluated:

• The finish is highly resistant to temperature changes.
• Both natural and artificial stone are non-flammable, so they are almost always used to cladding fireplaces or to imitate them.
• The material is abrasion-resistant, so it is well suited for decorating walls in hallways and hallways.

• Due to the environmental friendliness of this finish, it is also used for cladding the walls of bedrooms and living rooms.

Having decided to cover the walls of an apartment with any type of stone, you need to remember that you should not overuse it, otherwise the interior will be “heavier” and the room will turn into a “cave,” which can be unfavorable for the human psyche. Therefore, when using this material, it is necessary to observe moderation, and it would be better to combine it with one of the types of plaster.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles are used for finishing rooms with high humidity and high levels of human traffic. In an apartment, such rooms include a kitchen, a bathroom, an entrance hall and a corridor.

It must be said that it is rare to find a hallway whose walls are lined with ceramic tiles, although they will come in handy there, especially in cases where pets live in the apartment - a dog or a cat.

Today, the construction market offers many varieties of ceramic tiles intended for wall decoration - these are glazed, unglazed, clinker and porcelain tiles.

• Glazed tiles- the most popular finishing option for walls, as it has a smooth glossy surface on which dust practically does not accumulate, which greatly simplifies its cleaning. This coating is available in tiles made using the double-firing method, which include cottoforte, majolica and faience, as well as single-firing materials - monocottura and monoporosa.

• Unglazed tiles has a matte surface and most often - deep red, brown, pastel purple or terracotta shades without additional pattern. However, some options are particularly luxurious due to the ornaments applied to them, which have a coating that usually imitates precious metals - gold or silver.

The most popular unglazed tile claddings are such style collections as cotto, gress porcellanato, red gress and others.

• Clinker tiles It is used for both interior and exterior decoration, since due to the high temperatures during its production, it has excellent strength and resistance to any external influences.

In apartments, this facing material can be used to decorate the walls of balconies, loggias, hallways, as well as areas around real or imitation fireplaces. Clinker tiles can be unglazed or have a glossy finish, but the second finishing option is most often used for walls.

• Porcelain tiles It is made from components such as quartz, spar and coloring pigments, for which clay is a binder. The material is processed in special ovens at very high temperatures and under high pressure. The result is a non-porous monolith with high density and a beautiful pattern. The surface of porcelain stoneware can be polished, matte, smooth or embossed.

All types of ceramic tiles have different coefficients of moisture absorption, and are divided into groups according to it. So, the first of them includes products that absorb up to 3%, the second - up to 6%, and the third - up to 10% of moisture in 24 hours. Therefore, when purchasing finishing for a specific room, you need to pay special attention to this characteristic - information about it is indicated on the packaging of the material.

For example, if you are planning to renovate a bathroom or a combined bathroom, you will need tiles that have the first moisture absorption group, and any of the groups will be suitable for the hallway.

According to the design, ceramic tiles can be plain or have a certain pattern on the surface. In addition, flexible mosaic products or those made in the form of decorative panels are produced.

Prices for alkyd paint

alkyd paint

A set of ceramic finishing, assembled into a single composition, will become a real decoration of any room. Moreover, the color or ornamental solutions of this design option are very diverse, so you can choose it to suit any chosen interior style.

Ceramic tiles are one of the most popular finishing materials

If the reader chooses this finishing option, then we can help in some way. Special, and detailed instructions for cladding are in a special article on the portal

Painting walls

Today it is not so often possible to find painted walls in apartments, since a large number of new materials have appeared that do not require such labor-intensive preparation of surfaces that is necessary for painting. But still, some designers prefer this type of finishing, because it provides great opportunities for creativity.

Any paint will look good if the wall is perfectly leveled and smooth. To do this, you need to do a lot of work on puttying or covering the surface with plasterboard.

Construction stores offer colorful compositions made on different bases - oil, enamel, silicate and water-soluble.

Water based paints

For finishing walls in residential premises, aqueous solutions are most often used, which may already have the desired color or require the addition of pigment to form the selected shade.

White paint is purchased if you plan to use several colors for painting. Then it’s easier to buy several colors for one package of coloring solution that will be useful for painting.

Water-based paints may have different binders, but their unifying qualities are the environmental friendliness of the solution, quick drying and almost complete absence of odor.

• Water-based paints can be called the most popular of all in this series because of their affordable price. They are made using polyvinyl acetate (PVA glue). The solution has good hiding power and adhesion to primed walls, so it is enough to apply two layers to obtain an evenly painted surface. This paint can be easily tinted to achieve the desired shade.

Water-based paints have an affordable price, and this has also become an important factor in their popularity.

However, you should also know the disadvantages so that they do not come as a surprise during operation:

— Instability to mechanical stress, so they are best used for painting the upper part of the wall;

— Paint will not hide the imperfections of the wall, so the surfaces should be well leveled before painting;

— Paint does not like moisture, which means that it cannot be used in “wet” rooms and should not be frequently subjected to wet cleaning.

• Water-dispersible silicone the compositions have higher strength characteristics, so they are not damaged by moisture, do not lose their original color and are able to mask cracks on the wall surface up to 1.5÷2 mm wide. After applying paint to the wall, it forms a smooth, vapor-permeable film on which dust does not accumulate. This composition can be used to paint walls in rooms with high humidity, such as the bathroom and kitchen.

The main disadvantage of silicone paint is its high price, but the service life of such a finish is much longer than other coatings.

• Acrylic water-dispersible The paints also have good characteristics. They are easily applied to prepared surfaces and are able to mask cracks with a width of 0.5 to 1 mm, are UV resistant, vapor permeable and moisture resistant. Surfaces painted with these compounds are difficult to damage, and they are also amenable to wet cleaning with detergents. Disadvantages include lower coverage compared to silicone solutions.

The paint has an affordable price, so decorating the walls with it will not cost too much.

• Decorative textured paints make it possible to make the surface textured. They are made using acrylic water dispersion with the addition of coloring pigments, as well as fillers of different fractions. The latter will determine what kind of pattern you get on the wall. Mineral additives and quartz sand are used as fillers.

A distinctive feature of these paints is their thick consistency, so they can be applied with a spatula, roller or brush. The textured pattern on the wall will also depend on the tool used to apply the composition to the wall. For better adhesion of the paint to the surface material, the latter must be well treated with a primer and then dried.

Compositions are produced with additives that imitate the texture of suede or fabric on the wall, as well as mother-of-pearl stains. In order for the work to be successful, before starting it, you should carefully study the instructions for use included in the package.

Alkyd paints

Alkyd paints are made on the basis of alkyd resins and are similar in consistency to oil paints, but differ somewhat in their characteristics. This type of composition is resistant to moisture, elevated temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. Alkyd-based paint can be semi-matte, matte or glossy, so before purchasing it you need to decide what effect you want to achieve as a result. This type of composition has an affordable price, but it has a number of serious disadvantages:

— Low vapor permeability, that is, they cannot be called “breathable.”

— Paints are used mainly for metal and wooden surfaces - thanks to their components, they protect these materials from external influences.

— Alkyd paints are diluted with turpentine, gasoline or white spirit, which have a specific odor, so painting must be done in a ventilated area.

— The painted surface loses its color brightness over time, but not due to fading, but due to the property of the paint to acquire a yellowish tint.

Judging by the presented characteristics, we can conclude that these paints are not suitable for residential walls. They are more often used to tidy up pipes and heating radiators, but for this purpose you need to purchase heat-resistant alkyd compounds.

Silicate paints

Silicate paints are produced on the basis of “liquid glass”, so they have high technical characteristics that allow them to be used in rooms with high humidity. Silicate solutions have excellent vapor permeability, strength and resistance to any mechanical stress, so walls painted with them can be cleaned using detergents. In addition, the paints successfully resist the formation of mold and mildew, and thanks to all the above-mentioned qualities, they are perfect for the kitchen and bathroom.

It is also necessary to identify the “cons” of these compounds in order to avoid unpleasant consequences when using them:

— During the painting process, paints emit fumes harmful to human health, so work must be carried out in a ventilated room, that is, with doors and windows open, and the respiratory tract must be protected with a respirator. After drying, the paint is absolutely harmless.

— Silicate paints have poor adhesion to surfaces previously painted with paints on other bases. In addition, the silicate layer will not be covered with a composition on a different basis in the future. Therefore, in both cases the surface will have to be deep cleaned before painting.

— Tinting can only be done with mineral pigments, and their color range is not too wide.

Oil paint

Oil paints are made on the basis of natural and artificial drying oil. They are considered the most durable, since after drying the layer acquires excellent strength characteristics. Thickly grated formulations are produced and ready for use. Grated paints are a kind of concentrate that is diluted to the desired consistency before being applied to the wall. Oil compositions can be made on hemp, linseed or sunflower drying oil - the latter provides the paint with faster drying compared to other bases. However, any of them takes much longer to dry than other types of coloring compounds.

With the advent of modern paints, the oil version is practically not used for wall decoration - it is more often used either for external household work, or for coating pipes and radiators, since it is quite durable and heat-resistant.

Enamel paint

Enamel paints are produced on the basis of varnishes. They can be polyurethane, alkyd, perchlorovinyl, melamine, nitro enamels and others. Such compositions are distinguished by their quick drying and the formation of a fairly durable and smooth layer on the wall, so they are suitable for the walls of different rooms.

When painted, enamel emits a characteristic unpleasant odor, so the room where the work is carried out must be well ventilated. Perhaps this was the main reason why such paints are rarely used for interior wall decoration.

So, paint is still among the “top” finishing materials for walls in an apartment. Water-based silicone and acrylic paints are well suited for painting the walls of corridors, hallways and kitchens. Surfaces painted with them can be washed, as they are quite resistant to abrasion and moisture. You should not use compounds that create relief on the surfaces in these rooms - such a surface will be difficult to clean from plaque and dirt.

Having trouble choosing paint?

The nuances are outlined in great detail in a separate article on our portal. And a special one will help you plan your purchase.

Decorative lining

Lining, made from various materials, has been a popular finishing material for many decades, as it has a large number of advantages common to all types of this series - ease of installation and the ability to mask wall unevenness.

The traditional material for making lining is wood. But today, in addition, it is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and MDF, which are more affordable. All types of lining are suitable for finishing the walls of an apartment; the main thing is to choose them correctly in terms of environmental friendliness and water resistance for different rooms.

• Wooden lining- This is a type of grooved, profiled, perfectly processed board. It can be made from different types of wood and has a number of significant advantages:

— environmentally friendly finishing;

— aesthetic appearance;

— creation of a favorable microclimate in residential premises;

— durability;

— low thermal conductivity;

— additional sound insulation of walls:

— the material is easy to paint or varnish;

- it’s easy to level the walls with wooden clapboard;

- installation of the material is clean - without the formation of dust and dirt.

For interior decoration of an apartment, lining made from pine, larch, linden, alder, cedar, ash and other species is well suited.

The lining is suitable for any room, including the bathroom. Keeping in mind that wood is hygroscopic, when using it in damp rooms it is necessary to carry out high-quality treatment with water-repellent compounds, both on the outside and on the back side of the boards.

Wooden lining is divided by grade as follows: the highest grade is “extra”, the first grade is class “A”, the second grade is class “B”, the third grade is class “C”.

The cost of finishing made of natural wood is quite high, but it will also last a long time. If the wall has significant distortions, and you have to choose how to level it, then wooden lining can be called one of the easiest ways to cope with this task.

• PVC panels (lining) can be called a modern material, since compared to wood finishing it has become widely used relatively recently, but has already gained quite a lot of popularity.

Plastic panels can be fixed directly on the wall, provided it is even, or on a frame sheathing, with the help of which the wall surface is leveled.

PVC panels are excellent for finishing bathroom and toilet walls, as they have the necessary qualities for the specific conditions of these rooms. Here we include the following:

— moisture resistance;

— ease of installation;

— the presence of an assortment of fittings that make the finishing neat;

— aesthetic appearance;

— ease of maintenance, including the possibility of wet cleaning;

— strength of panels;

- a wide range of colors and a variety of patterns, including imitation of the textures of various natural materials.

The “disadvantages” of plastic finishing include low resistance to accentuated mechanical stress.

Based on these data, we can conclude that PVC panels are used for finishing hallways, kitchens, balconies, and corridors. Although manufacturers present plastic panels as a completely harmless material, plastic cannot be called absolutely environmentally friendly, so it is not recommended to use it for finishing residential premises, especially bedrooms and children's rooms.

• MDF lining no less popular than PVC panels, as it has an affordable price and can be used in heated rooms of balconies and loggias, and is also perfect for decorating the walls of hallways and corridors.

On sale you can find several varieties of this finishing material, which differ in their outer coating.

— Laminated an option that has a glossy, smooth surface without roughness. Most often, such lining is used to decorate the walls of balconies and kitchens, sometimes for corridors and hallways, covering the entire wall with it or only the panel part of it.

— Veneered lining , that is, MDF is covered with the thinnest cut of natural wood. For this purpose, species with beautiful natural shades and textured patterns are used - veneer of fruit trees (cherry and pear) is often chosen. In addition to them, veneer is also made from maple, oak, pine, as well as more valuable and exotic species.

When mounted on the walls, such finishing is indistinguishable from lining made from natural wood, and sometimes it looks even more advantageous.

— Painted wood - a type of lining that is very popular because it can create the desired style direction in the interior.

However, the big “minus” is the rough surface, which makes the finish unprotected from dust and moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to cover walls with such lining only in dry, heated rooms.

The advantages of any type of MDF lining include:

— strength of the material;

— ease of installation work;

- low thermal conductivity.

The negative qualities of the finish are the following:

— unstable to moisture, so it cannot be used in rooms with high humidity;

— Frequent wet cleaning cannot be used with this material, which means that it is not recommended to cover walls with it not only in the bathroom, but also in the kitchen.

Having considered all the materials presented above, we can come to the conclusion that the construction market is so rich in various finishes that, taking into account their characteristic features, you can easily choose the right cladding option for the walls of any room in the apartment, both in terms of decorative qualities and price. But before you go to the store to buy materials, you should really evaluate the quality of the wall surface and think carefully about which option will look better in the intended interior.

As a bonus, the reader is offered an interesting video selection with various options for decorating the walls in the apartment. Perhaps this will encourage someone to choose one solution or another.

Video: Interesting options for wall decoration in an apartment