Wallpaper vs Paint

When planning a home decorating project, it's important to consider more than just color or pattern. The practical side matters too - costs, ease of installation, and how well your chosen finish will hold up over time. Each option brings its own benefits, and understanding these can help you decide between the two.

At first, paint might seem like the more affordable option, but the hidden costs add up fast. You’ll need an assortment of tools: brushes, rollers, trays, tape, drop cloths, and potentially even primer. Not to mention, painted walls often require regular maintenance - scuffs and chips are common, which means touching up or repainting every few years.

Plus, calculating how much paint you’ll need can be trickier than it sounds. It depends on the square footage, how many coats are required, and whether you're covering a dark wall with a lighter shade and it’s very easy to underestimate!

Wallpaper, on the other hand, is easier to plan and often more cost-effective in the long run. You typically need fewer tools, and once you’ve measured your wall, using an online wallpaper calculator, such as ours found on each wallpaper product page, that makes it easy to determine exactly how many rolls you’ll need, cutting down on excess and keeping your budget in check. At Hovia, we also offer a handy wall mural calculator on each of our mural product pages!

Let’s be honest - painting can be messy. Furniture needs moving, floors must be covered, and careful taping is essential if you want clean lines. Then there’s the waiting game: each coat needs time to dry, which can turn a weekend project into a multi-day commitment.

Wallpaper has a reputation for being fiddly, but modern innovations have made it far more approachable. Whether you're working with traditional paste-the-wall styles or peel-and-stick self-adhesive options, wallpaper installation has never been simpler. With our detailed hanging guides, even first-timers can feel confident taking on a wallpaper project.

And there’s something undeniably satisfying about stepping back and seeing your wall fully transformed in just a few hours - no drying time required.

While painted walls can look great initially, they’re vulnerable to daily life. Scratches, chips, and fading are inevitable, especially in busy areas like hallways or children’s rooms. Even washable paints don’t always stand up to scrubbing.

Wallpaper is durable and often more resistant to damage than paint. It's easier to clean, and it tends to hold up better in high-traffic areas such as hallways or stairs. At Hovia, we rigorously test all our paper types to ensure it meets our quality, safety, and sustainability criteria offering a durable wallpaper that stands the test of time, ensuring your walls stay beautifully transformed.

Ultimately it’s all about how you want your space to feel. Paint can be a simple choice when you're after a quick refresh, but it often fades into the background. If you're looking for something with more presence, something that tells a story or sparks conversation, wallpaper and wall murals offer endless possibilities. With so many patterns, textures, finishes and paper types to explore, it’s a creative way to express your personality and bring real character into your home.