Today we will look at some of the most common interior wall finishing materials, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific use case.
1. Wallpaper
Wallpaper is one of the most popular materials for interior wall decoration in a house or apartment. This material is available in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures, which allows you to choose the best option for each interior.
The process of wallpapering does not require any special experience or knowledge, but it allows you to create a unique wall design. First, you need to choose the type of wallpaper that will be used for decoration. The most popular are non-woven, vinyl and paper.
Non-woven wallpaper is considered the most practical, it hides uneven walls well, is easy to maintain and durable. Vinyl wallpaper is suitable for rooms with high humidity, it is not afraid of water and does not fade in the sun. Paper wallpaper is good for children’s rooms, as it is environmentally friendly and safe for children’s health.
To work you will need the following tools: a table, a trimming knife, a glue brush, a tape measure, a pencil and wallpaper glue.
Before you start working, you need to prepare the walls. You need to remove all the old wallpaper from the walls and clean the surface from the old glue. Then you need to level the surface of the wall to make it easier to work on.
The glue should be applied to the sheets evenly, avoiding folds and wrinkles, some wallpapers are glued by applying the glue directly to the walls. Then the sheets should be pressed to the wall and carefully aligned.
When pasting, it is necessary to take into account that seams between the strips may appear on the walls. To avoid this, it is necessary to cut the wallpaper with a margin to be able to adjust the position during the work. After they are applied to the wall, it is necessary to carefully cut off the excess edge with a knife.
After all the walls have been pasted, it is necessary to let the canvases dry for 24 hours. During these days, do not ventilate or overheat the room so that the wallpaper does not peel off.
Wallpaper for interior wall decoration with your own hands is a simple and affordable way to create a unique interior design. Following all the rules and technologies, you can achieve a professional result without involving specialists.
2. Plastering
Decorative plaster is a great solution for those who want to transform the interior of their home or apartment. This is a fairly simple and affordable way to decorate walls, which anyone can do with their own hands. There are many types of decorative plaster, each of which has its own characteristics, for example, based on gypsum, cement or lime. There are also options with the addition of various dyes and fillers, which can give an interesting effect.
Before you start working, you need to prepare the wall surface. It should be cleaned of dirt and dust, and all irregularities and cracks should be patched. After that, the surface should be covered with a primer and allowed to dry.
Next, you need to prepare the plaster itself. After preparation, you can begin applying it to the wall. For this, use a spatula or trowel. The plaster should be applied in a thin layer and evenly distributed over the entire surface. After applying each layer, let it dry.
Then you can proceed to the next layer. The number of layers depends on the desired effect and the type of plaster. Some types require only one layer, while others may require several.
After all layers have been applied, the surface should be sanded or sanded to achieve the desired texture and smoothness.
Decorative plaster is a great way to create an original and beautiful interior of your apartment or house. It is important to remember that in order to achieve the desired effect, you need to follow the technology and choose the right type of material that suits your interior.
2. Paint
Painting walls is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to update the interior of your home or apartment. This is a great option for those who want to refresh old walls or add bright colors to their interior. Let’s consider how you can paint walls with interior paint yourself.
Before you start working, you need to prepare the surface of the walls. Clean the surface from dirt, dust and old paint. If there are cracks or unevenness on the surface, patch them with putty and let dry. After that, cover the surface with a primer. This will help the paint stick to the wall surface better.
Now you can proceed directly to painting the walls. First, choose the paint of the desired color and type: matte, glossy or semi-matte. Choose the type that best suits your interior. If you choose water-based paint, you can dilute it with a small amount of water to improve application.
Before applying the paint, you need to mix it thoroughly so that all the components are well mixed. Apply in an even layer, starting from the top of the wall and gradually moving down to the bottom. Use a brush and roller. When working with a brush, paint is applied to the corners and edges of the walls, and with a roller – to wider surfaces. Do not forget to level and smooth the paint so that there are no stains or unevenness.
If a second coat is necessary, allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the next coat.
Once you have finished painting, let the paint dry completely. This usually takes several hours or even days. After this, you can remove the protective tape that you attached to corners and hard-to-reach places to avoid paint getting on other surfaces.
If after drying you notice any defects or stains on the surface of the walls, you can correct them with light sanding and repainting.
When painting walls with interior paint, you also need to remember safety. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective clothing, such as gloves and a face mask.
Painting walls with interior paint yourself is a simple and affordable way to update the interior of your home or apartment. By following simple instructions and observing safety precautions, you can easily paint the walls and add freshness and bright colors to your home.
3. Decorative panels made of chipboard or MDF
Decorative panels made of chipboard or MDF are a great way to transform the interior of your home, adding style and individuality. These panels can be used to decorate walls in various rooms, such as living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. They can become a bright accent in the design, as well as mask the imperfections of the walls.
Decorative panels made of chipboard or MDF are boards made of wood chips or wood fibre boards, processed in a special way to obtain an aesthetically pleasing surface. They are available in a wide range of colours, textures and shades, allowing you to choose the best option for any interior. MDF is denser and smoother than chipboard, which makes it more convenient for decorative finishing.
There are many options, including 3D panels, geometric panels, panels with patterns, as well as stone or brick effect panels. The choice depends on individual preferences and interior style.
The panels can be fixed to the wall using glue or hidden fasteners. It is important to remember that they must be properly aligned to obtain a perfectly flat surface.
Decorative panels made of chipboard or MDF are a great way to change the interior of a room with your own hands. They are easy to install and also allow you to achieve a beautiful and original wall design.
5. Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are one of the most popular and versatile materials for interior decoration. They have many advantages: strength, durability, moisture resistance and the ability to choose from a huge number of variations.
The first step is choosing tiles. Ceramic tiles come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Smaller tiles are usually used for walls than for floors. It is also worth considering the operating conditions of the room: for bathrooms and kitchens, it is better to choose a moisture-resistant option.
The second step is to prepare the surface. It should be flat and smooth. If the surface has any unevenness or pits, they should be leveled with putty or plasterboard. It is also necessary to make sure that the wall surface is dry and does not contain traces of old paint or putty.
Then you should start laying the ceramic tiles. To do this, you need to prepare a special glue, which can be purchased in specialized stores. Apply the glue to the wall with a notched trowel and stick the ceramic tiles on it. Make sure that the tiles are laid evenly and there are no gaps between them and the wall.
A few hours after laying, it is necessary to grout the seams. For this, a special grouting mass is used, which is applied to the seams between the elements and leveled with a special tool.
Once the grout has dried, you can begin the finishing touches. It is necessary to remove excess glue and grout, and also to treat the corners and transitions between the walls.
Ceramic tiles are a great material for interior wall finishing. Doing ceramic tile finishing yourself is not that difficult if you follow simple recommendations.
6. Stone or brick
Stone and brick are materials that have always been in demand for interior wall decoration. They give the interior a special charm, create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort. Let’s consider several options for how to lay stone and brick with your own hands.
Brickwork
Brickwork is one of the most common ways of finishing walls inside premises. In order to do it, you need to have certain knowledge and skills. First, you need to prepare the wall surface. It should be even and smooth. Then you should start laying bricks. To do this, you need to use a special solution, which is prepared from sand, cement and water. Bricks are laid on top of each other in rows using mortar.
Masonry
Stonework is a more complex way of finishing walls. It is necessary to choose stones that will match other interior elements. They can be of different sizes and shapes. Depending on the design solution, the stones can be laid evenly or in a chaotic order.
Stone panels
Stone panels are a simpler way to finish walls. Stone panels are ready-made elements that can be installed on the wall. They can have different sizes, colors and textures. Installation is quite simple and does not require special skills. To do this, you need to prepare the wall surface and fix the panels with glue.
Brick cladding
Brick cladding is a method of finishing walls using thin brick panels. Brick panels have dimensions that correspond to the size of real brick. They can have different colors and textures. Installation involves cleaning the surface and attaching the panels with special glue.
7. Natural or artificial wood
One of the most common options is to use wood. However, before making a decision, it is necessary to decide between natural and artificial wood.
Natural wood is a material that creates a pleasant atmosphere, has a warm and cozy look. It also has many advantages, such as being environmentally friendly and pleasant to the touch. You can also use different types of wood to find the most suitable option for your interior. However, natural wood requires care and protection from moisture and insects, and it can be quite an expensive material.
On the other hand, artificial wood is a more affordable and easy-to-maintain option. It can imitate different types of wood and is resistant to moisture, insects, and fire. Because of this, it can be used in a wider range of interiors. However, it does not create the same cozy and warm atmosphere as natural wood.
How to lay wood with your own hands? First, you need to decide on the type of wood and the shape of the panels. Then, you need to prepare the walls on which the wood will be laid. Clean the surfaces from dust and dirt and level them.
There are different ways to install wood panels. For example, they can be fixed to the wall using glue or special fasteners. You can also use plywood to create a frame to which the wood panels will be attached.
Regardless of the method chosen, it is necessary to ensure that the wood panels are well secured and aligned. If you have any difficulties with installation, do not hesitate to seek help from professionals.
8. Textile panels
Textile panels are an excellent solution for interior wall decoration, which gives the room coziness and comfort. They can be used as a decorative element or to improve sound insulation.
There are several types of textile panels, differing in shape, size and material.
Felt is a dense wool material that has high soundproofing properties. Felt panels can have different shapes – from simple angular to non-standard, they can be fixed to the wall using hidden fasteners.
Acoustic textile panels are used to improve sound insulation in a room.
One of the most popular materials is Alcantara-based textile. This material imitates suede, while it is easy to care for and durable. Before laying textile panels, it is necessary to prepare the wall surface. Clean the wall from dust, dirt and grease stains. If there are chips or cracks on the wall, they must be repaired and the surface leveled.
Measure the height and width of the wall where you plan to lay the textile panels. Match the dimensions of the panels and the wall, trim the panels to the required size so that the pattern is taken into account and there are a minimum of trims.
Start laying the panels from the bottom up, covering the entire surface. If there are protruding elements on the wall, such as sockets and switches, cut holes for them in the panel.
9. Polymer panels
Polymer panels are a material consisting of polymer composites that allow you to create different types of panels of different shapes, colors and textures. They are an excellent alternative to wallpaper, paint and ceramic tiles. In addition, they do not require special care and have high resistance to mechanical damage and moisture.
There are many options for interior wall decoration. For example, these can be panels with a brick, stone or wood structure. You can also choose smooth types with a matte or glossy surface.
Laying does not require any special skills, so you can do it yourself. First of all, you need to prepare the wall surface – clean it from old wallpaper, paint or other finishing materials. Then, on the cleaned surface, you need to install profile slats, which serve as a base for fastening.
The next step is to lay the panels. They can be attached to the slats using screws or mounting foam. It is important to ensure that the elements are installed evenly and without gaps.
After installation, it is necessary to grout the seams and then cover the surface with a sealant to protect against dust and dirt.
Thus, polymer panels are a universal and easy-to-install material for interior wall finishing. They allow you to create an interesting design, do not require special care and have high resistance to mechanical damage and moisture.
10. Glass
There are several types of glass for interior wall decoration. One of them is tempered glass. It is characterized by increased strength and resistance to mechanical impacts, so it is suitable for use in high-traffic areas. You can also choose frosted glass, which allows you to create various lighting effects and provides additional privacy.
Laying glass on walls is a process that can be done by yourself. However, in order for the process to go smoothly, it is necessary to follow some rules and recommendations.
First of all, it is necessary to prepare the wall surface. It should be smooth and clean, without cracks and bulges. Then, special fasteners should be installed on the wall surface – profiles that serve as a base for fastening.
The next step is to lay the glass. The glass is attached to the profiles using special fasteners. It is important to ensure that everything is installed evenly and without tilt.
11. Laminate panel
Laminate panels are flat panels made of MDF or HDF, covered with a film imitating wood, stone or other materials. They have a number of advantages: they are strong, durable, easy to maintain and easy to install. They can be used as wall decoration in any room, be it a residential or commercial facility.
After preparing and leveling the wall surface with putty, you can begin installation.
Glue fastening is one of the simplest technologies, but it requires that the base be absolutely flat. If insulation, soundproofing or electrical wiring is required during finishing, then wooden lathing with clamps (metal brackets with a rigid clamp and holes for fasteners) is used for installation. Some manufacturers supply a ready-to-assemble fastening system, including a metal frame, with the wall cladding. Such kits are convenient because you do not need to separately select lathing elements, fasteners and other materials.
In conclusion, DIY wall finishing is a fairly simple and affordable way to transform the interior of your home. When choosing materials and installation technology, you should consider the features of the room, the style of the decor and your personal preferences. In addition, before starting work, you need to carefully prepare the walls by removing old wallpaper or leveling the surface with putty. It is also important to use high-quality tools and materials so that the finishing retains its original appearance for a long time and does not require frequent repairs.
If you have no experience in wall decoration, you can always turn to professionals.