Stencils VS Wallpaper

As if a bare white wall is some sort of crime against décor, homeowners have been infatuated with adorning their walls for centuries. It dates to the era of cavemen when the walls of caves were heavily embellished in primitive sketches. Since then, the realm of wall adornment has vastly expanded, allowing modern homeowners to mask their plaster with paint and disguise their drywall with artwork, all in an effort to turn a wall into a statement rather than a backdrop. Two more wall décor options that are available to homeowners are wallpaper and stencilling. In spite of these two methods being very different in application, the finished look of both tends to be somewhat similar. So how do you know which method is best suited for your walls?

Stencilling

One of the overarching benefits of stencilling is its user friendliness. In addition to being a relatively simply DIY project, stencilling is also highly customizable, cost-effective, mistake friendly and easy to change, making it a great choice for homeowners who like to switch up their home’s décor frequently. There is also less waste involved when stencilling as most ready made stencils are reusable after a quick wash. One limitation that DIY-ers may find however, is the time-consuming nature of a wall stencilling project. This method requires time and a lot of patience, but the end result should be well worth it.

Wallpapering

When it comes to application and price, wallpapering is certainly the more extravagant choice. Wallpapering may be more practical, cost-wise, if you are planning for a small room. In terms of versatility, applying and removing wallpaper can be a tedious process, so if you are going this route, plan for longevity. Pick a design that’s not overly trendy or bold to ensure that you will be happy with it for years to come. This said, the finished look of a properly papered wall can be worth all the fuss and cost. With wallpaper, you won’t have to worry about human error as much as you would if you were stencilling and since the patterns on wallpaper are ready-made, you have the luxury of choosing a much more elaborate design than you would if you were stencilling. Wallpaper is also very durable and can swiftly conceal existing irregularities on your wall. One thing to note: the integrity of the adhesive used in conjunction with wallpaper can be compromised by moisture, so you may want to avoid wallpapering rooms that are subject to humidity, like the bathroom.