How to Cover Over Ugly Walls

 

Have you moved into a home where the wall paint leaves a lot to be desired?  Perhaps your three year old daughter's bedroom was once belonged to a gothic loving teenage boy and you need to cover the black paint with something a bit more feminine.  If you have a wall disaster on your hands, have no fear.  Try the three ideas below to get you started on the journey to attractive walls.

Paint
The first thing you can do is paint over the existing wall color.  To do this, you will need to apply at least one, if not two or three coats of high-quality primer.  While it might be tempting to use a less expensive brand of primer, if you want excellent results, you will need to use exceptional primer.  Depending on the wall's surface, you may need to sand the walls lightly before you apply the primer.  This is especially important if there is some type of painted wall mural on them, as it has a much better chance of being seen through the layers of paint you apply.  After the walls are sanded and primed, use high-quality paint over them.  Again, you may need to apply two to three coats of paint depending on the wall's condition.  There are some paints that contain the primer and the paint all in one product.  While some of these work exceptionally well for covering minor nuisance walls, you will probably need at least two to three coats for the dark or black wall.

Wallpaper
Another option for covering wall disasters is to use wallpaper.  There are many different styles, textures, and patterns available to fit just about any decor you can imagine.  Wallpaper is a quick way to cover up unattractive walls all at once, but it can be expensive depending on the type of paper you select.  For homes with a green eco-friendly focus, choose wallpapers made from natural grasses and fibers.  If a Victorian look is more to your liking, there are flocked wallpapers that will add something extra to the look and feel of your room. Or go with an attractive modern style paper that adds texture as well as subtle design. When using wallpaper, it is still a good idea to apply at least one coat of primer to your walls before beginning.

Paneling
Paneling was a very popular wall covering option during the 1970s and 1980s.  Today, paneling has gone from thin, flimsy quarter-inch sheets to more ornate and decorative pieces.  There are still the less expensive paneling options available for basements and laundry rooms, but for the main living areas, a more refined paneling is preferred.  You can choose to panel the entire wall for a consistent look, or you can add diversity by paneling only the lower half of the wall and wallpapering or painting the rest.  Bead board is often used for this style of decorating and can be used to create a very traditional or contemporary look. 

Creative home decor is what we are all about at Metal-Wall-Art.com and our staff writer, Theresa Hill, is an expert in designing it with Tuscan wall hangings and welcome plaques metal art.


Photo by Sam Howzit

 

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

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