HOW TO CHOOSE DECORATIVE WALL PANELS
Decorative wall panels are a popular choice among homeowners looking to have unique feature walls or simply update their home decor. They come in a variety of styles, materials, and colours, so choosing the right ones for your home or office interior can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you pick out the perfect wall panel for your home.
1. Choose Decorative Wall Panels Based on Style
Decorative wall panels come in a wide range of styles, including traditional, contemporary, rustic, modern, and transitional. Traditional wall panels tend to feature simple shapes and organic patterns, while contemporary designs are bolder and more geometric. It is easier for many homeowners to choose a traditional style design rather than a contemporary one as some of the designs can be too funky and overwhelming. Rustic wall panels are typically made of wood, stone, brick, or concrete, while modern wall panels may incorporate metal, glass, ceramic and a variety of paint finishes to choose from.
2. Consider Material Quality When Choosing Decorative Wall Panel Materials
Wall panels can be made of gypsum, resin, vinyl, or other composite material. Each type of material has its pros and cons, but here are some things to think about when selecting a particular style of wall panel:
Decorative wall panels made from gypsum are durable and affordable, but they tend to look dated and outdated over time. Drywall is a common interior finish used throughout the United States, but it doesn't last very long. Resin wall panels are a strong, lightweight alternative to plasterboard and can even be transparent or contain embedded pieces of decorative material throughout. Vinyl is a flexible material that resists mould and mildew and can be used in bathrooms, kitchens and around pool areas. Composite Material combines several different materials together to make a stronger product – this can be pretty much anything put together, for example, recycled materials. For someone who is after a contemporary look and unique, environmentally friendly panel this could be a good choice.
3. Look for Durability When Selecting Decorative Wall Panel Materials
Durability is another consideration when picking out wall panels. For instance, if you're planning to hang artwork on your walls, you'll want something that won't crack or peel away easily. Also, consider the durability of the wall panel itself. Some decorative wall panels are made of materials like MDF or fabric that are not meant to withstand heavy traffic and are not suitable for public areas where they can be easily damaged. On the other hand wall panels made from gypsum, resin, and aluminium can be very durable, especially when combined with a protective coat of paint or decorative finishes
4. Think About Color Combinations When Picking Out Wall Panels
Colour plays a big part in determining the overall look of interior space. While white is generally the best colour for neutral spaces, you can also go bold with red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, black, grey, brown, and even pink. Let your imagination go wild.
5. Consider How Much Maintenance Is Needed
Depending on the type of wall panel you select, you may need to clean it regularly. For example, if you plan to paint your wall panels, you'll probably need to remove dust and dirt before painting. Some decorative wall panels will be hard to paint with a brush. Especially smooth surfaces will require professional spray painting and premium paint.
Resin wall panels can not be painted at all, so choose wisely before ordering your panels.
You can also choose your wall panels based on the type of material they’re made of:
1. Wood Wall Panels
Wood wall panels are durable and attractive. They look great indoors or outdoors. However, they require regular maintenance. For instance, you must clean them regularly to prevent mould growth. Also, you may need to paint them periodically to maintain their appearance.
2. Metal Wall Panels
Metal wall panels are sturdy and versatile. They can be installed anywhere in the house. Depending on the design they can be affordable or extremely expensive, especially with custom work.
3. Gypsum wall panels
There’s a huge range of gypsum wall panels. They came in different sizes from small tiles to large panels that cover the whole height of the wall. They’re easy to paint however keeping them clean can be a challenge, especially if they have a textured finish.
4. Plastic Wall Panels
Plastic wall panels are inexpensive and easy to install. They are also easy to move around, and easy to clean and maintain. The design selection can be a bit limited.
5. Stone Wall Panels
Stone wall panels are beautiful and timeless. They are also very heavy. Therefore, you shouldn't place them directly on the floor. Instead, you should mount them on a solid surface.