Walls have ceased to be ‘just’ a partition or a support structure. They have become a creative canvas that transforms the energy, look and feel of an entire setting. Any dull space can be renewed into a vibrant, lively spot with refreshing hues, a bit of texture and not to forget, great lighting elements. On the contrary, if your furniture is bold and a screaming ‘statement’, a subtle shade can tone it down to create a ‘calming’ effect. Understanding the purpose of your wall décor is the first and most important step. A tête-à-tête with the design experts reveals a whole range of options to spruce up your wall.
“MDF is one of the most versatile materials to work with when it comes to wall décor”, says architect Lucy Philipose. “For one, it’s budget friendly. Textures, patterns and shapes can easily be incorporated into it. The panel can be screwed onto a wall and what’s even better is that it can be painted.”
Since the material is known to be notorious for absorbing moisture, she suggests using a water proof primer. MDF is easy on your pocket and can be disposed after a couple of years if you get ‘bored’ with the look. Combine this with just the right lighting and it can give your room a complete makeover.
Going by natural elements, stone is a hot favourite for wall accents. Of these, ‘Slate’ is an economical option. It is available in various shades of brown, white, grey, terracotta grey and green and has a soothing effect. “Natural stones such as granite, green metal and Bangalore stone are available in different shades to suit any decor. One can do a feature wall (hi-light a wall) using a colour theme and use art pieces of natural materials like terracotta for an ‘earthy’ feel. Jute is another popular material used to create a sober effect,” says Thomas K George of Jibu and Thomas Architects.
Mild steel wall art panels (often mistaken for wrought iron) showcasing floral or contemporary designs are available in the market today that can be wall mounted easily. It is spaced a little away from the wall making it easy to clean and also provides a 3D effect. Lucy recommends a combination of different materials like wood, glass, metal or stone to bring out a designer element. “One could have a bright coloured wall that has a mild steel art panel that’s affixed on a jute background. A concealed lighting in the background would bring the wall to life. Even a simple glass porthole on a wall that reveals beautiful scenery behind it can do wonders to the room”, she adds.
Paint itself has many options. Apart from the regular wall accent, textured feel is something to experiment with. The effect is created either using a coarse brush on paint or by creating patterns or texture on putty and then painting over it. “‘Chalk paint’, the latest addition in eco-friendly and has a more aesthetic palette,” says Lucy. It has refreshing shades, no odour and can be used on any surface to get a matt, velvety finish. Most leading paint companies have them now and they offer various services through their design studio or online sites. One can view shade cards, browse through home painting guide, use a budget calculator or even have a virtual ‘Do-It-Yourself’ shade test after you upload a picture of your room.
“Current trends are inclined to a ‘contemporary’ style of décor with minimalist furniture. Subtle shades like beige and white are most popular”, says Thomas. For a more chic look, Lucy suggests choosing a metallic finish, some of the hot picks this season being ‘beaten copper’ or ‘brushed bronze’.
Wall paper is hassle free in terms of application as it is dust free and easy to fix. Although it is available in beautiful shades and patterns, great care needs to be taken while fixing them as air bubbles need to be kept at bay. Areas prone to high moisture is a definite ‘no no’ as it would cause the wall paper to peel.
On the same lines, wall stickers and wall decals are simple décor elements that can be put up with ease. The materials used range from PVC Film, acrylic, vinyl to even paper pulp, which creates a 3D effect. Floral patterns, contemporary designs, wordings, cartoon figures are some of the common themes. A lot of online home décor sites offer wall decals at very attractive rates.
‘Less is more’ is the mantra to follow. Feature walls make a statement but it is important to choose the functionality and right space to avoid clutter.
There is a plethora of ideas and materials to choose from that fits any budget. So, be bold to experiment with colours and textures and let your creativity take wings.
