Structural Integrity: Wall Treatments That Add Texture & Timeless Beauty

There’s so much more you can do to change the look of a room than simply rearrange the furniture. Let’s be honest, the walls of your home often get overlooked. Bring the largest surface areas in your home to life by adding texture and style. Think of your walls as blank canvases ready to receive the design aesthetic of your dreams. After all, this is your home. Why not put your personal stamp on it?

Bring the outdoors in with classic wood

Looking to establish a focal point? Create frames within your design with trim or paneling or up the ante by bringing in a compatible texture. Wood and leather are a classic combination and ideal for a study or family room. Pieces can be carved to enhance other shapes within the home. Mimic or contrast the arch of a doorway. Circles offset an otherwise linear space and serve as a point of interest.

Rustic and regal, wood is a timeless choice for nearly any room. Opt for white wood planks and you’ll create an instant cottage feel. Reclaimed wood is an increasingly popular choice – especially among the environmentally conscious. If you’re fortunate enough to know the origin of the lumber, what a story you’ll have to tell! Beloved for its durable, weathered beauty, wood complements your furnishings thanks to its innate charm.

Reinvention realized through wallpaper

Nothing changes the character of a room quite as quickly as wallpaper. Consider this decor to be outdated? Think again. This isn’t your grandmother’s wallpaper! With patterns and textures available in nearly any hue you can imagine, wallpaper options are limitless. Thanks to innovations in paste technology, installation is easier than ever. What’s more, paper will adhere for long periods of time yet removal is also hassle ­free. No tools required.

Don’t want to commit to an entire room? No problem. Wallpaper is a great choice for a border or an accent wall. Perhaps cover half a wall and top it with a decorative chair rail? High-end designer wallpaper from Cole & Son makes a stunning addition to any space. It’s no wonder the company has provided wallpapers for many historic houses including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.

Today’s wallpaper collections are easy to clean and unparalleled when it comes to hiding imperfections in a wall. Available at a variety of price points, this wall covering is an attractive and worthy consideration.

Bask in the natural beauty of brick

Brick isn’t just for fireplaces anymore, The rich texture of a brick wall adds immediate warmth and charm to a room. If your home doesn’t feature brickwork, adding it in the hue and pattern of your choice is easier than ever. Brickweb offers an award-winning solution to brick installation. Simply put, thin veneers are glued to a mesh backing that bonds to drywall, much like tile, so you needn’t hire – or become – a mason to achieve this eye-catching look.

Have a brick wall in need of a little TLC? Polish and lacquer restore it to its original beauty. Or, to add a pop of color, consider painting bricks that aren’t enhancing your room’s ambience. Experts recommend choosing specific masonry paint products and starting out with both a conditioner and a primer. Next, select a breathable latex interior paint, such as Sherwin-Williams’ SuperPaint Acrylic Latex.

More than just clay and shale, this time-tested material calls forth a feeling of authenticity and tradition yet still elicits a modern vibe. Brick lends an ordinary living space the energy of a Soho loft, so why not adorn your wall with art work and sconces to spotlight your gallery? Of course, this building block stands majestic on its own as well.

Combine practical with aesthetic appeal through a backsplash

Enthusiastic home cooks know the value of a backsplash. Protect your walls from water and grease splatters with tile or natural stone. These wall coverings are easy to maintain and provide homeowners with an opportunity to bring a little personality into the kitchen.

Here’s your chance to create your own design with tile or complement your existing decor. Fill the void between your countertops and your cabinets with the material of your choice in the finish that will best show it off. Glass tile and stainless steel make your room appear larger and more elegant as light bounces off the surface.

Inspired do-it-yourselfers will want to test out peel and stick tiles, which are available in an array of colors and are attractively-priced.

Bring your rooms to life by putting the walls to work for you. Whether you’re looking to add some color, hide a crack or two, or devise functional storage solutions, you’ll find plenty of attractive and creative alternatives.