Lots to choose in paint or wallpaper

Factors such as the size of the room, the use of the room and the light will affect your decision, but there are some pros and cons to that apply to either paint or paper.

Painting walls is easier than wallpapering them but paint can chip and marks show up easily on a one-colour expanse.

Wallpaper is generally more durable and can last decades but it can be a hassle to remove.

Wallpaper is not ideal in kitchens and bathrooms. It can be damaged by humidity generated through cooking or showering.

There are wallpapers designed to withstand moisture but gloss or semi-gloss paints usually need only a wipe down.

If you have children or pets, be prepared for hand and paw prints, scuffs, scratches, scribbles and dribbles on your walls. Although such marks will not be so obvious on heavily patterned wallpaper, they could stand out on a painted wall. Fortunately, marks are easy to paint over or wipe off painted walls, but they may be permanent on wallpaper.

Wallpaper is generally more expensive but this is usually only for the top-quality prints, foiled or flocked papers. Paint is often cheaper but you may need to repaint or retouch in a few years.

Walls painted in trendy shades can create a special ambience. But wallpaper patterns can be real showstoppers. Plus there is a range of wallpaper types, such as embossed and textured, as well as decals, metallics and digital prints that can transform walls into works of art.

Paint comes in thousands of shades and numerous finishes. The best for next year complement popular interior design trends, such as brass and copper accessories, Scandinavian and mid-century-styled furniture, raw fibres, natural textiles and upholstery and gardening and botanicals.

Three leading paint looks:

Fashionable partners

The sea greens and blues in the Dulux colour forecast for 2014 go well with shiny brass and copper accessories in lighting and homewares.

Head designer for furniture brand Zuster, Wilhelmina McCarroll, advised Dulux on the Precious Elementals palette, which she says was influenced by the earth, minerals, natural stones and geographical formations.

“Consumers can be adventurous with colour by painting architraves and skirtings in different colours and adding some of this season's gorgeous warmer metallics, such as copper and gold in a small way,” she says.

Natural attraction

Designers are always saying we should take inspiration from the world around us and the new palettes Taubmans has produced in collaboration with Taubmans brand ambassador and interior designer Shaynna Blaze highlight colourful natural themes. The inspiration comes from spring foliage, the changing of the leaves in autumn, bird life and the whimsical play of children.

“Soaking in the world around me always sparks inspiration for interiors,” says Blaze, “especially where the natural environment is involved. These colours successfully evoke emotion and help home owners stamp personality in their rooms.”

Pastel power

Our preoccupation with vintage is another trend shaping the selection of paint colours. Muted retro shades can do wonders to revitalise a room while maintaining a sense of nostalgia. Haymes Paints has captured what was good about the old in one of its four palette themes for the year.

Called The Way U Were, the palette was devised by Haymes colour specialist Wendy Rennie. She says the colours are chalky and beautiful, soothing and soft: “They will add beauty, freshness, warmth and depth to any space.”

Wallpaper trends

Patterns range from geometrics and florals to abstracts – and the larger the better. Decals and peelable vinyls are much in demand because they can be removed easily. Here are three of the latest wallpaper trends:

Reality bytes

A love of industrial-style interior design is inspiring wallpaper graphics featuring photographic architectural elements. Popular patterns are of concrete slabs, natural stone walls and realistic wood grains. There's also a trend for collages of vintage photographs showing filled bookcases or stacks of luggage. British designer Deborah Bowness has developed this style into an art form, creating individual wallpapers that display dresses on makers' mannequins, Christmas trees, lampshades or retro furniture. Thanks to digital inkjet printing technology, it is now possible to turn your own photographs into wallpaper, too.

Wham glam

Metallic wallpapers add a little Hollywood glamour. New wallpapers are being embellished with glitter, glass beads, jewels, and iridescent or metallic inks and foils. Others have gritty glitter or sand on the surface. Then there are those with embellishments such as silver thread embroidery.

On the surface

Adding texture to the walls gives your room an extra dimension. Wallpapers that have a raised surface promote touchy-feely warmth. Such styles make use of bamboo or woody fibres, lacy looks, perforated faux leather or coloured sand mix.

Flocked papers often have a velvet texture, and embossed papers, such as those that emulate pressed tinned, can look very luxurious.

There are also textured wallpapers that integrate pulped recycled products, such as wood, cardboard, paper, glass and plastic.