WALL COVERINGS AND CEILINGS

Walls, ceilings and floors comprise

the largest visual portion of a room.

Appearance… Large patterns will make a large room appear closer. Small patterns and light colors make a small room

appear larger. Mirrors create an illusion of space. Wall coverings should coordinate with furnishings. Colors should not overpower furnishings. Vertical stripes will make a wall appear taller Tall walls appear lower when ceiling and walls are

same color. Choosing a dominant feature in the room will help

determine wall coverings.

Ceilings Long ago were often painted with

murals, designs or pendants. Most materials discussed can be

used on ceilings Average height is 8 feet. High or angled ceilings lend a

feeling of dignity Low or beamed ceilings create a

warm and informal room. Acoustic materials absorb sound

Walls

Bearing Walls: Support weight of structure and can not be removed.

Non-bearing: walls separate space They serve as:

○ Dividers for privacy○ Noise control○ Structure○ Aesthetics.

Wall and ceiling Coverings

Wall coverings○ Selected according to:

Function SizeOrientation to a natural light sourceExisting furnishingsBudgetMaintenance.

Overview of Materials

6 basic types of wall treatments Hard or Rigid Materials Paint Paneling Molding Wall Paper Fabric

Examples: Brick Cork Glass

Fabric Paint Plaster

Metal Tile Paper

Wood Concrete Stone

Natural and Fabricated materials Materials can be used on walls, ceilings and sometimes floors

Wall Coverings Hard or Rigid Materials: Brick, Tile, Glass,

Metal, Wood

CostlyAre permanentRequire little/no upkeepGive natural textureConsidered classic

Wall Coverings Paper: Paper, Vinyl, Flocked,

Embossed, Foiled, Mural

Tremendous variety to choose from Low to high cost, mostly modestImitates natural materialsCovers blemished wallsCoordinates/Allows creativityInstant décorCan be washed depending on type of

paper.

Purchasing Wallpaper

Packaged and sold by the ROLL (not foot/yard). Pattern Repeats- allow enough space for large

patterns A Run/dye Number printed on wallpaper indicates

which dye lot it came from.

Strippable – easy to remove

Scrubable – design remains when scrubbed

Pre-pasted – glue already applied to back

Vinyl-coated – recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, and playrooms.

Wall Coverings

FabricLarge variety of patterns and

colorsMounted in different ways:

shirred, frames, upholstered, stapling

Not as practical in areas that get a lot of wear or dirt.

Average to high costVacuum to remove dirt and

wash if possible.

Wall Coverings Paneling

Warm and attractive appearance

Requires little maintenanceDifferent forms and price

ranges

Wall Coverings

MoldingStrips of wood used for trim or

ornamentation in a room.Main purpose is to finish off a window, door

or wall.○ Baseboard molding○ Crown molding○ Chair Rail○ Picture Rail

Molding Available in a wide range

of colors, grains & species

Hides architectural flaws

Provides insulation

Hides seams or dry wall

Crown Molding

Finishes a top edge

Chair Rail/Wainscot

Divides room horizontally

Base Board

Covers lowest part of wall

Wall Coverings Paint

Most popular Least expensive wall

coveringOffers color, texture and

varietyProvides visual excitementBright = attentionDark = close/advanceLight = open/expand

Faux: Imitates other materials

Trump l’oeil: fool the eye, 3-D

Paint Types

Oil-Based○ Durable and washable○ Chosen for walls and ceilings in

bathrooms and kitchens○ Can not clean up brushes with water

Latex○ Easily applied○ Water based, easy clean up○ Often used for living, dining and

bedrooms.

FinishesGloss, semi-gloss, satin and flat

Flat Finish Flat finish softens walls and helps hide surface

imperfections. It is the least expensive Totally shine-free Good for Ceilings where you will not need to wash

them often Stains can be difficult to remove, so do not use in

high-traffic areas

Paint - Eggshell Provides greater warmth and depth to surfaces

than flat paints. Resist stains better than flat paints, although not

as well as semigloss and high-gloss finishes.

Satin Finish

Satin and low luster paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell finishes

Is slightly easier to clean than a flat and eggshell finish

Semi-gloss Finish Slightly glossy appearance less reflective than gloss paints They offer good stain resistance, are easy to clean, and

may be a good choice if you have young children Most experts agree that the highest quality semi-gloss

paints are 100% acrylic latex paints, which also come in enamel grades.

High-Gloss Highly reflective appearance Toughest, most durable, and most stain-resistant finish They are easier to clean Ideal for areas exposed to heavy traffic or use, especially

those prone to fingerprints or grime Tend to highlight surface imperfections. Both latex and oil-based gloss paints are referred to as

enamels.

Bob Villa’s Interior Paint Selection Guide

Where traffic, moisture, and abrasion are likely to occur, high-gloss finishes may be recommended. Flat finishes and low-luster paints are better suited to quieter areas of the home and new construction.