If you’re planning out your home interiors, you’ll most likely be thinking about furniture, rugs, lighting and colours, overlooking one crucial factor that can make or break your space: your walls. 

Wall finishes are more than just wallpaper and paint. Choosing the right colour scheme for your interiors is important for creating a space that looks and feels like your own. Your wall finishes are also the secret weapon in interior design that can elevate your style and tie everything together. 

Whether you’re redecorating your bathroom, adding flair to your bedroom or overhauling your living room design, considering the finish of your walls can take your space from feeling flat to making a statement. 

Why your wall finishes deserve an upgrade

Plain walls can be a great way to complement your colour scheme, but they are by no means exciting. Your walls are more than just a backdrop to your room, and choosing the right wall finish can enhance your space with a visually striking feature that speaks to your style. 

Aside from aesthetics, different wall finishes offer different benefits for home interiors, including:

  • Wall protection - A quality wall finish from panelling or thick textures helps protect your walls from bumps and scratches, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways. 
  • Functionality - From acoustic designs that soundproof your room to waterproof panelling for bathrooms and kitchens, wall finishes bring a variety of practical benefits to interior design.   
  • Lighting - Depending on your style preference, opting for glossy or reflective wall finishes versus dark and moody textures can drastically affect how light travels around your room. 
  • Mood enhancement - With the right wall finish, your space can feel cosy and welcoming or striking and bold, engaging different senses and influencing the overall atmosphere of your room. 

How to choose the right wall finish for your home

Choosing the right wall finish is about finding the sweet spot where your personal style meets the practical benefits of each type of finish. It’s easy to get distracted by a beautiful pattern, but the "right" choice both looks good and lasts for years to come. 

Here’s how to narrow down your options:

1. Evaluate your room's function

If your room is a high-moisture area like bathrooms or wet rooms, traditional wallpaper or standard paint often struggle with peeling and mildew. PVC wall panels are the gold standard here because they are 100% waterproof and tongue-and-groove fitted to keep moisture out.

High-traffic zones like entryways and kitchen diners are prone to scuffs and splashes. Opt for wipe-clean finishes, like durable wall cladding that is low-maintenance and offers hardy protection. 

2. Play with light and space

The wall finish you choose can physically change how a room feels. Gloss and polished finishes are ideal for small rooms that struggle to amplify natural light. The reflective surface bounces light around the room, making your space feel airier. 

On the other hand, matte and boldly-textured finishes are perfect for hiding imperfections and irregularities in older walls. A textured stone-effect panel or a matte finish creates a high-end feel in larger rooms while adding a chic, contemporary touch. 

3. Complement your aesthetic

Your walls are the largest surface area in any room, meaning they set the scene for the entire space. Rather than choosing a finish in isolation, consider how it works alongside your existing colour scheme and the overall vibe that you’re aiming for.

For example, if you lean toward a clean, minimalistic style, natural materials and timeless marble wall finishes are a great way to enhance your room without overpowering it with texture. For rustic warmth, opt for earthy colours and wood-effect wall panelling to add a cosy, cottage-like feel - one of the top design trends for spring. 

If in doubt, don’t be afraid to match your wall finish with your existing furniture and fittings for a cohesive and polished result.

The top types of wall finishes to consider

Marble

Marble is the ultimate touch of luxury and is the perfect choice for creating spa-like bathroom sanctuaries or contemporary kitchens. 

To achieve the same high-end look without the price tag of marble tiles, marble-effect PVC panels provide the same opulent look with a 100% waterproof, low-maintenance finish that’s much kinder to your budget.

A beige marble bathroom corner featuring a wooden table, potted plants and a striped hand towel on the wall.

3D textures

3D textured wall finishes add a tactile layer to your walls that flat surfaces simply can’t match. By playing with light and shadow, 3D finishes create a dynamic sense of depth in your room for a stand-out statement wall. 

Acoustic slat panels provide a trending slatted wood look while adding warmth and practical soundproofing qualities, while glossy, tile-effect PVC panels are the perfect way to recreate a classic tile texture without any skill required!

Modern dining room featuring dark grey vertical slat wall panels, a yellow accent chair, industrial lighting and a framed insect print for a contemporary look.

Exposed brick

Exposed brick adds instant warmth and a rugged, industrial edge to any room, ideal for creating an urban-inspired gaming room or as an eye-catching feature wall in living rooms. 

Our brick-effect panels are an affordable way to add an industrial look to any room. You can opt for classic red brick panels as well as our Vilo Vintage Brick Panels, which add a rustic, lived-in finish.

A modern living room with a white sofa, a wooden coffee table and an exposed brick panelled feature wall.

Metallic hues

Metallic finishes catch the light to create a sense of high-end luxury and movement, perfectly complementing chrome fittings and monochrome layouts. 

Options like our platinum white sparkle chrome panels or grey shimmer panels integrate subtle metallic elements that brighten smaller spaces, offering a sophisticated alternative to flat, matte paints.

A black sparkle bathroom wall with white towels on a rail and a black cabinet in the corner.

Colour drenching

Colour drenching uses a single, bold hue for walls to create a cohesive, wraparound effect. Simply choose your favourite colour, whether you love deep blues or neutral beiges, and let your walls do the work, providing a sleek, saturated finish. 

Coloured wall panels are a more durable alternative to colour drenching with paint or paper, and offer a speedy installation time that even DIY beginners can handle.

A blue colour-drenched living room featuring blue walls, a blue door, a blue sofa and a brown armchair.

Geometric patterns

If you want to be bold with your interiors, geometric patterns are the best way to infuse your space with personality. Patterned wall panels add a structured feel that draws the eye and creates a clear focal point in your room, making them a great option for living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Opt for monochrome patchwork panels for a modern feature wall, add a touch of marble into your patterns with our Swish Marbrex Oslo PVC panels or incorporate the timeless feel of art deco design with herringbone wall panels. 

A contemporary bathroom featuring a black free-standing bathtub and a white herringbone panelled feature wall.

Concrete

Concrete is the backbone of the industrial chic trend that has been growing in popularity, offering a cool, neutral backdrop that pairs perfectly with black fittings. 

Concrete-effect wall panels are a foolproof way to mimic the natural texture and look of concrete, all while being lightweight, quick to install and consistent throughout your space. Choose an authentic, concrete grey PVC panel for a classic look, or emphasise the neutrals in your space with beige concrete panels, ideal for elevating minimalist designs.

Concrete bathroom interior with a wooden shelf, a sink standing on it, a round mirror and a potted tree in the corner. 3d rendering mock up

Whether you're drawn to the industrial look of exposed brick or the timeless appeal of marble, browse our range of wall panels today and upgrade your rooms without the cost or upkeep of traditional paint and paper.

FAQs

What is the best finish for walls in a bathroom?

For bathroom wall finishes, PVC wall panels are the superior choice over traditional paint or wallpaper. PVC panelling is 100% waterproof and features a tongue-and-groove locking system, creating a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching your walls. 

Our PVC panels are also easy to clean, with a simple wipe down with soapy water, keeping them looking brand new, whereas tile grout requires frequent scrubbing to stay fresh.

What is the most timeless wall texture?

Marble remains the most timeless wall finish in interior design that never goes out of style. Choosing a marble wall panel finish ensures your space looks elegant regardless of shifting trends, and can be used in any room of the house, including bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms.

What is the current trend for wall finishes?

Recently, we have been seeing a shift in wall finish trends away from flat, painted surfaces toward natural minimalism and walls that act as a key focal point in the room. 

Key trends include:

  • 3D slat walls: Acoustic slat panels in natural wooden materials are trending in living rooms and bedrooms, adding depth, warmth and soundproofing functionality. 
  • Moodier tones: Colour drenching with darker coloured wall panels is being used to create cocooning spaces that feel cosy and high-end.
  • Industrial textures: The raw look of concrete and exposed brick wall panels remains a favourite for those wanting a modern, loft-style aesthetic.

Can I mix different wall finishes in one room?

Yes, mixing different wall finishes in one room is often recommended to prevent a room from feeling flat. Mixing finishes, often called zoning, is a brilliant way to add character to your space, incorporating feature walls, half-panelling, or combining contrasting glossy and matte wall finishes for a striking look.