Walls must have a distinct look

Walls, which form the basic framework of every home and are the first to be put up when we are building our homes, really should be viewed as more than something to place the roof on, or the place to hang up your art work on, says Harkiran Sodhi

WHENEVER we think of building a new home or even redesigning our existing homes, we toy over where to place which room, mull over what colour the bathroom should be, think carefully about the size of the windows. Rarely does anyone consider one of the most basic features of the house — the wall and consider the many ways to play it up and make it look attractive. Yes, believe it or not, there are options over painting a plastered wall, and here the choice is not in terms of what colour is used.

Walls, which form the basic framework of every home and are the first to be put up when we are building our homes, really should be viewed as more than something to place the roof on, or the place to hang up your artwork on. Despite their standard size and straight dimensions walls can be given a character of their own and made to look like a part and parcel of your otherwise well thought of home.

Start with the most obvious and popular choice — paint. This is the easiest and often the cheapest option, which is why many people opt for it, but even if for any reason you do go in for paint, you do still have many choices within this framework to play with . Textured wall finishes are one option. Here the drab, flat look of a conventional painted wall is relieved by the interesting texture of the wall. There are some varieties where you can actually get a two-toned effect.

The textured wall paints can be applied to almost all types of walls be they plastered, cemented, stone or r.c.c. These can be easily applied with roller or spray gun and the manufacturers claim these textured paints to be anti-fungus.

Paint, if used unconventionally, can also make a great impact on the room and the viewer. Traditionally cream and eggshell white are the popular colours of paint used on the inside walls of most homes. This choice arose out of practicality keeping the hot summers in mind as well as there being neutral shades. Bright bold colours that harmonise with your colour theme in the room actually look great on the inside walls. The secret here is to use good quality paint, which gives lustre to the room, and to try pick on bright but warm-toned shades that complement your colour codes.

Paint, when properly used, can mask small problems that the room might have. For instance if a room is long, narrow and rather tunnel-like in appearance, then simply by painting the end walls with a brighter shade will make the room look wider. Small rooms can be opened out by using cool light shades of paint, and boring standard rooms can be picked up by painting one wall differently to the rest.

Wall paper, which has been very popular in the West, did make a brief appearance here as an option to paint but it didn’t do too well. Messy and difficult to instal, wall paper needs professionals to instal it well without any creases. Once installed, good quality wall paper needs no maintenance. In fact wall paper can be easily wiped with a slightly damp cloth to clean up any messy handprints or marks on it.

Plaster of Paris has become very popular in well-heeled homes. This is used mainly as it is very easy to mould into different designs and shapes, and those who want the old style carving and decorations on the top corners of their walls or roof edges opt for this material. In fact plaster of Paris can be moulded to look like the wall has been panelled and painted over.

Wooden panelling for those who can afford it, is an expensive but great way to pick up your walls. Panelling looks particularly great in rooms like the study or bedroom, as it tends to impart a look and feeling of warmth to the viewer. It is easy on maintenance as it does not need to be touched up like paint does periodically. Panelling does need to be installed on areas where there is no water seepage, as this is the faster way to destroy it.

For those who like to be one with nature and give their homes a different look there is the option of stone. Available in a range of colours from the deep blackish blue of slate to a pinkish red of sandstone, there is a wide variety to choose from. Stone does have the disadvantage of being quick to heat up in the summers and chill up in the winters, but it gives the room a distinctive look with it’s naturally textured look and colour, and has the added advantage of not needing any maintenance on it, whatsoever, once installed.

Mirrors were a popular choice with some on the walls for a brief period of time but they did not stay there for too long. Mirrors certainly do increase the feeling of openness and space in a room but should be used sparingly. Best used in small rooms and preferably only on one wall, mirrors used on too many walls in the same room can become exceedingly disorienting. Commercial places like restaurants and shops are best suited to using mirrors as it makes the area look far less cramped then it is and adds to the light in the room as well.