Interior Wallcoverings: Is Paint All There Is?

Paint may be enough. Paint, after all, comes in myriad formulas and colourations. It comes in many textures, from softly gleaming to rough and sparkly, with looks like glass and suede in between. It brings style and verve to any room with very little investment -- and what you do invest comes back to you in the form of an increase in your home's value which is a higher percentage of your outlay than any other home improvement project.

Paint can lower your energy bills, reduce bacteria in your home or workplace, protect you and your property, and soon it may make things invisible. An invisible home may not actually be on your list of must-haves, but it just goes to show the range and versatility of paint. You'd think that would be enough.

If it's not, there are more options. Wallpaper, of course, is now enjoying a renaissance among designers. Anaglypta, custom papers, and wallpapers of bamboo and silk are readily available alongside the more traditional choices. Natural wood panelling with or without stain, faux stone and brick panels, and even natural stone veneer can give your walls a distinctive look.

And now you can also cover your walls with cotton. Not just cotton fabric -- that's been around for centuries -- but an actual new wallcovering substance produced from cotton fibers. Australian company Belka produces it in NSW. The substance is spread on with a trowel and is eco-friendly and VOC free. Makers of the product say that it handles moisture well and absorbs sound, making it a good choice for bathrooms and playrooms. It'll go on over brick and other uneven surfaces and even over glass with a special primer.

True, it looks a bit like dryer lint. Fortunately, you can paint over it.