Indoor and outdoor wall coverings – everything you should know

If the classic wallpaper, wall paint or tiles have become too much for you, you can resort to a very special type of wall design. This refers to wall cladding, which is suitable not only for the design of facades, but also for interior areas. A variety of materials and variants enable an individual and unusual type of furnishing, which can create a unique eye-catcher and a pleasant atmosphere. In keeping with this topic, we would like to introduce you to the various options and provide you with an overview that will make your selection easier.

Even if you have chosen the type of cladding for the walls, you should keep in mind that with most variants it can quickly be too much of a good thing. Especially if the material and design are dark colors, large wall coverings can seem overwhelming and anything but comfortable. In such cases, accent walls are a better choice. However, there are also bright and subtle options that do not immediately catch the eye and can spice up a room with pretty patterns and motifs.

There is less of a risk for outdoor areas because the cladding for a facade is not used in a closed room. You can only proceed with caution on covered terraces and balconies. You should also think about the right material, because not everything that is good indoors is also suitable for outdoors. The material should be waterproof and also adapt to the style of the house.

When you think of panels, you might imagine rectangular or square panels made of different materials. But today the possibilities go far beyond these classic forms. Panels and cladding can therefore also be found in a wide variety of other shapes. Hexagonal or round models are available, those in teardrop shapes and many more. Other irregular shapes also exist and can be made not only from plastic but also from other materials. This means that individual wall designs are also possible here, which make a room appear more lively and make it something truly special.

Wooden wall paneling

Wooden wall paneling can be implemented in different ways. On the one hand, there is the classic wall paneling, which is mainly found in country house, Scandinavian, vintage or rustic styles, but can also look very interesting in modern interiors if it is designed in a simple form or with a modern pattern. When it comes to paneling, only the lower area of ​​the wall is usually designed with boards or panels, while the upper area is left free for other design options such as wallpaper, wall paint or plaster. But the entire wall can also be decorated with a classic design and thus enhance any type of style.

Wooden panels are another option. These can only cover a partial area or an entire wall. What used to be popular in the 60s and 70s, namely covering all four walls of a room with them, is no longer optimal today. Instead, choose an accent wall that you highlight with panels to create a great highlight. And then wood as a material is anything but stuffy, old-fashioned or boring. Panels can also not only have a plain surface, but also be equipped with 3D effects, perforated patterns or other designs.

Wood facings in various designs create an attractive structure on the wall and are a warm alternative to stone that you can use as wooden cladding inside. They are offered in the form ofWooden panels, as they can be laid more easily and quickly this way. The individual elements of the facing bricks can have different shapes. Panels made of rectangular and square pieces of wood are possible, but also those made of wooden slices.

Would you have thought of using laminate as wall covering? This is a cheap alternative to real wood, but looks at least as good. Laminate flooring is also available in a wide range of colors and with great patterns or even prints, so you won't have a hard time finding exactly the right thing for your taste and interior style.

Of course, you can also install wooden wall cladding on the outside. However, you have to expect a greater need for care here. In this case, the material must be painted regularly in order to be able to withstand the weather such as moisture, heat and cold. Despite this care, renovation is still necessary after years. In addition to classic boards, wooden strips are often used, which are distributed along a house wall at a certain distance from each other. They are a modern and stylish alternative to classic wooden boards and create an attractive and natural-looking facade. Wooden shingles are also not uncommon and create a nice look.

Stone

Stone wall cladding is also nothing new, but it remains or is in trend again. Both rustic and modern interior designs are given the finishing touches with such cladding and are reminiscent of the pleasant ambience of a mountain hut. Stone wall facings are also available in different versions. Apart from the color, the shape of the individual stones can also vary. For example, modern houses often use a straight and simple design made of rectangular or square shaped stones, while rustic furnishings with irregular stone slabs look very attractive.

Natural stone wall cladding is very attractive and its naturalness enchants many house and apartment owners. However, it also comes with higher costs. But if you don't have such a budget, you can also use wall cladding with a stone look. Here will bePlastic panels are used that look very close to real stones. There are also porcelain stoneware tiles that imitate natural stone, as well as clinker bricks and concrete slabs. All these materials are for oneWall cladding made of artificial stone and asBrick look facing bricksperfectly suited and offer a large selection of colors and shapes. Relatively new are the so-called types of split wood, which can have a three-dimensional surface and wonderfully imitate stone.

But stone cladding is not only suitable for internal stone wall cladding. The natural stone wall is particularly popular and suitable for outdoor use because the material is weather-resistant and lasts a lifetime. Whether you design an entire facade or just add a few accents is not only a question of taste, but also of budget. Alternatively, artificial stone panels can also be used, which are also very suitable if you want to renew and cover an old wall.

You can tile a stone wall with different types of stone. Sandstone, fine marble, granite or slate are just a small selection. You should just find out in advance which types are suitable for indoor use and which ones are suitable for outdoor use, as not everyone is ideal for the changing weather. Some wall stones should be used more indoors. These are primarily those that have many pores in which moisture can accumulate and break the stone when it freezes. Wall stones on the inside can be chosen as desired. However, more holey structures collect more dirt, which is something you should also keep in mind.

Made of plastic

The selection of designs made of plastic is particularly large because you are not limited by the natural look of nature, but all kinds of designs and patterns can be created artificially. If you decide to use plastic, you have the choice between different types. On the one hand, there is the possibility of imitating stone wall cladding for outside or inside, which we have already mentioned. But the selection is far from exhausted. Because modern panels enable a unique high-gloss look, but also 3D wall coverings, where there are no limits to the colors. If you like something a little more subtle, choose a white or other neutral color, whether in high gloss orthree-dimensional optics. Extravagance can be achieved in modern furnishings with any bright colors.

You can also imitate any pattern and material with vinyl wall covering. This type of wallpaper is also artificial, but ensures that you can imitate not only stone, but also wood or even metal and get it cheaper than if you choose the real materials. Although they are wallpapers, they are anything but boring, as, like photo wallpapers, extremely realistic motifs and patterns can be created.

Cover the interior and exterior walls with metal

Metal is particularly popular for outdoor use. Corten steel wall cladding is adorning more and more modern houses and that's no wonder. Not only are interesting panels with perforations available, but the typical orange-brown color is also very attractive and makes a simple facade much more interesting. In addition, it is a durable material that does not require any special care to last long, even outside. Wall coverings made of Corten are always interesting and can even be designed and manufactured individually and entirely according to the customer's wishes. So you can be sure that your facade is unique.

But what is chic outside does not have to be less attractive inside. Quite the opposite! The industrial style in particular is great for using metal if you want to cover a wall. Corten is no exception. You even have the choice between a wide variety of metal colors. Black steel, silver aluminum panels, shiny copper and others are easy-care decorative elements that enhance walls and make a room more interesting.

Stainless metals are also ideal for outdoor use. The aluminum wall cladding is very stylish on the outside and can particularly decorate modern houses. However, if you like the weathered look, you can also choose a metal that changes over time. The rusty look of iron is very popular. Copper, in turn, takes on an interesting, greenish look. These metals can also be interestingly perforated. But simple engravings also create an original look.

Which material for which rooms?

Which material is best suited for which room depends primarily on its function. Wood is therefore less suitable for a damp room. Of course, this also depends on the type of wood. Because some like teak can handle moisture really well. Otherwise, all types of cladding are actually suitable.

For wall cladding in the bathroom without tiles, it is best to choose metal, a suitable wood or plastic panels. There are now also beautiful wallpapers that are waterproof and can be used in the bathroom. Only when it comes to the wall covering for the shower and the area around the tub should you avoid using more sensitive materials. Wall panels with a stone look, decorative stones for the wall and natural stone look particularly original and unusual and create a very special atmosphere in the bathroom. The style doesn't matter here. Because stone, wood and plastic for bathroom panels instead of tiles and as wall cladding for the bathroom look great with ultra-modern accessories as well as with those in a retro or vintage style.

When it comes to wall cladding for the kitchen, the choice of material depends primarily on which area you want to cover. So it doesn't really matter for the large walls, while the kitchen back wall is not suitable for every material. Wall coverings made of glass, metal or plastic are best suited as these materials are waterproof and can be easily cleaned thanks to the smooth surface. Although stone is also waterproof, it is important that a rough surface is not chosen. Otherwise, spatters of grease will accumulate, which will then be difficult to remove. So if you decide on stone and want to glue a stone wall, choose kitchen wall cladding with smooth stone.

And while you should choose more carefully and, if possible, washable wall coverings for the kitchen and bathroom, none of this matters for the living room, dining room, bedroom and hallway. Because there is no excessive moisture here, nor do the walls get dirty when cooking or washing. All variants are therefore suitable and their design and color should only be coordinated with the furnishing style.

Combine materials

Of course, the cladding mentioned can also be combined with each other and with other materials and surfaces. Both wood and metal look very attractive in combination with concrete and make a modern wall design even more interesting. The original color of the Corten steel also comes into its own even better when combined with concrete. Wood can be combined with wallpaper and also with metal. In principle, there are no specific rules or limits for interaction. When choosing, be bold and trust your own taste and imagination.