Cover Unsightly Plastic Wall Panels With A Simple And Stylish Design Solution

Plastic wall panels might be the practical and cost-effective choice when it comes to homes, but they often fall short when it comes to aesthetics. These panels can feel outdated or clash with modern interior designs while their surfaces can make a room feel uninviting. Wear and tear over time – scratches, discoloration, and dirt that's difficult to clean — can make them look even less appealing, too. One way to avoid this is to just use a wallpaper to cover the unsightly plastic walls. This design move allows you to mask them while giving your space a fresh and updated look, and with much less cost.

Opting for this simple and stylish design solution also prevents more headaches. Remember that while the thought of removing and replacing plastic wall panels might be tempting, a full renovation can be labor-intensive and expensive. Removing these panels can lead to damage to your walls underneath if you're not careful, and that's on top of going through the process of installing again. You might also think of grabbing a paintbrush, but there is a real reason wallpaper is better than painting.

Putting wallpaper over plastic wall panels is a straightforward process. This means you can do it without needing any professional help. But before you dive into this DIY, make sure that you prepare the surface first by cleaning the panels to remove any debris. This ensures that the wallpaper will stick properly. After this, prepare a plaster that you can use to fill in any depression on panels, especially if you are dealing with ones that may have dips and uneven corners. Once the plaster is dry, use sandpaper to smooth out the surface.

The next part is measuring your walls and cutting the wallpaper to size, but remember to leave a little extra for trimming. It's best to use a peel-and-stick wallpaper since wallpaper paste is not that effective on plastic. Then, starting from one corner of the room, align the wallpaper strip to your wall and press it into place. Proceed to smooth out any air bubbles using a wallpaper smoother or a clean and damp sponge. Repeat the process until all panels are covered.

You might think that it's okay to just let your unsightly plastic panels be because changing them will be expensive. But surprisingly, the cost of covering them with wallpaper is affordable and the necessary materials are also accessible. You can find high-quality wallpaper for around $20–$30 per roll that usually covers at least 30 square feet, like the NuWallpaper Store Peel and Stick Wallpaper. It's also recommended that you use a textured wallpaper, such as the Haimin Grasscloth Wallpaper, so it would be easy to hide any visible features of the plastic wall panels. You might have to read up first on how to choose the right wallpaper for your space.

Don't forget that it is also best to maintain the quality of your newly-installed wallpaper. Doing so is as simple as installing. You just need to gently wipe the walls with a damp cloth to keep them looking fresh. To avoid damaging the surface, it's also crucial that you don't use harsh cleaners like bleach. Follow these and you can say goodbye to the unsightly plastic wall panels without spending too much. Now, you just need to know more ideas on how to spice up a blank wall!