Paint and wallpaper tips and trends

Dirty walls, chipped paint work, and faded and peeling wallpaper don’t exactly scream luxury.

With hundreds or thousands of guests visiting your hotel, resort or holiday park each year, paintwork and wall coverings will get a thorough work out. Battered and bashed by suitcases, rubbed by sticky children’s hands, exposed to food and drink spills as well as environmental factors, your walls and other painted surfaces can quickly show signs of wear and tear. Dirty and poorly maintained areas can lower the standard of your entire property.

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Similarly, outdated wall finishes can age your property. Decades-old colour schemes, out-of-fashion wall textures and faded wallpaper can make spaces feel more shabby than chic. Rather than instagrammable moments to share with friends, guests might snap less favourable photos of your property to go with a negative Google or Facebook review.

Strategic paint choices, high-performance wallcoverings and contemporary decorative finishes can elevate the ambience of guestrooms throughout your property. Proper planning and smart choices will mean your walls and other surfaces stay fresh and welcoming, whatever your guests throw at them.

Preparation makes perfect

If surfaces aren’t prepared properly, your paint work and wallpaper will soon suffer. While the exact preparation steps might depend on your wall surface and type of paint or wallpaper you are using, some general guidelines apply to all projects.

First, check the area to be painted for any damage or flaking paint, and ensure it is removed or repaired. Even small holes or cracks will need to be filled.

Next, deep clean the area to remove dirt and grease. This might include sanding to even out surfaces and dusting to remove small particles. If you find mould, work out if it is a surface problem, or a larger problem inside the wall that needs professional attention.

A primer should be applied to walls before painting. This will ensure the longevity of your paintwork, and help to prevent flaking, peeling and bubbling. Make sure you use the right primer for your surface.

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Ensure the area is properly secured to prevent guests or staff entering your work zone. The space should also be well ventilated while paint or wallpaper is being applied so guests can breathe easy.

Many low VOC or zero/no added VOC paint options are now available. These paints contain significantly fewer harmful chemicals than regular paint varieties, and produce less indoor pollution and odours. This makes them a healthier choice for you and your guests, and will more closely align with your green goals.

Durability for longevity

Commercial settings­, including hotels, motels, resorts and holiday parks, must be finished with robust, commercial grade materials that can withstand the rough and tumble of an accommodation property.

High traffic areas in particular should be treated with commercial-grade coatings that can withstand scuffs and marks. Look for paints that can be washed or wiped down to remove marks. Mould-resistant paint is best for humid or wet areas.

Your colour selections will also ensure longevity of your paintwork. Choose colours that complement your existing colour palette, and maintain a consistent feel throughout your property. You might like to take inspiration from your surroundings—rich forest greens and earthy tones might suit a bushland setting, while cool blues could work well near the beach.

A popular option for accommodation providers is to focus on neutral tones which lend spaces a calm, relaxed feeling. Pops of colour or texture can be added on feature walls, architraves or cornices. This keeps your colours in style and on trend, without having to repaint the entire property.

Consider, as well, colour options to minimise the appearance of minor scuffs and marks. Bright white walls might not be best in an eating area, for example, where sticky spills might happen.

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Wallpaper for wow factor

Feature walls in solid colours can make your spaces interesting, but wallpaper provides the ultimate elevation.

Damian Corney, Founder and Creative Director at Grafico said you can’t go past the visual impact of wallpaper.

“Many hotels opt for a simple feature wall behind the bedhead, however applying a smaller area of wallpaper, for example behind the suitcase or wardrobe area as a decorative strip, is also popular. This has the added function of protecting the wall which can be prone to damage in that area.

“Similarly, corridors are often susceptible to damage, and there are some fantastic very durable wallpaper products out there which are quick to install allowing hotels to not worry about their guests damaging key features.”

Mr Corney highlighted some key trending design categories. “One of my favourites is ‘Australiana’, featuring patterns and murals of Australian flora and fauna. Think simple etched illustrations and vintage botanical drawings. Light sage greens and hues of bark coupled with linen textured backgrounds create stunning visual identity whilst connecting guests back to the country they are staying in.

“Another is classic patterns and textures—pinstripes, stripes of all shapes and sizes, gingham check, houndstooth to name a few. They are iconic, timeless and always a great feature for hotel rooms. If patterns aren’t the look you want, then grasscloth and simple textures like linen are making a big comeback.

“Latest ink technology allows printers to print now with zero VOC inks, and all inks are generally water-based. Coupled with digital technology this means short print runs, and sampling is easy. This enables wallpapers to be produced quickly and customised to the project’s needs. It also means minimal waste and product to landfill as wallpapers are printed to order.”

This article first appeared in the Summer edition of AccomNews. Click below to explore.