Concrete, marble, and even wood – we tell you what modern plaster can look like and how to use it correctly in the interior.
Wall decoration is not just about wallpaper and paint. If you want something more interesting than classic options, pay attention to decorative plaster, and photos in the interior of which we will show in this article. We will also tell you what it is, what is better to combine it with, and how to use it in different rooms.
Pros and Cons
Like any finishing material, plaster has its strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
- There is no need for complex preparation of the walls before application – a primer will be enough.
- It can be applied to surfaces of any shape, including columns, niches, ledges, plasterboard piers, etc.
- It is not only a beautiful but also practical material. You can find a suitable option for any budget.
- A large selection of textures and colors that are suitable for different interior styles.
- Some varieties are outwardly almost indistinguishable from wood, marble, and concrete – they can replace the original materials.
- Such a coating will last for a long time without crumbling or tarnishing, especially if you additionally cover it with a protective finish.
Cons
- Some types are quite expensive.
- If there is a risk of shrinkage of the house (relevant for new buildings)
- This material is not as resistant to mechanical damage as, for example, fiberglass, concrete, or porcelain stoneware.
- A large consumption of the mixture for the decoration of the entire room.
What kinds are there
By composition
In terms of composition, different types of decorative plaster differ in the binding element.
The most popular are:
- Mineral is a classic option, the most inexpensive and environmentally friendly. It is based on concrete and lime, sold in the form of a powder mixture. It is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, it fits well on stone and brick surfaces. Can be used in the kitchen, hallway, and bathroom.
- Acrylic – the binder is acrylic resin. It is available in liquid form and is immediately ready to be applied to any surface. Like minerals, it is suitable for wet areas.
- Silicone is a modern material that is suitable for decorating walls in any room. It is more expensive than other types, but it lasts a long time and has excellent technical characteristics.
- Silicate – the composition is based on liquid glass, this is the strongest type among all. It is often used to decorate facades, and adheres well to concrete, but is suitable for any surface.
By texture
Walls with decorative plaster in the interior can look completely different depending on its texture.
- Venetian is an elegant, smooth coating that imitates stone, marble, onyx, and other noble materials. It can be just plain.
- Bark beetle – the name speaks for itself. The embossed surface with small grooves outwardly resembles wood eaten by bark beetles. Any plaster mixture can have such a texture, the main thing is the granules in the composition, which will give the desired effect.
- Concrete is one of the most popular textures that fits into most modern styles. Brutal gray decorative plaster will fit into the interior of any room: from the hallway to the bedroom.
- Wood-effect – Some types of plaster (e.g. Marseille wax) allow you to mimic the texture of wood. This is especially useful if you want to decorate a bathroom, hallway, or wet kitchen area with wood – natural material is not always suitable for this, and it is more expensive.
- Imitation brick is another popular solution if you want to decorate walls in the form of brickwork. Depending on the size of the blocks and the color, it can completely imitate the original or intentionally look like a stylization — for example, if the masonry is small and white.
- Craquelure is an original coating that creates a cracking effect. Suitable for loft, vintage, eclectic, country-style interiors.
Suitable Styles
A significant advantage of this finish is that it fits into a variety of styles. You just need to choose the right texture.
Loft
Brutal finishing materials are the main marker of this style, but the design of the house does not always involve a suitable rough finish.
Plaster can be used to replace:
- Concrete.
- Brickwork.
- Stone.
- Any aged or frayed surface.
Some mixtures create a rusty effect – this texture will fit perfectly into the concept of a loft. But use it in doses — after all, four rusty walls will look more strange than spectacular.
Such decoration can be complemented by leather, metal or wooden furniture, lamps on chains or tracks, and industrial décor.
Scandi
Scandinavians value practicality, so paint or plaster is almost always used to decorate the walls. Sometimes they are combined.
When choosing a decorative finish, take into account the characteristic features of the style:
- The main colors in the palette are light. White, pearlescent gray, or beige are best.
- Ecological compatibility. The materials may not be strictly natural, but they must be safe for health. The best option in this case is a classic mineral plaster or silicone base with antibacterial and antifungal additives.
- Brevity. To make a simple design not look boring, pronounced textures will come in handy.
Classic
The classic style is demanding on materials, so elegant varieties of plaster are suitable for such interiors: Venetian, mother-of-pearl, and silk.
The walls should be smooth, for example, a barely noticeable relief. In the kitchen, hallway or living room, glossy surfaces will look interesting, in the bedroom or children’s room – an imitation of expensive fabrics.
Plaster can and should be combined with other materials: wood, marble, glass, textured wallpaper. Also, do not forget about decorative elements: moldings, bas-reliefs, cornices, figured architraves on interior doors.
Minimalism
This style is characterized by a minimum of things and a calm natural palette.
Taken together, this runs the risk of becoming a boring flat interior, so textures decide in minimalism. Suitable for walls:
- Matte and semi-matt surfaces.
- Imitation of concrete, stone, wood.
- Velvety coating.
- Structural mixtures with large granules in the composition.
- Complement them with high-quality textiles, natural wood, and accent fittings for an interesting three-dimensional design.
Contemporary
The modern style is similar to minimalism in many ways.
It is characterized by:
- Neutral natural colors.
- Functional furniture with simple shapes.
- Clear line geometry.
- High-quality eco-friendly materials.
Plaster can be used in any capacity: both as the main finish and as an accent. In the first case, choose calm tones and a smooth surface, in the second, a pronounced relief.
Country
Country music in any of its manifestations refers us to village life. This is a natural palette, eco-friendly materials, and rough textures – this is where the charm of this style lies.
For the walls, stone, concrete, wood, and in principle, any rough textures with scuffs are suitable, because even in a city apartment there should be a feeling of a family home with a history. It is better to take light colors, for example, warm shades of beige, gray, and white with a yellow undertone.
Ideas for Different Rooms
Living Room
Decorative plaster in the interior of the living room will be a good alternative to conventional paint and a great companion for other finishing materials.
It can decorate all the walls or allocate only one area: for example, the area behind the TV or the sofa. This will allow you to set accents and at the same time help to visually zone the space. Imitation of brickwork, marble or any structural mixture with a pronounced relief will cope with this role.
A truly cozy interior will be obtained if you combine a rough matte surface with wood. These can be decorative panels or slats, pieces of furniture, and décor. Complement this with soft textiles, multi-level lighting, and houseplants.
Kitchen
When choosing a finish for the kitchen, focus not only on the appearance but also on the characteristics.
So, the coating for kitchen walls must be moisture-resistant, not afraid of temperature changes, and easy to wash – this room requires regular cleaning. And the acrylic type cannot be used in the area behind the slab, because the steam can release resins that are harmful to health.
The backsplash can be decorated with tiles, porcelain stoneware, or washable paint, and the rest of the walls can be plastered.
Bedroom
In the bedroom, textured walls will come in handy if you want to create a beautiful three-dimensional design in a private area, but avoid too bright colors.
Use a matte finish in combination with warm, pleasant-to-the-touch textures of wood and natural fabrics. The walls themselves can be smooth or have a light relief. With a more accent finish, you can highlight the area behind the headboard, as well as add other materials: patterned wallpaper, decorative panels, and paint. An additional effect will be created by local LED lighting, which will emphasize the beauty of the surfaces.
Decorative plaster in the interior of the hallway
This is a great option for a walk-through area, since the hallway not only gets dirty quickly but also lets in the cold from the outside.
Plastered walls are much more practical than those covered with wallpaper or ordinary paint, and natural irregularities will additionally mask dirt. For this room, the silicate type is perfect – it is the most durable and unpretentious.
Choose non-marking colors: beige, swamp, gray, khaki, brown, brown, terracotta. Examples of how decorative plaster can look like in the interior of the corridor are in the photo below.
