Home » Wallpaper vs. decorative plaster
Updated June 2025
When homeowners in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado plan a remodel or interior update, they often face a common question: wallpaper or decorative plaster? As a designer or contractor, it’s crucial to explain not just the surface-level differences, but also the unique benefits each material offers in terms of texture, longevity, and design intent.
In this guide, we compare wallpaper and decorative plaster across key categories to help your clients make confident, informed decisions.
Table of Contents
Toggle✅ Wallpaper offers unmatched variety when it comes to prints, patterns, and murals. Whether your client dreams of floral elegance, geometric precision, or panoramic mural art — wallpaper delivers highly detailed and repeatable designs.
✅ Decorative plaster, however, is a living surface. It reacts to light and shadows, creating depth, nuance, and subtle visual changes throughout the day. No two applications are identical — the finish is as unique as the craftsman behind it.
🔗 Related: Custom Wallpaper and Decorative Plaster in the Denver Metro Area
✅ Wallpaper is static. Once it’s installed, changing the design typically requires full removal and replacement — and even identical wallpaper rolls can show slight batch differences.
✅ Decorative plaster is dynamic. It can be:
Repainted
Refreshed
Enhanced with metallics, limewashes, or waxes
This adaptability makes it a long-term choice that evolves with the space.
🔗 Explore: Decorative Plaster Finishes
✅ Wallpaper, even high-quality vinyl types, can peel at the seams or be damaged by furniture, pets, or humidity. Repairs often stand out visually.
✅ Decorative plaster is seamless, moisture-resistant, and easy to restore. Its robust surface shrugs off daily wear, especially useful in Colorado’s varied climate.
🔗 Learn more: Taking Care of Wallpapers and Decorative Plasters
✅ Wallpaper adds pattern-driven sophistication, ideal for clients seeking symmetry or printed drama.
✅ Decorative plaster, on the other hand, adds handcrafted elegance. With roots in historical architecture, it conveys timeless luxury and artistry — making every wall a custom work of art.
🔗 Related: The Art of Marmorino Plaster
Help your client answer the question:
Want a mural or highly detailed pattern? → Choose Wallpaper
Prefer a textured, organic, seamless surface? → Choose Decorative Plaster
Either option can look stunning — what matters most is your client’s lifestyle, maintenance expectations, and aesthetic goals.
🔗 Inspiration: Wallpaper as a Decorative Element
You won’t find wallpaper at Pottery Barn stores — but you can capture the look with these trusted brands:
These manufacturers offer timeless designs, quality texture, and color durability — perfect for Colorado interiors.
🔗 Related: Custom Non-Woven Wallpapers
We source materials from the best decorative plaster manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe, including:
These brands are trusted for their longevity, aesthetic range, and eco-friendly formulations.
We help clients across Colorado, focusing on the Denver metro area:
Denver
Aurora
Castle Rock
Littleton
Lakewood
Boulder
Colorado Springs
Absolutely. Use wallpaper for accent walls and plaster for shared spaces or focal zones.
It can be — but it lasts longer and requires fewer updates.
Plaster can increase value in high-end homes; wallpaper offers fast impact with lower upfront costs.
Whether your client is leaning toward decorative plaster or luxury wallpaper, we’re here to help. Our experts will walk you through the pros and cons — so you can deliver beautiful, lasting results.