Making Your Walls Look Expensive
Walls cover most of your home’s surface area. The right finish makes rooms look luxurious and high-end. Let’s explore wall finishes that add elegance and value to Dubai homes.
1. Venetian Plaster for Timeless Elegance
What it is: A smooth plaster made from limestone that creates a polished, marble-like finish.
Why people love it:
- Looks like natural stone
- Reflects light beautifully
- Lasts for many years
- Gets better with age
Best rooms for Venetian plaster:
- Living rooms
- Dining areas
- Master bedrooms
- Entryways
Cost: High – but worth it for main rooms where you want to impress.
The finish catches light and creates depth. Every angle shows different tones and shadows. It feels smooth and cool to touch, perfect for Dubai’s warm climate.
2. Textured Paint Adds Depth
What it is: Special paint with texture mixed in or applied with special techniques.
Texture options:
| Type | Look | Best For |
| Sand texture | Subtle grain | Any room |
| Stucco | Mediterranean feel | Living areas |
| Knockdown | Modern organic | Bedrooms |
| Skip trowel | Artistic swirls | Feature walls |
Benefits:
- Hides wall imperfections
- Adds visual interest
- Creates shadows and depth
- Unique look in every home
Cost: Moderate – more than flat paint but much less than plaster.
Textured walls make rooms feel custom and expensive. They catch light differently throughout the day, creating changing moods.
3. Wallpaper Makes a Statement
Modern wallpaper is different: Not like old-fashioned busy patterns. Today’s wallpaper includes elegant designs and textures.
Luxury wallpaper types:
- Silk wallpaper (soft sheen)
- Grasscloth (natural texture)
- Metallic prints (subtle shine)
- 3D patterns (raised designs)
- Hand-painted styles (artistic)
Where to use wallpaper:
- One accent wall per room
- Behind the bed (headboard wall)
- In powder rooms
- Dining room feature walls
Tips: Don’t wallpaper all walls – it becomes too much. One special wall with wallpaper and other walls painted works best.
Modern wallpaper removes easily when you want a change. Quality wallpaper lasts 10-15 years without fading or peeling.
4. Marble and Stone Cladding
What it is: Real stone panels attached to walls.
Popular stone types:
Marble:
- Classic and elegant
- Cool to touch
- Many color options
- Polished or matte finish
Limestone:
- Softer look than marble
- Warm neutral tones
- Less reflective
- Mediterranean style
Travertine:
- Textured surface
- Earth tones
- Natural holes add character
- Rustic elegance
Best locations:
- Behind TV units
- Fireplace walls
- Bathroom walls
- Entryway features
Stone cladding is expensive but lasts forever. It adds real luxury that paint cannot match. The natural patterns mean no two walls look exactly alike.
5. Wood Paneling for Warmth
Why wood works: Wood adds warmth to modern spaces. It balances cold materials like glass and metal.
Wood panel styles:
- Horizontal slats (modern)
- Vertical boards (makes ceilings look higher)
- Geometric patterns (artistic)
- Full wall coverage (cozy)
Wood types for Dubai:
- Treated hardwood (moisture resistant)
- Engineered wood (more stable)
- Dark walnut (dramatic)
- Light oak (fresh and airy)
Best rooms:
- Home offices (warm, professional)
- Bedrooms (cozy feeling)
- Living rooms (one accent wall)
- Media rooms (sound absorption)
Wood paneling costs more initially but adds significant value. It also helps with soundproofing between rooms.
6. Metallic Finishes for Modern Luxury
What they offer: Subtle shine that catches light. Not shiny like mirrors – more like a soft glow.
Metallic options:
- Gold leaf (traditional luxury)
- Silver leaf (modern elegance)
- Copper tones (warm glow)
- Bronze finish (rich depth)
How to use metallics:
- Small accent areas only
- Behind shelving
- In niches and alcoves
- Ceiling details
Warning: Don’t overdo metallics. A little goes a long way. Too much looks cheap instead of luxurious.
Metallic finishes reflect both natural and artificial light. They make rooms glow warmly in evening lighting.
7. Concrete Finish for Industrial Chic
Modern and sophisticated: Polished concrete isn’t cold or boring. Done right, it looks sophisticated and expensive.
Concrete benefits:
- Very durable
- Easy to clean
- Modern aesthetic
- Cool in hot weather
Best for:
- Modern apartments
- Loft-style homes
- Industrial design lovers
- Minimalist spaces
How to make it luxury:
- Polish to high shine
- Add subtle color tints
- Seal properly
- Keep it smooth
Concrete works well with soft furnishings. The hard walls balance soft furniture, creating interesting contrast.
8. Fabric Wall Panels
Soft and luxurious: Fabric on walls adds texture, warmth, and sound absorption.
Fabric types:
- Linen (natural and textured)
- Velvet (soft and rich)
- Suede (smooth luxury)
- Leather (durable elegance)
Benefits:
- Excellent sound absorption
- Soft to touch
- Adds warmth
- Unique look
Perfect for:
- Bedrooms (behind bed)
- Home theaters (soundproofing)
- Study rooms (quiet space)
- Luxury closets
Fabric panels turn walls into design features. They’re especially good in modern homes that might feel too cold or hard.
9. Glass and Mirror Panels
Reflective luxury: Strategic use of glass and mirrors makes rooms feel larger and brighter.
Options:
- Antiqued mirror (vintage elegance)
- Tinted glass (subtle color)
- Textured glass (privacy with light)
- Mirror tiles (geometric interest)
Best uses:
- Small rooms that need to feel bigger
- Dark rooms needing more light
- Behind dining tables
- In narrow hallways
Important: Use mirrors to reflect nice views or interesting features. Don’t place mirrors where they reflect messy areas or create awkward reflections.
10. Decorative Plaster Moldings
Classic elegance: Crown molding, chair rails, and wainscoting add traditional luxury.
Types of molding:
| Molding | Location | Effect |
| Crown molding | Where walls meet ceiling | Makes ceilings look higher |
| Chair rail | Middle of wall | Adds detail, protects walls |
| Wainscoting | Lower wall section | Traditional elegance |
| Picture rail | Upper wall | Display artwork easily |
Works with:
- Traditional design
- Transitional style
- Classic modern
Paint moldings white against colored walls, or use one color for everything. Both approaches work depending on your style.
11. Mixing Finishes for Interest
Don’t use just one finish: Combining different wall treatments creates the most luxurious look.
Successful combinations:
- Venetian plaster + plain paint
- Wood panels + textured paint
- Wallpaper + marble cladding
- Fabric panels + painted walls
Rule: Use special finishes on 25-30% of walls. Keep the rest simple. Too many special finishes compete and look messy.
Choosing the Right Finish
Consider these factors:
Room purpose: Bedrooms need calm finishes. Living rooms can be more dramatic.
Natural light: Dark rooms need reflective finishes. Bright rooms can handle matte textures.
Your style: Modern homes: concrete, wood panels, minimal Traditional homes: plaster, moldings, wallpaper Mix: combine old and new finishes
Maintenance: Some finishes need more care. Consider your lifestyle and time.
Budget: Start with main rooms. Add luxury finishes gradually to other spaces.
The Bottom Line: Quality Over Quantity
You don’t need expensive finishes everywhere. Choose one or two main rooms for luxury treatments. Keep other rooms simple but well-painted.
Priority rooms:
- Living room (guests see this)
- Master bedroom (you see it daily)
- Entryway (first impression)
Budget-friendly luxury tip: One wall with special finish looks better than all walls with cheap finish.
Maintenance matters: Choose finishes you can keep clean and beautiful. The most expensive finish looks bad if it’s damaged or dirty.
Good wall finishes are investments. They last years and add real value to your home. Choose wisely and your walls will look stunning for a long time.