Create Stunning Interiors with the Right Wall Finish
Walls can be considered a blank canvas when it comes to home renovation. But the type of finish you select can have a huge impact on the appearance, surface feel, durability and long-term maintenance of your interiors. The most popular wall covering is still paint, but more luxurious options like microcement and Venetian Plaster are gaining popularity in modern and luxury homes.
The advantages of each option are unique and will be based on a variety of factors, including your budget, your design preferences, your lifestyle and what room you are renovating.
At Brindabella, we feel that beautiful interior design is achieved through thought and quality craftsmanship. In our design and build process, we assist customers with choosing finishes that will enhance the design of their home and provide long-lasting performance.
Understanding the Three Wall Finishes
Before comparing them, it’s important to understand what each finish offers.
Paint
The most common wall finish is paint, which is versatile, inexpensive and comes in a multitude of colours and finishes. It can be used on plasterboard, rendered walls, timber, and so many other surfaces, it is ideal for use in almost every room of the home.
Microcement
Microcement can be defined as a decorative coating, applied in thin layers over surface materials like plaster, concrete, tiles and render, which is based on cement materials. The result is a sleek and modern look with minimal joints, making it a preferred choice for minimalist interiors and wet spaces. It is used for lightweight cement finishes and, when applied properly, offers outstanding durability.
Venetian Plaster
Venetian plaster is a decorative finish of multiple hand-trowelled layers of lime. The result is a rich surface with natural depth, movement and subtle variations, resulting in an elegant and timeless look. Depending on the application, Venetian plaster can range from a soft matte finish to a polished, marble-like sheen.
Comparing Paint, Microcement and Venetian Plaster
Appearance
Paint offers the ultimate flexibility in decorating, from a fresh contemporary style to a traditional feel and look. There are so many different colours available in paint that it can be used in many different interior styles.
Microcement offers a simple and clean finish that is understated and industrial or modern in style. A continuous surface provides the feeling of openness and is suitable in modern bathrooms, kitchens and open-plan living areas.
Venetian plaster produces a luxurious finish that has a natural texture and depth, which cannot be achieved through paint. Its surface reflects the light in different ways, which makes it more interesting and elegant for feature walls and high-quality interiors.
Durability
Durability often becomes an important consideration during a major renovation.
Paint is effective in most rooms of the house, but can be prone to scuffing, chipping, and marking in busy areas. It may need painting over time to keep it looking fresh.
When professionally installed and sealed, Microcement is extremely durable. It is seamless and has great durability for bathrooms, laundries, kitchens and wet areas.
Venetian plaster is also a long-lasting finish. This is a combination of a lime base that hardens over time to become a resilient surface that can serve for many years. Other finishes may also have a natural breathability quality, which helps to control moisture in walls.
Maintenance
There are significant differences in maintenance needs among the three finishes.
Paint is generally easy to clean, and damaged areas can often be touched up without replacing the entire wall.
Once sealed, microcement is extremely easy to care for. It is normally kept in good condition by regular cleaning using mild, non-abrasive products.
You should use gentle cleaning solutions for Venetian plaster. It’s tough, but hard chemicals and scrubbing should be avoided to keep it handcrafted.
Water Resistance
Finishes for bathrooms and wet areas must be capable of standing up to repeated exposure to moisture.
Paint formulated for bathrooms provides reasonable moisture resistance but may deteriorate over time if exposed to persistent humidity or poor ventilation.
The smooth surface of microcement, when it is used in conjunction with the appropriate waterproofing and sealing systems, reduces the amount of grout lines where moisture and mould can take hold and therefore is good for use in bathrooms.
Venetian plaster can also perform well in bathrooms when the appropriate product and protective finish are used. Not all Venetian plaster can be used in wet areas, though, so it is important to have a professional product selection.
Cost Considerations
Budget is naturally an important factor when selecting wall finishes.
Paint is generally the most affordable option, making it suitable for whole-home renovations or projects with tighter budgets.
The application of microcement is more demanding and involves a greater investment because of the various coating layers, sealing systems and application methods of specialists.
The highest quality is typically Venetian plaster. It is one of the more luxurious wall decoration finishes available as it is a handcrafted application, which requires skilled artisans and significant labour.
Decoration finishes may have a greater initial investment, but can be distinguishing design elements to create a more impressive home.
Which Rooms Are Best Suited to Each Finish?
Different rooms often benefit from different finishes.
Paint Works Well In:
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Hallways
- Home offices
- Children’s bedrooms
- Ceilings
Microcement Is Ideal For:
- Bathrooms
- Ensuites
- Kitchens
- Laundries
- Feature walls
- Fireplace surrounds
Venetian Plaster Is Perfect For:
- Entry foyers
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Master bedroom feature walls
- Luxury bathrooms
- Statement architectural spaces
Choosing the right finish for each room helps balance performance, aesthetics, and budget throughout the renovation.
Can You Combine Different Wall Finishes?
Absolutely.
Many professionally designed homes combine multiple finishes to create visual interest and define different spaces.
For example, you might choose:
- Painted walls throughout the main living areas
- Microcement in bathrooms and laundries
- Venetian plaster on a feature wall in the living room or master bedroom
This layered approach allows homeowners to enjoy the practical benefits of paint while introducing premium finishes where they create the greatest visual impact.
How to Choose the Right Wall Finish
When deciding between paint, microcement, and Venetian plaster, consider the following questions:
- What style of home are you creating?
- Which rooms receive the most daily use?
- Do you prefer smooth, seamless surfaces or natural texture?
- How important is long-term durability?
- What level of maintenance are you comfortable with?
- Does your renovation budget allow for premium decorative finishes?
Answering these questions will help narrow your options and ensure your selections align with both your lifestyle and design goals.
Why Professional Design Advice Matters
Colour is not the only factor that wall finishes impact, they also have an effect on lighting, texture, maintenance, durability and overall ambience in your home. The selection of the materials needs to be considered carefully, taking into account the requirements of the room in terms of function, the existing materials, the lighting for the room, and the architectural style.
At Brindabella, our experienced home renovators are highly experienced and able to work closely with homeowners to ensure that their interiors are cohesive and designed to embody the overall vision. We have a systematic design and renovation methodology which allows us to plan materials, colour, layout and detailing before construction, enabling clients to make informed decisions and deliver outstanding outcomes. This commitment to quality craftsmanship has also been recognised with some industry awards, which portray our dedication and commitment to beautifully finished homes.
Final Thoughts
There is no single wall finish that suits every home.
Paint remains the most versatile and budget-friendly option for everyday living spaces. Microcement offers exceptional durability and a sleek, seamless appearance that complements contemporary homes, particularly in wet areas. Venetian plaster provides timeless elegance and artisanal character, making it ideal for homeowners seeking a premium, luxury finish.
The best choice ultimately depends on your home’s design, the function of each room, your maintenance preferences, and your renovation budget.
If you’re planning a home renovation, Brindabella can help you select the right combination of finishes to create interiors that are practical, sophisticated, and designed to stand the test of time.
