Have you considered textured paint?

In 2014, it seems that 3D is all the rage.

It's not a fad that's limited to the silver screen, either – it's taken the world of interior design by storm, too.

You may have heard others ranting and raving about the amazing invention that is textured paint.

This can bring a home's walls and interior design to a whole new level, making a room not only beautiful to gaze upon, but also glorious to touch.

When finished correctly, textured walls are works of art in themselves. Don't cover up textured paint with framed portraits or fancy paintings – let those walls be the stars of the show all on their own.

Many professionals and DIYers alike opt for textured paint as an interesting and modern alternative to wallpaper.

It can be purchased in a wide variety of colours and styles, just like wallpaper, so you're definitely not limited when it comes to picking the perfect hue for your home or project.

Whether you want a mineral effect or metallic finish, a wall that's just a little bumpy or extremely rough, Resene has the textured paint and home decorating ideas to help make your design a success.

There are also a variety of ways that textured paint can be applied to a room's walls, and each technique will result in a different, unique finish.

So, if you are thinking about textured paint for a particular project, view the architectural samples at your local Resene ColorShop for ideas.

If you decide on textured walls, always prepare a sample panel first. This then becomes a handy guide so you can make sure application or the painter's application is on track.

Many in the interior design world also swear by textured paint because it can be applied to virtually any surface, such as wood, plaster and even exterior areas made from brick or cement.

As well as making your walls look fantastic, textured paint also has a wide range of practical benefits.

For instance, you can use textured paint to cover up walls that are starting to 'show their age'.

Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that walls will get dented and damaged as your family and home grow older. However, textured paint can effectively hide this wear and tear by tricking the eye and distracting us so that we don't see it.

That is why this type of paint is favoured among property managers, or those who own property that sees a lot of foot traffic – such as motels, restaurants and other public buildings.

Of course, it won't be able to magically render huge, gaping holes invisible – so you might need to ensure a bit of plastering is done before the paint goes on!

In addition to this, textured paint can give exterior surfaces – such as stairs – a bit more traction, with products such as Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path, which means they'll be much safer to walk on, as well as more attractive!

It is important that you choose wisely when it comes to textured paint.

While it's certainly not impossible to remove textured paint from your walls if and when you decide it's time for a change, this process can be a lot more long-winded than simply covering up your old paint with a new one.

So, it pays to check out all your options before you make your final decision.