As with any design element of a custom built home, walls can be either the focal point of a room or something that disappears into the background. Many of our client families have not been satisfied with using only drywall and paint or even wallpaper for their wall choices, instead choosing something more unusual and striking. Let’s take a look at some of the walls Eastmark Construction has created for the homes we have built, from custom paneling to stone and exposed logs.
Practical Considerations for Wall Materials
While it’s true that building a unique wall is more expensive than drywall, there are many practical reasons for utilizing other materials. Wood, stone, and brick are very durable and low maintenance. They are resistant to wear and tear and easy to clean. They also help reduce noise transmission, creating more privacy in a home. Wood and brick are good insulators, stone and brick are heat and fire resistant, and tile is heat and water resistant which makes it great for use in bathrooms, kitchens, and home saunas. For all of these reasons, choosing to use higher quality materials for walls will only appreciate your home in value over the years.
Wall Design Style Options
Stone
Stone walls bring to mind castles and Europe, so they easily add a type of old-world charm to your home. Stone is frequently used in or around fireplaces, but it adds a natural, elegant look to any space. It is available in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing for plenty of design flexibility. It can also be used to improve the acoustics of a space due to its density.
Brick
Similar to stone, brick is extremely durable and can last for hundreds of years with very little maintenance. It can give a space either a rustic, traditional feel or an urban, industrial one. It comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Brick is also an energy efficient choice because it absorbs, stores, and releases heat over time. In a colder climate, this is a real plus.
Tile
There are so many different types of tile that almost everyone can find a style of tile to love. Tile adds a stylish, elegant look to a room and is extremely easy to clean and maintain. It’s resistant to both heat and water and can be used for walls, floors, countertops, and backsplashes. Tiles can really be added anywhere to great effect.
In this beach bath, the teak floor continues up the wall into the bench and is also incorporated into the rail with pegs. Teak is exceptionally beautiful and very durable, making it a great choice in tandem with tile for this moisture-rich environment.
Wood
Wood is a perennial favorite for walls and trim, and it can be used in so many different ways. Wood is durable, easy to clean, and acts as an insulator because it stores and releases heat over time. Wood walls also absorb noise. Below are some great possibilities for wood walls.
Log
Log cabin aesthetics are very popular with many homeowners, particularly for vacation getaways. This is a classic American look that brings the ambiance of nature indoors. Logs can be left natural or stained to match the decor. They can be used for ceiling beams, mantelpieces, trim, and furniture too.
Board and Batten
This type of wall paneling utilizes wide, vertical wooden boards arranged in a geometric pattern. These wooden boards are joined by thinner pieces of wood called battens at their seams. The board-and-batten design was often used for outdoor siding on houses, but people are using it for interior walls today. It can create a rustic, farmhouse-style aesthetic that can be painted or stained to match the decor. It can also add structure for refined elegance or an upscale traditional space.
Beadboard
Beadboard is a style of wood wall paneling that is made up of narrow, vertical strips of wood that are joined together by a tongue-and-groove system. It is often used in interior design for its cottage-y look. Beadboard adds a cozy feel to a space and can be painted or stained as desired.
Shiplap
Shiplap is a type of wood paneling that consists of long, narrow boards that are attached to the wall with a tongue-and-groove system. It is often used in interior design for its rustic charm and is infinitely customizable.
Built-in Bookshelves
Built-in bookshelves can be a nice addition to any room, as they provide a convenient and attractive place to store and display books, art, photographs and collectibles. They can be customized to fit the exact dimensions and design of your room, allowing you to make the most of your available wall space. They blend seamlessly into the wall, creating a cohesive and streamlined look.
We also created a fun bookshelf project for an owner who wanted a secret entrance door built into the bookshelves.
As you can see, there are so many possibilities for your walls. At Eastmark, we get excited when we are presented with a new challenge to translate the ideas of our client families into reality. If you’re thinking about building a custom home in Northern Michigan in the near or nearer future, contact us to talk about your vision. We would love to partner with you to make it a reality.