Materials · 22 October 2026

3 alternatives to wall paint

Bored of every wall in your home being finished in paint? Paint has its place, but a wall can do a lot more. Here are three alternatives we keep coming back to.

01 Stone veneer

Real stone without the weight. It is a thin layer of natural stone, about 1 to 2 mm, backed with fibreglass, so it can be fixed straight onto a wall and even bent around a curve. It comes in a range of colours and finishes, from limestone to slate.

Pro tip: seal it with a coat of clear lacquer. Otherwise it keeps shedding dust, the way stone does.

Slate and limestone veneer on a curved wall — Slate and limestone

Travertine stone veneer wall with a brass sconce — Travertine

02 Liquid metal paint

Gorgeous metallic tones on a wall. You can go textured, ombre or classic plain.

Opt for a matte finish for a timeless look, one you will enjoy living with every day. It is also perfect for statement furniture.

Matte liquid metal finish on curved panels — Classic plain

Curved shelving with a metallic finish, designed by Space Between Studio — Statement furniture, our project

03 Lime plaster

A classic you can't go wrong with. The finish is soft and slightly cloudy, and it changes a little with the light through the day. It is so soothing that you can use it on every wall and the ceiling, and the room still won't feel like too much.

Lime plaster walls by a staircase — Lime plaster

Green lime plaster wall — Lime plaster, in colour

Bonus: all three work beautifully on curved walls and surfaces.

More on why we love lime plaster in 3 things we no longer use.