Stop Wasting Money on the Wrong Materials — Use This Checklist First

Renovation Material Selection Checklist

Choosing the right materials for your renovation? This complete checklist helps you compare finishes for walls, floors, and ceilings by cost, durability, and maintenance.

Avoid costly mistakes with this room-by-room guide to paint, wallpaper, vinyl, tiles, stretch ceilings, and more. Whether you're renovating on a budget or investing in premium finishes, this checklist explains what works best for different spaces — and how to test combinations using Room Planner before you buy.

 1. WALL FINISHES

Material	Pros	Cons	Price/Value Score
Paint	Cheap, fast, endless colors, easy to refresh	Marks easily, not suitable for humid areas (unless washable)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Washable Paint	Easy to clean, good for kitchen/kids’ rooms	Slightly more expensive	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wallpaper (non-woven)	Decorative, hides uneven walls, easy to apply	Not washable unless special type	⭐⭐⭐
Vinyl Wallpaper	Moisture-resistant, durable	Looks artificial if cheap	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wall Panels (MDF, PVC)	Fast install, hides cables, modern look	Can look bulky, not ideal for small rooms	⭐⭐⭐
Decorative Plaster	Stylish, textured, durable	Expensive, needs skilled labor	⭐⭐

 Best budget combo: washable paint + feature wall in wallpaper or panels

 Pro Tip: For wet areas (kitchen backsplash, bathroom walls), use tile or waterproof panels instead of paint or paper.

 2. FLOORING MATERIALS

Material	Pros	Cons	Price/Value Score
Laminate	Affordable, easy install, wide styles	Doesn’t like water, can be noisy	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vinyl (LVT or SPC)	Water-resistant, warm, quiet, good for pets	May look cheaper in budget lines	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tile (ceramic/porcelain)	Extremely durable, waterproof	Cold underfoot, hard if dropped	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Engineered Wood	Natural look, warmer than tile	Higher cost, sensitive to water	⭐⭐⭐
Solid Wood	Prestigious, durable, can be refinished	Expensive, needs care	⭐⭐
Linoleum (natural)	Eco-friendly, warm, quiet	Limited colors, outdated image	⭐⭐⭐

 Best all-rounder: SPC vinyl — looks like wood, handles spills like tile.

 Avoid cheap laminate in kitchens/bathrooms — swelling is irreversible.

 Pro Tip: Combine tile in wet zones + vinyl or laminate in dry zones.

3. CEILING MATERIALS

Material	Pros	Cons	Price/Value Score
Painted Ceiling	Clean look, cheapest option	Requires perfect surface underneath	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stretch Ceiling (PVC)	Quick install, hides imperfections/cables	Not breathable, needs pro team	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plasterboard Ceiling	Allows spotlights, levels surfaces, soundproofs	Time-consuming, reduces height	⭐⭐⭐
Wooden/Slatted Ceiling	Aesthetic, warm, textured	Pricey, harder to clean	⭐⭐
Acoustic Panels	Sound dampening, modern look	Expensive, more for offices/media rooms	⭐⭐

 Budget-friendly option: painted ceiling with LED perimeter lighting.

 Pro Tip: For older ceilings with uneven slabs — stretch ceilings save time and hide flaws instantly.

General Tips for Smart Material Choice

•  Choose washable finishes where there are kids or pets

•  In small spaces, prefer light-colored, matte surfaces to avoid glare and visual noise

•  Prioritize durability and easy cleaning in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways

•  Use Room Planner to visualize wall/floor/ceiling color combos

•  Always check sample pieces in your lighting before bulk order

•  If budget is limited, invest in floors first, then walls — ceilings can be simplest

Try Materials Before You Buy — in Room Planner

Room Planner includes a huge gallery of wall, floor, and ceiling materials — from tiles and wood to wallpapers and decorative finishes. You can apply them to any surface or furniture in your design and instantly see how they’ll look in 3D.

• Want to try your own materials? Just take a photo and upload it — Room Planner lets you visualize real textures in your layout.

• It also calculates how much of each material you’ll need, helping you plan purchases accurately and avoid waste.

• See it. Test it. Plan it. Download Room Planner and start designing smarter.

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