Design by Leah O’Connell Design
Are you looking for a way to add character and a unique vibe to your space? Lacquered walls might be just the thing. You’ve seen them on Instagram or Pinterest or in home decor magazines; the sleek, high-gloss lacquered look is very popular with people using it–and loving–it on walls, furniture, bookshelves, and even ceilings. Lacquered walls are both on-trend (rising in popularity over the past ten years) and timeless (dating back to ancient Asia).
True lacquered walls are achieved by applying multiple coats of paint–seven to twelve–and polishing in between each coat. The lacquer is made of resin and solvents. It dries fast and is very hard. When you apply another coat to an already-dried coat, the resin in the dry coat is dissolved so the two coats melt together. This gives the signature liquid, smooth look to the finished product.
The lacquering process originated in Asia, with examples of lacquered wooden boxes dating as far back as 7000 BC. Lacquer was used to help preserve objects as the many coats of resin added durability. The end result was beautifully decorated items with a hard, smooth, shiny coat. The trend has continued and morphed through the centuries. Today we see bold and saturated lacquered walls and furniture creating focal points and catching the eye throughout modern homes.
Lacquer works especially well in
- kitchens, highlighting one stand-alone cabinet or all the lower cabinets. It can also be used on the kitchen island.
- hallways and foyers for a stunning entry to the house.
- living rooms, where it can be used on bookshelves, accent walls, or furniture
- dining rooms. Lacquered walls look especially good with low lighting, candlelight, and light from a chandelier.
Lacquered Walls – Pros
Besides being dramatic and eye-catching, lacquered walls have a lot going for them. Since they reflect light, they are great for small and dark spaces. They bounce the light around, making the room seem bigger. Lacquered walls add depth and drama, especially when dark, bold colors are used. The high-gloss shine gives an unexpected, elegant, glamorous feel to any room.
Lacquered Walls – Cons
The completely smooth, shiny finish of lacquered walls is not easy to achieve. Lacquer highlights any defects in the walls–any divots, bumps, or poorly taped drywall will show and mar the finish. It’s also a very high-energy look, so it might not be suitable for every room. A bedroom, for example, could look great with a lacquered headboard, but lacquered walls might be too much.
Tips for Using Lacquered Walls in Your Space
The glamorous and unexpected look of vibrant and shiny walls elevates any room. To get the biggest impact from your lacquered walls, try these ideas.
- Use dramatic lighting. Low lights, funky chandeliers or sconces, and statement lamps all look great with lacquered walls.
- Because lacquer is reflective, make sure whatever it’s reflecting is pretty or interesting. You don’t want to see your ceiling fan reflected back at you from every wall.
- Dark colors tend to look the most dramatic, and rich, saturated colors really steal the show. Try dark red, black, dark gray, navy blue, or deep green.
- Don’t use lacquered walls everywhere. You lose the stunning effect if it’s in every room.
Design by Lisa Hilderbrand | Paint by Dierdre Newman Decorative Paint
How to Lacquer Your Walls
Preparation is Everything!
Because lacquer shows every imperfection in your wall, take your time preparing them beforehand. Try holding a flashlight parallel to the wall and move the light slowly over the surface. This helps you spot even tiny flaws. Sand down the wall and make sure to clean up all dust with a damp cloth. Repair divots and drywall tape that isn’t perfect. You can apply a skim coat to the wall. A skim coat is a very thin layer of drywall mud that fills in any tiny imperfections and gives the wall a smooth surface.
Applying the Lacquer
This is a tricky process! You need to apply a layer of lacquer, sand it gently, wipe it clean, and apply another layer. Repeat the process seven to twelve times until the desired look is achieved. If you use a brush or a roller, be very careful to avoid brush marks or the slightly textured surface the roller can leave behind. Many people advise applying lacquer with a sprayer instead, to avoid that issue.
Caring for Your Lacquered Walls
Because of the hard shiny finish, lacquered walls are easy to clean. Dust and smudges do show up, but a quick wipe-down will take care of them. Dust the walls using a lint-free soft cloth or feather duster. Clean any smudges or fingerprints off with a damp cloth (you can use a little mild detergent if needed).
Easier Options
If the idea of DIY lacquered walls seems intimidating but you still love the elegant, glossy look, you have other options. You can replicate the appearance of lacquered walls by using high-gloss paint. While high-gloss paint won’t hold up quite as well as lacquer, it’s so much easier to apply that it might be worth it to you. Some excellent high-gloss paints include
- Fine Paints of Europe (especially Hollandlac Brilliant 98)
- Farrow and Ball’s Full-Gloss Line
- Behr Premium Pluss High-Gloss Enamel (from The Home Depot)
You can also apply a glossy polyurethane as a topcoat over an already-painted wall. Just be aware that the wall color will darken slightly with the application of polyurethane.
A third option is to use vinyl wallpaper that has a lacquer-like finish. Philip Jeffries’ Lacquered Walls Collection offers a variety of colors and looks amazing on your walls.
Summary
Lacquered walls look stunning–elegant, unexpected, dramatic, and luxurious. They are on-trend and they’ll remain popular for years to come. Lacquered walls add depth and interest to any room, especially if you use dark colors. If true lacquer is too time-consuming or difficult to DIY, you can try other options to get a similar liquid, shiny finish. And if a whole room is too big of a commitment for you, try an accent wall, doors, bookshelves, or even a piece of furniture. You might end up loving the look of lacquer in your home!
