Raw materials in interior design are on the rise; marble tiles, terrazzo floors, corkboard, concrete surfaces, terracotta homewares and plywood walls are everywhere - and one trend we can't get enough of is bare plaster walls.
Raw plaster walls, as they're also called, have a beautiful texture and inject a subtle, earthy wash of colour to your home - perfect for fans of industrial and shabby chic interiors and for those making over a period house. They provide a wonderful canvas for brighter colours to shine too, from pastels to bold pops of neon. Practically speaking, exposed plaster walls saves the cost of painting and they're free of chemicals too - win win!
There are several types of plaster, some of the most common being concrete plaster, lime plaster and gypsum plaster. Make sure to check which plaster is best for your wall surface, as each house (and room) will have different needs.
Plastering walls is a labour-intensive activity that should be carried out by a professional, but once done, they will typically last much longer than your average painted drywall.
Raw plaster wall inspiration
Raw plaster walls can suit a range of house styles; from minimal modern builds to ornate period houses. They add depth to a small room and adapt to changing light levels, giving your room a beautiful subtle wash of colour and texture throughout the day.
We've chosen some of our favourite examples of bare plaster walls in a range of rooms to help you decide which raw plaster style is best for you and your home.
Living room raw plaster walls
Living rooms are traditionally a space in which to relax and unwind from the day, so having a peaceful colour scheme that promotes calm is essential. Thanks to their weathered finish, raw plaster walls make a lovely choice for living rooms as they provide a subtly coloured canvas that can either be left bare or used as a backdrop for bolder colours and homewares.
The living room above is a prime example of how plaster walls can work in a period-style property. If you have a modern home and fancy jazzing up bare plaster walls, try colourful artwork, textured window dressings and warm mood lighting.
Dining room raw plaster walls
Exposed plaster walls can really come alive in a dining room. Whether you have a sleek modern dining table and chairs, an open-plan kitchen-diner or a traditional, formal-style dining room set-up, plaster walls will add charm to your evening meals and emulate the cool and sophistication of a bar or restaurant.
To make your dining room walls zing, especially in the evenings over dinner, be sure to install plenty of candles and accent lighting around the room to make the most of the gentle wash of colour. A statement pendant light or chandelier above your dinner table will also add impact.
Another way of jazzing up raw plaster walls is with a large statement mirror, as Shrez has done in her dining room above. This will help to bounce light around more and keep your walls from feeling flat as the sun goes down.
The pink hue of raw plaster is reminiscent of one of the biggest colour trends of the decade, Millennial pink. As pink and green interiors are everywhere at the moment, why not tap into the trend by displaying a few houseplants in your dining room. A bowl of limes definitely counts, too!
More colour ideas
Raw plaster bathroom walls
If you love a pink bathroom but aren't keen on splashing out on a solid, bold paint shade or on pink tiles, a plaster shade paint is for you! Plaster shade paints give the same effect of raw plaster without the need for a professional plastering job which, although lasts longer, is time and labour intensive.
Not a fan of the pinky hue of bare plaster? Why not choose a more neutral earthy shade, like a dark Venetian raw plaster wall. This would suit a traditional decor scheme, and would look especially striking in a classic bathroom paired with gold fixtures and wooden accents. It also taps into the popular dark decor trend which oozes sophistication. Just imagine a candlelit bath in this setting!
Kitchens with raw plaster walls
One of our favourite trends of 2021 has been the cottagecore aesthetic. This cosy, charming interior style is all about shrugging off the stresses of modern-day life and taking pleasure in the simpler things like baking, crafting and being in nature. Exposed plaster walls perfectly tap into the pastoral nature of cottagecore and there's no better place to experiment with this look than in the kitchen!
You don't have to have a cottage or period house to achieve the raw plaster wall look at home though. Take Shrez's contemporary kitchen style above for example. She used IKEA and Plykea for the modern kitchen cabinets and added a bold neon accent shade that shines against the plaster walls. Open shelving is filled with colourful crockery and accessories to add interest to the high walls.
Raw plaster paint colours
Don't fancy stripping off your existing paint or wallpaper to achieve the bare plaster look? Many paint brands sell paints that emulate the effect of bare plaster. Check out Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster, Little Greene's Roman Plaster Paint and Craig & Rose's Fresh Plaster Chalky Emulsion.
You can also try the colourwashing technique. Colourwashing, sometimes called faux glaze painting, is a technique in which a thin layer of diluted paint is applied over a base colour, giving a weathered finish reminiscent of a rustic farmhouse or cottage.
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