When looking to spruce up an interiors aesthetic most look past vinyl wrapping but it could be a good way to rejuvenate a living space. But choosing when is best is part of the challenge so in this article Scott Davis, sales director at All Print Supplies, explains five key points to consider when choosing to decorate with vinyl.
Scott Davis
When an interior starts to look dated or worn, many people assume the only solution is to rip it out and start again. But there’s a smarter, more sustainable alternative gaining traction across commercial and residential design: Interior vinyl wrapping.
From hotels and offices to retail and residential spaces, interior vinyl wrapping is changing the game. Instead of replacing perfectly sound surfaces, doors, washrooms, walls and furniture, architectural films resurface what’s already there, delivering a high-end finish at a fraction of the replacement cost.
So when people ask: “Should I refurbish or replace?”, the honest answer is: it depends.
Let’s explore five key reasons why interior wrapping makes sense, and when replacement might still be the right call.
- Eliminate expensive replacements
Replacing doors, washroom cubicles, or wall panels can be costly. You’re paying for removal, disposal, new materials, and labour before installation even begins. Wrapping allows you to retain existing assets and give them a brand-new surface finish instead.
Modern interior vinyl wrapping replicate materials such as woodgrain, marble, metal, concrete, and leather, delivering a premium aesthetic for a fraction of the replacement cost.
That often means savings of up to 70%, while maintaining the integrity of your original fixtures and fittings.
When is replacement better?
If the substrate is water-damaged, warped, or structurally unsound, no wrap or overlay can fix that. In those cases, replacing the damaged sections before refurbishing is the smarter long-term choice.
- Minimise downtime with plug-and-play readiness
One of the biggest advantages of refurbishment is speed.
Decorating interior spaces with vinyl wrapping
Traditional renovation can close a business for days or weeks. With interior film, there’s no drying time, no adhesives, no power tools, and most projects can often be completed in hours not days.
That’s why hotels, retailers, and healthcare environments love this approach: areas can be refreshed overnight and back in use the next morning.
When to consider other options:
If you’re doing a full rebrand, layout change, or introducing new fixtures and fittings, refurbishment may form only part of the solution, working alongside repainting, replacement, or joinery work for a cohesive finish.
- Reduce waste and boost sustainability
Every rip-out generates waste, from interior surfaces to fixtures and fittings, much of which ends up in landfill.
Wrapping avoids that entirely. By resurfacing instead of replacing, you reduce waste disposal costs, landfill impact, and carbon emissions, while giving existing fittings a second life.
And, because most interior vinyl wrapping films are durable, heat and moisture-resistant, and can withstand daily wear, they help extend the lifecycle of interiors – particularly in washrooms, corridors, and doorways, where finishes take the most impact.
It’s a simple but powerful way to meet sustainability goals, whether you’re working to BREEAM, LEED, or your own environmental targets
Other sustainable options:
If refurbishment isn’t viable, consider a part-refurb, part-replace approach (e.g. rewrapping cubicle panels but replacing damaged doors ) to reduce waste without compromising quality.
- Endless design possibilities and flexibility
One of the biggest strengths of interior vinyl is its design flexibility. With hundreds of finishes available, from oak, marble, and concrete to leather and brushed metal, it’s easy to achieve a high-end look that fits your brand identity.
That flexibility allows designers and specifiers to match brand aesthetics, refresh entire interiors, or blend refurbished and new elements seamlessly.
Even better, films can be re-wrapped or updated when design trends or branding change, without a full refit. That means you’re investing in a flexible finish that adapts with your space and avoids future refurbishment costs.
When wrapping might not work:
Not every surface is suitable for wrapping with interior film. High-heat zones, textured walls, or certain curved areas may need different treatments and that’s where your supplier can help you decide what’s possible and what’s not.
Interior decor with vinyl
- Cut labour and disposal costs, and build a smarter business
For installers, contractors, and designers, offering interior film refurbishment isn’t just smart – it’s strategic.
As clients increasingly seek low-impact, design-led solutions, wrapping provides a future-proof service that meets modern sustainability and budget demands. It helps you say “yes” to more projects, while adding tangible value to every space.
Important to know:
Refurbishment doesn’t replace traditional renovation, it complements it. In many projects, the best results often come from mixing refurbishment and replacement strategically.
When refurbishment might not be the best option
If the substrate is damaged or unstable or you’re changing the entire layout or function of a space, full or partial replacement may be a better option. In these cases, interior wrapping can still add value by maintaining or updating finishes and extending the lifespan of new installations.
Refurbishment isn’t a shortcut; it’s a smarter way forward
Interior vinyl wrapping isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about working smarter.
When done right, it saves money, reduces waste, shortens downtime, and delivers design results. And when it’s not the best fit, knowing that upfront helps you make the right call for your project.
Ensure you assess every option – refurbish, replace, or combine – so you can deliver the best outcome for your client, your budget, and the planet.
