Why textured wall panels are replacing paint in Indian homes

India has a rich history of textured walls crafted from local ingredients. In the South, glossy Madras plaster (also called egg plaster) was made of egg shell powder, lime and jaggery used across Chettinad homes, while across Maharashtra, mud walls were created by mixing local soil with water, cow dung, straw or husk and across Rajasthan’s arid climate, Araish plaster used what was locally available: lime, local marble dust, and surkhi (brick powder). These walls lasted for decades, used indigenous ingredients, and required skill sets available among the village communities.

However, today, very few local craftsmen practice these techniques in India’s big cities, as demand for these finishes has declined and buildings are constructed with concrete, covered in large glass panels, and wrapped in painted surfaces. As homeowners look for modern textural walls to add drama to their decor, traditional wall finishes have given way to industrially made alternatives. Textured walls or wall panels offer an architectural element with minimal fuss — installation is quick and panels come in a range of options, offering a quick glow-up for a single wall sans expensive art work.

An IMARC study on the decorative wall panels market size in India projects growth from ₹710.95 crore in 2025 to ₹10,883.08 crore by 2034.

This market is driven by rising middle-class incomes, rapid urbanisation and growing awareness about global interior décor trends. Today, wall panels take inspiration from Indian art forms (kalamkari) and earthy textures (terracotta and stone finishes), but are made from moisture-resistant, termite-resistant synthetic, recycled materials. Niharika Saraf Niharika Saraf, founder of Polka House Interior Design, a luxury studio based in Mumbai, leans towards wall panelling to make a space feel layered, tactile and timeless.

“Paint can sometimes read as a little flat, and wallpaper, while beautiful, is often more trend-driven or simply too delicate for high-traffic areas. Panelled surfaces bring depth and character in a more architectural way,” she says.We speak to four brands that specialise in wall panels, on the trends they see, and the most popular materials.

Wonderwalls, Livspace, BengaluruTaking a cue from the hit Oasis anthem, Livspace, a home interior and renovation company launched in Bengaluru in 2014 (corporate headquarters in Singapore) debuted Wonderwalls in 2025. These wall panels cover a material library spanning marble, stone, clay, velvet, fabric, kalamkari, leatherite (faux leather), metal, glass, 3D and laminate finishes. Panel and installation costs vary between ₹309 (fabric) and ₹1,788 (kalamkari finish) per square foot (including installation).

Harshita Nookula, visual merchandising lead at the company, says, the key benefit of wall panels is their ability to conceal imperfections of “civil construction, exposed wiring, uneven surfaces, and the nagging wall glitches that can undermine an otherwise well-designed room.”Decorative wall panels are built to buffer sound, resist moisture in India’s tropical climate and can outlast paint that starts showing its age around three years. Nookula notes that 3D panels do well in entertainment lounges, while fluted panels seem to edge out their straightforward counterparts in urban homes.

“Their clean, linear rhythm makes them remarkably versatile; equally at home in a minimalist Scandinavian setting, a warm Japandi interior, or a classic contemporary Indian home.”Revamp in a Day, Urban Company, GurgaonKnown for their home service-based business model, the New Delhi-based Urban Company entered the interior styling space in August 2025 with Revamp, a wall panel offering. Its 2026 Spring edit introduces upgraded architectural wall panels and finishes, through a five category series.

The ‘Grid’ collection highlights geometric and canvas textures while ‘Linea’ is sleek with linear grooves with fine metallic accents. The ‘Stone’ collection offers concrete grain and sediment-inspired textures while ‘Sculpt’ presents curved grooves and ‘Earthy’ panels evoke mineral-inspired finishes. The process starts with a ₹49 at-home consultation with AI-powered augmented reality visualisations and panel samples, with a 24-hour turnaround time from ideation through execution.

Hitanshu Monga, vice president of the business side, says technology is a major driver of home renovation moodboards. “Consumers are far more design-aware with platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, and there’s a growing willingness to invest in upgrades that feel premium and long-lasting. AI and visualisation tools also help homeowners see their future spaces before they commit, making bold design choices easier to finalise.”

Saraf says wall panels are not merely an ephemeral trend but a thoughtful consumer preference. “ There’s efficiency to the overall design spend. Textured walls often remove the need for excessive styling, layered artwork or decorative additions — because the wall itself becomes the featu