You may think that merely painting your walls or slapping up a bit of wallpaper is a bit dull (been there, done that). If so, you will be interested to know that walls are once again attracting the attention of new-age designers, a group of whom are coming up with innovative ideas for how to give them more impact. This new attitude was partly spurred on by the arrival some time ago of the loft phenomenon, which gave designers more room to add a bit of drama into the mix. It also had a lot to do with the invention of materials and electronic devices that provided greater scope for play.

I've written before about Electronic Shadow, a French company that uses video in domestic interiors to great effect; Paul Lewis of Live Smarter (020-7407 2743; www.live-smarter.co.uk) does much the same thing in the UK. He frequently uses cinematic techniques to highlight one wall in a house or loft (very Bill Viola). "It could be images of water, clips from films, writing... or some people just install them for parties so that they can change the mood," he says. With Sarah Burns (07775 840960), he now creates anything from what he calls "video paintings" and "animated light wallpaper" to interactive "happenings".

Jane Gordon Clark (020-7581 1115; www.ornamenta.co.uk) started out doing painterly wallpapers, but these days specialises in site-specific pieces that you might call a cross between wallpaper and art. Like Paul Lewis's film installations, they're usually used to make a statement on just one wall. Although she still uses paper (some of her own spatial graphic designs make the walls seem to curve and swerve away), these days she is often asked to reproduce her designs on to vinyl ("so much more hardwearing") and kitchen tiles. She also creates bespoke backgrounds to order: "One man wanted the back wall of the amphitheatre in Orange, France, reproduced in his loft in Clerkenwell," she recalls, "so we did a version that was nine metres long and five metres high."

Tara Bernerd, who runs interior design company Target Living (020-7351 7588; www.targetliving.com), sometimes works with the fascinating company Based Upon (020-8320 2122; www.basedupon.co.uk), which uses liquid metals, semi-precious resins and coloured lacquers to create unique, beautiful finishes on walls, doors, floors and furniture. For something truly different it's hard to think of a better company to turn to. Also bespoke, Based Upon's work is, as Tara points out, a huge indulgence, but can be stunning. She sometimes uses Swarovski crystals on walls to create something magical and intriguing.

Venetian polished plasters and finishes such as marmorino are also coming back into vogue, courtesy of Henry van der Vijver (020-8742 1249; www.hvart.co.uk). These are a more subtle way of creating interest, for they rely on specialist techniques and layers of paint to give a rich and moody effect. They look particularly wonderful in deep colours such as aubergine and claret, and are amazing in a Venetian red. Many of the finishes — such as Stucco Veneziano ­ are not only ravishing to look at, they are practical, too, providing a waterproof finish for bathrooms or showers. Faux leather, shagreen, suede, pearl and metallic finishes are also available.

Alternatively, Ray Munn of Arte Nova (020-7736 9876; www.artenova.co.uk) sells all the Venetian plaster products and has a long list of craftsmen who will apply it for you (this is not a technique for the odd-job man).

Finally, there is the work of Linda Florence (07764 756266; www.lindaflorence.co.uk), who combines ethereally delicate designs with tough finishes. You could, for instance, have one of her florals printed on to grip tape (as used on skateboards), which would mean it would last more or less forever and could even be used on the floor. She does wonderfully gentle metallics — combinations of greys, silvers and blacks ­ and can even put her designs on porcelain tiles (great for kitchens and bathrooms) or slate. There are few more decorative designers working today.

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