So you want to try wallpaper. But you can’t figure out what the best wallpaper is. This guide is here to help you choose the perfect wallpaper for you.
When you’re walking into a store or start googling, you’re suddenly surrounded by terms like ‘non-woven’, “paste the wall”, “grasscloth,” and of course “peel and stick”. It can feel like a lot.
But I promise you it’s simpler than it sounds.
Think of wallpaper in two ways: what it’s made of, the material, and how you stick it up, the installation method. Once you get those two ideas, you will be able to walk into any room in your home and know which is the best wallpaper for this space.
Wallpaper by Material
Wallpapers fall into one of these main material groups.
- Vinyl
- Vinyl wallpaper is tough, washable and moisture resistant. Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and kids’ rooms.
- Non Woven
- A blend of natural and synthetic fibers. It’s breathable and tear-resistant, plus it’s very easy to remove later.
- Traditional Wallpaper
- Made mostly of cellulose with a matte finish, it’s eco-friendly and lets walls breathe. Looks stunning in bedrooms and dining rooms.
- Fabric/Textile
- Made with a silk, linen, or cotton top layer gives a living room a luxurious feel while helping with both sound and insulation.
- Fiberglass
- Made with woven glass fibers, it’s extremely strong and great for covering problem walls and ceilings.
- Natural/Grasscloth
- This wallpaper is made from woven jute, sisal, or grasses. It’s a wallpaper with a lot of texture and often visible seams. Works best in low-traffic areas and feature walls.
- Textures/embosses/^paintale wallpapers
- With raised patterns that you can leave as is or paint over. Is great at hiding minor wall flaws.
- Metallic & speciality
- These wallpapers are finished with metallic inks, foils, flocked (velvety) designs or hand-painted details. The best option for a dramatic accent wall.
Wallpaper by Installation – How do you Hang it?
Another aspect that is just as important as what material to choose is how you are going to hang it.
Think about your situation, too. If you’re renting, then peel and stick is your best option and if you own, pasting the wall wallpaper is a dream.
- Peel and stick (self-adhesive)
- Acts almost like a giant sticker. Removable and perfect for renters.
- Pre pasted
- The best part about this wallpaper is that the glue is already on the back. Simply activate it with water and apply it to the wall
- Unpasted/paste the paper
- This, while very secure, is more fiddly. You have to paste the wallpaper before applying it to the wall.
- Paste the wall
- As the name suggests, you put the paste directly on the wall, and apply the wallpaper dry. Non-woven wallpapers often use this; it’s faster and easier to strip later.
Room by Room Guide – Best Wallpaper for Each Space
Bathroom Wallpaper Options
Vinyl, including vinyl-coated or mylar handles, resists moisture and splashes like a champ.
For renters, a peel-and-stick or a paste-the-wall vinyl is the best option.
Avoid traditional wallpaper, which will bubble, and uncoated grasscloths
Best Wallpaper for Kitchens
Once again, vinyl or vinyl-coated will be the best option for kitchens. It’s easy to wipe grease, water, and food splashes off.
A peel-and-stick version is perfect for kitchens because of how washable it truly is. Peel and stick means you can install it in an afternoon.
For some added protection, add a glass panel over vinyl wallpaper next to a stove.
Hallway and Entryway Wallpaper Ideas
A lot of wallpapers are perfect for this area, but a washable vinyl or a durable non-woven is sturdier. Think about how many bags and hands will be brushing along the walls.
Paste the wall is the best option for non-woven
Living Rooms, The Best Wallpaper
For most of the room, a non-woven is perfect for most of the room, it’s breathable and easy to remove.
For an accent wall, fabric ot textile wallpaper adds luxury and helps with sound, and natural, or grasscloth has a stunning texture that adds organic warmth.
Non-woven wallpaper gives you a beautiful matte finish that feels calm and high-end. Fabric adds coziness and grasscloth brings nature indoors.
Looking for classic patterns? Check out these 20 Classic Wallpaper Ideas That Never Go Out Of Style for timeless decorating ideas
Best Wallpaper for Bedrooms
Bedrooms don’t necessarily need heavy-duty wallpaper. Traditional wallpaper and non-woven let the wall breathe and help to create that perfectly calm sleep space.
Go for non-woven for a soft matte “finished” look.
As bedrooms are low-traffic spaces and less prone to staining, traditional or fabric wallpaper is a great option to create both warmth and softness.
Wallpaper for the Kids’ Room
Peel and stick is your best friend in a kid’s room.
Easy to change when their tastes change and can handle the energy of children.
For a more permanent look, a washable non-woven wallpaper is the next best thing. Go for timeless wallpaper patterns like stars, simple geometrics, or soft landscapes so that they will grow with it.
Best Wallpaper for the Playroom
For both versatility and durability, a peel-and-stick vinyl wallpaper is your best bet.
This is a high-impact, messy space, so vinyl or a robust non-woven is what you want.
Fun is the priority, so bold colors and switching from childlike motifs to neutral designs as they grow are also important
Bonus Rooms: Best Wallpaper for Dining Rooms and Offices
These rooms don’t see mud, high traffic, or moisture, so you can prioritize beauty over durability.
Traditional wallpaper in a matte finish with an elegant print. A sustainable wallpaper choice would work perfectly in a low-traffic room, like fabric or grasscloth.
If you’re going for traditional woven wallpaper, then unpasted or paste the paper are the best installation method as they are the best suited for heavy papers.
Decorating Ideas & Inspiration
Once you have figured out the best types of wallpaper for your space thent, then the fun part begins picking a pattern. Here are a few decorating ideas to get your creativity going.
Rental Kitchen Upgrade
Use a high-quality peel-and-stick wallpaper as a backsplash in a tile pattern. It looks like real subway tile, but costs a fraction of the cost of time and comes off in minutes.
Classic Wallpaper: A Timeless Choice
Sustainable Wallpaper Choice
Place the Best Wallpaper on the Ceiling
For more inspiration, read 15 Living Room Ceiling Colors & Designs Full of Character.
Think About Your Whole Palette
Find the best wallpaper to bring your whole space together. Think about how to make your furniture pop, remember it’s easier to change your wallpaper or paint than it is to change your sofa.
If you’re working with a black and white scheme, see these Black and White Design Combinations for your Living Room. They pair beautifully with a graphic wallpaper.
3 Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting uncoated paper in the bathroom
- Steam and humidity will make it bubble and peel. Always choose vinyl wallpapers when humidity is involved.
- Not testing your peel-and-stick first
- Some flat or textured painted walls don’t hold it well. Stick a small piece to the wall for a while before you commit.
- Forgetting to buy an extra roll
- Different wallpaper installs differently. To match patterns, be sure you have a bit more than you need. Also, in case of mistakes, that extra room will be a lifesaver.
Conclusion
The best wallpaper for you depends on your room and your situation.
Wallpaper should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Start with one room or one wall and go from there.
Save this guide to share with a friend who’s scared of wallpaper, or keep it ready for when you get around to wallpapering that wall.