Types Of Wallpaper for Decorating Your Home

There is a wide variety of wallpaper types you can use to decorate your home, from iconic patterned wallpaper designs on vinyl to newer innovations like paintable wallpaper. If you’re looking to give your entire home a lift or even just experiment with a blank wall in a child’s bedroom, becoming familiar with the different types of wallpaper can spark your imagination and help you find the perfect wallpaper to decorate your home.

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

We understand the desire for a quick and hassle-free way to transform a space, which is why we offer peel-and-stick wallpaper in our wallpaper collection. Gone are the days of dealing with messy paste and professional installers. With peel-and-stick wallpaper, the process becomes a breeze. Simply measure and cut the wallpaper to fit your wall, peel off the backing, and stick it onto a clean and smooth surface. 

This self-adhesive wallpaper is strong enough to ensure a secure bond, yet forgiving enough to allow for repositioning if needed. No need to worry about damaging your walls or spending hours scraping off old wallpaper. If you want to switch things up, this wallpaper is easily removable and doesn't leave any residue behind.

When looking for the perfect peel-and-stick wallpaper design, there is a plethora of wallpaper patterns and colors to choose from. To add a touch of whimsy to a child's playroom or a statement wall, try an eye-catching nature-themed print like this moths and mushrooms wallpaper. Or, try a modern boho washable wallpaper on your dining room walls. As one of the easiest types of wallpaper to install, you can purchase textured wallpaper, paintable wallpaper, metallic wallpaper, embossed wallpaper, and even foil wallpaper in self-adhesive varieties!

Whether you're looking to refresh a room, add a pop of color, or experiment with trendy patterns, peel-and-stick wallpaper offers endless possibilities with minimal effort. With this popular type of wallpaper, you can enjoy the satisfaction of a stylish transformation in no time.

Vinyl Wallpaper

Vinyl wallpaper is an extremely popular kind of non-pasted wallpaper that’s adaptable and easy to use. According to data from Allied Market Research®, vinyl wallpaper brought in over $943 million in 2021, a figure that is expected to rise in the years ahead. Within this large market, there are several types of vinyl wallpaper from which to choose.

Vinyl-Coated Wallpaper

Vinyl-coated wallpaper is made by printing a design on a paper backing layer, and then adding a protective topcoat of vinyl to make the wallpaper easy to clean. For those who have pets and kids, having washable wallpaper is a must! 

Vinyl-coated non-pasted wallpaper is a great option for rooms that can get steamy, such as bathrooms or kitchens. Because vinyl-coated wallpaper is a type of moisture-resistant wallpaper, feel free to use it for kitchen backsplashes or to draw attention to a focal wall in a guest bathroom.

Fabric-Backed Vinyl Wallpaper

Fabric-backed vinyl wallpaper has a fabric base layer and a vinyl coating. The combination of fabric and vinyl makes this an incredibly strong and durable material that is more resistant to damage than non-woven wallpaper types. Fabric-backed vinyl wallpaper is a great choice if you need commercial wallpaper for a business. However, it can also be utilized as a residential wallpaper with great success.

Solid Vinyl Wallpaper

Solid vinyl is a type of wallpaper that is moisture-resistant and holds up to scrubbing, making it one of the most washable wall coverings on the market. Solid vinyl wallpaper is also scratch-resistant, which makes it a great option for high-traffic areas such as a hallway, children's room, or bathroom.

Suggested Vinyl Wallpaper Designs

Within the vinyl category, there are many interesting patterned wallpaper types to have fun with. Add a cool Art Deco wallpaper to a home office or living room, or select a vintage floral patterned wallpaper to make a stunning statement in your guest bedroom.

Natural Grasscloth Wallpaper

If you have always been drawn to the beauty of earthy materials, one interior design element that is truly captivating is natural grasscloth wallpaper. Made from arrowroot, raw jute, sisal, seagrass, bamboo, cork, hemp burlap, reed, or java/triangle grass, natural grasscloth wallpaper is woven together through a meticulous process using both cotton and grass threads, and is then usually attached to rice paper. Because these natural fibers are so delicate in nature, it is not recommended to apply this paper in a high-traffic area.

Hanging natural grasscloth wallpaper on a focal wall is a bit different from putting up traditional wallpaper. Here are two tips to remember.

1. Grasscloth paper expands when it gets wet. Wet the paper layer first so it expands before you install it.
2. Wiping glue off of the front of grasscloth paper will leave a permanent mark. Be sure to apply glue to the wall and then apply the natural grasscloth paper directly to the glue-covered wall to minimize marks on the face of the wallpaper.

Because grasscloth is a fragile, high-quality wallpaper, it can range in price from $50-$250 for one roll. For this reason, it may be best to hire a professional installer if you are not sure what you are doing. 

If you do decide to hang wallpaper yourself, be sure to vent your work area to keep toxic fumes to a minimum while using wallpaper paste. With a little extra elbow grease and patience, this unique paper wallpaper with natural fibers is a wonderful option for beautifying your home.

Pre-Pasted Wallpaper

There has been a rising trend in the popularity of pre-pasted wallpaper, and it's easy to see why. With its convenience and versatility, pre-pasted paper has become one of the top wallpaper options for homeowners seeking a stylish and incredibly easy wall covering option. The appeal lies not only in the wide range of designs, colors, and patterns available but also in the simplicity of installation.

To install pre-pasted (or “prepasted”) wallpaper: 

1. Start by measuring and cutting the paper to fit your wall, leaving a little extra length for trimming. 
2. Next, activate the paste by wetting the wallpaper or immersing it in water. 
3. Allow the paste to activate for the recommended time, then apply the wallpaper to the prepared wall, carefully aligning the pattern as you go. The pre-pasted adhesive allows for easy repositioning, ensuring a perfect fit. 
4. Smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles using a wallpaper smoother or sponge. 
5. Finally, trim any excess wallpaper using a sharp blade.

The convenience of prepasted wallpaper makes it an excellent choice for both experienced DIY enthusiasts and first-time installers. So, if you're looking to elevate your space with a stylish and easy-to-install wall covering, pre-pasted wallpaper is an excellent option to consider.

Additional Wallpaper Options & Tips

When buying wallpaper, make sure to determine beforehand whether you need a drop-match wallpaper or a straight match. A straight match is when the panels line up the same at the ceiling line, whereas a drop match is when every other panel lines up the same at the ceiling line at the top of the wall. Also, remember that most wallpapers have pattern repeats. This is the distance between two identical points in the pattern vertically.

When putting in your wallpaper order, it is easy to get confused about whether you need single rolls or double rolls. The terms "single roll" and "double roll" refer to the actual size of the paper, not the number of rolls you are getting. The double rolls of paper are longer lengths than the single paper rolls. So, two singles are the same as one double.

Final Questions to Consider When Choosing a Wallpaper Type

As you decide upon the type of wallpaper you want to use for your walls, be sure to put together a plan including your priorities for each specific space.

• Location in the house. Are you looking for wallpaper designs for the bedroom, wallpaper designs for the living room, or dining room wallpaper designs? This will influence the color scheme and pattern that you choose.

• Material and texture. Will you want paper wallpaper, fabric wallpaper, non-woven wallpaper, or textured wallpaper? The location where the wallpaper will be installed and any additional durability requirements (high-traffic areas, children, pets, etc.) will often determine which material is best.

• Installation. Do you want a type of wallpaper that is easily installed using a self-adhesive design, like peel-and-stick wallpaper? If your priority is durability in a business area, you may prefer commercial wallpaper hung by a professional installer. If you plan to install the wallpaper yourself, do you have the needed supplies such as a smoothing tool? 

By considering these questions before you shop, you should be able to narrow down your search and find the perfect wallpaper type for every space. Soon, you’ll be on your way to beautifying your home and creating unique areas that everyone can enjoy!