When shopping for wallpaper, New York-based interior designer Mikel Welch says that one of the most important factors is finding a pattern and texture that you truly enjoy. Putting up wallpaper is a labor of love, so you should make sure it looks good in different lighting and angles. “Unlike paint, this isn’t a quick redo type of project,” he adds. “Test a few swatches on the wall and look at the wallpaper during the day and night before you commit.” After hours of research, we put 30 top-rated wallpapers to the test in The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, evaluating them on their ease of application, design, durability, and value. Named our best overall pick, the Priano Wallpaper has a simple application process, is easy to clean, and boasts a charming design with a high-quality texture. Read on for the best wallpapers, backed by our thorough testing. We loved the romantic and artistic look of this wallpaper’s design, which features free-flowing vines expressed with a beautiful watercolor that adds classic elegance to any space. While the watercolor brush strokes provide softness to your walls, the style also allows each vine to have subtle variations in tone which add a ton of depth and nuance to the wallpaper while still maintaining its simplicity. The Priano Wallpaper is available in darker shades such as navy, green, and brown for a bolder look as well as pastel blue and pink for a more understated appearance. The material of the paper also felt very thick and sturdy, a good indication of the overall quality and durability of this product. During application, our tester found the material very manageable and easy to work with, as she had no issues while cutting or pasting. The wallpaper came out with a super smooth finish and no leftover bubbles or wrinkles. After spilling a considerable amount of liquids and other filth onto the wallpaper, we found that the cleaning process was effortless, as everything wiped off completely with no residue, staining, or fading. After three months, the Priano Wallpaper looked good as new, with no peeling or bubbling visible. This wallpaper’s quality adds a lot of value to the product, particularly given the modest price. All in all, its timeless look and durability will make it a stunning and long-lasting addition to your home. Price at time of publish: $128
While we do enjoy the design and overall value of the product, this may not be the right choice for beginners who want to put up the wallpaper themselves. We found the material hard to work with at times; our tester noted that the wallpaper curled a lot, which transferred glue to the outside of the paper and formed significant bubbles during application. If this is your first time hanging up wallpaper, you might want to opt for a more manageable material or look into professional installation. Regardless of some application hiccups, we were impressed with how well all of the stains came off during cleaning. Because of its vinyl material, everything wiped away easily using just a cloth and water without any residual stains or fading. Three months after the initial application, however, we did notice some peeling at the corners and edges of the strips. Price at time of publish: $54 While the wallpaper’s texture helps hide imperfections, we did find that actually cleaning spillage off of it proved to be quite difficult. Colors and stains faded into the paper, so this may not be the best option for high-traffic areas or households with young children. After three months, this wallpaper held up fairly well, besides some corners peeling up. Other than that, there were no bubbles or imperfections visible and the wallpaper remained smooth throughout. Overall, while the price point of the Cheng Woven Grasscloth Wallpaper might be higher than other options on the market, it’s definitely worth it for those who are willing to splurge on an elegant wallpaper that you’ll be able to keep forever. Price at time of publish: $658 When applying this wallpaper, our tester was very impressed with the material—it was easy to work with and went up flawlessly. “Even someone without experience could tackle a wallpaper project with this product and have it look like a professional application,” she said. In addition, we also found that the process of repositioning and removing the wallpaper was simple, as it didn’t leave any residue or stick to itself. When shopping for removable wallpaper, Kathy Kuo, interior designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home, notes that you’ll want to pay attention to the surface you’ll adhere it to, as well as the room it will be in. “Removable wallpaper typically does not adhere well to matte or textured surfaces,” she says. “It’s also recommended that you avoid exposing removable wallpaper to prolonged heat or direct light.” Kuo recommends using a peel-and-stick wallpaper on a smooth surface, such as one that is primed and painted or has a satin or semi-gloss finish. Price at time of publish: $62 With labeled strips that designate the order you should adhere them in, putting up this wallpaper is straightforward. In fact, our tester found the application of this wallpaper so simple, she said it practically put itself up. The material cut extremely crisp, and because of its thickness, the few bubbles that formed during the application process rolled out very easily. We also found that any spills wiped off completely without color transfer or other remnants. After leaving the wallpaper up for three months, we noticed a bit of peeling at the corners, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a little adhesive. Other than that, there weren’t any visible imperfections. Overall, even though this option is a bit pricey, its high-quality material and rich, saturated artistry make it a truly one-of-a-kind pick. Price at time of publish: $220 As our tester applied this wallpaper, she raved about how trouble-free the material was to work with, even saying that the process was easier than some peel-and-stick wallpapers she’s tried in the past. She was able to unroll, cut, and paste the wallpaper with no wrinkles or imperfections, making it a great option for first-timers who may require a material that’s straightforward and manageable. While we were impressed with the application process, this wallpaper might be better suited for low-traffic rooms that you won’t have to clean as often, as its durability fell short. During testing, some darker stains would not come off completely, and the paper itself would fade when scrubbed too hard. After three months, this wallpaper looked nearly perfect other than some minor bubbling in a small section near the outlet. Overall, we were impressed by this wallpaper and if you’re looking for a high-end look that’s easy to apply, the Mark D. Sikes Floral Wallpaper will get the job done. Price at time of publish: $168 As our tester was applying this product, she that it was easy to roll, paste, and smooth out. However, she did note that if you’re not careful or don’t use enough pressure, the material can easily tear or crease. In addition to choosing a wallpaper with a youthful design for your nursery, it’s also important that you pick an option that cleans well and can handle the occasional mess. Accidents happen, and you’ll want durable wallpaper for when the inevitable kid-induced smear, splatter, or smudge hits the walls. The Printfresh Antelope Garden Wallpaper impressed us with how well it could handle the mess (which includes crayons, coffee, and barbecue sauce), and everything came off quickly with a wet cloth without any stains or fading. Three months after applying the wallpaper, we noticed that it held up nicely, apart from the smallest peel on one of the corners. Otherwise, the product had no visible imperfections. Price at time of publish: $148 Due to its uncomplicated pattern, this wallpaper was very easy to line up during application—a plus for DIY novices. Any bubbles that formed easily went away using a smoothing tool, and the wallpaper was easy to adjust and reposition without any issues. During the cleaning process, we did notice that most spillages came off fairly well, but some residual stains remained. After three months, this wallpaper had no issues other than some minor peeling at the corners and one of the sides. For the most part, we think this wallpaper is a fairly reasonable price for its overall quality, especially considering the product is printed with Greenguard Gold Certified ink and is free from VOCs, PVC, and phthalates. Price at time of publish: $120 As our tester put up this wallpaper, she found that the material’s sturdiness allowed for a seamless application with little to no bubbles, folds, or wrinkles. The material was somewhat difficult to cut, but that may come with the territory due to the thickness of the non-woven material. While the pattern itself was easy to line up with one another, our tester noted that a white edge along the seam of the paper was visible against the darker background of the wallpaper despite being applied correctly. The paper also wasn’t the easiest to clean, as after wiping down the surface some stains remained and fading occurred. Three months post-application, just one corner started to peel, but there were no issues otherwise. Price at time of publish: $110 During the application process, we found the Non-Pasted Traditional Pebble material was overall easy to work with, as it had a thick, fabric-like feel and didn’t wrinkle during adhesion. However, this wallpaper did require you to slightly overlap one panel with the other, which our tester noted was a bit more difficult than lining them up edge to edge. In addition, when testing the product’s durability, we found that while almost all of the stains came off well, slight remnants lasted post-scrub. Additionally, we did notice some bubbles and peeling three months later. In general, this wallpaper might be on the pricier side, but we think its contrast and vibrant pattern add a ton of character to any wall and is well worth the price. Price at time of publish: $214 Our tester found this wallpaper overall easy to apply, as the material cut and adhered to the wall without any issues. Lining up the pattern was simple enough, and our tester was able to reposition it easily when she messed up. However, we did notice that the paper itself was a bit flimsy so pasting it onto the wall was a bit challenging. Additionally, this wallpaper delivered on durability, as cleaning it was extremely simple and everything came off with a damp towel without any staining or fading. At the three-month mark, the wallpaper seemed to hold up very well since it looked as good as new. While the House of Scalamandre Floral Roll Wallpaper is on the pricier end of the spectrum, we think it’s a great option for those who want a durable, easy-to-clean wallpaper that can endure some messiness. Price at time of publish: $223 During application, our tester found the heavy material to be overall great to work with, as the pasting and smoothing process was effortless. However, it was a bit difficult to reposition the paper once it was already up, so you’ll definitely want to make sure it’s aligned properly during the initial application. In addition, we were impressed with the product’s overall durability, since any soil that was spilled was easily wiped up without any issues of staining or fading. Overall, while the price point of the Moujik Wallpaper might be higher than other options on the market, it’s definitely worth it for those who want to showcase their personality in their home. Price at time of publish: $330 Unlike traditional wallpapers, the Pick Up Sticks Wallpaper comes with a water-activated pre-pasted backing. Rather than using an adhesive to put it up, all you need to do is spray the wallpaper with water and stick it onto the wall. Our tester said that while this process generally worked well, she did notice a significant amount of air pockets that formed during application. However, when testing how it would perform against dirt and spillage, this wallpaper held up very nicely. Using just a wet cloth, we were able to easily clean up all of the stains—without any staining or fading. Price at time of publish: $110
What to Look for When Buying Wallpaper
Pattern Scale
Once you’ve committed to wallpapering a room, you’ll want to consider the scale of the design you choose. The size, shape, and color of the pattern on your wallpaper will greatly influence the overall look and feel of the room, according to Welch. “Larger patterns will dominate the space, so reserve this look for walls without a ton of furniture or anything that may compete,” he says. “Oddly, small patterns can often read a bit neutral, as tight patterns seem to mesh together and fade towards the back of the wall.”
Size
Sounds simple enough: the bigger the space you plan to cover, the more expensive your project will be. Not only because you’ll need more rolls—and whatever you do, don’t underestimate how many rolls you’ll need—but, if you’re hiring out applying wallpaper, your labor costs will increase too. If you’re on a budget, consider saving wallpapering the living room for another time, and covering a hallway or bathroom, where you’ll get more design bang for your buck, instead.
Material and Finish
There are a number of different materials and finishes wallpaper can be made with, which can affect the application process, durability, and texture. Many patterned wallpapers have tactile surfaces, including those made with grasscloth, burlap, foil, vinyl, and fabric. According to Kuo, these materials can produce different textures that can serve different purposes in a room. “Reflective papers can add glamor or light up a room just like a mirror can, and handcrafted tactile papers have a three-dimensional quality that enhances the layered, textured look of a space,” she says. “Textured wallpaper can also camouflage wall imperfections that other wallpapers cannot.” When comparing the materials and finishes of different wallpaper options online, it may be difficult to get a grasp of how it will look in person, so it’s important to always request or purchase a sample so you can see how it will look with the rest of your space.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Bianca Pineda, a commerce writer specializing in bedding, bath, and home decor at the Spruce. To compile this list, she consulted lab testing insights, assessed numerous customer reviews, and conducted supplemental research about the topic. All of the products in this roundup met our quality standards during the research process and performed the best during our lab tests. “Peel-and-stick is great for the consumer who doesn’t want to commit to a pattern for life,” says Welch. “This gives you the flexibility to change your mind in a few months when trends change or if you get bored.” This being said, traditional wallpaper is usually made with longevity in mind, so it typically has a longer lifespan than peel-and-stick wallpaper. In addition, Bianca also spoke to experts in the field in order to gather some guidance regarding the different materials and finishes of wallpapers, overall styling tips for shoppers, and choosing the right pattern scale and colors for your space. Insight was provided by Kathy Kuo, interior designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home and Mikel Welch, a New York-based interior designer and TV personality.
