Peel-and stick-wallpaper may last a few years or hang around for over a decade
Cheap, old, or thin peel-and-stick wallpaper lasts about three years.
Higher quality, newer peel-and-stick wallpaper can stay up for seven years or more.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper won’t last as long in humid areas or those with extreme temperatures.
Install the wallpaper properly to maximize its life span.
It’s no wonder peel-and-stick wallpaper is a consumer favorite—this self-adhesive product is an easy-to-install, low-commitment, inexpensive way to add a touch of color to any space. How long peel-and-stick wallpaper lasts depends on the type of adhesive used, the material quality, the installation location, and whether it’s properly installed.
Generally speaking, peel-and-stick wallpaper can start falling off in as little as three years or stick around as long as you decide to keep it on your walls. If you love the look of your peel-and-stick wallpaper design, there are some things you can do to keep it around as long as possible.
While you’re budgeting for a room refresh, you may want to consider the following add-on costs to get everything done at once and potentially save some money on the total.
Cost to remove wallpaper: $420 to $1,200
Cost to refinish floors: $1,100 to $2,700
Cost to replace light fixtures: $150 to $1,000
Cost to repair drywall: $300 to $920
Cost to replace windows: $3,400 to $11,800
Cost to paint an accent wall: $700 to $1,800
Want to tighten your budget and cut down on the cost to paint rooms? Saving on a painting job doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself—though if you’ve got a passion for DIY projects, go for it! Here are some ways to shed a few dollars off your total painting costs:
Skip the trim refresh: If the paint on your trim, baseboards, and ceiling is in good condition and you simply want to change the look of your room, only paint the walls. Going this route will often cut your total price in half.
Purchase paint through your pro painter: If you’re using a contractor to paint your home, let them purchase the paint. Contractors can sometimes buy paint for around 50% less than a homeowner, so the total included in your painting estimate should be significantly lower.
Skip the designer materials: Like clothes, designer paints cost much more, but you’re paying for quality and vibrancy. These paints use natural coloring agents that look more vibrant than synthetic pigments. Nonetheless, you can still get some great colors by choosing a high-quality paint without the luxury label.
When correctly applied, quality peel-and-stick wallpaper can last five to seven years or more. Peel-and-stick wallpaper will last longest on smooth-textured, properly prepared walls and in areas without high humidity or temperature fluctuations. This renter-friendly solution is also a great option for homeowners who want to change the look of a room without the commitment and complicated installation of traditional wallpaper.
Your peel-and-stick wallpaper’s life span will vary based on the paper quality, whether or not it’s correctly applied, and where you’re installing it.
When it comes to peel-and-stick wallpaper, you get what you pay for. Budget wallpaper is thinner and has lower-quality adhesive, so it may only last one to three years before you need to replace it. Higher-quality wallpaper is thicker, more resistant to damage, and uses longer-lasting adhesive, so it’s likely to last much longer.
"Wallpaper also works best in lower-traffic rooms that don’t get very much moisture. Rooms like kitchens and bathrooms are not ideal for wallpaper since those are considered high-moisture areas and can cause the paper to peel."
— Gregory Pittman, Director of Commercial Painting Services at Five Star Painting
How you install your peel-and-stick wallpaper will affect how long it lasts. It’s important to properly prime before wallpaper installation to ensure good adhesion—poorly prepped walls will prevent the wallpaper from sticking well and will lead to peeling or bubbling.
Where your peel-and-stick wallpaper is installed can also affect its longevity. Wallpaper that’s installed in humid or damp spaces will peel faster than in dry areas, and rooms that have significant temperature fluctuations will wear out wallpaper quickly. Installing peel-and-stick wallpaper in spaces that get extended direct sunlight can not only cause fading but may also make the adhesive fail faster than expected.
How do you know when your peel-and-stick wallpaper is nearing the end of its life span? A few visible signs will clue you in that it’s time to replace it. Look out for:
Peeling at the seams or along the edges
Faded or discolored patterns
Splits or cracks in the paper
Crumbling or flaking paper
Bubbling between the wallpaper and the wall
You can do many things to improve the life span of your peel-and-stick wallpaper. First, buy high-quality wallpaper from a reputable brand—wallpaper from a no-name brand may rip or fall off easily if it’s too thin or has poor adhesive.
Check the manufacturer's recommendations before purchasing peel-and-stick wallpaper, as some products are only designed to adhere to eggshell, satin, and semigloss paints. If you have the wrong type of paint, you may need to find a different peel-and-stick wallpaper or upgrade to traditional wallpaper instead. And if the installation process for regular wallpaper is too involved for you to DIY, consider working with a local wallpaper installer.
Some peel-and-stick wallpapers are designed to be moisture-resistant, meaning they are safe for kitchen and bathroom installation, while others are not.
Similarly, buying wallpaper labeled as “washable” is typically a good idea unless you’re installing it somewhere where it is unlikely to get dirty.
Always clean the walls according to the instructions before installing and allow the surface to dry completely—overnight if possible.
Some wallpaper companies will instruct you to overlap the paper, while others should be placed side by side. When installing, take the time to remove the bubbles from the wallpaper to increase its adhesion and improve its appearance.
Once your paper is installed, clean it according to manufacturer recommendations, usually with a mild dish soap and a soft sponge.
Beyond that, try to keep your home at a consistent temperature, which can help keep the wallpaper in place longer. Regularly fluctuating temperatures can weaken the wallpaper adhesive.
When comparing peel-and-stick wallpaper and traditional wallpaper, each has its own pros and cons—the one that’s better for you depends on your needs and space. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is more budget-friendly and easier to install, while traditional wallpaper lasts much longer and can be used in a wider variety of spaces.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is designed to be removed without damaging your walls. However, improper application, certain wall textures, and removing the wallpaper too quickly or aggressively may lead to paint or drywall damage, so use caution and follow all manufacturer instructions.
To determine how many rolls of peel-and-stick wallpaper you need, measure the square footage of the walls you’re covering and divide that by the square footage that each roll covers. Add 10% to 20% of your total square footage to account for pattern matching or damage while installing.
