10 Types of Wallpaper to Refresh Your Living Spaces

Wallpaper has lost its bad reputation for being dated. Today’s wallpaper offerings are sleek, attractive, and even easy to install with options like peel-and-stick. Some of the most common types of wallpaper include vinyl, grasscloth, flocked, pasted, non-pasted, foil, fabric, paintable, and washable. There are benefits to each, and which option works best for your project will depend on how you want it to look, how easy it is to install, and how simple it is to maintain.

1. Vinyl

Vinyl is one of the most common types of wallpaper and is available either pre-pasted or as a peel-and-stick option. Vinyl, made from PVC, comes in a wide variety of styles and is easy to keep clean.

This type of wallpaper is often washable, and even if it isn’t, vinyl wallpaper is often treated to be antimicrobial and stain-resistant. Look for options with mildew-resistant adhesive to prevent any mildew growth between the wall and the wallpaper, especially if you’re installing wallpaper in a humid area.

Best for: High-traffic areas

2. Grasscloth

When it comes to the most common types of wallpaper, grasscloth is another option that’s popular with many homeowners. This wallpaper is made with natural materials, such as jute, hemp, reed, or even cork. The result is a luxurious, natural finish that has bonus benefits like breathability and mild sound absorption. Plus, because this wallpaper is made from woven grasses, it won’t off-gas like vinyl-based wallpapers.

Because of the high-end nature of this wallpaper, it’s best to leave the application to a wallpaper installer near you.

Best for: Dry, low-traffic areas

3. Pasted

Pasted, or pre-pasted, wallpaper has the paste pre-applied to the back, saving you time on installation. This eliminates the need to buy paste, makes it easier to measure for wallpaper, and reduces the risk of using the incorrect type of paste. With the paste already on the back of the wallpaper, there’s less mess to deal with, too.

However, keep in mind that the paste can swell or peel from moisture, so keep this type of wallpaper out of bathrooms and kitchens.

Best for: Less humid rooms, such as bedrooms

4. Flocked

Looking to make wallpaper the focal point of a room? Consider installing flocked wallpaper. This style of wallpaper features a raised, textured pattern with a velvet-like finish that adds a dramatic touch to any space.

It works best to install flocked wallpaper using a paste-the-wall method to prevent damaging the texture. Reserve this special wallpaper for lower-traffic areas to minimize risk of damage. Because of the bold designs and layered textures, flocked wallpaper can hide textured walls or other imperfections.

Best for: A more dramatic or glamorous look in low-traffic areas

5. Non-Pasted

Despite the name, “non-pasted” wallpaper types require you to use paste because it isn’t pre-applied. Non-pasted wallpaper may be in paste-the-paper or paste-the-wall styles.

Paste-the-paper is more traditional, where you apply paste to the back of the wallpaper and then adhere the wallpaper to the wall. With paste-the-wall, you paint sections of the wall with the paste, then stick the wallpaper to the pasted wall.

Best for: More permanent applications

6. Peel-and-Stick

Many homeowners these days have heard of peel-and-stick wallpaper, a type of wallpaper that has an adhesive backing rather than requiring paste to apply. This makes for a mess-free application, so it’s easier to DIY peel-and-stick wallpaper.

However, installation still requires finesse to line up the panels just right. Because you can’t easily slide the wallpaper over the paste to align it with other rolls of wallpaper, you’ll need to move carefully. Otherwise, you’ll have to unpeel it and reapply.

This is a less permanent option for walls, making it a renter-friendly choice (still, be sure to get a landlord’s approval before installing since some peel-and-stick wallpapers can damage walls).

Best for: Rentals or temporary installations

7. Paintable

Although it may seem counterintuitive to install wallpaper just to paint over it, paintable wallpaper offers more texture and style than just paint alone. This wallpaper, available pasted, non-pasted, or peel-and-stick, features a textured finish that you can paint over for more customization.

However, once you paint over the wallpaper, it can be harder to remove the paste, wallpaper, and paint if you decide to refresh the space later.

Best for: High-traffic areas

Best for: High-traffic areas

8. Foil

Like fabric or embossed wallpapers, foil wallpaper is designed to make a statement. This metallic wallpaper is reflective, making it ideal for rooms with little natural light. The shiny finish can help reflect small amounts of light to brighten the space while also adding a contemporary feel. The unique finish is smooth and easy to clean, but be careful not to scratch or ding the metal. 

Best for: Rooms with low light

9. Fabric

Imagine your favorite fabrics adding a touch of coziness, drama, or playfulness to a space. This is achievable with fabric or textile wallpaper. Made from materials including linen, polyester, cotton, or even silk, fabric wallpaper can become a statement piece in a room.

Just keep in mind that fabrics will be harder to clean, so you should install fabric wallpaper in rooms with less traffic and low humidity to better preserve the wallpaper.

Best for: Dry, low-traffic areas

10. Washable

For homes with young kids and pets or rooms that get messy, like kitchens, washable wallpaper is a durable, easy-to-clean option. Washable wallpaper is made of vinyl, and the exterior is moisture-resistant. This makes it easy to wipe down, and you can even find scrubbable wallpaper—perfect for kitchens, mud rooms, or other mess-prone spaces. Washable wallpaper is even suitable for bathrooms.

Best for: Kids’ bedrooms and playrooms, mud rooms