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Perfect for an accent wall or a room with a more playful design, removable wallpaper is a low-effort, high-impact means of updating a home’s look. Whether the shopper is a renter or someone who simply likes to switch up their room’s color scheme or style frequently, the best peel-and-stick wallpaper is easy to install as a weekend DIY project. We put our top picks to the test, applying, reapplying, removing, and seeing how they held up to humidity and common stains.
For anyone who has dealt with soaking and pasting traditional wallpaper, peel-and-stick versions will seem like a breeze to hang. The reusable panels have a self-adhesive backing that can easily be applied—and later, removed—without any scraping or leftover residue. These options don’t require paste or a roller brush to apply, either, which makes them much neater to handle than more permanent wall coverings.
- BEST OVERALL: Tempaper Feather Flock Wallpaper
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: HaokHome Modern Boho Herringbone Stripe Wallpaper
- BEST BOTANICAL: WallPops! NuWallpaper Maui Wallpaper
- BEST FLORAL: Chasing Paper Fine Point Floral Wallpaper
- BEST GEOMETRIC: RoomMates Striped Hexagon Peel and Stick Wallpaper
- BEST GRAPHIC: Chasing Paper Starburst Wallpaper
- BEST TEXTURED: WallPops! NuWallpaper Grassweave Wallpaper
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
There is removable wallpaper available to suit every design preference. To find the best peel-and-stick options for the home, it’s important to learn more about the types of peel-and-stick wallpaper and the features to look for. Shoppers will want to note the various styles and types of paper available, as well as the product’s washability, moisture and fire resistance, and overall environmental impact.
Type
- Rolls: Like traditional wallpaper, some removable wallpaper options are sold in single or double rolls. Because they are printed in larger quantities, they are typically less expensive. It’s important to measure carefully, however, to avoid having too much or too little paper in the end.
- Panels: Many peel-and-stick wall coverings are panels that are meant to be hung side by side. A standard-size panel measures about 2 feet wide by 4, 8, or 12 feet long. For those who are looking to cover a small area or accent wall, purchasing just one or two panels makes the update affordable.
- Mural rolls: Mural peel-and-stick wallpaper will come in one large piece or a group of panels that, when hung together, create a single large image or scene. Some companies will even print custom-size murals for shoppers.
- Custom peel-and-stick: Creative DIYers may want to try their hand at custom wallpaper, which allows the designer to use photos, images, or text to create personalized peel-and-stick paper.
Washability
Cleaning wallpaper can be as simple as wiping with a damp cloth or even dusting gently. Many affordable peel-and-stick options are made of vinyl, which is easy to wipe clean. Vinyl can be scrubbed without users worrying about damaging the surface. Though convenient, vinyl wallpaper’s ingredients and manufacturing process is less environmentally friendly than other wallpaper options.
Woven polyester is another material commonly used to make removable wall coverings. It requires nothing more than light dusting or vacuuming to maintain.
Moisture Resistance
The biggest complaint about peel-and-stick wallpaper is its potential for peeling off prematurely. Peeling certainly happens, particularly in high-moisture areas such as the bathroom. Traditional cellulose-based wallpaper isn’t made to fend off water, making it possible for moisture to seep through and damage the paper or even cause mold to build up. Shoppers looking to decorate a high-humidity space with peel-and-stick wallpaper are advised to seek out wallpapers that have some water resistance. For wet areas, vinyl wallpaper is typically the most resilient.
Fire Resistance
There are advantages and disadvantages to fire retardants in wallpapers. Wallpaper is inherently flammable due to its makeup, so the obvious benefit to retardants is the extra protection against the spread of house fires. Some chemicals used in the fire-retardant coating are toxic. Traditional brominated flame retardants (BFRs), for example, are known to have harmful effects on human health. Newer products may use intumescent flame retardant, which has been found to be less harmful and more eco-friendly. Products labeled with a GreenGuard certification indicate lower chemical emissions.
Environmental Impact
Some removable wallpaper can be reused in different parts of the home, making it somewhat more eco-friendly than traditional wall coverings. Many peel-and-stick wallpaper manufacturers have taken additional measures to lower their environmental impact, including using natural water-based inks and sustainable materials.
Shoppers also may not realize that wallpaper can potentially emit toxic chemicals into the home. While vinyl papers are conveniently washable, they are made with a plastic chemical called PVC (polyvinyl chloride), making them less environmentally friendly. Many of these wall coverings have been found to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reducing air quality in the home. Shoppers who are concerned about indoor air quality may want to consider products with a GreenGuard certification, which, as mentioned above, indicates the use of eco-friendly materials and low chemical emissions.
Texture
Textured wallpapers, such as those with a natural weave or damask pattern, can add dimension and drama to a space. For decorators who want to create this look without the hassle of installing permanent wallpaper, peel-and-stick selections that have the appearance of brick, shiplap, velvet, or grass cloth might do the job. Unlike traditional wall coverings, most of these selections look textured but are actually smooth to the touch, or they have just a slightly raised pattern.
Aesthetic
Wallpaper adds whimsy, texture, and color to bland spaces. Peel-and-stick options provide the perfect opportunity for a low-commitment, high-impact home update. Available in many different patterns and colors to suit both modern and traditional tastes, popular wallpaper designs include floral, retro, graphic, geometric, and tropical patterns. Larger patterns and murals will work well on an accent wall, while more subtle designs such as grass cloth can lend a sophisticated, finished look to a space.
For an unexpected design twist, try wallpapering the ceiling, furniture, or other smooth surfaces. When considering color choice, shoppers may choose to match their current decor or use contrasting shades to create a bold focal point.
Our Top Picks
The best peel-and-stick wallpapers feature attractive designs and are easy to apply and remove cleanly. The following selections meet these requirements and suit a variety of design preferences and budgets. We put them to the test to make sure that they held up to their brand names and claims. Consider one of these top picks for your next DIY project.
Best Overall
Tempaper Feather Flock Wallpaper
Pros
- Moisture-resistant
- Easy to wipe clean
- Easy to reposition without removing paint
- Nontoxic glue, phthalate- and VOC-free ink
- Withstood moisture for use in the bathroom
Cons
- Paper is a bit stiff upon application
This peel-and-stick paper from Tempaper is easy to apply and is repositionable. In testing, it was the easiest to remove and reapply during the initial installation of all the brands we tested. The ability to reposition was particularly helpful as we lined up the pattern. This wallpaper also has a nice heavy feel to it, and it didn’t stretch as we applied it to the wall, either.
The Feather Flock Wallpaper works well for applications ranging from walls and furniture to bookcases and stair risers. We tested it on a movable piece of drywall so that we could move it from a living room to a bathroom to test it in different environmental conditions. It withstood the moisture and humidity without any peeling or bubbling after 3 days in a humid, frequently used bathroom.
This vinyl wallpaper passed our ketchup test, in which we smeared ketchup on the wallpaper and left it for 30 minutes before cleaning; we were able to wipe it clean with no evidence of the ketchup. It’s made in the United States with nontoxic glue and water-based ink and is phthalate- and VOC-free. The modern, elegant bird design is offered in five colors to coordinate with a variety of spaces. Shoppers can buy it in rolls measuring 20.5 inches wide by 16.5 feet long to cover 28 square feet.
The only minor issue we had during installation was that we found the wallpaper to be a bit stiff, which made it somewhat difficult to manage.
Product Specs
- Size: 20.5 inches wide by 16.5 feet long
- Coverage: 28 square feet
- Colorways: 5
Get the Tempaper peel-and-stick wallpaper on Amazon, Target, Neiman Marcus, Tempaper, or West Elm.
Best Bang for the Buck
HaokHome Modern Boho Herringbone Stripe Wallpaper
Pros
- Affordable price
- Cleans easily
- Waterproof design didn’t bubble or peel in humidity
- Grid on paper backing makes cutting easy
Cons
- Tiny instructions are difficult to read
HaokHome’s affordable vinyl wallpaper is easy to apply to any smooth surface in the home, from shelves and drawers to walls and cabinets. The pattern does require some work to match correctly, but the hand-drawn feel of the design means it doesn’t have to be perfect. The vinyl held up well in a humid bathroom, and it passed our ketchup test, wiping clean after the stain had sat for 30 minutes.
Simple to apply or remove, this modern stripe paper is available in panels measuring 17.7 inches wide by 9.8 feet long, covering about 14.5 square feet. The paper backing has a grid printed on it, which makes cutting simple and precise. This wallpaper was also one of the easiest to remove after it had been on the wall for several days. It didn’t leave residue or tear the drywall surface as long as we were gentle.
It’s available in three lengths and four colors. The herringbone design repeats every 24.4 inches high and 17.7 inches wide. The manufacturer suggests buying enough wallpaper at the outset of your project to avoid color differences between batches. Our only issue with the HaokHome wallpaper? The tiny instructions that require strong readers or a magnifying glass to read.
Product Specs
- Size: 17.7 inches wide by 9.8 feet long
- Coverage: 14.5 square feet
- Colorways: 4
Get the HaokHome peel-and-stick wallpaper on Amazon or HaokHome.
Best Botanical
Wallpops! NuWallpaper Maui Wallpaper
Pros
- Cleans easily and well
- Leaves a clean wall if it’s peeled gently around the corners
- Easy to reposition
Cons
- Can have trouble on textured surfaces
This peel-and-stick paper is available in rolls measuring 20.5 inches wide by 18 feet long with about 30.75 square feet of coverage, and it will stick to any smooth, flat surface. It easily applied to our drywall surface during testing with the use of a wallpaper-smoothing tool.
Repositioning it was also a cinch. It managed to have a strong adhesive yet we could peel and reposition until we got the pattern lined up correctly. We left it on for 7 days, and it easily came off the drywall, though we had to be careful around the corners. Gentle pulling should leave paint intact.
Perfect for an accent wall or basement tiki bar, this botanical aesthetic offers a bold design statement and comes in two colors. NuWallpaper’s vinyl paper is washable and passed our ketchup test, looking good as new after we wiped it down with a damp cloth. The manufacturer says that it works best in low-moisture areas. However, we placed it in a steamy bathroom for 3 days, and it didn’t peel or bubble, though we still suggest following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Product Specs
- Size: 20.5 inches wide by 18 feet long
- Coverage: 30.75 square feet
- Colorways: 2
Get the WallPops! Maui peel-and-stick wallpaper on Amazon, Target, or Wallpops!.
Best Floral
Chasing Paper Fine Point Floral Wallpaper
Pros
- GreenGuard-certified latex ink
- Stain-resistant
- Free of VOCs
- Beautiful, bright colors
- Strong adhesive
Cons
- Pricier than other options
- Strong adhesive may pull off some paint
The eye-catching pattern of this self-adhesive poly-woven paper was created for Chasing Paper in collaboration with Ampersand Design Studio. The 2-foot-wide panels are available in 4-, 8-, and 12-foot lengths with a design that repeats every 24 inches. The company offers a detailed downloadable application-how-to on its website, which users will need to get these panels lined up correctly.
The design’s colors pop with deep, rich dark tones and pretty pastels. Aesthetically, it was one of our favorites. It comes in three colors and adds whimsy to a room. The initial application was easy, and the wallpaper cleaned well after the ketchup test. This Chasing Papers design also did well in a humid bathroom for the 3 days we left it up.
It has a strong adhesive that worked well for repositioning on the first installation, but it might take some paint off when it’s taken down or if it’s repositioned after a good amount of time has passed. Even when we were gentle, it pulled some of the drywall surface with it.
This design gets extra credit for the GreenGuard-certified latex inks and a matte finish that is both fade- and stain-resistant. Despite its white background, it had no problem with the ketchup test. Additionally, it is free of VOCs and other harmful chemicals.
Product Specs
- Size: 2 feet wide by 4, 8, or 12 feet long
- Coverage: 8, 16, or 24 square feet
- Colorways: 3
Get the Chasing Paper Fine Point Floral peel-and-stick wallpaper at Chasing Paper.
Best Geometric
RoomMates Striped Hexagon Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Pros
- Easily comes off without marking the wall or leaving behind residue
- Durable and water-resistant
- Child-friendly and nontoxic
- Cleans well
Cons
- Difficult to match pattern
- Can show marks from using a smoothing tool during application
Simple to peel and stick, RoomMates’ proprietary adhesive won’t (and didn’t) leave sticky residue on the walls. It performed admirably in our testing, easily peeling off for repositioning after 7 days.
This hexagonal-patterned wallpaper comes in rolls of 20.5 inches by 16.5 feet to cover 28.18 square feet, and the pattern repeats every 10.25 inches. Matching up the pattern takes patience and extra wallpaper, and we found that part of the wallpaper’s application a bit challenging. Users also have to be careful when using a wallpaper-smoothing tool during application; scrape marks from the smoothing tool showed up on the wallpaper’s gray stripes. We didn’t notice them from afar, but up close we could see scrape marks that didn’t show up on any of the other wallpapers we tested.
The paper is constructed from washable, water-resistant vinyl. It sat in a humid bathroom for 3 days and didn’t bubble or peel. It performed very well when we took it off after 7 days, leaving the surface of the drywall almost completely intact except for a small spot near one of the corners.
Made in the United States, RoomMates wallpapers are compliant with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which ensures that they are child-friendly, nontoxic, and free of harmful chemicals.
Product Specs
- Size: 20.5 inches wide by 16.5 feet long
- Coverage: 28.18 square feet
- Colorways: 6
Get the RoomMates peel-and-stick wallpaper on Amazon or RoomMatesDecor.
Best Graphic
Chasing Paper Starburst Wallpaper
Pros
- Fade- and stain-resistant
- Free of VOCs, PVC, and phthalates
- GreenGuard-certified latex ink
- Deep, rich color options
Cons
- Pricier than other options
The bright lines and dark colorways of Chasing Paper’s Starburst pattern would look stunning on an accent wall or in a bathroom. Made in the United States from self-adhesive poly-woven fabric, the paper is fade- and stain-resistant and washable. However, like most other peel and stick wallpapers, the manufacturer recommends using only a soft, damp cloth for cleaning. We rubbed ketchup on this sample and let it stand for 30 minutes before wiping it down. We couldn’t see any traces of ketchup or of the gentle rubbing, which can sometimes leave a shiny spot on wallpaper.
Shoppers can breathe easy, as Chasing Paper’s product is free of VOCs, PVC, and phthalates, and it’s printed with GreenGuard-certified latex ink that is water-based and nontoxic. Sold in blue or black, the Starburst pattern can be purchased in 2-foot-wide panels that are available in lengths of 4, 8, or 12 feet.
We tested an 8 inch by 9 inch sample, which didn’t let us get a good look at the overall pattern. However, the color was rich and deep, giving this wallpaper a luxurious, expensive feel. The price of this wallpaper is rather expensive, but it’s worth a splurge for the right project. A downside is that the strong adhesive could pull off some paint when users take it down, although we didn’t have any trouble repositioning during the initial installation.
Product Specs
- Size: 2 feet wide by 4, 8, or 12 feet long
- Coverage: 8, 16, or 24 square feet
- Colorways: 2
Get the Chasing Paper Starburst peel-and-stick wallpaper at Chasing Paper.
Best Textured
WallPops! NuWallpaper Grassweave Wallpaper
Pros
- Textured look of grass cloth
- Durable and washable
- Quick and easy removal and repositioning
Cons
- Some customers report weak adhesive (we didn’t experience this during testing)
Part of the company’s Kelly Ripa collection, this cream grass-weave paper can be applied easily to smooth, clean, dry walls and repositioned as needed. The adhesive is strong but allows easy repositioning at the initial installation and removal after 7 days. There was a small amount of drywall tearing around one corner, but that was about it. The Grassweave Wallpaper comes in a roll that measures 20.5 inches wide by 18 feet long, and it covers about 30.75 square feet. Removal was quick and easy and didn’t leave sticky residue behind.
Made from vinyl, NuWallpaper is durable and washable. We were a little concerned about how well it would clean, considering that it’s textured. It underwent the same ketchup test as the other wallpapers, and the grassweave cleaned beautifully; the ketchup didn’t get caught in the textured pattern. This wallpaper is available in three shades to suit a variety of tastes.
Product Specs
- Size: 20.5 inches by 18 feet long
- Coverage: 30.75 square feet
- Colorways: 3
Get the WallPops! Grassweave peel-and-stick wallpaper at Amazon, The Home Depot, Target, Wallpops!, or Joann.
Our Verdict
With its elegant bird pattern and an environmentally friendly design, the repositionable Tempaper peel-and-stick wallpaper is our top choice. It’s thick and easy to reposition, but it has a strong adhesive to keep it in place. It also cleans easily and well. Shoppers on a budget will want to consider the waterproof, washable HaokHome peel-and-stick wallpaper with its modern herringbone pattern. Despite its lower price, it can withstand humidity and cleans well.
How We Tested the Best Peel-and-Stick Wallpapers
We tested each of the wallpapers on our list. Each roll or panel was adhered to a 2 foot by 2 foot piece of drywall, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, the drywall was not painted because painting also required that the paint cure for 4 weeks, which wasn’t within the scope of our testing time.
We repositioned each piece several times during installation to see how well the adhesive responded and if repositioning was difficult. At the same time, we monitored the strength and versatility of the adhesive, looking for how well it performed but also how other users reported that it performed on various surfaces.
The drywall pieces were tested in a living room in varying light conditions as well as in a humid bathroom with no window but approved ventilation from a bathroom fan for 3 days. At the end of 7 days, the wallpaper was taken off to test how it affected the drywall. We also put ketchup on each wallpaper and let it set for 30 minutes before wiping it off with a clean, damp cloth to check on cleaning ease.
FAQs
Now that you know what to look for while shopping for the best peel-and-stick wallpaper, you may be wondering how long your new wall covering will last or how to prepare your walls before applying it. Below, get the answers to these and other commonly asked questions about removable wallpaper.
Q. How long does peel-and-stick wallpaper last?
The longevity of peel-and-stick wallpaper will depend on the quality of the product. If applied properly, it may last years. However, since the adhesive is not as strong as paste, removable wallpaper won’t be as permanent as the traditional kind.
Q. How do you prepare walls for peel-and-stick wallpaper?
To prepare your walls for peel-and-stick paper, it’s important to first prep the surface. This can be done by wiping dust and dirt from the walls with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner. Finally, make sure the surface dries completely before affixing the wallpaper.
Q. How many rolls of peel-and-stick wallpaper do I need?
The amount of wallpaper you need depends on the project you want to tackle. To calculate the quantity you need, measure the width of the wall and then divide that by the width of the panels or roll. To find the total square footage, measure the height of your space and multiply that by the width. Be sure to order extra paper to cover the whole project, because waste may occur when lining up the paper lengths.
