Wallpaper is having a moment. From “Bridgerton” giving birth to regencycore to interior design shows highlighting wallpaper’s versatility, the decorative paper is once again covering walls in homes. This time, however, you’ve got more options.
Manufacturers now offer an eclectic selection of materials, designs and patterns, colors, and application options. Some of the more inventive wallpapers even have innovative features, like antimicrobial technology that protects homes against mold and mildew.
Clearly, you’ll now find different types of wallpaper on the market.
The first types of wallpaper were made of sheets of paper. They featured designs like stylized floral motifs, pictures from prints, and patterns copied from embroideries and textiles, and they were monochromatic. Today, wallpaper doesn’t even have to be made of paper.
Here are your best options for wallpaper.
Paintable wallpaper is heavy vinyl paper. It features a raised design, in a variety of repeating patterns, allowing you to add texture to your walls. You can choose from floral motifs, geometric patterns,
This type of wallpaper is thick and white because you can paint over it with glossy, matte or water-based paint. Since you can paint over the wall covering, you can customize it to match or complement the space. You can use the same pattern in different spaces but paint them in varying colors to suit the space, making it one of the best wallpaper choices for creative homeowners and interior designers.
Painted wallpaper can come in peel and stick, pasted or unpasted, You don’t need to apply any pre-treatment agent to it, like a primer. But you need to wait at least 36 hours to let it dry after installation, before you can paint over it.
You can use matte or eggshell paint to cover up imperfections. If you want to achieve drama, try a semi-gloss or satin finish. You can also try water-based wall finishes, which work well with embossed wallpaper.
If you love the look and feel of natural fiber in your home, then grasscloth wallpaper would make an ideal choice. Grasscloth is made from natural plant fibers, such as hemp, jute, bamboo, seagrass, and sisal.
The production of grasscloth wallpaper requires more time and skill since the fibers are woven with a fine thread, typically on a traditional loom. As such, this wall covering will cost more than other wallpaper materials.
Flock wallpaper will fit perfectly in a space that’s all about opulence. This damask-like wall covering was created to mimic velvet hangings in the 17th century. Traditionally, it was made by adding a waste product of the wool industry, called flock, to an adhesive-coated cloth to create a raised and velvet-like design or pattern.
Today, flock wallpaper is made with man-made fibers, such as nylon and polyester. Because this wallpaper isn’t washable and is difficult to install as well as remove, they’re best suited for rooms with low traffic.
You’ll find vinyl wallpaper in busy households because this wall covering is durable. The robust durability of this wallpaper comes from its vinyl coating, which makes it less prone to tearing, resistant to dust and water, and it’s easily maintained.
If you’re looking to cover the walls of your kitchen and bathrooms, vinyl wallpaper is the best type of wallpaper to install. You can choose from solid vinyl, vinyl coated paper, and fabric-backed vinyl.
Solid vinyl has a glossy finish and usually comes pre-pasted, so installation is fairly easy. Vinyl coated, meanwhile, is paper-based with a layer of vinyl. It’s finished in matte. Fabric-backed vinyl has a fabric base with a layer of vinyl on the front. It’s durable and textured, making it popular for office buildings and events halls.
The wallpaper everyone’s familiar with is the one made from paper. It’s a classic and comes in a wide range of patterns, colors, and sizes. It’s suitable for contemporary and traditional interior spaces, even though it’s finished in matte. They’re usually unpasted, so you’ll need glue or some type of adhesive to install them.
Other types of wallpaper are the peel and stick, which is an ideal temporary wall covering (i.e., for people who rent); non-woven wallpaper, which is not as lightweight as paper and combines natural fibers and a bit of vinyl, and wood veneer wallpaper, which consists of thin slices of real wood, fixed to a backing paper, another type of wood, or another type of material.
The best wallpaper will transform any space without you having to change every other element in it. Your dining room may have the same layout and contain the same furniture, for example, but it will be revitalized with a bright and visual wall covering.
With a simple installation of a paintable or traditional wallpaper, you can personalize your home and create the right environment you’ve envisioned for it.
Need stylish ideas for your home? Our interior design company in Dubai can design, decorate, and transform your space.
