Traditional vs peel and stick? Ever wondered which type of wallpaper to use?

Well today I’m here to break down the differences between the two, share the types of spaces that work best for each, and offer up both inspiration pictures to show the incredible design power of well-placed wallpaper + a thoughtful roundup of some of my favorite patterns!

When & where to wallpaper:

two different pattern wallpaper in front of blue bedding

The quick answer for when to wallpaper is ALWAYS. Whether you are a renter or a homeowner, there is a wallpaper out there for you. And once you see the transformative power of a wallpapered room or wall, you’ll be hooked (speaking from experience…)

bird wallpaper paired with blue tree patterned wallpaper on blue quilt

A quick note on designing a room with wallpaper - often wallpaper incorporates such colorful or eye catching design that I like to choose a it first, then design the rest of the room around it, using the various colors within the pattern as inspiration for the rest of the room. It’s a lot easier to find a quilt that pulls the perfect shade of blue than the other way around.

Also - mixing patterns can be so fun! My tip is to find complementary colors in each pattern so they “speak” to each other, like in my photos pictured here. The background of the Chickadee Bird paper from Chasing Paper matches so well with the colors in the Ragni Indigo Blue paper from Sandberg Wallpaper that they look made to go together. By the way, these are two wallpapers I’m considering for my own home, and while they will go in different rooms, the cohesiveness between the two will create a flow throughout my home.

Thoughts on peel and stick wallpaper:

Also known as removable wallpaper, peel & stick is a fantastic option for renters or for homeowners who don’t want to commit to a pattern for years to come. The biggest benefit is that when you’re ready for it to be gone, it peels right off like a giant sticker.

It’s advisable to have smooth wall texture when installing peel and stick wallpaper, although I’ve personally installed it on walls with knock-down texture and it’s stayed just fine. Be sure to invest in high quality wallpaper to help with stick-age (see my recommendations below). Peel and stick can be tough to install, but it’s a learning curve - once you get the hang of it, it’s really not that hard.

Best rooms for peel and stick:

Bedroom
Nursery
Dining Room
Hallway
Living Room

Do not use peel and stick for:

Bathrooms (the steam can mess with the adhesive)
Ceilings
Kitchen (anything within a potential splash-zone is not great)

Thoughts on traditional wallpaper:

When I say “traditional” I don’t mean style or aesthstic-wise. I’m talking about the type of wallpaper that is not removable or self-adhesive. As such, traditional wallpaper needs an adhesive (typically to soak in or to paste onto the wall) before applying the paper. It’s extremely durable and can be really tough to remove (which can be a good or bad thing, depending on your circumstances - if you’ve ever had to remove wallpaper, it’s a chore most people wouldn’t want to repeat…)

For the length of time that you want said wallpaper to stay on, it should! It’s great for high-traffic areas and should withstand the heat or the cold (which can often cause peel and stick to expand or contract over time). Many people say it’s easier to install than peel and stick. Just be confident in your selection since it will be there for a long time!

Best rooms for traditional wallpaper:

Bathrooms
Ceiling
Kitchens
Living Room
Hallway
Bedroom

(TLDR: any room you want)

And now some fabulous inspiration images, with links to the original designers and website for further perusal. I would personally install all three of these in my home - what’s not to love??

entryway with wallpapered ceiling and chandelier — Inspiration via A Beautiful Mess

bedroom with sloped ceiling and bird wallpaper — Inspiration via I Spy DIY

bathroom with cream tile and green wallpaper — Inspiration via Style by Emily Henderson

I gathered a few of my favorite wallpapers down below. Many of these patterns are available in both peel and stick and traditional wallpaper, so it really comes down to what works best for you and your home.

Purchase Wallpaper Here

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The following are my favorite places to purchase wallpaper:

Chasing Paper
Lulu & Georgia
Milton & King
Anthroplogie
Spoonflower
Scandinavian Wallpaper
Rifle Paper Co.

Have I convinced you to try wallpaper somewhere in your own home yet? Check out some past projects of mine to see peel and stick wallpaper in action in this Travel-Themed Nursery and this Elegant & Bold Dining Room.