Wallpaper 101 : Different types of paper
Growing up I remember having a sleep over at a friends grandparents house (I grew up in the deep south so some grandparents are literally their kids neighbor) that just bought a 1940s house that was ‘updated’ in the 60/70s. It was the mid 2000s when I saw the house and for the first time in my short life witnessed all the glory of shag carpets in a bathroom, vinyl flooring and lots and lots of wallpaper. Most of the wallpaper was not my taste with colors I would describe as baby barf green and lime disease yellow. There was one room though. The previous owners used it as a study with huge wood built ins and a desk that was too heavy for them to move out. In this room there was a dark green very subtle botanical wallpaper. The husband must have vetoed the wife’s style and compromised on this wallpaper. It’s was my favorite balance of feminine and masculine. Looking at the wallpaper it reminded me of what a missy morning in the Amazon rainforest might be like. At first the leaves and flowers blended so well with each other that you didn’t realizes until looking longer that there was monkeys, a toucan and a panther.
Wallpaper has been given a resent revival with moody/dark academia and grand minimal decor style becoming so popular right. Coming home after a long day into a space that feels like you can’t be matched. I came out with my own line of wallpaper a few months ago and the response really warmed my heart. It also pointed out how little people know about wallpaper and the different options there are. I don’t and would never claim to be an expert at all things wallpaper but I can tell you what I know about the three types of wallpaper you can get from me and hopefully this will help you if you've been thinking about adding wallpaper to your home. Also if wallpapering your home is interesting to you download my full guide here.
Peel and Stick Removable Woven
Thanks to modern technology gone are the horrors you would hear about wallpaper glue ruining walls. Many companies that sell and make wallpaper offer what they call a peal and stick option. If you are a fan of DIY videos on Youtube or Tik Tok you may have seen a lot of people using this type of wallpaper. With peal and stick wallpaper you can make where you’re living feel more like home even if you’re renting. Peal and stick wallpaper is great for walls, stair risers, drawer liners, bookcases, and an array of craft and decorating projects. Since it has a self adhesive back there is no mess and you can move and repostition it as you need. It is recommended you don’t use this type of wallpaper on textured walls or walls with “scrubbable” paint and for the best color accuracy putting this wallpaper over a white or light color painted wall is suggested. Peel and Stick Removable Woven Wallpaper is NOT for use in children's rooms or nurseries. Allow 4 weeks for any freshly painted or primed walls to fully cure. Installing before this timeframe can cause bubbling. If you’re not sure if your walls will work for wallpaper I offer and highly recommend test swatches.
Prepasted Removable Smooth
This is a more durable type of removable wallpaper that is water activated. What I love about this type is that you can recycle this wallpaper when you want a fresh new style. Since it is water activated you may want to enlist a friend or partner to help with installing. Just like the peal and stick woven wallpaper you can use this in a rental, home or as temporary art. This wallpaper is great for kitchens, children’s rooms and nurseries since it is more durable. This Do-it-Yourself wallpaper installs well to most non-textured surfaces that are not water-repellant. This wallpaper is made with 10% post-consumer waste and is printed in Durham, North Carolina. It is a great product with an environmentally conscious edge. If you’re not sure if your walls will work for wallpaper I offer and highly recommend test swatches.
Non-Pasted Traditional Pebble
This is the OG wallpaper. It is highly durable, resistant to mold, mildew and water for residential and commercial properties. I highly highly recommend hiring a professional to install however if you do want to install yourself I have some suggestions. First you will want to inspect the wall(s) you want to place the wallpaper on. Fill holes, sand rough edges, remove outlets and switch covers. Prime the wall if necessary and allow for enough time to dry. Priming will neutralize the existing wall color and help the wallpaper glue to adhere. If priming, Romans RX35 clear primer is recommended. Clean and wipe down the walls. Before you start to install you will need a level with a straight edge or laser, pre-mixed wallpaper paste, paste brush or napped roller, wallpaper smoothing brush, ladder, putty knife, pencil or tape, drop cloth, bucket with clean water, and a clean workspace/table. There are many videos and I have a blog post telling you step by step on the best way to install.
Peal and Stick removable woven as well as Prepasted removable smooth wallpaper is formaldehyde-, phthalate-, and PVC-free. Non-pasted traditional pebble wallpaper is eco-friendly, Type II wallcovering, Class A/M1/B1 Fire Rated, and PVC-free. I hope this helped you at least get an idea for different types of wallpaper you can choose from and what may work best for you and your home needs. I have over 30 patterns available and more coming *wink wink on my website. All of my patterns are available in these 3 types of wallpaper, produced in the US by Spoonflower. Swatches are available and I highly recommend testing the adhesive on your walls before buying the full amount of you need.
