14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (2023)

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Claudia Guthrie

14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (1)

Claudia Guthrie

Claudia Guthrie is an interior trends expert and writer with over five years of experience specializing in covering new product and furniture line launches. She has also written for other sites covering crafting and DIY content.

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Updated on 12/15/20

14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (2)

Peel-and-stick wallpaper has risen in popularity both with professional interior designers and home DIYers looking to add a splash of colors and patterns to their space. And it’s no secret as to why—peel-and-stick wallpaper gives you the stylish look of traditional wallpaper, but without all the installation hassle.

Think of it as a giant sticker. Simply pick the place you want to redesign, make sure your panel is level, peel off the back, and stick it on. It’s fast, affordable and, as interior designer Katie Davis says, “as long as you have patience, anyone can do it. Truly anyone.”

Here’s the kicker: it’s not just for creating statement walls. With some outside-the-box thinking, you can apply peel-and-stick wallpaper almost anywhere to create a totally new look. We rounded up our favorite peel-and-stick Instagram posts for a little project inspo.

  • 01 of 14

    DIY a Backsplash

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (3)

    (Video) Home color inspiration for renters that can't paint: bedroom makeover with black feature accent wall

    If you’ve never used peel-and-stick wallpaper before, this is the easiest way to bring some color to your kitchen. A DIY backsplash is a great beginner-friendly project—all you need to do is make sure your application is level and smooth out any bubbles that pop up. If you mess up, simply peel off the panel and reapply.

    7 Easy Ways to Update Your Rented Home Without Damaging a Thing

  • 02 of 14

    Level Up Your Stairs

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (4)

    Peel-and-stick wallpaper can have a big impact even on small spaces. Lifestyle blogger Jodi Lozauskas wanted to add a pop of color to her lake house stairs, and after considering painting them, she saw others post DIY staircases made with tiles. She figured she could get the same effect much easier with wallpaper.

    “The great part is, if it doesn’t last or I change my mind or I don’t like it, it’s not permanent,” she says.

    Lozauskas started out with one step. After seeing how great the paper held up to rain and wear-and-tear, she finished the project a few months later.

  • 03 of 14

    Revamp Your Furniture

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (5)

    When interior designer Michelle Harrison-McAllister found a high-end dresser with a brass finish front, she was awe-struck...and without the $6,000 budget to cover it. So she recreated the look with peel-and-stick wallpaper and a dresser from IKEA.

    She measured every drawer, cut templates from Kraft paper, and used them as guides for adding brass wallpaper. The result: the stylish, unique look of her original find, for a fraction of the cost. And (bonus!) by peeling off the brass and applying a new pattern, the dresser’s style can be changed in a flash.

    The 17 Best Ikea Hacks of All Time

  • 04 of 14

    Create Faux Windows

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (6)

    If you have a room with no windows, Harrison-McAllister has an easy fix: make your own. Using a tropical peel-and-stick wallpaper, she measured and cut the print to look like window panes, then framed each in moulding.

    “With.. everybody being sequestered, if you’re in a tucked room like that, you want to feel like you at least have some windows or the outdoors,” she says. “You want to have something visual that’s stimulating.”

    Continue to 5 of 14 below.

  • 05 of 14

    (Video) How to Stick Wallpaper​ , ​Home decoration with Stick Wallpaper​ part1191

    Stick It to the Ceiling

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (7)

    Think beyond walls...and stick your wallpaper to the ceiling. It’s a totally unexpected way to add depth and dimension to your room, and it looks completely mesmerizing. But fair warning—you might not be able to resist spending hours lying on the floor when your ceiling is this gorgeous.

    30 Ceiling Wallpaper Ideas That Will Elevate Any Interior

  • 06 of 14

    Craft a Cozy Nook

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (8)

    Real talk: who doesn’t want a cozy reading nook? Lifestyle blogger Katie Lamb built exactly that in her daughter’s room using an extra closet, a few two-by-fours, plywood, and (of course) peel-and-stick wallpaper.

    28 Reading Nooks You Could Read in Forever

    Lamb says she opted for the peel-and-stick backing rather than painting the wall to make the space more eye-catching and girly. Plus, as her daughter gets older, the wallpaper is easy to remove and replace with another, more sophisticated print.

  • 07 of 14

    Line Your Drawers

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (9)

    When home decor designer Candace Glover saw wallpaper lining drawers in her boss’ house, she knew she had to do it too. She measured each drawer in her RV (twice!), cut the wallpaper, and stuck it down. She even added the design to her refrigerator to match!

    Glover says for a smaller space like drawers, you can use a credit card to smooth the paper and remove any bubbles. But if you’re working large-scale, you’ll want to invest in a wallpaper smoothing tool.

  • 08 of 14

    Upgrade a Kitchen Island

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (10)

    You know how one simple facelift can totally change the look of a space? Stylist Laura Goodwin discovered just how powerful peel-and-stick wallpaper can be when she used some to cover up the dark navy laminate of her kitchen island. The result is a gorgeous gathering space.

    “It is honestly one of the most easy DIYs I have ever done,” she says. “After I decided on the design I wanted, Minnie and Me Interiors custom cut the wallpaper to size for me. All I had to do was peel and stick. It’s that easy!”

    Continue to 9 of 14 below.

    (Video) Creepy Giant Bunny EXPLAINED 😱 (decomposing)
  • 09 of 14

    Go Halfsies

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (11)

    Peel-and-stick wallpaper can be a no-brainer for lightening up small spaces and creating interesting corners of your home. This scallop look by Alicia Kim is eye-catching in all the right ways, even when only applied to half the wall!

  • 10 of 14

    Makeover a Closet

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (12)

    After creating a few accent walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper, Davis was itching to see what else she could do with the tool. When a client hired her to transform a closet in her new apartment, Davis saw her chance.

    “[The client] was really eager to finally have a closet she felt was actually all her own,” she says. “She just wanted to make it special in that way. So I thought, what better idea than to use a fun wallpaper?”

    After emptying and painting the closet, Davis revamped the space in a matter of hours. “The tricky part about doing it inside closets is that there are all these corners and tight spots,” Davis says. “There’s a lot of measuring and cutting out your exact pieces of paper.”

  • 11 of 14

    Dress Up a Dollhouse

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (13)

    Who says real houses are the only spaces that get to enjoy fun wallpaper? Use scraps from your last project to deck out a dollhouse or playhouse for your mini me. Whether you build the toy from scratch or just add wallpaper on something store-bought, you can’t go wrong with creating a one-of-a-kind look your kid’s little friends will envy.This version from Minnie and Me Interiors is lovely.

  • 12 of 14

    Style Your Cabinets

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (14)

    You don’t have to rip out your cabinets to refresh your kitchen—all you need is a little paint and wallpaper. This cabinet was brown and boring when DIY blogger Laurel Harry moved into her house, but with some TLC (a paint job and colorful tangerine print) it’s practically a work of art in her kitchen.

    The method was as easy as taking out the shelves and sticking on the paper, and you can try this same method for a hutch or bookshelf, too!

    Continue to 13 of 14 below.

  • 13 of 14

    (Video) Peel & Stick Wood Cabinets | Renter Friendly Hack

    Line the Room

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (15)

    After constructing three-quarter-high board and batten for her dining room, lifestyle blogger Jessica Brigham wanted to bring a fun, bohemian design to the space. Because she has a hard rule to not install traditional wallpaper in her bungalow (largely due to resale value), she turned to her go-to: peel-and-stick wallpaper.

    18 Tips for Creating a Boho Style Home

    It took about eight hours to wallpaper the entire room. The height of the board and batten was perfect for the wallpaper panel—it left her a few inches so she could sneak the wallpaper behind the board and batten so it would fill out the space seamlessly.

    Any of the cons you’d find in removable [wallpaper], you’d find also in traditional,” Brigham says. “But then there’s even more limitations as far as it doesn’t just come off the wall.…I have to be honest, I think it’s a gift from the design gods.”

  • 14 of 14

    Greet Guests With a Cute Entryway

    14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect (16)

    If you have a little alcove by your door you don’t know what to do with, a colorful entryway instantly brings joy to your home. After all, if this is the first thing you see when you walk in, you can’t not smile. Paste it up on the wall or, if you have a larger coat rack or shoe trunk, use wallpaper to decorate those furnishings.

    25 Small Entryway Ideas That Are Sleek and Stylish

(Video) 3 Hour DIY Bedroom Makeover By Pro Designer | Room Refresh | Architectural Digest

FAQs

14 Gorgeous & Easy Ways to Use Temporary Wallpaper for a Dramatic Effect? ›

This NEW peel and stick wallpaper from Spoonflower is hands down the best texture and quality peel and stick wallpaper I have ever used. The paper substrate that Spoonflower uses makes it is so easy to work with and installation was a breeze.

Is spoonflower wallpaper good? ›

This NEW peel and stick wallpaper from Spoonflower is hands down the best texture and quality peel and stick wallpaper I have ever used. The paper substrate that Spoonflower uses makes it is so easy to work with and installation was a breeze.

Does peel and stick wallpaper work? ›

It is usually only expected to last up to three years before it begins to peel or tear away from the walls. This makes it an excellent choice for the short term but not a great option for a long-term commitment. Sometimes, peel and stick wallpaper doesn't adhere well to walls. This can leave bubbles and air pockets.

Is temporary wallpaper good? ›

No doubt about it, removable wallpaper is easier to deal with than its pasted counterpart. Its temporary nature means you can more easily correct mistakes (simply peel off the paper, then readjust its position), and it's also a breeze to remove.

What can wallpaper stick to? ›

Wallpaper will adhere to drywall, new and old plaster. You can find wallpaper for concrete walls, masonry, and paneled walls. You can even wallpaper over tile and other slick, nonporous surfaces, such as concrete block, or synthetic laminate paneling.

How long can you leave removable wallpaper on? ›

How long does removable wallpaper last? If self-adhesive wallpaper is applied properly and left alone, it can last as long as you choose – remove it in a month for a new look, or keep it for years as a staple of your décor.

What wallpaper won't rip? ›

Peel & Stick Wallpaper

Simply peel off the backing and stick to your wall. Peel and stick removable wallpaper doesn't damage walls and removes cleanly. Pull up a corner and peel off to remove - it's that easy, we promise!

What is the best fabric to use as wallpaper? ›

Cotton and polyester are good choices, while wool and velvet are generally too heavy to be held securely with liquid starch. Buy enough fabric. Measure your wall in inches from ceiling to floor, adding a few extra inches to allow for shrinkage.

Which is better peel and stick wallpaper or paste? ›

Durability. Removable wallpaper is not nearly as durable as traditional non-woven wallpaper. The peel & stick paper can peel, seemingly on its own and you will have to stick it back on the wall. The adhesion is nowhere near as strong as paste.

What to do if peel and stick wallpaper won't stick? ›

A simple solution for the problem is to clean the wall (recommended 2-3 times) with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water, let dry completely, test the adhesion with a sample and afterwards proceed with the wallpaper installation.

How well does peel and stick wallpaper hold up in bathrooms? ›

Peel-and-stick's low-tack self-adhesive backing does make it easier to remove when the time comes. But its main value for bathrooms is that it's 100-percent vinyl. With no paper content to degrade or develop mold, peel-and-stick wallpaper is ideal for high-moisture environments like full baths.

Where not to use wallpaper? ›

9. Think you can't hang it in humid rooms. Kitchen and bathrooms wallpaper ideas can add an instant style update, but we often fear wallpaper is not suitable for environments that are prone to humidity. It's all about choosing a wallpaper designed specifically for use in damp and steamy conditions.

What is the easiest wallpaper to hang? ›

Vinyl: This is the most common type of wallpaper because it is easy to hang and remove, is the best option for damp areas, and often comes pre-pasted.

How do you prepare a wall for temporary wallpaper? ›

Prepare Your Surface

(Be safe and turn off power first.) Use a sponge or cloth and a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and dust from walls. Allow to dry. Tip: If your walls are newly painted, wait three days before applying peel-and-stick wallpaper.

What is the strongest wallpaper paste? ›

Polycell Maximum Strength Wallpaper Adhesive can be used with any type of wallpaper and mixes quickly to a smooth wallpaper paste that is very easy to apply.

Why is my peel and stick wallpaper bubbling? ›

Bubbling is a common problem for beginners and professional installers alike. A usual reason that wallpaper develops air pockets or bubbles is: If the bubble is still wet, it's a good indication too much paste was applied. Inversely, if the bubble is dry, not enough paste was applied.

How do you make homemade wallpaper paste? ›

1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup white sugar, and 2 quarts of water. Mix the cornstarch and sugar in the skillet. Add enough cool water to make a smooth paste. Slowly add the rest of the water and cook and stir until thick.

Is wallpaper cheaper than peel and stick? ›

Price​ Peel-and-stick wallpaper is typically cheaper than traditional wallpaper. Self-adhesive wallpaper is also intended for the DIYer, whereas with regular wallpaper you might need to hire a professional to install it, which adds to the overall cost.

How easy does removable wallpaper come off? ›

Regardless, removable wallpaper has it will always be way easier to remove when you compare it to regular wallpaper. Traditional wallpapers require wet paste for application and normally tear your wall apart when removed while peel and stick wallpapers will typically come off without leaving much of a mark.

Is peel and stick wallpaper the same as removable? ›

Yes! Removable wallpaper, also known as peel and stick wallpaper, peels off with just a pull, like the perfect sticker.

Where is the best place to start peel and stick wallpaper? ›

Step 3: Apply Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Peel off about 12 inches of the adhesive backing and line the wallpaper up with your lines, starting from the highest point you'll be wallpapering. Moving from top to bottom, press and smooth the wallpaper against the wall while peeling off the remaining backing.

Why is wallpaper so expensive? ›

Wallpaper prices typically go up with the increased durability and manufacturing cost of the paper type. Custom paper and murals may be more expensive than typical solid sheet vinyl or coated fabric paper. Grass woven wallpaper is much more expensive than vinyl because it's made from natural materials and hand-woven.

What is peel and stick wallpaper called? ›

Peel and stick wallpaper, also referred to as removable wallpaper or self-adhesive wallpaper, is a versatile product that allows you to update your home decor in an easy way without the worry of a long-term commitment.

What is the hardest wallpaper to remove? ›

More traditional wallpaper that is untreated and uncoated can usually be removed and scraped off after just getting it wet. The most difficult wallpaper to remove are those with a vinyl or laminated coating. These types of wallpapers are meant to be washable, therefore it's difficult for water to penetrate them.

What wallpaper lasts the longest? ›

But what kind of wallpaper is the right choice? The answer might surprise you. If you are looking for a long lasting and durable option, the clear winner is solid vinyl wallpaper. That's right – the wallpaper type that was frequently used in kitchens and bathrooms in the 60's and 70's, is the most durable option today.

Why would wallpaper not stick? ›

The surface may not have been primed properly. There may have been bubbles below the wallpaper. The wallpaper's pre-pasted backing adhesive may have failed. It may be the result of damage from getting bumped.

What type of wallpaper is in fashion? ›

From murals to wavy stripes, see what everyone will have on their walls this year... Wavy stripes, 70s style, and wallpaper in unexpected places (from the ceiling to bookcases) are among the most popular wallpaper trends for 2023.

What is linen wallpaper? ›

Linen wallpapers are made using long staple yarns and take colour well. The softness and texture adds an elegance to a room, subtly dampening acoustics, good for bedrooms or a dining room.

What is interlining wallpaper? ›

The interlining one is slightly thicker than the self-adhesive one and has a sand structure on its surface. The self-adhesive is smooth. The self-adhesive one is repositionable, which means you can correct its position. The interlining wallpaper can only be repositioned for a while until the adhesive dries.

How do you seal wallpaper? ›

To make paper wallpaper waterproof, you need to coat it with a layer of solid vinyl or decorator's varnish. This will create a waterproof seal that will help keep the moisture out and prevent the wallpaper from tearing apart or peeling. In addition, this will make the wallpaper easier to scrub and clean.

What is the best roller for applying wallpaper paste? ›

Do I use a brush or roller to apply wallpaper paste? ROMAN recommends using a 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch nap paint roller to ensure a thin, even coat of adhesive is applied. A paint brush can also be used in along corners, or to make repairs.

Do you need to prime walls before peel and stick wallpaper? ›

Therefore, we do not recommend installing self adhesive removable wallpaper on bare drywalls under any circumstances! At least a primer is required for a proper wallpaper installation on plasterboard walls.

What type of wallpaper is best for a bathroom? ›

What type of wallpaper is best for bathrooms? Choose vinyl for the most durable bathroom wallpaper. Unlike conventional wallpaper, 100% vinyl wallpaper does not degrade over time or develop mold in high-moisture environments like bathrooms.

Do people still use wallpaper in bathrooms? ›

A bathroom is THE ideal space to use wallpaper in your house. In a tiny room like the loo you can go very bold with color and pattern in a way you normally wouldn't in a much larger room.

Should you wallpaper one wall or whole room? ›

You should cover all walls if you want a striking color or pattern in a tiny area. However, installing wallpaper on one wall doesn't always make the space appear smaller. If you select a color and pattern with a lower contrast to the painted wall color, the visual transition is smoother.

Should small rooms have an accent wall? ›

An accent wall might be a great way to boost the expanse of even a tiny bedroom. However, warm colors and textures can lead to the accent wall reducing the bedroom space visually. If you want to make your sleeping area look larger, cool and/or darker color tones will work most efficiently.

How do you wallpaper awkward places? ›

  1. Start with a plumb line. With all wallpaper projects you want to start with a level vertical line. ...
  2. Know the match type of your wallpaper. ...
  3. Pre cut your panels, always. ...
  4. Start in the right place. ...
  5. Work around the object. ...
  6. Be precise when cutting the wallpaper. ...
  7. Work with your design. ...
  8. Measure twice cut once.
Jun 29, 2022

Do you start in the middle of the wall when wallpapering? ›

'Usually you would start wallpapering from the corner of the wall and work your way around the room, but if you have a focal point such as a fireplace, then you should start there, working from the center,' says James Greenwood, wallpaper and paint specialist at Graham & Brown.

What are the 3 types of wallpaper? ›

Select Between Solid Vinyl, Vinyl Coated and Natural Textured Wallpaper. There are three primary types of wallpaper to choose from ⁠— solid vinyl, vinyl coated, and natural textured.

How long do you leave wallpaper paste on paper before hanging? ›

Folding and rolling, ensuring adequate soaking time

Soaking time is dependent on room temperature and wallpaper type (around 8-12 minutes). Only paste a small number of strips at one time, and hang them in the order they were pasted. The strips can also be pasted with a papering / pasting machine.

How easy is it to hang removable wallpaper? ›

Is Peel & Stick Easier to Hang Than Traditional Wallpaper? Overall I'd say yes, if you've never hung wallpaper before you'll have an easier time as a beginner with the installation of peel and stick wallpaper.

How do you keep peel and stick wallpaper from coming off? ›

Not smoothing your wallpaper: A crucial step when installing peel and stick is to properly smooth (firmly press with a smoothing tool) the material onto the wall. Failure to properly smooth your wallpaper can cause a lift off the wall.

What pattern of wallpaper is easiest to hang? ›

Random match is the easiest to install and will not create any waste when measuring strips as these wallpapers line up randomly at the seams. Drop-match and straight match wallpapers may result in some waste when you match the pattern from strip to strip.

How do you hang wallpaper for dummies? ›

Always Prepare Your Space
  1. Cover Any Space. Although wallpapering isn't as messy as painting, it's not nearly as neat as you may imagine. ...
  2. Remove Any Old Wallpaper. ...
  3. Think About Fixtures. ...
  4. Seal Your Walls. ...
  5. Ensure To Line Your Walls. ...
  6. Think Of Where You're Decorating. ...
  7. Calculate How Much You Need. ...
  8. Lay Out The Wall.
Mar 1, 2022

How do you mimic wallpaper with paint? ›

Painted-on stripes are one of the easiest ways to add a wallpaper-like effect to your walls. For the ultimate in sophistication, choose two paint colors in the same tonal family. Christy at Confessions of a Serial DIYer alternated Behr's Classic Taupe with Toasted Wheat stripes, for a formal yet welcoming dining room.

Do you use a brush or roller for wallpaper paste? ›

Do I use a brush or roller to apply wallpaper paste? ROMAN recommends using a 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch nap paint roller to ensure a thin, even coat of adhesive is applied. A paint brush can also be used in along corners, or to make repairs.

What is the most difficult wallpaper to hang? ›

Drop Match: While the designs are much more complex, they are also more intricate, and require both vertical and horizontal pattern matching. Drop match wallpaper is the most difficult to hang, but provides the most impressive results.

Is removable wallpaper expensive? ›

The peel-and-stick wallpapers we tested range from about 75¢ to about $5 per square foot.

Why does my peel and stick wallpaper bubble after hanging? ›

A usual reason that wallpaper develops air pockets or bubbles is: If the bubble is still wet, it's a good indication too much paste was applied. Inversely, if the bubble is dry, not enough paste was applied. The wallpaper paste wasn't properly smoothed out.

Why doesn't peel and stick wallpaper stick? ›

Accumulated dust on a wall can for sure damage the adhesive, the most dust the less the wallpaper is going to stick. Installing a removable wallpaper over a dusty wall is to install the wallpaper on the dust not the wall. Bad thing is you cannot remove the dust from the adhesive afterwards.

How do you prepare a wall for peel and stick wallpaper? ›

Clean, smooth surfaces are the best. A peel and stick wallpaper will properly attach itself to your wall only if its surface is smooth and clean. Before proceeding with the installation, spend a few minutes getting rid of dust and dirt. Use a microfiber cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the entire surface.

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