Not Your Grandmother's Wallpaper! Learn About The Many Types of Wallpaper

Wallpaper has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the past few years. Today, wallpaper choices are much more versatile than earlier examples. Wallpaper of different types has been used since before the 18th century as a decorative element for interior spaces.

This post will look at why incorporating wallpaper into your interior design is a good idea. We'll also list some of the many types of wallpaper available and their best uses.

First, A Brief History Of Wallpaper

During the Renaissance, wallpaper was used as an alternative for tapestries, which were only available by the upper class, to cover the stone walls of their castles and add color to their rooms. The earliest wallpaper featured scenes rather than patterns, and the two biggest manufacturers were England and France.

By the end of the Victorian period, patterned wallpaper had become an essential wall finishing material for middle-class homes throughout the U.S. However, by the middle of the 20th century, wallpaper had fallen out of favor as painting became popular.

In recent years, wallpaper has become a popular option for designers and homeowners looking for a way to add aesthetic interest to an interior design. Manufacturers have recently been creating wallpaper with some advantages, like blocking WiFi waves, protecting walls from collapsing during an earthquake, or lighting by incorporating LED lighting. Also, thanks to technology, wallpaper has evolved from woodblock printing and stenciling to digital printing.

Why Use Wallpaper?

blue grey vinyl wallpaper types of wallpaper — this patterned, mildly textured wallpaper was used in a century-old bungalow remodel.

While wallpaper is generally more expensive than paint and comes in a wide range of designs, patterns, surface finishes, and materials. Wallpaper can be applied in several ways, including pasting the wall, pasting the paper, and peel-and-stick wallpaper. Unlike your Grandmother's wallpaper, today, wallpaper, especially peel-and-stick, can be easily removed and replaced.

Some wallpapers can last for more than 15-years, and many types are easily washable. Wallpaper is a great way to personalize your design and can cover uneven walls, hiding defects with little preparation.

The Many Types of Wallpaper Available

Gone are the days of wallpaper that is difficult to install and even harder to remove! Today, technology has given us a wide range of easy-to-install materials that are easy to remove. You can choose the best design and material for the room you are outfitting and the one most in line with your stylistic taste.

Here are some of the many types of wallpaper available today.

Paper Wallpaper

This one is made from paper. It tends to get overshadowed by the newer types, which is ironic since paper is the original material. No frills. No thrills. Just paper.

Most of the higher-end wallpaper is made of paper or non-woven material because other types tend to have a glossier finish. Wallpaper made of paper has the classic matte finish that many homeowners and desires desire.

Non-Woven Wallpaper

Floral wallpaper used in a bathroom remodeling — floral pattern wallpaper was used for this master bathroom

Non-woven wallpaper is a combination of natural fibers and vinyl. When these materials are mixed, it creates a breathable, flexible, and more durable wallpaper than regular paper backing wallpaper. This is the next evolution to standard wallpaper backing, but not a full vinyl. Some non-woven wallpapers have no vinyl and are made from natural and synthetic plant fibers.

Vinyl Wallpaper

Vinyl wallpaper is the most durable option. It can take a beating compared to paper and non-woven wallpaper. Vinyl wallpapers are a big category and come in three varieties:

Solid vinyl – 100% vinyl wallpaper is highly washable, scrubbable, and scratch-resistant. Many people choose this type of wallpaper to use in the kitchen, bathroom, powder room, and laundry room. Vinyl wallpaper gives you the most bang for your buck compared to other types of wallpaper.
Vinyl Coated – This contains less vinyl than solid vinyl wallpaper. The vinyl is coated onto the paper. This is a medium between non-woven and solid vinyl wallpaper. It's less glossy and more matte than solid vinyl but still has a subtle shine.
Fabric Backed Vinyl – This is the strongest of all wallpaper, combining the strength of vinyl and heavy-duty fabric. Fabric-backed or fabric-backed vinyl is typically an industrial-grade material most often used in hotels, office buildings, and airports. You cannot scratch or tear this wallpaper. While primarily used in commercial applications, many homeowners choose it for their homes because they like how well it holds up.

Prepasted Wallpaper

This type of wallpaper has glue embedded on the back, but you won't notice it by looking or feeling it until you activate the glue by adding water. You can spray or dunk each sheet into a trough filled with water. Prepasted water can either be non-woven, vinyl-coated, or solid vinyl.

Peel and Stick

This wallpaper goes one step beyond prepasted paper. It has a sticky back and is ready to be applied when you peel the thin plastic backing. This is made for people looking for a more temporary solution. You can hang it and take it down as needed. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is also reusable, so when you take it down in one room, you can hang it back up in another.

Natural Grasscloth

textured wallpaper types of wallpaper — textured wallpaper used in a contemporary condominium remodeling

As the name implies, this type of wallpaper is made from natural grasses, and dried reeds are woven together on a paper backing. This type of wallpaper is also referred to as "sisal." Almost all natural grasscloth is made in Asia and shipped to the U.S. This wallpaper is a staple in mid-century modern homes, and gives a room a very earthy look, feel, and smell. The smell is what separates natural from imitation grasscloth. They can look and feel the same, but natural grasscloth fills a room with an unforgettable outdoorsy grassy scent.

Organic Textures

This type of wallpaper is related to natural grasscloth as it is also made from all-natural fibers. Mostly made of linen fabric, it can also be made from other raw materials like bamboo, cork, or wood. These types of wallpaper are delicate and best installed by an experienced professional installer. Organic and natural grasscloth wallpapers are the most expensive types of wallpaper.

Foil Wallpaper

A polished metal foil is used as a base for this type giving a space a shiny metallic effect. Because it is highly reflective, foil wallpaper highlights and wall defects. So the base wall will need to be repaired, treated, or covered with lining paper first.

Flock Wallpaper

Flock wallpaper offers distinctive, fuzzy, three-dimensional patterns created from a velvet-like fiber printed on a paper base. It is one of the most expensive wallpaper types and is hard to maintain. Its velvety texture is luxurious. Flock wallpaper is best used in low-traffic rooms like the master bedroom or guest room.

Mylar Wallpaper

Much like foil wallpaper, mylar wallpaper has a wet or shiny appearance. It is comprised of a paper base and an applied polyester film. Like foil, it also highlights defects, so a paper lining is recommended. The polyester film makes it easy to wash, and it is also easy to remove. Most commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms.

Wallpaper is a great way to add interest to a wall or an entire room. For interior designers and homeowners, wallpaper offers a great way to personalize a space. Whether you choose a natural grasscloth wallpaper or commercial-grade fabric-backed vinyl, there is a type of wallpaper available to meet your unique needs.

Here at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel, our design team is current with all of the latest trends in interior design. If you live in the greater Madison, Wisconsin, area and are considering a home remodeling project, give us a call! We are always happy to answer any questions you might have about the types of wallpaper available and show you all of the benefits of including wallpaper in your next remodeling project!

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 9/27/2022.

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