Wallpaper has made a comeback and I am here for it! It is a fun way to help make your home more personal. There are countless different styles and patterns available. Are you team traditional wallpaper or team removable wallpaper? I’ve used both for different DIY room refreshes. So, today I’m diving into the top differences between traditional and removable wallpaper.
Why Use Wallpaper in Your Home
I love using paint to create a vibe in a room, especially when it’s a modern green. But, there are times when wallpaper can do so much more than paint. There are so many cool wallpaper patterns available. I personally love what Anewall, Loomwell, and Spoonflower have to offer.
We have definitely moved on from the cutesy borders of our childhood rooms to wall murals that make a statement. Think of transporting yourself to an ocean front, a fairy garden, or even a place that is imagined in storybooks.
Another reason I love using wallpaper is that it is an affordable and easy way to refresh a space. You don’t need a ton of tools or materials to DIY a wallpaper project which saves you time and money. Wallpaper also doesn’t feel as permanent as paint does. This is especially true when you are using removable/ peel and stick wallpaper which I will tell you all about in just a minute.
There are two leading types of wallpaper: traditional wallpaper and removable wallpaper (also known as peel and stick wallpaper). Both will give you an amazing end result, but there are distinct differences between the two. Let’s talk about them each individually.
Traditional Wallpaper
Traditional wallpaper refers to the type of wallpaper that is not self-adhesive. To get the wallpaper to stay, you have to use a wallpaper paste or adhesive. It does take some skill, but it is totally doable because the paste allows for the wallpaper to be moved around until it is in the right spot! Before applying the wallpaper, make sure to do your research, talk to your family/friends who have used it before, and check out some of my favorite DIY wallpapering projects to see how others have done it.
Some favorite projects I have done with traditional wallpaper are the cloud-inspired bedroom I created for my son recently and the fairy garden room I created for my niece with the help of my best DIY friends.
I knew my son needed a space where he could feel calm and at peace which is why I fell in love with this traditional wallpaper from Anewall that looks like a mix between watercolor clouds and the spray of the ocean. It is so calming and made me feel like I was back on my solo trip to Joshua Tree (which is what actually inspired the whole room, to begin with). The traditional wallpaper mural wrapped around every inch of the room and was absolutely perfect.
My son and niece have very different personalities so when it came to the space for my niece, she needed to be transported into a place that she would never want to leave. My friends (Lindsay @frills_and_drills and Mysha @remingtonavenue) and I found a floral pattern that left us speechless. It left my niece speechless, too. Check out her reaction here. It was the cutest!
Why use Traditional Wallpaper?
More traditional wallpaper is also a great option if you are looking for something that can handle all the aspects that come up on a day-to-day basis. Coloring. Kids. Spills. Kids. Constant wipe downs. Kids. See where I am going here? Traditional wallpaper products aren’t going anywhere! They will stay put because the adhesion is stronger with paste. Plus, traditional wallpaper products are built to be more durable once they are applied.
Removable Wallpaper (AKA Peel and Stick Wallpaper)
The other type of wallpaper on the market is peel and stick. Peel and stick wallpaper is a great option if you don’t necessarily want the pattern to be permanent. If you like changing up your space often I would recommend going with peel and stick. It is easy to apply and less messy to get on your walls than traditional wallpaper. This makes it a great option for renters! You can make the space feel like your own and take it down when you move without worrying about repairing anything.
Last year, I had the crazy idea to turn my dining room into The Great Hall of Hogwarts from Harry Potter for Thanksgiving. My kids are into Harry Potter and I wanted to create something memorable for them. Despite the many people who doubted my vision, this project was so fun and turned out amazing! To create Hogwarts vibes in my modern dining room, I needed to add some ‘brick’ to my walls. So, I turned to peel and stick wallpaper. It was essentially a big sticker for my walls that turned a modern area into an aged hall with old stone walls. It was a game changer and made all the difference in my project. It felts like we were stepping right into the book!
Using peel and stick wallpaper was the perfect solution to getting the wow factor I wanted without anything having to be permanent. My kids were obsessed with how it turned out. Check out their reactions here.
Top Differences Between Traditional and Removable Wallpaper
When it comes to choosing between traditional and removable wallpaper, it really all comes down to personal choice. I always recommend that you think about what room you will be using the wallpaper in. How long do you want the wallpaper to last? Do you like to refresh the spaces in your home often? Will the wallpaper be in a place that needs additional durability?
I know whatever option you choose will be great! Thanks for diving in with me into the top differences between traditional and removable wallpaper. Don’t forget to hang out with me on Instagram and TikTok for other DIY ideas. I am always coming up with something new and want to DIY with you!
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.
