Roll of wallpaper with decorative pattern on a neutral background

which wallpaper is right for you?

Peel and stick, pre-pasted, or traditional. Different materials, different finishes, different uses. Here's how to choose.

Types of Wallpaper

Choosing wallpaper sounds simple until you start looking, and then the terminology piles up. Peel and stick, non-pasted, pre-pasted, textured, smooth. It's easy to feel like you need a glossary before you've even picked a pattern. You don't. There are really only a few types of wallpaper worth knowing about, and once you understand what each one does, the choice gets a lot quieter.

Here's a plain rundown of the main types, which suits which room, and what to do if your walls aren't perfectly smooth.

Classic, smooth, built to last

Traditional (Non-Pasted)

A paste-the-wall option on non-woven fabric with a smooth matte finish. At 190gsm it's the lightest of the three and handles well, hanging predictably with clean, flat seams. Apply paste directly to the wall, hang the panel, trim if needed.

The most permanent of the three options and the classic choice for full room makeovers. Best on smooth, dry walls. Not recommended for bathrooms, kitchens, or humid spaces as the paper-based material can be affected by moisture. Not suitable for heavily textured walls.

PVC-free, GreenGuard certified, printed with UV inks.

Peel and stick wallpaper being smoothed onto a wall

Flexible, fabric-feel, no paste needed

Peel & Stick

No paste, no fuss. Peel and stick is made from 100% woven polyester fabric with a soft, fabric-like feel and a matte woven texture you can see and touch.
It's self-adhesive, repositionable for up to 24 hours after hanging, and designed to remove cleanly in one piece. As with any removable wallpaper, clean removal depends on the wall being sound and well prepared, so it's best on walls in good condition.

At 370gsm (including the peel-off liner) it's the most substantial of the three options in hand. Works in bathrooms, kitchens, and moderately humid spaces. Not suitable for heavily textured walls.

A good choice for renters, first-timers, and anyone who wants flexibility without sacrificing finish.

PVC-free, GreenGuard certified, printed with UV inks.

Permanent finish, no mixing required

Pre-Pasted

The middle ground between traditional and peel and stick. The adhesive is already on the paper, activated with a damp roller or sponge rather than a separate paste. No mixing, no mess.

At 300gsm it's the heaviest of the paste-based options, and it shows in the finish. The surface has a fine embossed texture and a premium matte feel that you notice on the wall. Repositionable while the adhesive is still wet, and suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and moderately humid spaces. Not suitable for heavily textured walls.

PVC-free, GreenGuard certified, printed with UV inks.