Want to give a room an entirely new personality without committing to a permanent design? Peel-and-stick wallpaper makes it possible to bring color, pattern and texture to your walls using a self-adhesive backing—no separate wallpaper paste required.
From bold florals and animal prints to modern geometrics, faux grasscloth and designer murals, today’s removable wallpaper offers far more than temporary-looking décor. It can create a polished feature wall, transform a powder room or give a rental home the personality it deserves.
Here is everything you need to know about choosing, measuring for and installing peel-and-stick wallpaper.
What Is Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper?
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a self-adhesive wallcovering with a removable paper backing. To install it, you gradually peel away the backing while smoothing the wallpaper onto a properly prepared wall.
Unlike traditional pasted or unpasted wallpaper, peel-and-stick wallpaper does not require a separate adhesive. Many products can also be repositioned during installation, allowing you to adjust the first panel and align the pattern before applying firm pressure.
Why Choose Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper?
It Creates an Immediate Transformation
Wallpaper can change the entire feeling of a room. A dramatic botanical can turn a plain powder room into a statement, while a soft floral can make a bedroom feel finished and intentional. Peel-and-stick wallpaper offers a convenient way to experiment with patterns and colors that paint alone cannot provide.
No Separate Wallpaper Paste Is Needed
The adhesive is already applied to the back of the wallpaper. You simply remove the liner as you work and smooth the material onto the wall.
It Offers Design Flexibility
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a wonderful option for renters, homeowners who enjoy changing their décor and anyone who wants to experiment with a bolder design. Because it is designed to be removable, it gives you more freedom to refresh a room as your style changes.
Always review the individual manufacturer’s removal instructions and test a small, inconspicuous area before covering the entire wall.
There Are Designs for Every Style
Peel-and-stick wallpaper is now available in an enormous range of designs, including:
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Floral and botanical wallpaper
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Animal and wildlife wallpaper
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Modern geometric wallpaper
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Toile and traditional patterns
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Stripes, plaids and checks
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Chinoiserie-inspired wallpaper
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Faux grasscloth and textured looks
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Children’s and nursery wallpaper
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Peel-and-stick murals
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Maximalist and statement wallpaper
Whether your style is playful, traditional, modern, coastal or wonderfully dramatic, there is a removable wallpaper that can bring it to life.
Where Can You Use Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper?
Peel-and-stick wallpaper works beautifully in many residential spaces, including:
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Bedrooms
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Home offices
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Dining rooms
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Entryways
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Nurseries
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Playrooms
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Laundry rooms
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Powder rooms
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Apartments and rental homes
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Closets and small accent spaces
It can be used on a single feature wall or throughout an entire room. A small space is also an excellent place to embrace a bold wallpaper pattern that may feel overwhelming elsewhere.
For kitchens, bathrooms and other areas where humidity or temperature can fluctuate, review the product specifications before purchasing. Some peel-and-stick wallcoverings are better suited to these spaces than others.
What Type of Wall Works Best?
For the best adhesion and smoothest finished appearance, apply peel-and-stick wallpaper to a clean, dry and smooth wall.
Dust, grease and debris can interfere with the adhesive, so the surface should be thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry before installation. Heavily textured walls may show through the material or reduce surface contact.
Newly painted walls also need time to cure. York Wallcoverings recommends allowing newly painted surfaces to cure for at least four weeks before applying its peel-and-stick products. Always follow the instructions provided with your particular wallpaper, as recommendations can vary by manufacturer.
Before ordering your full project quantity, consider purchasing a sample and testing it on the actual wall. A sample allows you to see the color, scale and finish in your home’s lighting while also checking compatibility with the surface.
How to Measure for Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Begin by measuring the width and height of each wall you plan to cover. Multiply the width by the height to calculate the wall’s square footage.
However, square footage is only the starting point. Wallpaper must also be matched from one panel to the next, so the pattern repeat and match type affect how much material you need.
Always account for:
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The height and width of each wall
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The dimensions of the wallpaper roll
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The pattern repeat
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Straight, drop or random pattern matching
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Extra material for trimming and alignment
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Doors, windows and architectural details
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A reasonable allowance for the project
Order all the wallpaper needed for one room at the same time. Before installation, verify that the rolls have the same run or lot number so the color remains consistent across the wall.
Need help calculating? That Wallpaper Girl can help you determine how many rolls your project requires before you order.
How to Install Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Always begin by reading the manufacturer’s instructions included with your wallpaper. Product specifications can vary, but the general process typically looks like this:
1. Gather Your Tools
You will generally need:
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Tape measure
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Level
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Pencil
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Sharp utility knife
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Straightedge
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Plastic wallpaper smoother
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Clean cloth
2. Prepare the Wall
Make sure the wall is smooth, clean, dry and free from dust. Remove switch and outlet covers after safely turning off the power.
3. Create a Straight Starting Line
Do not assume the corner of the room is perfectly straight. Use a level to draw a light vertical guideline for your first panel. Beginning with a straight panel helps the remaining pattern stay properly aligned.
4. Cut the First Panel
Measure the wall height and leave a small amount of extra material at the top and bottom for trimming. If the wallpaper has a repeating design, plan your cuts so the pattern can be matched across each panel.
5. Apply the Wallpaper
Peel a portion of the backing away from the top of the first panel. Position the wallpaper against your guideline and lightly press it into place.
Continue working from top to bottom, removing the backing gradually while smoothing the wallpaper onto the wall. Use the smoothing tool from the center toward the edges to create consistent contact and release trapped air.
Avoid stretching the material while applying it, as stretching can affect pattern alignment.
6. Match the Next Panel
Align the next panel according to the product’s specified match type. Focus on matching the most visible part of the pattern before smoothing the remaining material into place.
Some manufacturers recommend a very slight overlap between panels, while others specify a different seam treatment. Follow the instructions provided with your wallpaper for the best result.
7. Trim the Edges
Use a sharp blade and straightedge to trim the extra wallpaper neatly along the ceiling, baseboards and other architectural edges. Changing the blade regularly helps create cleaner cuts.
How Do You Clean Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper?
Many peel-and-stick wallpapers are washable and can be gently cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge. York Wallcoverings advises using mild detergent when needed.
Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers and excessive moisture. Always check the care instructions for your particular wallpaper before cleaning it.
How Do You Remove Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper?
Begin at an upper corner and gently pull the wallpaper downward, slowly and evenly, keeping it close and parallel to the wall instead of pulling straight outward.
Taking your time helps the adhesive release gradually. Because wall paints and surfaces vary, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test the product before installation.
Should You Order a Wallpaper Sample First?
Absolutely. Computer and phone screens can display colors differently, and a pattern’s scale may feel different once it is inside your room.
A wallpaper sample lets you:
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See the true color in your lighting
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Feel the material and finish
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Compare the design with your furniture and paint
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Understand the scale of the pattern
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Test the product on your wall surface
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Feel more confident before ordering full rolls
View the sample during the day and at night. Natural light, lamps and surrounding colors can all change the way wallpaper appears.
Can You Hire a Professional to Install Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper?
Yes. Professional installation is an excellent option when you want precise pattern alignment and beautifully finished edges, especially in rooms with multiple corners, windows, doors or architectural details.
Through the That Wallpaper Girl Installer Network, you can access qualified wallpaper installers in your area. Tell us about your room, wallpaper and timeline, and we will help connect you with experienced professionals who fit your project.
Find the Perfect Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Peel-and-stick wallpaper gives you the freedom to bring personality, color and pattern into your home without separate paste. Whether you are creating one unforgettable accent wall or transforming an entire room, the right design can make your space feel completely new.
Explore the peel-and-stick wallpaper collection at That Wallpaper Girl and find a pattern that gives your walls something better to say.