Types of Wallpaper Explained: Peel-and-Stick, Pre-Pasted, Unpasted, Vinyl and Grasscloth

Which Type of Wallpaper Is Right for Your Room?

Choosing a pattern may be the fun part, but understanding the different types of wallpaper is what helps you choose a wallcovering that works beautifully in your actual space.

Wallpaper can be categorized in several ways. The label may describe how it is installed, such as peel-and-stick, pre-pasted or unpasted. It may describe the face material, such as vinyl or natural grasscloth. It may also describe the backing or construction, such as nonwoven wallpaper.

That means a wallpaper can belong to more than one category. For example, a vinyl wallcovering may be pre-pasted or unpasted, while a nonwoven design may use a paste-the-wall installation method. Always read the specifications for the exact wallpaper you are purchasing.

Here is what each major wallpaper type means, where it works well and what to know before ordering.

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper has a pressure-sensitive adhesive already applied to the back. During installation, the release liner is gradually removed while the wallpaper is positioned and smoothed onto the wall.

Because no separate paste is required, peel-and-stick wallpaper is a popular choice for renters, nurseries, home offices, accent walls and homeowners who enjoy changing their décor. Modern collections include sophisticated florals, animals, geometrics, faux grasscloth, murals and designer patterns.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper performs best on a wall that is clean, dry, smooth and fully cured. Surface requirements vary by brand. York Wallcoverings, for example, instructs customers to let newly painted walls cure for at least four weeks and notes that heavy texture can interfere with adhesion.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a good choice when you want:

• A self-adhesive wallcovering

• No separate wallpaper paste

• A removable design option

• A statement wall or room refresh

• Access to bold, modern patterns

Before ordering, test a sample on the actual wall and review the manufacturer’s instructions for your paint finish, wall texture and room conditions.

Read our complete Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Guide for measuring, installation, cleaning and removal tips.

Pre-Pasted Wallpaper

Pre-pasted wallpaper has dried adhesive applied to its backing during manufacturing. The adhesive is activated with water according to the product instructions.

Depending on the brand, the wallpaper may be sprayed, briefly submerged or run through a water tray. After activation, many products require a short booking period. Booking means gently folding the pasted sides together without creasing the paper, allowing the moisture and adhesive to distribute evenly before hanging.

Pre-pasted wallpaper combines traditional wallpaper construction with adhesive that is already included. It is important to follow the specified wetting and booking times because they can vary by product.

Pre-pasted wallpaper is a good choice when you want:

• Adhesive included with the wallpaper

• A traditional wallpaper appearance

• A wide selection of residential patterns

• A product made for long-term decorating

Unpasted Wallpaper

Unpasted wallpaper does not have adhesive on the backing. The correct wallpaper paste must be purchased separately and applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Some unpasted products require paste to be applied to the back of the paper. Others are designed for paste-the-wall installation. Natural wallcoverings, luxury designer papers and many commercial-grade materials are commonly supplied unpasted.

This category provides an enormous variety of finishes and materials, but the correct adhesive matters. The wallpaper type, backing, wall surface and room conditions can all affect which paste and primer should be used.

Unpasted wallpaper is a good choice when you want:

• Access to luxury and specialty wallcoverings

• A broad range of colors, textures and materials

• A traditional professional installation

• Greater control over the adhesive system

Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper

Paste-the-wall wallpaper is generally made with a dimensionally stable nonwoven backing. Rather than pasting and booking each strip, adhesive is applied directly to the prepared wall and the dry wallpaper is placed into the paste.

Graham & Brown explains that its paste-the-wall backing does not expand when wet, eliminating the soaking step required by many traditional papers. Because the wallpaper is handled dry, it can be positioned and trimmed cleanly during installation.

Paste-the-wall wallpaper is a good choice when you want:

• Paste applied directly to the wall

• No traditional soaking or booking stage

• A stable modern backing

• A broad selection of designer patterns

Paste-the-wall is an installation method, not a decorative style. Always confirm the instructions printed on the roll label.

Vinyl Wallpaper

Vinyl wallpaper contains a vinyl surface or coating and is known for its practical performance. The Wallcoverings Association separates vinyl wallcoverings into constructions such as paper-backed vinyl, fabric-backed vinyl and vinyl-coated paper, each designed for different levels of use.

Many residential vinyl wallpapers are washable, making them useful in active areas such as hallways, laundry rooms, kitchens and children’s spaces. Commercial vinyl wallcoverings may be engineered for higher traffic and classified by performance level.

Not every vinyl wallpaper has the same weight, backing, washability or installation method, so check the individual specifications rather than relying on the word “vinyl” alone.

Vinyl wallpaper is a good choice when you want:

• A practical, cleanable surface

• Wallpaper for a frequently used room

• Options ranging from residential to commercial performance

• A wide selection of colors and patterns

Grasscloth Wallpaper

Grasscloth is a natural wallcovering traditionally made by weaving plant fibers onto a backing. Depending on the product, those fibers may include grasses, jute, sisal, hemp, raffia or other natural materials.

The beauty of grasscloth comes from its organic variation. Panels can differ slightly in color and texture, and the seams remain visible as part of the finished design. This is not considered a defect; it is part of the character that makes natural grasscloth feel layered, warm and luxurious.

Natural fibers can be more sensitive to moisture and staining than washable vinyl surfaces. For that reason, product selection, wall preparation and careful installation are especially important.

Grasscloth wallpaper is a good choice when you want:

• Natural texture and depth

• A sophisticated, organic finish

• Visible panel variation and handcrafted character

• A statement for dining rooms, offices, bedrooms or formal living spaces

Faux grasscloth is another option. It recreates the woven look through printing or embossing and may offer different cleaning and performance characteristics.

Mural Wallpaper

A wall mural creates one large image across a wall rather than repeating the same pattern continuously. Murals may arrive as numbered panels or be custom printed for a specific wall size.

Because the artwork is designed as one composition, exact wall measurements are essential. Measure the complete width and tallest height without subtracting windows or doors unless the mural manufacturer specifically instructs otherwise.

Murals are ideal for:

• Bedrooms and nurseries

• Dining-room feature walls

• Offices and creative spaces

• Large-scale landscapes or botanicals

• Custom statement walls

Printed, Textured and Specialty Wallcoverings

The wallpaper world also includes textiles, cork, wood veneer, metallic finishes, flock, beads, mica, hand-painted papers and other specialty materials. These products can produce extraordinary results, but each has its own handling, adhesive and installation requirements.

When ordering a specialty wallcovering, review:

• Face material

• Backing material

• Roll width and length

• Pattern repeat and match

• Recommended adhesive

• Cleaning classification

• Installation notes

• Expected panel or color variation

How to Choose the Best Wallpaper Type

Ask these questions before purchasing:

1. Which room is being wallpapered? Consider traffic, moisture, sunlight and cleaning needs.

2. What is the wall condition? Smooth, properly prepared walls create the best foundation.

3. How permanent do you want the design to be? A removable peel-and-stick product serves a different goal than natural grasscloth or a luxury unpasted paper.

4. What finish do you want? Compare flat printed paper, embossed texture, vinyl, metallic details and natural fibers.

5. Who will install it? Specialty papers, murals, ceilings and complex rooms benefit from an experienced wallpaper installer.

Always Order a Sample

A sample helps you evaluate the true color, scale, texture, sheen and material in your own lighting. If you are considering peel-and-stick wallpaper, a sample can also help you evaluate compatibility with the wall surface.

Once you choose your wallpaper, order the full project quantity together and verify that the rolls share the same lot or run number.

Find Your Wallpaper—and the Right Installer

That Wallpaper Girl curates wallpaper using years of real-world experience with pattern selection and installation. Explore our wallpaper collections, order samples and use our Wallpaper Installer Network to connect with qualified installers in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wallpaper Types

What is the easiest way to tell how wallpaper is installed?

Check the product description and roll label. Look for terms such as peel-and-stick, pre-pasted, paste-the-wall or unpasted, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Is nonwoven wallpaper the same as paste-the-wall wallpaper?

Many paste-the-wall wallpapers use dimensionally stable nonwoven backings, but the product label is the final authority. Not every product described as nonwoven necessarily shares identical instructions.

Is grasscloth supposed to show seams?

Yes. Visible seams, shading and panel variation are characteristic of genuine natural grasscloth and contribute to its organic appearance.

Can vinyl wallpaper be used in any room?

Vinyl offers many practical choices, but suitability depends on the particular product, backing, ventilation and manufacturer guidance. Review specifications for the exact room and wall.