Fancy Walls Vibrant Orange Cheetah Wallpaper displayed in a bedroom Photograph: Tobey Grumet Segal/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Fancy Walls Vibrant Orange Cheetah Wallpaper displayed in a bedroom Photograph: Tobey Grumet Segal/The Guardian Guardian journalism is independent. We earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more .
Adding a touch of zhuzh to the home has never been easier – these alternatives to traditional wall decor are simple to apply and low mess
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Jump to What are the pros and cons of peel-and-stick wallpaper? What is the best kind of peel-and-stick wallpaper? The best peel-and-stick wallpaper in the US How do I install peel-and-stick wallpaper? So, is peel-and-stick wallpaper worth it? I ’ll come clean. I’ve spent years coveting wallpapers. In fancy restaurants and bars, in my friends’ homes, in stylish hotels – I have clocked all my favorite designs. But as a renter in New York City, there was no way I was going to spend the time and money to put up wallpaper I would then have to tear down in a move.
Peel-and-stick seemed like the perfect antidote – but before I invested, I checked in with a handful of experts about the best wallpaper to use, how to choose it, and most importantly, how to put it up.
After listening to all the tips, deciding on my patterns and spending two afternoons sticking paper to the walls of my Brooklyn apartment, I can assure you that yes, you really can do it – and it looks just as good as traditional wallpaper.
Go modern … Chasing Paper NYC Matchbooks Read more $36 Buy at Chasing Paper … or vintage Wallshoppe Pop Dots Wallpaper by Clare V. Read more $58 Buy at Wallshoppe For wallpaper that looks like art Read more $108 Buy at Lucy White Art Florals? Groundbreaking West Elm Pierce + Ward Floral Trellis Peel & Stick Wallpaper Read more $149 Buy at West Elm For art deco flair Fancy Walls Vibrant Orange Cheetah Wallpaper Read more $58.50 Buy at Fancy Walls Show all (5) Everything you need to install Romeda Sanding Sponge Read more $6 Buy at Amazon Art3d Smoothing Tool Kit Read more $6 Buy at Home Depot Goo Gone Adhesive Stick and Remover Read more $5 Buy at Home Depot What are the pros and cons of peel-and-stick wallpaper? The pros: a lower up-front cost and faster installation. You can also cleanly remove it without damage. “Think of it like a rug for your walls. You don’t have to worry about scratching furniture or smudging the walls because you’re covering them,” said Suzette Conrad, digital creator and marketing manager at the home remodeling firm Bolt Builders .
Of course, there are some downsides. “Peel and stick is great for renters or anyone who wants the option to remove or swap out their wallpaper,” said Ann Marie Winkler, principal interior designer at Huron Interiors . “However, if the adhesive isn’t re-positionable, it can actually be tougher to install since it’s harder to correct placement once it’s on the wall.”
There’s always a slim possibility it will not cleanly un-peel, and it generally doesn’t work well on heavily textured walls, unless it’s specifically rated for them.
A person smoothing peel-and-stick wallpaper Checking the weight of the material is important before you buy. Lisa Quinn , a Palm Desert, California-based interior designer and home stager, likes heavier wallpapers because they can hide minor wall imper…