Wallpapers have been used to add personality and depth to walls. Some types create warmth through texture, others highlight patterns with crisp print, and many balance both. It isn’t just about looks, though. The right material or style can also influence durability, maintenance, and how well it suits the room. The following guide explores the major categories—by material, by design, and by how they’re installed.
Types of Wallpaper by Styles and Patterns
Floral Wallpaper
Floral wallpaper ranges from delicate sprigs to bold tropical botanicals. Small prints soften a wall without overwhelming it, while oversized blooms add drama and scale. Designers often use it to introduce movement and color where plain paint would fall flat.
Key considerations:
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Light backgrounds with delicate floral detail can visually enlarge compact rooms.
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Large, high-contrast flowers make striking feature walls.
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Patterns include traditional English roses, tropical palms, and stylized abstracts.
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Works well with furniture or textiles that echo one shade within the print.
Damask Wallpaper
Damask patterns are characterized by repeating motifs with a sense of symmetry. Many are inspired by woven textiles, showing scrolls, foliage, or ornamental flourishes. Their look is often formal, which makes them a strong candidate for dining rooms, foyers, or other spaces that benefit from structure and repetition. Embossed finishes or metallic inks can add depth, while matte versions create a quieter effect.
Striped Wallpaper
Stripes alter the perception of space. Vertical stripes tend to lengthen walls visually; horizontal ones broaden a room. The impact shifts depending on stripe width, spacing, and color contrast. Narrow pinstripes bring subtle order, while wide blocks of alternating shades create bold rhythm.
Design notes:
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Vertical stripes can give the illusion of taller ceilings.
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Horizontal stripes widen a room visually.
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Thin stripes read as understated; wider ones dominate the wall.
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Pairs well with solid-colored furnishings to avoid competing patterns.
Brick-Look Wallpaper
Brick-look wallpaper mimics the texture and color of real masonry. Some designs imitate old, weathered surfaces, while others reproduce crisp, new brick. It offers the character of exposed brickwork without the need for construction. Many versions are printed on vinyl, which allows easy cleaning and better resistance to humidity.
Wood-Look Wallpaper
Wood-look wallpaper creates the impression of timber planks, shiplap, or paneling. Patterns may highlight grain lines, knots, or distressed finishes. It introduces warmth where actual wood might be impractical, such as bathrooms or rented apartments.
Advantages to note:
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Available in rustic, aged, or polished wood effects.
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Adds warmth and texture without carpentry.
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Works as a backdrop for both modern and traditional interiors.
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Often easier to install and remove than actual paneling.
Patterned Wallpaper
Patterned wallpaper encompasses designs outside of florals, stripes, or faux finishes. Geometric motifs, abstract repeats, and stylized illustrations all fall into this category. The visual weight of a pattern depends on scale: fine lines create subtle texture, while oversized repeats dominate the space. Placement matters—covering every wall creates immersion, while a single wall emphasizes the pattern as an accent.
Vintage Wallpaper
Vintage wallpaper revives motifs and palettes from earlier decades. Victorian damasks, mid-century geometrics, and 1970s florals are common examples. Surfaces may even be given a patina to evoke age. Although designs draw on the past, most modern reproductions are printed on durable bases, making them easier to install and maintain.
Types of Wallpaper by Material
Vinyl Wallpaper
Vinyl wallpaper is constructed with a PVC surface bonded to either paper or fabric backing. The coating allows it to resist moisture and stains, making it a suitable choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and corridors.
Maintenance is pretty easy, as the surface tolerates wiping with mild detergent. Its durability is balanced by certain limitations: the thickness of the material can accentuate seams, and intricate patterns may not appear as refined as they do on paper-based alternatives. In many newer versions, non-woven backings allow entire strips to be removed in a single piece.
Flock Wallpaper
Flock wallpaper is recognized by its raised, velvety surface created through the application of fine fibers onto a backing material. The texture adds depth to walls and can highlight traditional or ornamental motifs.
Despite its appeal, it is one of the more delicate wallcoverings. Dust accumulates quickly on the fibers, and cleaning requires great care since moisture or adhesive can damage the surface. This material performs best in low-traffic rooms such as formal dining areas or bedrooms, where visual effect is prioritized over durability.
Paper Wallpaper
Paper wallpaper is the traditional form of wallcovering, consisting of printed designs on a paper base. It is widely admired for its clarity of pattern, range of colors, and variety of finishes.
Because the material lacks protective coatings, it is more prone to tearing and staining than vinyl or non-woven options. Removal often involves soaking the surface to loosen the adhesive, followed by scraping. Its best applications are dry spaces where design variety is a priority over durability.
Types of Wallpaper by Installation
Peel & Stick / Self-Adhesive Wallpaper
Peel & stick wallpaper comes with adhesive already applied, eliminating the need for paste. Installation is cleaner than traditional methods, though the wall surface must be smooth and dust-free for the panels to adhere properly. Removal is usually simple, making it popular in rentals or spaces that change often.
At Grovetree Décor, we design our peel & stick wallpaper with details that set it apart:
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Our textured canvas option adds a dimensional, tactile finish.
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Printing is completed at up to 600 DPI with an invisible protective overcoat.
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Exclusive patterns include South Asian and Arabesque influences.
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Every roll is made in Canada using European base materials.
Strippable Wallpaper
Strippable wallpaper is engineered to come away from the wall in full sheets when removed, making redecorating less labor-intensive. It works best on properly primed walls, where the adhesive stays secure during use but releases evenly when pulled. Many people choose it for rooms that are likely to change in style over time, such as children’s spaces or home offices.
Key points:
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Removes cleanly with minimal scraping.
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The adhesive bond is stable during use yet loosens evenly when stripped.
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Reduces wall damage compared to traditional papers.
Washable Wallpaper
Washable wallpaper carries a protective surface that allows light cleaning without affecting the design. It holds up well in areas where walls may be touched or marked occasionally.
Maintenance should be limited to soft sponges and mild soap, as stronger cleaners may still cause deterioration. This option suits hallways, dining areas, and other moderately used spaces, but not damp environments such as bathrooms.
Considerations:
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Cleaning is limited to gentle methods only.
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Resists fingerprints and small smudges.
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Better for family spaces than for wet rooms.
Paintable Wallpaper
Paintable wallpaper features a raised or embossed surface designed to be coated with paint after installation. Once the adhesive has fully dried, it accepts paint smoothly, allowing color changes over time.
The texture adds depth, and some patterns can disguise minor wall imperfections. This type is popular when flexibility in finish is desired, or when walls need visual interest without introducing printed designs.
Details to remember:
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Allow full drying before painting to avoid bubbles.
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Compatible with most paints; matte hides flaws best.
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Can be repainted as décor evolves.
Pre-Pasted vs Unpasted Wallpapers
Pre-Pasted Wallpapers
Pre-pasted wallpaper already has adhesive on the back. To activate it, the paper is soaked or lightly sprayed with water before installation. This makes the application less messy and more approachable for non-professionals. Still, walls need to be properly primed so the paper can be removed later without extensive scraping.
Key points:
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Adhesive is evenly applied during manufacturing.
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Requires water to activate before hanging.
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Often faster to install than unpasted versions.
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Removal is simpler if the walls are prepared correctly.
Unpasted Wallpapers
Unpasted wallpaper comes with no adhesive, so paste must be applied manually. This allows more control over bond strength and is often favored by professionals. The added step takes more time, but it can improve adhesion on challenging surfaces. Unpasted options also tend to handle heavier or specialty papers better.
Key points:
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Paste is brushed or rolled onto either the paper or the wall.
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Greater flexibility in adhesive choice for specific needs.
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Suits heavier materials like grasscloth or flock.
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Installation requires more skill and patience.
Conclusion: Which Wallpaper Type Is Best for You
Each type of wallpaper has distinct strengths. Vinyl performs well where durability is required; flock and grasscloth contribute texture and richness; paper offers clarity of design; and installation methods range from convenient peel & stick to professional-grade unpasted. Styles range from floral to geometric, subtle to dramatic.
The choice ultimately depends on the room’s conditions and the impression you want to create. At Grovetree Décor, our wallpapers use advanced adhesive technology that stays secure for years yet removes with minimal wall damage, reducing long-term cost compared to lesser products.
FAQ
1. What type of wallpaper is best to use?
Vinyl is the most versatile, balancing durability, easy cleaning, and wide design options, making it suitable for most residential spaces.
2. What are the downsides of peel-and-stick wallpaper?
It requires smooth walls for proper adhesion, may lift in humidity, and sometimes shows seams more than pasted papers.
3. What is the most popular wallpaper style?
Floral remains the most widely used, though geometric and textured designs have grown significantly in contemporary interiors.
4. What is type 3 wallpaper?
Type III refers to the heaviest commercial-grade wallcoverings, designed for very high-traffic spaces such as healthcare or hospitality facilities.
5. What is type 2 wallpaper?
Type II is medium-weight commercial wallpaper, thicker than residential types, used in hotels, offices, and corridors for added durability.
