A Guide to Removable Wallpaper: Everything You Want to Know Before You Buy Peel and Stick

Wallpaper has come a long way from the paste buckets and scraping nightmares of decades past. Today, you can completely change the look of a room with little more than a roll of wallpaper, a few basic tools and an afternoon.

That’s right, we’re talking about removable wallpaper.

Also called peel-and-stick wallpaper, removable wallpaper makes it possible to bring color, pattern and personality to a space without making it quite as permanent. That lower level of commitment makes it an especially appealing choice for renters, serial redecorators and anyone who has ever loved a bold wallpaper pattern but wondered, “Will I still love this in five years?”

If you’re considering peel-and-stick wallpaper, here are a few things to know before clicking “Add to Cart.”

What Is Removable Wallpaper?

Traditional wallpaper is typically installed using wallpaper paste or an adhesive that is activated before application. Removable wallpaper simplifies the process with a self-adhesive backing.

Think of it a little like a very large, very stylish sticker for your wall.

You peel away the backing, carefully position the wallpaper and smooth it into place. When you’re ready for something different, it is designed to peel away from the wall without the intensive removal process associated with many traditional wallpapers.

And because there’s no paste to mix or apply, it’s also an approachable option for DIY projects or the ever-evolving world of commercial design.

Is Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Effective?

The short answer: It can be a great option for the right project.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is especially useful when you want to make a noticeable change without committing to a permanent design. It can turn a blank wall into the focal point of a room, add a playful print to a nursery or give a tiny powder room a whole lot more personality.

It’s also easy to experiment with.

Love florals but aren’t ready for a floor-to-ceiling garden? Start with an accent wall. Found a whimsical print that would be perfect for a child’s room right now? You don’t have to worry about whether it will still suit them when they’re 15.

Removable wallpaper gives you a little more freedom to have fun with your walls.

Is Removable Wallpaper Renter-Friendly?

For renters – commercial or residential – the words “removable” and “wallpaper” together are pretty exciting.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper can be a renter-friendly way to personalize a space that otherwise feels temporary. Instead of staring at builder beige until your lease is up, you can add a print that actually makes your apartment feel like home.

However, renter-friendly does not automatically mean landlord-approved.

Always check your lease before installing wallpaper or making other changes to your apartment. You’ll also want to consider the condition and finish of the walls before installation.

If you’re unsure, order a sample first and test it in an inconspicuous area before covering an entire wall.

Can I Remove Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper?

Yes. That’s kind of the whole point!

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is designed to be removable. Instead of soaking, steaming and scraping away layers of paper and adhesive, you can generally begin at a corner and slowly peel the wallpaper away from the wall.

The key word here is slowly.

Resist the urge to dramatically rip the entire panel from the wall like you’re revealing the finished room on a home renovation show. Gentle, careful removal gives you more control and can help protect the surface underneath. Be sure to always follow the removal instructions for your specific wallpaper.

Removable wallpaper is designed to come off cleanly, but the condition of the wall underneath matters.

For the best results, peel-and-stick wallpaper should be applied to a clean, smooth, properly prepared surface. Fresh paint may need time to fully cure before wallpaper is installed, and damaged, flaky or poorly adhered paint can potentially lift during removal.

Textured walls can also be tricky. A heavily textured surface gives the adhesive less consistent contact with the wall, which may affect both how well the wallpaper sticks and how it looks once installed.

This is another reason we’re big fans of samples. A small test can tell you a lot before you commit to an entire room.

Wallpaper Isn’t Just for Walls

Sure, you can cover four walls and call it a day. But removable wallpaper is also really good at turning the overlooked parts of a room into something worth looking at.

Have a little wallpaper left over? Even better. Put those scraps to work.

• Give a bookshelf a backdrop. Add wallpaper behind the shelves of a bookcase or built-in to bring in pattern without overwhelming the room. It’s especially fun in a kid’s room, office or reading nook.
• Dress up a basic cabinet. Try wallpaper on cabinet doors, inside glass-front cabinets or along the back interior for a little surprise every time you open the door.
• Make over a dresser. Smooth drawer fronts are prime real estate for a favorite print. Suddenly, the basic dresser you’ve had forever looks a whole lot less basic.
• Add some personality to a closet. Closets are practically begging for a fun print. Go bold with something you might hesitate to use across an entire bedroom.
• Take it to the stairs. Wallpapered stair risers can turn an ordinary staircase into a design feature, whether you use one repeating pattern or mix things up from step to step.
• Create a patterned nook. A desk alcove, reading corner, pantry or tiny workspace is the perfect place to use wallpaper to visually carve out a space of its own.
• Look up. Depending on the surface and application, even a ceiling can become an opportunity for pattern. It’s unexpected, a little dramatic and definitely more interesting than plain white.

Don’t let the word “wallpaper” boss you around. If you have a smooth surface and a print you love, there are plenty of places to get creative.

Make It Your Own

Finding a pattern you love is one thing. Getting that pattern just right for your space is where the fun really starts.

With Little Cocalico, you can browse thousands of existing designs or upload your own pattern to create something completely custom. That means your wallpaper can be as classic, colorful, quirky or completely one-of-a-kind as the room calls for.

You can also play with scale. Love a floral but want it to make a bigger statement? Scale it up for dramatic blooms. Want the same design to feel a little more subtle? Scale it down for a smaller, more delicate look. The same pattern can take on an entirely different personality depending on its size.

That flexibility is especially helpful when you’re working with an unusual space. A tiny powder room might be the perfect place to go big and bold, while a nursery, bookshelf or furniture project may call for something smaller and sweeter.

Start with one of Little Cocalico’s designs, adjust the scale to fit your vision or bring a design of your own. Your wallpaper doesn’t have to come straight off the shelf, figuratively speaking. It can be made for exactly what you have in mind.

Ready to Give Your Walls a New Look?

One of the best things about removable wallpaper is that it takes some of the pressure out of decorating. Your walls don’t have to stay blank just because you rent, and choosing a wallpaper pattern doesn’t have to feel like a lifelong commitment.

Pick something that makes the room feel more like yours right now.

Little Cocalico offers peel-and-stick wallpaper in thousands of designs, making it easy to find something for every kind of space, from sweet nurseries and colorful kids’ rooms to sophisticated bedrooms, offices and living spaces.

Explore existing designs or upload your own today.