The 10 Best Wallpapers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Plus, expert advice from interior designers about how to choose wallpaper.
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
One of the greatest ways to dress up your white walls and ceilings is with wallpaper. Wallpaper adds dimension, color, and the opportunity to play with bold patterns in your space without having to do any kind of renovation work. But that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be treated as a serious design project.
“Not only is wallpaper an investment in both time and money, once you’ve spent it, you’ll be living with it,” says Pamela Sandall, a Los Angeles-based interior designer. “I think it should make you smile every time you look at it,” she says.
To help you make the most informed decision regarding wallpaper, we tested 30 different options in our Lab and evaluated them on value, durability, ease of application, and design. In addition to Sandall, we also spoke to two more interior designers: Victoria Lee, owner and principal designer of Victoria Lee Interiors, and Rasheeda Gray, founder and lead designer of Gray Space Interiors.
Best Overall Wallpaper: Serena & Lily Priano Wallpaper
Who it's for: People who want easy-to-install wallpaper that won't leave behind bubbles or bleeding from glue.
Who it isn't for: People who want a peel-and-stick style wallpaper.
We found this wallpaper from Serena & Lily to be beautiful, high-quality, and quite easy to install. The botanical pattern present on the Priano Wallpaper is actually a copy of a watercolor piece the brand created in-house. The delicacy of the watercolor combined with the simplicity of the vines results in a pattern that is more soothing than overwhelming. You can choose to add a pop of color to your room with the bold navy or grove (green), or keep things more neutral with sky (very light blue), pink sand (very light pink), and mink (a light clay color).
While installing, we really liked how thick and smooth the wallpaper felt. After sticking it to the wall with wallpaper paste (this is unpasted wallpaper), we found that there was no bleeding of the glue and no lingering bubbles—even months after installation. Plus, after putting it through our cleaning test, there was no leftover color or stains. Even though this wallpaper is on the pricier side, we would definitely recommend it due to its durability, design, and quality.
Price at time of publish: $128 per roll
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted
Size: 2.25 x 27 feet (60.75 square feet)
Material: Paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Washable Wallpaper: Mind The Gap Yuyuan Wallpaper
Who it's for: People looking for a chinoiserie-style wallpaper.
Who it isn't for: People who prefer simpler wallpaper.
If you’re willing to go bold, we heartily recommend this gorgeous wallpaper, which stands out for its unique design, saturated colors, and ease of application. We found this wallpaper to be one of the easiest to install, and we loved its depiction of an authentic Chinese dynasty garden, complete with rolling hills, pavilions, and dreamy, flowery trees.
The wallpaper’s material is made of a satin matte, which has a heavier feel and nice finish. The paper has actually been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a non-profit that gives certifications to products that use materials that come from responsibly-managed forests. In our cleaning test, the texture and durability of this wallpaper helped it pass with flying colors: We were able to get all of our stains out with a damp sponge and there was no fading or smearing of color. What’s more, the Yuyuan Wallpaper comes in strips that are marked A, B, and C, making installation seamless.
Take note though: After three months, we noticed that some of the corners needed touching up with adhesive. Aside from that though, this wallpaper looked like new.
Price at time of publish: $239 for 3 rolls
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted, washable
Size: 1.7 x 9.8 feet (50.4 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Peel & Stick Wallpaper: Rifle Paper Co. Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Who it’s for: Renters who need a wallpaper that’s designed to be temporary.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a more neutral wallpaper.
We can’t say enough good things about this peel & stick wallpaper from Rifle Paper Co. Not only is it incredibly easy to apply and reposition, but it’s also surprisingly affordable—not to mention absolutely beautiful. The design is very typical of Rifle Paper Co., with an intricate floral and animal motif and saturated colors. We tested the black version, but it’s also available in navy and white (with shades of pink) if you want something a little less dark.
The best thing about this wallpaper, though, is its ease of application. Even for novice DIYers, this wallpaper goes on flawlessly with very little effort. We found that it didn’t require any tools to remove bubbles (we just used our hands), and it was easy to reposition and line up correctly. It has a thicker, high-quality feel, and managed to look the same after many months of use. The only downside is that after six months of use, it required some effort to remove, and pulled off some paint in the process.
Price at time of publish: $65 per roll
Product Details:
Type: Peel & stick
Size: 2.25 x 20 feet (45 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Spray & Stick Wallpaper: York Wallcoverings Nautical Living Wallpaper
Who it's for: People who want a water-resistant wallpaper.
Who it isn't for: People who want a bold wallpaper pattern.
The worst part about owning wallpaper is having to go through the process of installation. Luckily, this wallpaper from York Wallcoverings proved to be the exact opposite. This can be attributed to the application type, as well as the design of the wallpaper. This spray & stick wallpaper was much less messy than other wallpapers we tested that required glue to be hung. It was also impressively easy to line up because there was no pattern to match.
The Nautical Living wallpaper comes in three colors, including a beige, taupe, or faded denim blue. Any of these choices would work perfectly in a coastal decor-style home, or for people who want to keep their walls neutral in color. The material is thick and water-resistant, so you can put it in your kitchen and bathroom. Its water-resistance is what made it easy to clean the glue residue from the backing. Plus, after the cleaning, there were no stains or bleeding on the paper—and after three months, there was no bubbling, although one corner was slightly peeling.
Price at time of publish: $100 per double roll
Product Details:
Type: Spray & stick, washable
Size: 1.7 x 33 feet (56 square feet)
Material: Textured paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Botanical Wallpaper: A-Street Prints Alfresco Palm Leaf Wallpaper
Who it's for: People whose home decor style is tropical or nature-focused.
Who it isn't for: People who want a wallpaper pattern that is less busy.
This popular wallpaper pattern has been turning heads since its first appearance in the 1930s—and it’s easy to see why it has stood the test of time. The plethora of palm fronds allows you to experience some of the tranquility of nature inside your home. This is a great option for people who gravitate toward tropical home decor styles, or those who want some flora in their home without having to take care of houseplants.
In addition to its good looks, we also found this A-Street Prints wallpaper to be easy to apply to our drywall and, for the most part, easy to clean as well. We were able to get barbecue and coffee stains out completely. The crayons, on the other hand, were harder along the lines of the wallpaper. The Alfresco Palm Leaf Wallpaper comes in seven colors, including green palm fronds with blue or pink backgrounds, and blue, pink, gray, and taupe palm fronds with white backgrounds.
Price at time of publish: $140 per roll
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted, washable
Size: 1.7 x 33 feet (56.4 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Floral Wallpaper: Mark D. Sikes Floral Wallpaper
Who it’s for: People who prefer more traditional-looking wallpaper.
Who it isn’t for: People who want wallpaper for high-traffic areas.
This floral wallpaper, made exclusively for Anthropologie by interior designer Mark D. Sikes, is perfect for those who lean more traditional in their decor choices. Classic yet still eye-catching, this wallpaper will best suit more formal rooms like a dining room or guest room.
It’s also very easy to apply—we even found the process to be simpler than some peel & stick wallpapers we’ve worked with. We were surprised by how easy it was to cut, considering that it has a thicker construction and does not have cut lines on the back. We used a ruler to draw lines, and had no problems. Plus, it didn’t get wrinkly during application and was easy to smooth and reposition.
Where it did not stand out, though, was the durability test. Coffee, BBQ, and crayon stains did not come completely off, and we found that rubbing the paper too hard caused damage. On the other hand, it was in perfect condition after several months. Therefore, we recommend it for low-traffic areas where stains are unlikely to happen.
Price at time of publish: $168 per roll
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted, not washable
Size: 1.5 x 33 feet (49.5 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Best Animal Wallpaper: Printfresh Antelope's Forest Wallpaper
Who it’s for: Maximalists who want to go bold.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for more animal motif options.
If you’re someone who loves color and pattern (and animals!), you can’t do much better than Printfresh’s wallpaper. We tested the Antelope’s Forest pattern, but there are two other animal motifs available: Bagheera and Flamenco, as well as a clementine option. Plus, Antelope’s Forest comes in two color schemes: jade (which we tested) and ivory.
We found this wallpaper to be easy to unroll and paste, but we did have to take extra care to avoid tears as we were cutting. Once we started the application process though, it was smooth sailing—the paper smoothed easily and resulted in zero bubbling. The construction is thick and the colors are vibrant, making it look and feel like a very high-end product. We also found it to be highly durable and resistant to stains and fading, even after several months.
Price at time of publish: $148 per roll
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted, washable
Size: 2.25 x 27 feet (60.75 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Colorful Wallpaper: Rifle Paper Co. Peacock Wallpaper
Who it's for: People who want an animal-themed wallpaper that isn't too bold.
Who it isn't for: People who want wallpaper that is easily washable.
Rifle Paper Co. is widely known for its vivid floral patterns, which can be found on everything from art prints to office chairs, as well as wallpaper. The Peacock Wallpaper (done in collaboration with York Wallcoverings) sticks to the brand’s signature brightly colored botanicals while incorporating peacock motifs throughout. This beautiful blend achieves something difficult: an animal print wallpaper that can look good in and outside of a kid’s room. You could use this wallpaper to create a bold accent wall in your bedroom, or, thanks to its heat-, mold-, and mildew-resistance, cover the walls of your bathroom.
We were impressed with the sturdiness of the paper and how easy it was to install, so much so that we expected the cost of this wallpaper to be higher than it was. During installation, the pattern lined up nicely and there were no wrinkles or bubbles after. One thing we didn’t like was that you could see the white seam through the pattern, even though everything was lined up correctly. Plus, although the brand says you can clean it with a damp cloth, we found doing this resulted in stains and fading on the paper.
After three months, there was some light lifting on one corner, but it was easy to fix with more adhesive.
Price at time of publish: $122 per roll
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted, washable
Size: 2.25 x 27 feet (60.75 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Neutral Wallpaper: Lulu and Georgia Malene Barnett Malou Wallpaper
Who it’s for: People looking for an eye-catching yet still neutral wallpaper.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for a wallpaper with a less contemporary feel.
Neutral wallpaper doesn’t have to be boring, as proven by this wallpaper made exclusively for Lulu and Georgia by artist Malene Barnett. Inspired by the traditional designs of Afro-Caribbean women potters, this wallpaper has a contemporary vibe that’s grounded by a neutral color scheme, making it ideal for just about any room in your home (including humid areas like bathrooms).
We found this wallpaper to be easy to work with: It didn’t buckle, tear, or bubble during installation, despite the pattern being a bit tricky to line up. In fact, the most difficult part of the application process was figuring out the pattern, as there were no grid lines and it was hard to find the repeat. Overall though, this wallpaper impressed us with its design and high-quality construction. Stains were easy to remove, and there were no bubbles or peeling after several months.
Price at time of publish: $168 per double roll
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted, washable
Size: 1.7 x 33 feet (56.4 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Traditional Wallpaper: Ballard Designs Juliet Floral Wallpaper
Who it's for: People who want a vintage-inspired wallpaper design.
Who it isn't for: People who want to hang their wallpaper in their kitchen or bathroom.
Inspired by the styles of the Arts and Crafts movement, this wallpaper is a great option for those who love all things vintage. The pattern is a beautiful kaleidoscope of flora, including flowers, leaves, and vines that come in color combinations that include earth tones like navy blue, shades of greens, and terra cotta. The paper feels thick and high-quality, and the pattern looked clear both up close and far away. And although the pattern is quite detailed, we had no problem matching the pattern up.
The quality of the Juliet Floral Wallpaper is so great that we were surprised by how low the price was. The one downside to this wallpaper is that it didn’t perform as well in our cleaning test as it did with our other tests. We were able to get all of our stains out but the cleaning resulted in the wallpaper’s color fading and stains from the wash. As such, this wallpaper is best for areas of the home that are less likely to get dirty. After three months of use, one corner started to peel, but it was easily fixable with more adhesive.
Price at time of publish: $126 per double roll
Product Details:
Type: Unpasted, washable
Size: 1.7 x 33 feet (56 square feet)
Material: Non-woven paper
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Serena & Lily Priano Wallpaper for its beautiful pattern, the quality of the paper, the ease of application, and the fact that we were able to clean all of our stains off without damage to the wallpaper.
Our Testing Process
We tested 30 different wallpapers and assessed them on ease of application, design, durability, and value. Our first test involved evaluating the paper based on its quality. We did this by noting the feel of the paper and whether it felt thick or flimsy, then looked closely at the pattern to see if it was clear (aka not pixelated) both close and far away. We then cut the strips of the wallpaper as needed and noted if the paper curled after cutting and if we had trouble lying the paper flat as we pasted. In the middle of our application, we evaluated how easy it was to install the wallpaper. This included how easy it was to line up the pattern and whether or not it was challenging to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles that came up on the paper.
After we waited for the wallpaper to dry, we applied stains, including coffee, crayons, and barbecue, to see how easy it was to clean off any messes. We noted if the stains seeped into the paper or repelled and then proceeded to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removal. We used magic erasers, a damp cloth, and mild detergent to remove the stains, and evaluated the effectiveness of the tools and whether or not they caused damage. After three months, we examined the wallpaper to see if there was any bubbling, peeling, or staining.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
How to Shop for Wallpaper Like a Pro
Material
All wallpaper is, of course, made of paper, but it’s the type that matters. Interior designer Pamela Sandall recommends figuring out where the wallpaper will go in your home first before making a decision about type. “Think about the kind of wear and tear that will happen in the space,” she says. “For example, if the paper is going in a kitchen or bathroom where there will be moisture, vinyl paper is a better choice. Same goes perhaps for a kid’s room or a wall that is going to be touched a lot.”
Interior designer Victoria Lee agrees: “Vinyl [wallpaper] is the most functional wallpaper material due to its durability.” This durability can be attributed to its plastic-like material, which makes it thick and water-resistant, and therefore easier to clean. The only downside, and something we discovered in our testing, is that because vinyl is so thick, it’s harder to cut.
If you’re in love with a wallpaper that isn’t vinyl, that’s okay—Sandall just recommends putting it in a room that doesn’t get a lot of traffic (e.g. where hands are less likely to touch it). Even if you don’t plan on putting your intended wallpaper in busy or moist areas of your home, it’s always best to stick to wallpaper that is thick in feel, and if possible, treated to be resistant to mold and mildew.
Application Type
There are three wallpaper application types that you should be aware of: peel and stick, spray and stick, and unpasted. Spray and stick is one of the easier application types, as all it requires is water to activate the adhesive. Peel and stick also has the adhesive included on the wallpaper, so all you have to do is remove the backing and stick it to the wall, like a sticker. Unpasted means that there is no adhesive that is attached to the wallpaper, so you'll have to buy wallpaper paste separately. Before you select an application type, Sandall strongly recommends researching exactly what the paper of that application type requires. "For example, many high-end papers require wallpaper liner! Skip this step and your pricey paper won't adhere properly."
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Design
First and foremost, the design of the wallpaper you choose should be something you absolutely love. “Wallpaper is a pretty permanent thing,” says interior designer Rasheeda Gray. “You want to take your time and be intentional about your selection.” She also encourages people to ask themselves whether the wallpaper will “go with any decor changes you may make later in your home.”
If you aren't sure where to start design-wise, Gray suggests creating an inspiration board to help steer you to what styles and patterns you like. "I would recommend heading to sites like Pinterest to pin pictures that attract you," she says. "I would then study those pictures for a common theme; black and white, florals, stripes, etc. Then gather several wallpaper samples that fit in that theme and pin them to your walls for several days before making a final decision." Even if you have a better understanding of your style, or know exactly what you want, Gray still recommends getting samples and living with them in your home for at least a few days before committing.
Your wallpaper should also match the rest of your home’s decor style. What people often do to incorporate a bold wallpaper pattern into their home is by decorating just one wall with it. This is referred to as an accent wall. An accent wall with wallpaper allows you to add a bold pattern to your space without being overwhelmed by it.
Lee actually advises people to do an accent wall versus covering an entire room or living space with one wallpaper, as that ensures a more modern design. She also tells us that the color of your wallpaper can have an affect on the perceived size of the space. If you're working with a small space, she recommends choosing lighter colors to make the space seem larger. On the flipside, wallpaper that contains nothing but bold colors is best for spaces that are more significant in size.
More Wallpaper to Consider
Graham & Brown Crocodile Black Wallpaper: This affordable wallpaper was originally our Best Budget pick for its heavy weight and unique style. After a few months, however, we found that a lot of the corners and edges showed significant peeling.
Fineapple Pair Boho Tropical 3 Wallpaper: We love the colorful design of this maximalist wallpaper, but noticed peeling and bubbling after a few months.
Questions You Might Ask
How do you figure out how much wallpaper you need?
Measure your wall out and then compare that with the measurements of the roll to see if the roll will provide you the amount you need. Another way you can calculate is by using square footage. You can do this by multiplying together the length and width of the wall you intend to cover with wallpaper. Usually manufacturers list how much square footage one roll can cover. You then take your square footage and divide it by the square footage listed for each roll. The result will tell you how many rolls you need for your wallpaper project.
Both Gray and Sandall recommend buying more than the exact amount you think you need, which will help you account for any mistakes you might make in the process. Gray suggests adding 10 percent more to your order. Sandall recommends going the extra mile and consulting with a wallpaper installer about exactly how much you’ll need. Doing this will not only help you save money but also make your wallpaper installation potentially less stressful. “They might charge a small fee for this, but it would be invaluable to get professional advice on quantities and installation requirements,” she says.
If you don't have the extra cash to seek that kind of professional expertise, both interior designers suggested taking advantage of a wallpaper calculator, which is oftentimes a free feature that can be found on the website of the wallpaper retailer.
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
How do you hang wallpaper?
Before we advise you on how to hang wallpaper, it's worth noting that each of our interior designers were very vocal about hiring a wallpaper installer to do the hanging for you. "Wallpaper is expensive and very tough to install," Gray tells us. "I recommend hiring a professional to do it right the first time." Sandall couldn't agree more: "I would be doing a tremendous disservice if I didn't recommend hiring a pro to handle the installation," she says. "A quality wallpaper installer is worth every penny of the price you'll pay for their expertise." However, if you can't afford it, Sandall, who told us she has hung wallpaper on her own a couple of times, called installation a "challenging, but not impossible DIY project."
Installation largely depends on the wallpaper type. Whether you're getting peel and stick, unpasted, or spray and stick wallpaper, there are still steps you need to complete ahead of time to ensure the best application on your walls. First, your walls need to be clean and completely smooth. Any holes or pores will show up on the wallpaper once it's up. After you wash and dry your walls, spackle up the holes and apply a wallpaper primer or liner, or both, ahead of time.
Then, cut the wallpaper the length of your ceiling, leaving four additional inches to extend past the wall. Apply the paste to the back of the wallpaper, then apply it to the wall. Sandall recommends wiping any excess paste that comes through the edges of the wallpaper fast, as the glue has a tendency to dry quickly. Work from either right to left or left to right to ensure any patterns line up correctly. Smooth up bubbles and wrinkles with a paint roller and cut any excess with a utility knife.
Although unpasted wallpaper may sound like the most unappealing application method, Sandall told us she prefers it to the soaking method, as long as you get a good wallpaper paste. "It's kind of gooey but it allows you to move the paper around on the wall for a perfect match," she says.
How do you remove wallpaper?
Unless you have wallpaper that is marked as "removable," your wallpaper will not come off your walls easily. Traditional wallpaper sticks to walls so effectively that when it's time to remove it, the wallpaper is usually too damaged to use again. To remove wallpaper, mix equal parts vinegar and water, pour it into a spray bottle, and very generously spray your walls. Wait a few minutes and start to scrape the wallpaper off with your scraper. It's as simple as that.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. We researched the best wallpaper and tested 30 of the most popular in our Lab, evaluating them on durability, design, ease of application, and value. We also spoke to three interior designers to get their advice on how to choose the best wallpaper: Pamela Sandall, founder of Pamela Sandall Design; Victoria Lee, owner and principal designer of Victoria Lee Interiors; and Rasheeda Gray, founder and lead designer of Gray Space Interiors.
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Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
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