However, not all wallpaper is created equally. Some styles look cheap when applied to the wall, others are prone to wrinkling, making them look warped, and still others may start to peel off the wall soon after application. We put 30 of the best wallpapers to the test in our lab to figure out which brands and styles are the longest-lasting, easiest to apply, and most attractive when installed in your home. “Think of wallpaper as more of an environment than decoration,” says Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer at CW Interiors. “How do you want to feel in the space? Use your desired emotion to conduct your research online and refine from there.” Our team of experts spent an entire day in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, applying different types of wallpaper to drywall and evaluating each type based on its ease of installation, design, texture, value for the price, and more. We took copious notes on which wallpapers wrinkled easily, were difficult to apply on the wall, or appeared cheap. After testing the best wallpapers in our lab, we waited three months before re-examining the wallpaper application to see which types were peeling or bubbling and which remained intact. Based on the results, we chose the Serena & Lily Priano Wallpaper as our overall best wallpaper since it was extremely easy to apply without bubbling and had a thick, high-quality texture. The application process itself was pretty simple, too. According to testers, the paper was very simple to cut despite its thickness, so it was easy to create clean lines and match up the pattern on the wall without jagged edges. When applying the paste to the backside of the paper with a roller, we were relieved to find that it didn’t cause the ink to bleed, which can be a common issue in low-quality wallpapers. Applying the paper to the wall was just as effortless, and our testers were able to adjust it on the wall without accidentally tearing it. Any small bubbles that appeared in the paper were quite easy to smooth out using a straight edge tool. Our testers also liked that this wallpaper can be wiped clean without creating damage or causing the pattern to bleed, so you’ll be able to remove any excess glue or stains that occur. When we examined the wallpaper application after three months, our testers found that it still “looked brand new,” with zero bubbles, tears, or peeling at any of the edges. Keep in mind that this paper is on the more expensive side, and while we found it to be absolutely worth the price, it will naturally cost more to use it in a large room than other papers. If you’re on a budget, consider using the Priano wallpaper to create an accent wall, or install it in a smaller room, such as the bathroom. Price at time of publish: $128 Dimensions Per Roll: 27 feet x 27 inches, 60.75 square feet | Panel Repeat: Straight | Pre-Pasted: No | Cost Per Square Foot: $2.11 Despite its unconventional texture, our testers found that this wallpaper was super easy to apply to the walls (though it was a little tricky to cut—use extra caution). It arrives unpasted, so you’ll need to use a paint roller to apply paste before positioning it onto the wall. Our testers were able to maneuver it around on the wall even after applying, allowing them to smooth out any wrinkles and ensure a perfect match between panels. The Graham & Brown vinyl wallpaper features a straight repeating pattern, which is the easiest pattern type to match up when applying multiple panels to your wall. This means that the pattern matches up horizontally rather than at an angle, so you can simply line up each panel at the ceiling to create one large design on your wall instead of individual strips. If you’re purchasing the black version of this wallpaper, we recommend painting the wall behind it a darker hue, since this can help mask the seams between the wallpaper panels better than a white wall will. You’ll also want to be particularly careful when applying paste to the back of the wallpaper since we found that it is tricky to remove if it gets on the front side. However, other stains we tested on this wallpaper—including crayons, barbecue sauce, and coffee—could be removed with a sponge and a little elbow grease. After three months, we found that there were no bubbles in the wallpaper, though a couple of the panels had peeled a bit at the corners. The peeling wasn’t super noticeable and many of the panels were fine, but be prepared to touch up this wallpaper with a bit more adhesive in the corners occasionally. Price at time of publish: $58 Dimensions Per Roll: 33 feet x 20.5 inches, 56.38 square feet | Panel Repeat: Straight | Pre-Pasted: No | Cost Per Square Foot: $1.03 This spray-and-stick wallpaper comes pre-glued, so all you have to do is lightly spray the backside with water before tacking it onto the wall. We found that the glue dries more quickly than the non-pre-pasted wallpapers we tested, so you’ll need to work fast in order to properly align the panels and and press out any wrinkles. When our long-term testers examined the wallpaper application three months later, we found that none of the panels had peeled, but there were one or two spots with tiny air bubbles in them. These air bubbles were quite small and unnoticeable unless you were looking for them, but we don’t recommend installing this wallpaper in high-humidity areas like your bathroom or kitchen, since that may accelerate the bubbling. When removing coffee stains, crayon marks, and barbecue sauce, our testers gave the Labyrinth wallpaper a near-perfect score. It was quite easy to wipe the marks off of the paper without causing damage, and despite the dark stains, we were able to lift them out easily. The manufacturer recommends measuring your walls carefully before purchasing the Labyrinth wallpaper, then factoring an additional 15% to make sure you have enough to properly align the pattern. Price at time of publish: $149 Dimensions Per Roll: 11 feet x 26 inches, 23.83 square feet | Panel Repeat: Straight | Pre-Pasted: Yes | Cost Per Square Foot: $6.26 Because of its straight repeating pattern and clearly marked panels labeled A to C, this seemingly complex paper was one of the easiest to install, according to our testers. Simply line up each panel at the ceiling and work from left to right, installing the paper in alphabetical order. Our testers noted that the directions required rolling the glue directly onto the wall instead of the back of the paper, which was different compared to other wallpaper we tested. While we expected this to make it more difficult to evenly apply the wallpaper to the wall, the process was actually quite easy. Our expert found that it went up without creating too many bubbles, and any imperfections she did find were simple to smooth out. When making cutouts for any outlets or light switches in the wall, she mentioned that the paper was super easy to cut through without anything ripping or leaving jagged edges. We also like that this wallpaper is washable, meaning you’ll be able to wipe stains and smudges off with water and a mild cleaner (though the manufacturer recommends using vertical strokes to do so). Because of its thick texture, our testers anticipate that it’d be quite durable over long periods of time, even in high-traffic areas of your home. Keep in mind that this wallpaper may need the occasional touch-up with more adhesive—our long-term testers reported that a few corners had started to peel slightly after three months. However, there were no bubbles in the material and the rest of the panel remained quite smooth, so it won’t take much effort to get it looking brand-new again. If the stunning Chinese garden design on this wallpaper doesn’t quite match your interior design aesthetic, you can shop plenty of other vibrant patterns, including geometric wallpaper, floral wallpaper, botanical wallpaper, and more. Price at time of publish: $220 Dimensions Per Roll: 9.8 feet x 20.5 inches, 50.4 square feet | Panel Repeat: Straight | Pre-Pasted: No | Cost Per Square Foot: $4.37 Applying wallpaper to the wall after adding paste to the back can be tricky since lightweight paper will tend to get stuck together at the bottom if you aren’t careful. However, the Peacock wallpaper earned perfect scores for ease of application since it didn’t fold in on itself when applying and had zero bubbles or wrinkles to smooth out. Our tester attributed this to the paper’s thickness, which made it slightly more difficult to cut than other wallpaper, but allowed it to be applied easily and hold up well over time. It’s also tear-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about ripping it during the application process. It has a drop pattern repeat, which requires you to match up the panels both vertically and horizontally, making it slightly more complicated to apply than a straight-matching repeat. Our testers didn’t have any trouble figuring it out, though. After three months, this wallpaper remained almost 100% intact—only one corner had peeled a little bit. We found that adding a little more adhesive to the corner restored the paper to its former condition. We also found that this paper was tougher to remove stains from than other wallpapers we tested. After applying barbecue sauce, crayons, and coffee to the wall and wiping it off, the substances left light stains that couldn’t be removed with dish soap solution. Because of this, we recommend installing it in rooms with a lesser chance of exposure to food and dirt. Price at time of publish: $113 Dimensions Per Roll: 27 feet x 27 inches, 60.75 square feet | Panel Repeat: Drop | Pre-Pasted: No | Cost Per Square Foot: $1.86 According to our testers, this wallpaper was quite easy to apply to the walls without anything sticking together, tearing, or bubbling. It has a somewhat complex pattern with a drop repeat that requires you to match up each panel both horizontally and vertically, but we found that it was quite easy to do so. The seams between each panel are nearly imperceptible when properly aligned, leaving no gaps for the wall underneath to show through. When testing this wallpaper’s durability, we were surprised to find that stains like coffee, crayons, and barbecue sauce were quite easy to remove. Our expert noted that stains near the seams of two panels were a bit more difficult to scrub out, so keep this in mind when choosing where to install your wallpaper. You also may need to touch up the corners of this wallpaper a couple times a year. When our long-term testers re-examined it three months later, they found that one corner had peeled. However, since the rest of the wallpaper remained flawless, they were able to easily fix the problem by adding some more adhesive to the peeling corner. One roll of the Alfresco palm leaf wallpaper will be large enough to cover 56.4 square feet, but we recommend purchasing a little extra if the surface area of your wall is larger than 48 square feet, since lining up the pattern will use up a lot of paper quickly. The manufacturer doesn’t say if this wallpaper is safe to clean (though it didn’t show signs of fading during our tests), so we recommend using a duster and a damp rag to remove debris instead of a cleaning solution. Price at time of publish: $66 Dimensions Per Roll: 33 feet x 20.5 inches, 56.38 square feet | Panel Repeat: Drop | Pre-Pasted: No | Cost Per Square Foot: $1.17 We loved the muted hues of the Juliet floral wallpaper and the whimsical floral design, which looks extremely luxe when applied to your walls. Our testers were shocked by the price point, saying they would’ve paid much more for this wallpaper based on its ease of application, eye-catching design, and thick texture. When installing this paper, we found that it was very easy to work with, allowing our testers to roll paste onto the backside and apply it to the wall without anything sticking together. We had no trouble smoothing wrinkles and bubbles out of the paper. Each seam lined up effortlessly without leaving any gaps, and despite its complex-looking pattern, our tester had no trouble figuring out how to match up the panels. Be careful not to use too much adhesive in the center of the paper when you apply it; after three months, our long-term testers found that one spot on the wallpaper had creased due to excess glue in that area. Contrarily, the corner had also peeled a tiny bit, so you may need to add a little more adhesive after a few months to fix this. The only downside our testers noticed with this wallpaper was how easily it stained. While it’s super easy to wipe down with a cloth to remove dust, we had a hard time scrubbing colored stains (like food and crayons) with just dish soap and a rag. We had to use a Magic Eraser to fully remove these types of stains, which also caused the wallpaper to fade. For this reason, we recommend installing it in low-traffic areas where it’s less likely to get stained. Price at time of publish: $126 Dimensions Per Roll: 33 feet x 20.5 inches, 56.38 | Panel Repeat: Straight | Pre-Pasted: No | Cost Per Square Foot: $2.24 When installing the wallpaper onto the wall in our lab, testers found that it was super easy to apply the glue and align each panel evenly on the wall before everything dried. Any bubbles or wrinkles in the material were simple to smooth out with a straight edge, allowing for a seamless finish. This means you won’t have to rush while applying it to the wall, so you can ensure perfect alignment from one panel to the next. Removing stains and dirt from the Antelope Garden wallpaper took just a few swipes with a damp cloth to get rid of gunk, making it one of the easiest wallpapers to clean. We saw no signs of fading or peeling after wiping it down, either. Even after three months, our testers were surprised to see that there were no creases or bubbles anywhere on the wallpaper. One corner had slightly peeled, but it was easy to fix with a little more adhesive. Our testers described the texture and finish of this wallpaper as “crisp” and “expensive-looking” after applying it, saying it’s worth the price tag. This is partially because the paper is quite thick, allowing it to conceal any bumps, nail holes, or imperfections in your wall for a flawless application. Less-expensive wallpapers tend to be thinner, making it more difficult to use on a textured wall. We did find that, once wet, this wallpaper creases more easily than others we tested, so be extra careful when pasting it to the wall so as not to wrinkle it. Price at time of publish: $148 Dimensions Per Roll: 27 feet x 27 inches, 60.75 square feet | Panel Repeat: Straight | Pre-Pasted: No | Cost Per Square Foot: $2.44 Our experts loved the mess-free application this wallpaper offered; simply spray the backside with water, then paste it onto your wall without ever having to deal with messy glue. Since the panels have a random match, you don’t even have to worry about aligning the panels in a certain way to create a pattern, either. We found that the wallpaper is a little tougher to cut due to its thickness, so be extra careful when making holes for outlets and light switches. However, this textured appearance also allows you to easily conceal nail holes and other imperfections on your wall. After three months, our long-term testers noted that it had no bubbles or creases anywhere in the wallpaper. One corner had peeled slightly, so be prepared to touch up the edges every few months with additional adhesive. It was super easy for our testers to remove stains from this wallpaper using just a damp sponge, and the pattern didn’t fade or bleed even when we scrubbed at it. This made us confident that it could hold up against regular wear and tear for long periods of time, despite the shorter lifespan of spray and stick wallpaper. Price at time of publish: $87 per roll Dimensions Per Roll: 33 feet x 20.5 inches, 56.38 square feet | Panel Repeat: None | Pre-Pasted: Yes | Cost Per Square Foot: $1.55
Our Testing Process
Our team of home experts spent an entire day in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, applying different wallpaper brands and patterns to drywall in order to determine which was the best wallpaper. We applied them according to manufacturer instructions, paying close attention to how easy it was to cut the wallpaper, apply paste without the paper bleeding, and affix it to the wall without creating bubbles or wrinkles. Three months after applying the wallpaper, we re-examined the application to see which ones had started peeling or creasing and which remained intact. Our testers even applied common household stains to the wallpaper, such as barbecue sauce, crayon marks, and coffee, to see how easy it was to wipe off. Finally, we assigned an overall score to each wallpaper based on its durability, texture, and overall value, and we used these scores to create our list of the best wallpapers.
What to Know About Wallpaper Before Shopping
Pattern
When shopping for the best wallpapers for your home, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the pattern size, color, and style. Since different wallpaper patterns will lend themselves better to different interior design styles, you’ll want to look for a wallpaper that matches your existing furniture and decor. We tested a variety of different wallpaper patterns, including floral, geometric, and neutral options, to see how easy it was to match up each panel on the wall.
Repeat
When applying wallpaper to the wall, most wallpapers have a repeat pattern, which can help you figure out where to align the individual panels to create a larger design on your wall. The easiest wallpapers to apply are those with a straight repeat pattern, where the design matches up horizontally, so you can align the wallpaper at the ceiling every time. Other wallpaper patterns include a drop match pattern, which means you’ll need to ensure that the design lines up both horizontally and vertically when applying it to the wall. While these are the most complicated types of wallpaper to put up, they look stunning when installed correctly.
Cost per Square Foot
Knowing the cost per square foot of the best wallpapers can help you figure out how many rolls you’ll need (and how much it’ll cost) to cover your entire space. You can usually find the dimensions of each wallpaper roll in the product description, then multiply the length of the paper by the width (in feet) to get the total square footage. Divide the price by the square footage to find the cost per square foot. This can help you compare the cost differences between two types of wallpaper with different dimensions. “Paying a bit more for a better product means that it will be easier to install and will wear better than less expensive options,” Woolsey says. “Durability, washability, and fade resistance are all considerations to ensure that your paper looks as good in a few years as it does the day it is installed.”
Application Type
While the best wallpapers usually arrive unpasted, meaning you’ll need to roll paste onto the backside before applying, some use other methods to adhere it to the wall. We also tested spray-and-stick wallpaper for this story, which is printed on paper with an adhesive backing. Simply spray the back side with water before sticking it on the wall. We also tested the best peel-and-stick wallpapers in our lab, which are a great option for people who rent their home or want a temporary decor solution.
Other Wallpapers We Tested
CB2 Venation Navy wallpaper
While we loved the color and thickness of the Venation Navy wallpaper, it was more difficult to install than other types we tested, and we wouldn’t recommend it to beginners. Our tester had trouble getting the pattern aligned seamlessly to conceal panel edges, and it stuck to the wall almost immediately, making it hard to adjust and smooth out any bubbles.
Hygge and West Bloom wallpaper
The Hygge and West Bloom wallpaper proved quite flimsy and difficult to apply to the wall, according to our testers. It creased easily, leaving permanent wrinkles in the paper even when installed, and we found that the paper created bubbles that were impossible to completely remove once tacked onto the wall. This created a less high-quality appearance than we were expecting, given the price, so we’d only recommend this wallpaper to experts.
Cheng Light Brown Grasscloth wallpaper
The Cheng Light Brown Grasscloth wallpaper was the most expensive wallpaper we tested in our lab, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to its hefty price tag, in our opinion. While our testers loved the quality and appearance of the individual panels, when installed on the wall, the seams between each panel were more visible than we would have liked. We also found that it stained quite easily, so we wouldn’t recommend using it in high-traffic areas of the house like kitchens, entryways, and bathrooms.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you properly apply wallpaper?
To apply permanent wallpaper to your home’s interior, there are several important steps you should follow for the best possible results. First, you should measure and mark out exactly where the individual wallpaper panels are going to sit on your wall, using a level to create exact vertical lines. If you’re wallpapering an entire room, start your project in a spot that isn’t immediately visible when entering to help make the seams less noticeable. Add a coat of wall primer to the walls, which will help the wallpaper adhere to it more easily. Using a paint roller, evenly apply paste to the backside of an individual wallpaper strip. Wallpaper is easier to manage if you fold it before applying, so we recommend folding the end of each panel inward toward the panel’s midpoint, being careful not to crease the end sections. This is called “booking.” After letting the booked panels sit for 10 minutes with the paste to allow for any expansion, apply the pasted side of the wallpaper to your wall, lining it up with the vertical markings you made earlier and being careful to tack it on straight. Immediately after applying the wallpaper, use a straight edge to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles that have formed. Then, use a warm sponge to gently wipe down the entire panel, as this helps to remove any excess glue that may have seeped out during the hanging process. Repeat these steps (being careful to apply the panels according to the pattern repeat type) until you’ve completed the entire project, and refer to our wallpaper installation guide for more in-depth tips.
How long does wallpaper last?
The best wallpapers can last up to 15 years in your home if installed correctly. However, other factors such as the wallpaper’s quality and the humidity of the room can impact how long it lasts. For the best and longest-lasting results, we recommend installing wallpaper in bedrooms, living or dining rooms, and areas of your house that won’t have as much humidity or foot traffic. Wallpaper in bathrooms and kitchens doesn’t tend to last as long since the frequent exposure to moisture can cause the wallpaper to peel away from the wall. These rooms are also some of the most-used spaces in your home, which means the wallpaper will likely get scuffed or dirty more quickly. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy wallpaper in these rooms. “It is absolutely okay to install wallpaper in high-humidity spaces,” Woolsey says. “Do your due diligence and select a product that can withstand that kind of environment. Vinyl is the best choice, while uncoated papers and peel-and-stick papers are the worst choices.”
How do I clean my wallpaper?
No matter how clean your home is, your wallpaper will probably get some stains or dirt smudges over time. However, these can be super easy to clean off using a cloth and a mild cleaner. Start by lightly dusting off the entire surface of the walls with a rag or a duster to remove loose debris. Then, mix a small amount of dish soap with warm water and spot-clean any stains using gentle, round circles. Be sure to avoid using harsh cleaners or bleach, since this can damage the wallpaper. If you’re dealing with particularly stubborn stains, try using a vinegar and water solution to clean off your walls.
Who We Are
Samantha Jones is an associate commerce editor at Better Homes & Gardens, where she writes about topics like the best wallpapers, home decor, patio furniture, and more. For this story, she spent several hours researching important considerations when shopping for the right wallpaper for your home, then compared her findings to insights gathered from our lab tests in Des Moines, Iowa. Samantha also interviewed Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer at CW Interiors.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products and we let you know that we got it for free to remain as transparent as possible about our picks. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.
