The Best Removable Wallpaper Buying Guide

Oct 14, 2024

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During our tests, these peel and stick wallpapers added visual flair to the room while remaining super easy to apply and remove.

Jessica Comstock is an associate commerce editor at Better Homes & Gardens with over 5 years of experience writing and editing lifestyle content. She currently covers home and garden products, specializing in cleaning products, small appliances, and more.

Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

Wallpapering a room can add visual interest and texture to a blank wall, allowing you to change up the appearance of your home without buying all new decor. However, if you don't want to commit to a permanent pattern—and the hours it'll take to scrape it off if you eventually decide to remove it—removable wallpaper can be a mess-free solution.

"Wallpaper truly works for any style of space, whether you’re a maximalist who leans toward big, bold patterns or a traditionalist who prefers just a bit of texture, like grasscloth," says Caitlin Sole, senior home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. If you're looking for an on-trend look, Sole adds, "with the ongoing popularity of cottage core and grand millennial aesthetics, I’m seeing lots of William Morris-inspired scenes—think florals, woodland creatures, and shades of green and blue."

Whether your personal style follows the latest design trends or you prefer a more classic aesthetic in your home, there's a removable wallpaper to match it.

We tested 35 wallpapers from 30 brands to find the best peel and stick wallpapers for homeowners and renters alike. Wallpapers were evaluated based on application, design, removal, and value. For more on how we tested reusable wallpapers, see our testing process below.

Pottery Barn fulfills two key wants in an ideal removable wallpaper: high-quality texture and painless removal with no wall damage. We tested the Grasscloth wallpaper, but they have a range of finishes (like chalkboard and paperweave) and patterns. Bear in mind that this wallpaper is not meant for matte/flat walls.

Due to stretching, we found it tough to remove wrinkles and bubbles from the Grasscloth paper, but it adhered to the wall well. Removal and replacement both proved to be quick processes. You might want a buddy to help, as the application can be tricky. But it’s worth the payoff for the attractive look.

Product Details: Colors or Patterns Available: 57 | Samples Available?: Yes ($10)

We advise that you put painter’s tape on each side of the wallpaper’s corners because it helps make peeling the backing paper easier. This way, you won’t have to fumble with your fingers. Another pro tip: Use a spray bottle when applying your wallpaper, even if the instructions say water isn’t necessary.

Osecage offers an array of good-looking removable wallpapers at great price points. It’s a budget-conscious choice for a do-it-yourself project. Grid lines helped speed along the application during testing. Once applied, the wallpaper (we tested the Boho Beige and White Geometric) looked higher quality than it felt to the touch.

We did find that the wallpaper could curl up and wrinkle while being handled, and its durability was slightly compromised when reapplied. However, we loved that it was a one-person job to apply and remove, and the overall appearance and value impressed us.

Product Details: Colors or Patterns Available: 19 | Samples Available?: No

Wallshoppe’s removable wallpaper felt like a good investment from the first time we touched it; the material is thick, sturdy and nicely textured. We tested the Faux Small Caning Wallpaper. Application and removal were both effortless, and the paper had good adherence.

The seams blended well for a seamless finish. Because of the price, size, and variety of bold prints, we think the wallpaper would be best for smaller rooms like bathrooms. It lacks grid lines on the back to help with cutting, which we could have liked to see for the price.

Product Details: Colors or Patterns Available: 2,914 | Samples Available?: Yes ($6)

Rifle Paper Co.’s wallpaper offers more than fanciful floral designs. We were able to install the paper with ease, and appreciate that the brand offers smooth and matte finishes. The wallpaper is thick, with bold colors. Because of its durability, it withstands the test of time.

But for homeowners and renters who do plan to remove it eventually, we found that the wallpaper can also be lifted without leaving a trace.

Product Details: Colors or Patterns Available: 126 | Samples Available?: Yes ($5)

If you’re looking for removable wallpaper without lumps and bumps, The Pioneer Woman is for you. It won’t take a chunk out of your budget, but it will deliver with a luxurious, hardy feel. We found that smoothing the paper down was easy using our hands (no squeegee required).

Although it lacks a grid pattern that would help with alignment, we found the wallpaper application fairly straightforward. Not only that, but there was no adhesive or residue left behind on the wall after removal. We tested the Aqua Charming Check pattern.

Threshold’s removable wallpaper is a dream for renters. It won’t make a dent in your security deposit because it leaves the walls unblemished. With Threshold, you have the option of fresh, trendy patterns, but all are made of vinyl and should perform similarly to the version we tested, the Herringbone Stripe.

A few factors complicated installation during testing: the wallpaper feels flimsy and lacks grid lines. Although it takes a little more elbow grease to apply, Threshold wallpapers looked as good as higher end options once applied to the wall.

Product Details: Colors or Patterns Available: 25 | Samples Available?: No

For shoppers looking to save some cash on home decor, Osecage wallpapers are a good budget option. It only requires one set of hands to apply, and although the wallpaper feels more fragile, it looks great on the wall. If cost isn’t a question, Wallshoppe offers a splendid array of first-rate colors and patterns.

To find the best removable wallpaper, we applied 35 wallpapers from 30 brands to walls in our testing lab. We removed outlet covers before installation to simulate how the process would go at home, noting any difficulties with cutting, bubbles forming, and more. We inspected the wallpaper once it settled, then removed and reapplied.

We analyzed the wallpaper again at the three- and six-month marks, checking to see how they’d held up on the walls. Upon final removal, we checked the walls for damage.

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

Before hitting "add to cart" on your removable wallpaper purchase, it's important to double-check that you're ordering more than enough wallpaper to finish the job. Many removable (and permanent) wallpapers are printed to order, meaning there could be a slight difference in color from one purchase to the next.

To ensure all of your wallpaper looks exactly the same, Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer at CW Interiors, recommends measuring your room multiple times so you know exactly how much you need. Once you've measured, order about 20% more than you think you need.

"Measure square footage and match that to the square footage of the rolls," Woolsey says. "Patterns with large repeats have more waste upon installation due to having to match the patterns with each cut. [Additionally], angles and corners consume wallpaper quickly!"

When applying peel and stick wallpaper, make sure you know whether the pattern repeat is random, straight, or drop match. This refers to how the individual panels are designed to line up, so you can create one continuous pattern on your wall rather than individual strips.

Random repeat wallpaper is the easiest to work with, since there's no specific way to line up each panel's seams. You can cut the paper and apply it side by side in no particular order. Straight repeating wallpaper matches up at the ceiling line, so every new strip of paper will match up if you start it from the top of your wall.

Drop matches are more complicated than straight match wallpaper, as the pattern has to be aligned both horizontally and vertically. These wallpapers typically line up at the halfway point of the adjacent wallpaper strip.

One of the best parts about picking out peel and stick wallpaper for your home is getting to browse through a wide variety of stunning designs and picking out your favorite. However, if you're not a professional interior designer, you might have trouble figuring out which pattern works best in your space.

While your home should represent your own unique taste and personal style, Woolsey offers a few general suggestions to help you get started.

"Florals work best in a traditional, softer space—think Southern or feminine," Woolsey says. "More modern, clean-lined and structured spaces [are great for adding a geometric wallpaper]. Neutral patterns seem to be best for larger spaces that you use a lot, as they tend to have more staying power in the sense that you won't get tired of seeing it and it won't go out of style."

When it comes to bold patterns and colors, don't be afraid to think outside the box and lean into the bright, eye-catching hues. "While a single-color accent wall can look outdated, there are still ways to make it feel fresh," Sole says. "Utilize a patterned wallpaper that draws on the rest of the room’s color scheme to create a cohesive look that purposefully calls attention."

If you don't want to play it safe with a single accent wall, you can also embrace a more maximalist, eclectic style by applying it in unexpected places. "Bold wallpaper is great for a powder room or extra bathroom. Even a ceiling!" Woolsey says. "While it may seem counterintuitive, bold patterns in small spaces work."

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

We appreciated the high-quality appearance and texture of Livette’s wallpaper, plus the easy-to-peel paper backing and good pattern matching. However, we found it difficult to fix during application, and it might leave your walls in need of repairs or repainting once it's removed.

The Wallism wallpaper impressed with its detailed, tile-like design. It was a breeze to apply, with minimal bubbles and wrinkles. But we would only suggest it to experienced users looking for custom, high-end wallpaper because it’s both costly and difficult to remove. It also requires precise measurements and pattern alignment, so it’s not a beginner-friendly option.

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

While it is possible to apply peel and stick wallpaper on your own, we found that it was easiest with two people. Since you'll want to hang the wallpaper as neatly as possible without wrinkles or bubbles, it's helpful to have another person there to help you adjust the paper, ensure the lines are straight, and prevent the sticky sides from clinging to each other.

If you can't enlist a friend, we recommend working very slowly and carefully, lining up each panel as straight as possible and smoothing out bubbles as you go. This allows you to avoid having to readjust entire panels at a time, which can cause the wallpaper to tear or stick to itself.

Adding peel and stick wallpaper is a great way to add personality and visual interest to a room without risking damage to the walls. However, it's particularly great in spaces that you plan to update frequently.

"In a more playful room where you tend to like a lot of change, removable wallpaper [is the] way to go," Woolsey says. "Playrooms, kids' bedrooms, rentals, and backs of bookshelves are all great candidates for removable paper."

Wallpaper isn't just for walls, either. "Known as the fifth wall, ceilings provide another opportunity to bring pattern and color into a room, plus draw the eyes up to visually expand a space," Sole says. "Additionally, wallpaper can be used as artwork with the simple addition of a mat and frame. If you find a pattern you love, but don’t have the space or budget to outfit an entire room in wallpaper, consider cutting a piece to size for large-scale artwork on a budget."

Peel and stick wallpaper is best in rooms with low humidity and low traffic, as they tend to be less durable than permanent wallpaper, and high levels of moisture will cause the paper to peel away from your walls. For this reason, we don't recommend applying peel and stick wallpaper in bathrooms or kitchens.

To figure out how much wallpaper you'll need, measure the square footage of the wall (or walls) you intend to cover, then compare that to the square footage of each individual roll. Some removable wallpaper will list the square footage in the product description. Otherwise, you can multiply the width (in feet) of the roll by the length.

Woolsey recommends adding 20% more wallpaper to your order than you'll actually need. This provides enough wallpaper to cover the corners in your room and helps to accommodate for any mishaps that occur during installation.

"Measure twice (or ten times) and cut once," Woolsey says. "Lay it out to make sure everything lines up the way you want it to, and don't be ashamed to watch videos for helpful hints."

Yes, removable wallpaper counts as a great option for decorators who like to do it themselves–and it’s simpler than hanging traditional wallpaper. Peel and stick wallpaper is forgiving, so you can make errors during installation without worrying about its permanence.

Jessica Comstock is an associate commerce editor at Better Homes & Gardens, specializing in home, garden, and lifestyle products. Specifically, she has written and edited articles about vacuums, linens, outdoor appliances, and organizing products, among others. In addition to writing and editing, Jessica has tested many home products first-hand.

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She also reports on the neighborhoods beat for The Denver Post, and previously covered prominent Colorado industries like real estate, airlines, and cannabis as a business reporter.

For this story, we consulted Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer at CW Interiors, to get the inside scoop on how to apply and style peel and stick wallpaper for the best possible results. We also consulted Caitlin Sole, senior home editor at Better Homes & Gardens, for wallpaper styling and trend insights for 2024.

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.