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The Spruce / Kristin Kempa
Marble is a naturally-occurring rock known for its luxurious aesthetic that transforms any home into one that's classic and chic. One way to introduce this material into your space is through wallpaper, even though it is different from the real thing. However, there are ways to make your marble wallpaper feel genuine. "The scale of the marble pattern can make a big difference in how authentic it looks,” says residential and interior designer Nina Takesh. “If the pattern is too small or too large, it may look unrealistic.”
We spent hours researching the best marble wallpapers, considering visual aesthetics, durability, and ease of application.
Best Overall
RoomMates Carrara Marble Blue And Grey Vinyl Peel & Stick Wallpaper
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RoomMates
Water-resistant
Realistic pattern
Ease of access
Can get expensive
The RoomMates Carrara Marble Blue And Grey Vinyl Peel & Stick Wallpaper is an easily accessible and easy-to-apply marble wallpaper that is our best overall pick. The marble pattern comes in a realistic colorway of greyed-blue and off-white, making it universally appealing for any living space. It also features durable vinyl that's produced in the US and keeps the product waterproof, making it the ideal wallpaper for your bathroom.
The roll size and dimensions are ample, making aligning the marble veining easy during the application process, a technique Takesh says is "key to making any wallpaper look authentic." And continuing on the path of realism, the satin finishes border on the line of a modern yet classic aesthetic that's lost with a high-gloss sheen.
Given how affordable and mistake-proof this marble wallpaper is, there is no other product it can't beat.
Price at time of publish: $34
Roll Size: 20.5 inches x 16.5 feet | Coverage per Roll: 28.18 square feet | Material: vinyl
Best Budget
Wrought Studio Pharr Peel & Stick Marble Wallpaper
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Wayfair
Affordable
Easy to apply
Water-resistant
Limited points of purchase
The Wrought Studio Pharr Peel & Stick Marble Wallpaper does not sacrifice quality for the sake of affordability. This peel-and-stick white and misty gray wallpaper features a mid-scale graining and comes recommended by Takesh, who says it "looks natural and proportional to the size of the room." The finish of the product is also matte, offering an added layer of realism to an otherwise faux marble pattern.
The use of non-toxic vinyl as the primary textile enhances the waterproofing and durability of this wallpaper. It also features a self-adhering back, making it quick and easy to apply to virtually any flat surface. From DIY shelves to classic-looking walls, this budget-friendly option from Wrought Studio is perfect for your next home project.
Price at time of publish: $4.80
Roll Size: 24 x 78 inches | Coverage per Roll: 13.13 square feet | Material: vinyl
Best Splurge
Kek Amsterdam Gold Metallic Wall Mural in Marble White
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Kek Amsterdam
Realistic pattern and finish
Unique color option
Expensive
Limited points of purchase
Individuals looking to spend on high-quality marble wallpaper should consider the Kek Amsterdam Gold Metallic Wall Mural in Marble White. The brand uses a heavy quality non-woven material overlayed with metallic gold, offering a sense of personality to luxury to an otherwise traditional design. This choice also features a light-grain texture that mimics the feel of genuine marble, which further justifies the high price point.
This wallpaper is easy to clean with a damp cloth despite its satin finish and lack of vinyl coating. Plus, it's made-to-order and meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100 standards, a noteworthy attribute for those concerned about their environmental footprint and product quality.
Customers should note that the custom printing of this wallpaper results in longer delivery times and makes the product one that is not readily available.
Price at time of publish: $355 for 4 sheets
Roll Size: 19.68 inches x 9.1 feet | Coverage per Roll: 14.92 square feet | Material: non-woven textile
Best Realistic
Milton & King Kemra Marble Wallpaper
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Milton & King
Realistic pattern and finish
Covers large surface areas
High in price
Manual application
Takesh says we should "look for a wallpaper with a high-resolution print and a realistic texture." This advice holds for the Milton & King Kemra Marble Wallpaper, our best choice for an authentic marble aesthetic. Despite the manual application and higher price point, this made-to-order option is GREENGUARD GOLD Certified, which means it won't release chemical emissions into indoor air.
The material used for this wallpaper is natural and non-porous, so it won't soak up water, making it easy to clean. Similarly, this choice makes the wallpaper breathable and less likely to cause mold and mildew in damp spaces like the bathroom or kitchen.
Realism and attention to detail make this wallpaper worth the investment.
Price at time of publish: $145
Roll Size: 24 inches x 33 feet | Coverage per Roll: 65 square feet | Material: natural and non-porous synthetic fibers
Best Waterproof
d-c-fix Decorative Self-Adhesive Film Grey Marble
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Amazon
Water-resistant
Easy to apply
Realistic pattern
Not the stickiest
While we wouldn't recommend dosing your walls with water, selecting a waterproof wallpaper can enhance the longevity of use in areas like the kitchen and bathroom, which often see increased moisture exposure. And while, as Takesh notes, “rooms with high humidity can cause wallpaper to peel or warp more quickly than in drier rooms," this shouldn't be the case for the d-c-fix Decorative Self-Adhesive Film, which uses a vinyl/PVC film to ensure water resistance and durability.
This is an affordable and readily available wallpaper that offers a variety of colorways, perfect for any interior design style you're looking to replicate. Selections include a true black with white veining, crystalline white with silver details, and warm gray for a more architectural appeal. Just note that, during application, the wallpaper might not be super sticky. While this makes it easier to adjust, you might want to use something like a blowdryer to stick down the edges.
Price at time of publish: $21
Roll Size: 26 x 78 inches | Coverage per Roll: 14.08 square feet | Material: vinyl
Best Self-Adhesive
practicalWs Marble Wallpaper
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Walmart
Easy to apply
Accessible
Limited size options
Can get expensive
The vinyl marble wallpaper from practicalW's is an affordable option for individuals seeking a self-adhesive product. The brand provides six different sizes, which is quite an expansive selection of wallpaper that is more easily accessible than others on the market. All of these options are hand-made, which the brand claims makes the wallpapers feel and photograph more realistically.
The company uses a vinyl material across all of its wallpapers, which keeps costs low while allowing the product to withstand daily wear and tear. This use of material also means that it is easier to clean, and while the brand does not specify the best way to do this, mild soap and water should suffice.
Price at time of publish: $28
Roll Size: varies | Coverage per Roll: varies | Material: vinyl
Best Customizable
Photowall White Marble Wall Mural
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Photowall
Dimensions are customizable
High-quality material
Requires manual installation
Can get expensive
One of the more strenuous parts of installing wallpaper is cutting the material to the measurements you need for application onto your wall. Photowall swiftly removes that step from the application process by offering customizable dimensions for their popular White Marble Wall Mural. Whatever measurements you decide on, the brand offers two unique wallpaper materials. The first is their standard textile, a non-woven choice in a matte finish. The other option is premium, scratch-resistant, extra matte, and easy to clean. Fortunately, both selections are fire rated and won't fade in direct sunlight.
While this wallpaper is not self-adhesive and requires more experienced hands during installation, the realistic qualities and fool-proof ability to line up the marble grains make it worth the extra hoops.
Price at time of publish: varies
Roll Size: varies | Coverage per Roll: varies | Material: non-woven material
Best Colorful
WallMareDesigns Marble Wallpaper
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Etsy
Intricate design
Ample size options
Not realistic
Can get expensive
Colored marble gets a bad reputation because it can tend to come across as trendy or inauthentic in the home. But, for an individual looking to have a modern and personality-forward take on traditional marble wallpaper, the WallMareDesigns Marble Wallpaper is worth a try. Neutral shades of blue, pink, and taupe are overlaid on vinyl sheets of wallpaper and feature gold leaf detailing traced throughout.
The brand offers 13 size options to cater to various wall dimensions for as seamless an application as possible. WallMareDesigns also allows customers to select from three different materials; a peel-and-stick, a non-woven, and a vinyl-printed. All options are waterproof and require minimal experience with wallpaper installation, making it the perfect colorful textile for your accent wall.
Price at time of publish: $16 +
Roll Size: varies | Coverage per Roll: varies | Material: peel and stick, non-woven, or textile-vinyl
Best Peel and Stick
Very Berry Sticker Peel & Stick Self-Adhesive Marble Contact Paper Wallpaper
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Amazon
Easy to apply
Affordable
Easily accessible
Not best for large spaces
The Very Berry Sticker Peel & Stick Self-Adhesive Marble Contact Paper Wallpaper is an affordable and easily accessible wallpaper option for individuals looking for maximum marble effects with little application effort. As the name suggests, this peel-and-stick wallpaper is usable on multiple surfaces, including kitchen counters, furniture, and walls. The brand offers 12 varying sizes of contact paper in two different shades. These include a dark gray tone with matte and satin finishes and a white shade with similar finishing options. Each of these variants is stain-resistant, waterproof, and made to withstand wear and tear associated with high-traffic areas of the home. The best part is that the vinyl material is easy to clean by simply using soap and water.
Price at time of publish: $22
Roll Size: 15.7 x 78.7 inches | Coverage per Roll: 8.5 square feet | Material: vinyl
The Roommates Carrara Marble Blue And Grey Vinyl Peel & Stick Wallpaper is our favorite marble wallpaper of the year. It comes at an affordable price for the quality and has a pattern that mimics raw marble to create a more authentic aesthetic in any space. This wallpaper also is perfect for novice and seasoned wallpaper users thanks to the durable vinyl material and peel-and-stick backing. Another realistic option comes from Milton & King, who supply fire certifications for their FSC-Certified Kemra Marble Wallpaper.
What to Look for in Marble Wallpaper
Material
Considering the textile used in your wallpaper can add to detract from the longevity of your wallpaper after application. Most products will use vinyl, a blend of non-woven materials, or synthetic fibers. Each of these wallpaper types will result in varying durability and aesthetic quality. Typically, vinyl is the most common material seen in peel-and-stick or pre-pasted wallpapers. It offers users the ability to cleanly apply and strip the wallpaper from any surface with minimal to no damage to the furniture or wall.
On the other hand, non-woven materials and synthetic fibers are usually higher priced and require a bit more elbow grease to apply and remove. This increased price is part of the product's manufacturing process, which involves sourcing raw wood, cotton, and other materials needed to create the wallpaper.
Adhesive Type
There are two main types of wallpaper applications; peel-and-stick and manual. The most user-friendly or intermediate wallpaper comes via peel-and-stick or self-adhesive, which usually features a vinyl-coated front and pre-applied glue. The other form, which is more advanced, is manual wallpaper, which requires homeowners to apply glue directly to the wall before placing the wallpaper on top.
The main difference with these wallpaper adhesions is how mistake-proof they are and the setting they are best suited for. Someone who is renting an apartment will likely violate their lease if they are applying plain wallpaper to their apartment. Comparatively, someone owning an apartment or home might prefer traditional wallpaper to their living space. Yes, it is more permanent, but that offers promise for someone who doesn't plan to leave their location any time soon.
Finish
Unlike texture, which refers to the surface characteristics of the wallpaper material, finish points to the sheen of the wallpaper and how light reflects off of it. It also plays a significant role in "styling a room and how authentic patterns like marble look," says Takesh. A glossy finish can look modern compared to matte, which is more authentic to natural marble. When looking at texture, having a wallpaper that rises and falls in its eave mimics the curvature of raw marble.
Durability
Takesh says there are several factors to consider when selecting durable wallpaper. She includes thickness, coating, tear resistance, and product reviews as primary characteristics. Some of these considerations, like thickness and tear resistance, play into one another. "Thicker wallpaper is less likely to tear or get damaged during installation or over time," Takesh says. As for coating, she explains, "some wallpapers are coated with a layer that makes them water-resistant, oil-proof, or smudge-proof"—an ideal solution for anyone with kids or for wallpaper applications in high-traffic areas of the home.
Finally, renters and homeowners should always follow the manufacturer's application, care, and maintenance suggestions.
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Does marble wallpaper look real?
Marble wallpaper can look realistic so long as you focus on quality. Specifically, you should focus on the scale, color, finish, and application. "If the pattern is too small or too large, it may look unrealistic. Look for a wallpaper that has a scale that looks natural and proportional to the size of the room," says Takesh. And as marble comes in many colors and finishes, selecting a shade and marble appearance that mimics your design style will embody realism with your wallpaper.
Takesh's final tip comes from application, which can make or break your quest for authenticity. As with any other wallpaper, you'll want to ensure that it's installed correctly, with aligned seams and no bubbles or wrinkles.
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Is marble wallpaper waterproof?
The water resistance of your wallpaper depends on the materials used and the finish. "Some wallpapers have protective coatings that make them more resistant to damage," Takesh states, with vinyl being the most common. This material is also more durable, meaning it's easier to clean and better suited for high-traffic areas like entryways or the kitchen.
Since being waterproof often relates to durability, Takesh adds, "the Wallcoverings Association (WA) provides a rating system that includes durability classifications such as scrubbable, peelable, and strippable." Verifying if your chosen wallpaper offers these scores to consumers can help you determine how a wallpaper will perform in liquid-intense situations.
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How long does marble wallpaper last?
"The lifespan of wallpaper can vary depending on a few factors, such as the quality of the wallpaper, the conditions of the room, and the installation process," states Takesh. She continues to say that most wallpapers will last five to 15 years, depending on the quality of your product. Unfortunately, this does usually mean that price comes into play. Most high-performing and long-lasting marble wallpapers will come with a heftier cost.
Takesh also believes that application is critical. "If the wallpaper is not applied correctly, it may not adhere properly or may develop wrinkles and bubbles over time. Professional installation can help ensure that the wallpaper is applied correctly and can help extend its lifespan," she says.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Samantha Parsons has been a freelance writer for The Spruce since 2021, with additional bylines in publications like Real Simple, The/Thirty, and Better Homes & Garden. She is constantly speaking with experts and testing dozens of products each month to ensure she recommends the best on the market. For this article, she talked to residential and interior designer, Nina Takesh, to determine the best marble wallpapers based on aesthetics, ease of application, and affordability. When she isn’t writing, Samantha works for a skincare brand and stays up-to-date on the latest news and releases across industries.