How do you apply peel and stick wallpaper?

As its name implies, peel and stick wallpaper is generally easy to install . After measuring and lining up your wallpaper panel at the top of the wall, just peel the wallpaper off the adhesive back, stick it to the wall, and smooth out any air bubbles with a smoothing tool. Keep in mind that some peel and stick wallpapers are easier to install and adhere better than others. And that wallpaper with complicated patterns will be slightly more challenging to install so that seams are perfectly matched up.

How do you remove peel and stick wallpaper?

In most cases, you simply peel it off the wall, starting at the corner of each panel and pulling steadily and gently downward. This means that you can easily make adjustments during installment if you find you didn’t hang it correctly on the first go. And that when you’re tired of it or getting ready to move, you can simply remove it without damaging the walls.

Can you put peel and stick wallpaper over old wallpaper?

This will depend on a few factors. Generally, peel and stick wallpaper will work best when applied to a clean, light-colored wall that does not already have wallpaper installed on it. But some peel and stick wallpapers claim they can be laid over existing wallpaper, assuming that the condition of the old wallpaper is smooth and does not have a vinyl coating or damage such as mold. Test first if you are concerned that your peel and stick pattern is too light to cover existing wallpaper or if you are concerned that wall texture may prohibit the paper from adhering smoothly.

The 9 Best Removable Wallpapers of 2023

Unlike the traditional wallpaper, the temporary variety can be attached, removed, and reapplied to your wall multiple times—and it won't ruin the paint underneath. We tested several peel and stick rolls in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to see which options stood out in terms of application, removal, design, and overall value.

Our favorite is Rifle Paper Co.'s Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper, which is easy to apply and boasts a stunning design.

Scroll down for the best removable wallpapers tested by The Spruce.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Rifle Paper Co. Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper at Wayfair

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Best Budget:

MelunMer Geometric Wallpaper at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Tempaper Feather Flock Chalk Wallpaper at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Pattern:

Wallshøppe Arance Dolci Wallpaper at Wallshoppe.com

Jump to Review

Best Modern:

Better Homes & Gardens Organic Stripe Wallpaper at Walmart

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Best Floral:

Chasing Paper Botany Peel and Stick Wallpaper at Crate & Barrel

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Best Striped:

RoomMates Awning Stripe Wallpaper at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Botanical:

Betapet Botanical Greenery Peel and Stick Wallpaper at Etsy

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Best Farmhouse:

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Olive Branch Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper at Home Depot

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Tested
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

US Wall Decor

View On Wayfair View On Home Depot View On Target

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Design

5/5
Ease of Removal

5/5
Overall Value

5/5

What We Like

Reasonably priced
Thick semi-matte paper
Virtually no bubbles

What We Don't Like

Limited styles

The Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper from Rifle Paper Co. earned perfect 5 out of 5 scores in all categories, including ease of initial application, removal, reapplication, design, and overall value. Our tester loved the thick and sturdy non-woven paper. They said it goes on flawlessly with almost no bubbles. And the very few bubbles they came across were easy to smooth out by hand—no squeegee necessary. Not only that, but the material doesn't stick to itself and won't cling to the wall until you smooth it down in your preferred position.

What's more, this temporary wallpaper comes off effortlessly without leaving even a trace of residue. Reapplying the sheets is also easy, so don't sweat it if you get the alignment slightly off the first time. Thanks to the high-quality, user-friendly construction, even a peel and stick novice could get it to look professional.

Our tester raved about the "gorgeous, saturated design" of the semi-matte paper. Rifle is known for its floral motifs and doesn't offer many options outside of this aesthetic. However, the beautiful colors and lively pattern are undeniably stunning yet versatile enough to work in various rooms. One roll will cover 45 square feet of wall space. This is a little more coverage than average, so the price is pretty reasonable, too.

Price at time of publish: $59

_{Material: Non-woven paper | Roll Size: 240 x 27 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 45 square feet | Colors: Black, navy, white}

The Spruce / Dara Burreson
The Spruce / Dara Burreson
The Spruce / Dara Burreson
The Spruce / Dara Burreson
The Spruce / Dara Burreson
The Spruce / Dara Burreson

4.3

Amazon

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

4.5/5
Design

3/5
Ease of Removal

4/5
Overall Value

4/5

What We Like

Easy to apply
Minimal bubbles
Modern yet versatile

What We Don't Like

Hard to align pattern
Limited colors

For decorators on a budget, we recommend MelunMer. This temporary vinyl wallpaper earned 4.5s for application, removal, and reapplication. Though you'll probably want to recruit a buddy to help, it's a breeze to attach and smooths out with minimal bubbles. Our tester said it was also easy to cut around outlets.

We wish it came in more colors but appreciate the modern yet versatile geometric print. Still, our tester awarded it a 3 for design because lining up the pattern is kind of tricky. In the end, we gave it a 4 for overall value.

Price at time of publish: $29

_{Material: Vinyl | Roll Size: 118 x 17.7 inches, 197 x 17.7 inches, 393 x 17.7 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 14.5–48.2 square feet | Colors: Gold, silver}

4.5

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Walmart

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Design

4/5
Ease of Removal

3/5
Overall Value

4/5

What We Like

Easy to apply
High-quality material
Neutral and seasonless

What We Don't Like

Hard to reapply
Expensive

If you can swing the steeper price, you can't go wrong with Tempaper's Feather Flock Chalk. This self-adhesive removable wallpaper features a surprisingly neutral and seasonless swan print. It's perfect for a nursery but also plenty sophisticated for a primary bedroom. We gave the top-coated vinyl material perfect scores for initial application and positioning, as it was super easy to attach.

Removal and reapplication proved to be more of a challenge here: While the paper came off pretty easily without tearing, it was harder to get it smooth and wrinkle-free the second time. Considering the high-quality design, versatile print, and generously sized rolls, however, it still earned a high mark for overall value.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Material: Top-coated vinyl | Roll Size: 198 x 20.5 inches, 396 x 20.5 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 28–56.4 square feet | Colors: Gray}

Tempaper Wallpaper — The Spruce / Dara Burreson

We Researched the Best Places to Buy Nursery Decor Online

4.5

Wallshoppe

View On Wallshoppe.com

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Design

5/5
Ease of Removal

4/5
Overall Value

4/5

What We Like

Easy to apply
Thick and sturdy paper
Several colors

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Hard to cut around outlets

Available in six colors, Wallshøppe's "Arance Dolci" wallpaper is one of our top picks for design. Our tester loved the "colorful and happy" print, noting that the fruity-floral motif would be great for a laundry room, pantry, or bathroom. The thick, sturdy paper earned perfect scores for initial application and reapplication, as the backing peeled off easily and smoothed back out with minimal elbow grease.

When removing this wallpaper, we found the material to be a bit delicate—you'll need to be careful to avoid tearing it if you plan to reattach the same piece. Also, the thickness makes it somewhat hard to cut around outlets and light switches. The price per square foot is pretty steep, but all things considered, we gave this peel-and-stick wallpaper a 4 for overall value.

Price at time of publish: $58

_{Material: Paper | Roll Size: 324 x 27 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 60 square feet | Colors: Pink, orange, deep teal, green, blue, black}

Carly Beck Wallpaper — The Spruce / Dara Burreson

Walmart

View On Walmart

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Design

5/5
Ease of Removal

5/5
Overall Value

5/5

What We Like

Easy to apply
Thick and durable
Versatile and seasonless

What We Don't Like

Limited colors
Hard to cut

Earning perfect scores in all categories, the Organic Stripe Wallpaper from Better Homes & Gardens was a hit with our tester (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by The Spruce's parent company, Dotdash Meredith). They said the exceptionally thick vinyl material was a breeze to apply, smoothed out effortlessly with a squeegee, and left virtually no bubbles. While the thickness made it slightly hard to cut through, it seems very durable.

Patterned designs can make it hard to align wallpaper, but our tester said the adjacent panels matched up nicely with minimal fuss. The pieces also peeled off without leaving behind a residue and were easy to reapply. While there are only two colors to choose from, the modern print and neutral hues are undeniably versatile and seasonless.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Material: Vinyl | Roll Size: 226 x 18 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 28.3 square feet | Colors: Charcoal gray, white}

BHD Organic Striped Wallpaper — The Spruce / Dara Burreson

The 11 Best Wallpapers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

4.7

Chasing Paper

View On Crate & Barrel View On Chasingpaper.com

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Design

5/5
Ease of Removal

4/5
Overall Value

5/5

Give Your Walls a Fresh New Look: Chasing Paper Peel and Stick Wallpaper

What We Like

Easy to apply
Seasonless motif
High-quality fabric material

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Tricky to remove

If you like florals but want something that won't look too summery in the chilly seasons, go with Chasing Paper. Available in three colors, the brand's Botany wallpaper earned high marks for its design. Our tester said the poly-woven fabric has a nice texture and a high-quality appearance, and the bold print can help camouflage any imperfections on your wall.

During testing, this wallpaper proved easy to apply, smoothing out easily with minimal bubbles or wrinkles. The highly sticky material didn't leave a residue, but it was hard to peel off the wall without an extra hand. And while we wish the price were a bit more accessible, when compared to other options, it earned a perfect score for overall value.

Price at time of publish: $80 for 2'x8'

_{Material: Poly-woven fabric | Roll Size: 48 x 24 inches, 96 x 24 inches, 144 x 24 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 8–24 square feet | Colors: Pink, ivory, taupe}

Kelly Ventura — The Spruce / Dara Burreson

4.8

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Walmart

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Design

4.5/5
Ease of Removal

5/5
Overall Value

5/5

What We Like

Reasonably priced
Easy to apply and remove
Classic and versatile

What We Don't Like

Limited colors

When it comes to decorating with patterns, there may be nothing more classic than vertical stripes. Inspired by the awnings seen outside mid-century shops, the RoomMates Awning wallpaper earned a 4.5 for design. Though the thick stripes were fairly easy to line up, our tester noted the white portion showed a few marks from the smoothing tool.

This temporary wallpaper scored 5s in all other categories, including application, removal, reapplication, and overall value. We had no issues with bubbling, and the paper did a great job concealing minor bumps and imperfections in the wall. Plus, this is one of the more reasonably priced options we tried.

Price at time of publish: $37

_{Material: Paper | Roll Size: 198 x 20.5 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 28.2 square feet | Colors: Beige, black}

RoomMates Wallpaper — The Spruce / Dara Burreson

4.7

Etsy

View On Etsy

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

5/5
Design

4.5/5
Ease of Removal

5/5
Overall Value

5/5

What We Like

Easy to apply
Saturated colors
Lux appearance

What We Don't Like

Minor tearing
Not beginner-friendly

We also liked the Botanical Greenery Wallpaper from the Etsy shop Betapet. Made of polypropylene film, our tester gave it a perfect score for design, noting the gorgeous large-scale print, saturated colors, subtle texture, and all-around luxe appearance. It also earned top marks for its initial application, thanks to the easy-to-peel backing and smooth, vinyl-like material.

During testing, this temporary wallpaper proved to be a bit hard to remove and reapply. It peeled off the wall OK, but it tore slightly, and there were a few more bubbles the second time around. Still, the material smoothed back out with a squeegee. This isn't the most beginner-friendly option, but if you can line it up on the first try, it's an excellent choice.

Price at time of publish: $19

_{Material: Polypropylene film | Roll Size: 20 or 100 inches wide, 48–120 inches long | Coverage Per Roll: 6.7–83 square feet | Colors: Black, white}

BetaPet Wallpaper — The Spruce / Dara Burreson

4.2

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Olive Branch Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Anthropologie

View On Home Depot View On Target View On Anthropologie

Our Ratings

Ease of Application

3.5/5
Design

4.5/5
Ease of Removal

5/5
Overall Value

3.5/5

What We Like

Reasonably priced
Easy to remove and reapply
High-quality appearance

What We Don't Like

Minor wrinkles

If you're going for a farmhouse decor scheme, we highly recommend Magnolia Home's Olive Branch Wallpaper. From Joanna Gaines, queen of rustic interiors, it's simple and seasonless with a charming, down-home vibe—plus, the paper itself has a smooth texture and a high-quality appearance.

While the thick material was generally easy to work with, we gave it a 3.5 for the initial application, as there were a few wrinkles off the bat. This peel and stick wallpaper scored a 5 for removal and a 4 for reapplication: It doesn't leave behind any residue and reattaches without a fuss. We wish it went on a bit smoother, but considering the reasonable price tag, it's a decent value.

Price at time of publish: $49

_{Material: Non-woven paper | Roll Size: 240 x 20.5 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 34 square feet | Colors: Charcoal, teal, green}

Magnolia Home — The Spruce / Dara Burreson

		Overall Rating	Ease of Application	Design	Ease of Removal	Overall Value
Best Overall: Rifle Paper Co. Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper	Wayfair	5	5	5	5	5
Best Budget: MelunMer Geometric Wallpaper	Amazon	4.3	4.5	3	4	4
Best Splurge: Tempaper Feather Flock Chalk Wallpaper	Amazon	4.5	5	4	3	4
Best Pattern: Wallshøppe Arance Dolci Wallpaper	Wallshoppe.com	4.5	5	5	4	4
Best Modern: Better Homes & Gardens Organic Stripe Wallpaper	Walmart	5	5	5	5	5
Best Floral: Chasing Paper Botany Peel and Stick Wallpaper	Crate & Barrel	4.7	5	5	4	5
Best Striped: RoomMates Awning Stripe Wallpaper	Amazon	4.8	5	4.5	5	5
Best Botanical: Betapet Botanical Greenery Peel and Stick Wallpaper	Etsy	4.7	5	4.5	5	5
Best Farmhouse: Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Olive Branch Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper	Home Depot	4.2	3.5	4.5	5	3.5

Final Verdict

Overall, the Rifle Paper Co. Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper was our top pick. This user-friendly product flaunts a gorgeous, seasonless print, saturated colors, and thick, sturdy construction. That said, MelunMer Geometric Peel and Stick Wallpaper is an excellent choice if you're on a budget.

For this roundup, we purchased several rolls of best-selling removable wallpaper to see how they performed in our Des Moines, Iowa, testing facility. Each material was applied to a smooth section of drywall with a nearby outlet. We evaluated them based on how much effort it took to initially apply, including how much smoothing or cutting was required, then how easily they came off and reapplied. Various aspects of the designs were assessed, such as the print, colors, and how easily the patterns lined up when applying multiple panels. We considered these factors, along with the price, to determine the overall value of each wallpaper.

Pattern Seams

If you select a pattern that requires you to line up the edge of the pattern with its neighboring sheet precisely, it will take more time, effort, and possibly more wallpaper. Other patterns have a bit more randomness and will be easier to install. Other peel and stick options are more like a mural, where seams aren’t a concern at all.

Material and Finish

Most peel and stick wallpapers are made from vinyl, but vinyl is available in a range of finishes. You’ll want to decide if you want wallpaper with some shine or if you prefer a matte finish. If you don’t want vinyl, Chasing Paper makes PVC-free peel and stick options.

Roll Size

You’ll want to measure your walls to determine how much removable wallpaper to order. If you’ve got a lot of wall space to cover, you may want to look for options that come in wider rolls. Some brands even offer custom-sized options.

FAQ

How do you apply peel and stick wallpaper?

As its name implies, peel and stick wallpaper is generally easy to install. After measuring and lining up your wallpaper panel at the top of the wall, just peel the wallpaper off the adhesive back, stick it to the wall, and smooth out any air bubbles with a smoothing tool. Keep in mind that some peel and stick wallpapers are easier to install and adhere better than others. And that wallpaper with complicated patterns will be slightly more challenging to install so that seams are perfectly matched up.
How do you remove peel and stick wallpaper?

In most cases, you simply peel it off the wall, starting at the corner of each panel and pulling steadily and gently downward. This means that you can easily make adjustments during installment if you find you didn’t hang it correctly on the first go. And that when you’re tired of it or getting ready to move, you can simply remove it without damaging the walls.
Can you put peel and stick wallpaper over old wallpaper?

This will depend on a few factors. Generally, peel and stick wallpaper will work best when applied to a clean, light-colored wall that does not already have wallpaper installed on it. But some peel and stick wallpapers claim they can be laid over existing wallpaper, assuming that the condition of the old wallpaper is smooth and does not have a vinyl coating or damage such as mold. Test first if you are concerned that your peel and stick pattern is too light to cover existing wallpaper or if you are concerned that wall texture may prohibit the paper from adhering smoothly.

NuWallpaper — The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product tester specializing in home design. Having hung temporary wallpaper from three brands in three rooms in her home, she has substantial personal experience working with different materials and patterns.

For this story, Holland compiled our in-house testing insights for each product, then sorted the wallpapers into different categories and price points. She has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, where she covers decor, furniture, textiles, and storage solutions. You can find more of her home design stories on MyDomaine.

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