The 8 Best Wallpapers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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. If you're seeking an easy-to-clean option, the Mind The Gap Yuyuan Wallpaper is washable and easy to install.

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 looking closely at the pattern to see if it was clear (aka not pixelated) both close and far away.

Next, we 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 sauce, to see how easy it was to clean off any messes. We noted whether 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, evaluating 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.

How to Shop for Wallpaper Like a Pro

Material

All wallpaper is, of course, made of paper, but it’s the type that matters. Sandall recommends figuring out where the wallpaper will go in your home first before deciding on 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. The same goes perhaps for a kid’s room or a wall that is going to be touched a lot.” 

Lee agrees adding that vinyl wallpaper is the most functional 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 no adhesive 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!" she says. "Skip this step and your pricey paper won't adhere properly."

Design

First and foremost, the design of the wallpaper you choose should be something you love. “Wallpaper is a pretty permanent thing,” says 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 they may make later in their 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. When people want to incorporate a bold wallpaper pattern into their home, they often decorate just one wall, which is referred to as an accent wall. An accent wall allows you to add a bold pattern to your space without being overwhelmed by it—highlighting one wall is also a great way to experiment with striking dark paint colors.

Lee 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 adds that the color of your wallpaper can affect the perceived size of your space. If you're working with a small space, she recommends choosing lighter colors to make the space seem larger. On the flip side, 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 covers the area. Another way you can calculate is by using square footage. You can do this by multiplying the length and width of the wall you intend to cover with wallpaper. Manufacturers usually 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% more to your order, while Sandall advises 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 suggest taking advantage of a wallpaper calculator, which is oftentimes a free feature that can be found on the website of the wallpaper retailer.

How do you hang wallpaper?

Before we advise you on how to hang wallpaper, it's worth noting that each of our interior designers was very vocal about hiring a wallpaper installer to do the hanging for you. Given that wallpaper is expensive and tough to install, Gray recommends 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 has hung wallpaper herself 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 tends 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. A pro tip for installing peel-and-stick wallpaper is to peel back the paper to release any air bubbles that have formed.

Although unpasted wallpaper may sound like the most unappealing application method, Sandall 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 a 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, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. We researched the best wallpaper and tested 30 of the most popular in our Des Moines 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.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

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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