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The 7 Best Removable Wallpapers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Goodbye glue and sponges, hello removable wallpaper

An assortment of removable wallpapers we recommend displayed side-by-side on a colorful background

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Since its breakthrough in the market, removable wallpaper, also known as peel-and-stick wallpaper, has garnered the attention of design professionals and DIY-ers for its innovation. But we can't help but wonder: Is it actually removable? Will our walls be damaged afterward?

To answer these questions and learn if this DIY phenomenon is as easy as it claims to be, we tested several peel-and-stick wallpaper rolls in The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We tested 28 options from different brands and noted any that stood out for application, removal, design, and overall value.

Many of our top picks surprised us in their ease of application, though removal often proved more of a chore. Most of our team who participated in this test had no prior experience applying wallpaper (or removing it for that matter!) so this was a true test of just how easy and fool-proof these removable wallpaper panels can be.

What We Like
  • Large coverage

  • Thick semi-matte paper

  • Virtually no bubbles

What We Don't Like
  • Limited styles

From its ease of application to its reasonable price, the Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper from Rifle Paper Co. wowed us across the board. We loved the thick and sturdy non-woven paper, which applied flawlessly with almost no bubbles (the very few bubbles that we did come across were easy to smooth out by hand—no squeegee needed).

To make application even easier, 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.

In terms of design, we love how saturated the pattern is, though it might be too much of a statement for some. Rifle is known for its floral motifs and doesn't offer many options outside 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.

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

What We Like
  • Easy to apply

  • Minimal bubbles

  • Modern yet versatile

What We Don't Like
  • Aligning pattern is tricky

  • Limited colors

For decorators on a budget, we recommend MelunMer. This temporary vinyl wallpaper particularly impressed us with its ease of application, removal, and reapplication. You'll probably want to recruit a buddy to help with the application; however, it's easy to attach and smooth with minimal bubbles. We also found it easy to cut around outlets.

While we wish this wallpaper came in more colors, we appreciate the modern yet versatile geometric print. However, lining up the pattern proved to be a bit tricky, and we found that even if we aligned the top portion of the pattern, there'd be a section lower on the wall that did not match up.

We recommend using this wallpaper as a small accent wall, rather than attempting to wallpaper a whole room. We had no other frustrations while applying this wallpaper. It was easy to pull off the wall, and it did not cause any damage to the drywall. Additionally, it held up well when we checked on it after six months of being adhered to the wall.

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

What We Like
  • Easy to apply

  • High-quality material

  • Neutral and seasonless

What We Don't Like
  • Hard to reapply

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. We noticed some bubbles during our initial application, but they weren't visibly noticeable when we took a step back from the wall.

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. Additionally, the wallpaper was very hard to remove after being adhered to the wall for six months, we accidentally ripped the drywall about halfway through removing the wallpaper panel.

Considering the high-quality design, versatile print, and generously sized rolls, this paper still earned a high mark for overall value. We recommend being mindful of removal if you plan to use this in an apartment.

Material: Top-coated vinyl | Roll Size: 198 x 20.5 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 28 square feet | Colors: Gray

What We Like
  • Easy to apply

  • Thick and sturdy paper

  • Several colors

What We Don't Like
  • Hard to cut around outlets

Available in six colors, Carly Beck's "Arance Dolci" wallpaper is one of our top picks for design. We 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. We suspect it peeled so easily because of its thickness, which also kept it from bubbling during the second application.

We will note it is hard to cut around outlets and light switches because of the paper thickness. However, this wallpaper held up well over six months and we didn't experience any issues removing it from the wall at that point.

The price per square foot is pretty steep, but all things considered, we'd say it's worth the splurge.

Material: Paper | Roll Size: 26 x 54 inches, 26 x 108 inches, 26 x 144 inches | Coverage Per Roll: 12-30 square feet | Colors: Pink, orange, deep teal, green, blue, black

What We Like
  • Easy to apply

  • Seasonless motif

  • High-quality fabric material

What We Don't Like
  • Tricky to remove

If you like florals but want something that won't look too summery in the chilly seasons, go with this Kelly Ventura Chasing Paper collaboration print. Available in three colors, the Botany print earned high marks for its design. 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.

This wallpaper proved easy to apply during testing, smoothing with minimal bubbles or wrinkles. The highly sticky material didn't leave a residue but was difficult to peel off the wall without an extra hand. However, no residue was left on the wall when we peeled the paper.

This wallpaper developed large bubbles after hanging on the wall for six months, but we recognize that is likely from us applying and re-applying it multiple times. However, you may want to be extra careful and precise with this wallpaper to avoid bubbles over time.

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

What We Like
  • Easy to align

  • Easy to apply and remove

  • Classic and versatile

What We Don't Like
  • Limited colors

When 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 impressed us with its bold yet classic striped design.

Though the thick stripes were fairly easy to line up, the paper showed texture and nail holes in the wall. However, this was not noticeable from afar.

This temporary wallpaper performed well in all other categories, including application, removal, reapplication, and overall value. We loved how easy it was to apply and were impressed by its overall durability.

We wish this wallpaper came in additional colors, but the stripe is a classic design that will blend into any color scheme.

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

What We Like
  • Large coverage

  • Easy to remove and reapply

  • High-quality appearance

What We Don't Like
  • Minor wrinkles

We highly recommend Magnolia Home's Olive Branch Wallpaper if you love a farmhouse decor scheme. 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 found the initial application less than ideal, as there were a few wrinkles. However, removal and reapplication proved easier: The paper doesn't leave residue behind and reattaches without a fuss.

We noticed some minor bubbling on this wallpaper after it had adhered to a wall for three months, so we recommend taking extra care to avoid multiple reapplications when installing it. We wish it went on a bit smoother, but considering the reasonable price, it's a decent value.

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

Final Verdict

The Rifle Paper Co. Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper is our best overall pick. This user-friendly product flaunts a gorgeous, seasonless print, saturated colors, and thick, sturdy construction. However, MelunMer Geometric Peel and Stick Wallpaper, our best budget pick, is an excellent choice if you want to explore the trend before splurging.

How We Tested the Removable Wallpaper

We purchased 28 rolls of popular removable wallpaper brands to see how they performed in our Des Moines, Iowa, testing lab. Because this test required a large amount of wall space, we created 4-x 8-foot sections of "wall" using drywall and screwed an outlet cover into each section. We also painted the drywall a few weeks before our official tests to create a more realistic "wall" for our application and removal tests.

Each roll 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. After 15 minutes, we attempted to remove each piece of wallpaper and noted how easily they came off.

We looked for signs of stretching, and we felt the wall afterward to see if residue was left behind or if any paint was removed. We then reapplied the wallpaper. During this second application, we considered how it differed from the first attempt, if there were any extra bubbles or wrinkles in the paper, and if the adhesive felt less secure than the first application.

Of course, we also looked at the design of each wallpaper, such as the print, colors, and how easily the patterns lined up when applying multiple panels. We then left the wallpaper to sit and checked on it after three and six months to determine its durability.

We looked for signs of peeling and bubbles or noted any panels that had completely fallen. We again removed the wallpaper after six months and noted how easy it was to remove it a second time. We looked for any tearing, stripping of paint, and residual stickiness on the wall. Based on our overall experience with each wallpaper, we determined the value of each wallpaper.

Person hanging Chasing Paper Kelly Ventura Botany Peel and Stick Wallpaper on wall

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

When Shopping for Removable Wallpaper, Look For

Overlapping and 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. "Consider your DIY capabilities and how much you may care about the wallpaper panels lining up perfectly," says Rees.

"Will it bother you to see imperfections? If so, you may want to choose a less complicated print, like vertical stripes, where the patterns do not have to match up perfectly." Our best striped pick, the RoomMates Awning Striped Peel and Stick Wallpaper, is easy to line up compared to our best overall pick, the Rifle Paper Co. Luxembourg Peel & Stick Wallpaper, which will take more time and effort to perfect on a large wall.

Some peel-and-stick options are more like a mural, where seams aren’t a concern.

Person cutting MelunMer Geometric Peel and Stick Wallpaper around wall outlet

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Durable Materials and Forgiving Finishes

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

Our best floral pick, the Chasing Paper Kelly Ventura Botany Peel and Stick Wallpaper, is made from a poly-woven fabric with a smooth matte finish. You'll also want to be mindful of how the finish on a wallpaper wears. If it's easily scuffed, you'll want to be extra careful not to mark it while smoothing out bubbles with a scraper.

Large Roll Sizes

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. Several wallpaper options on our list have up to three sizes, including our best patterned pick, the Wallshøppe Arance Dolci by Carly Beck Peel and Stick Wallpaper.

Unfortunately, some brands offer only one size roll like our best farmhouse pick, the RoomMates Olive Branch by Magnolia Home Wallpaper. Our list also ranges in roll width with our smallest roll measuring 17.7 inches wide and the largest being 27 inches.

If you're not quite sure how much wallpaper you'll need for a room, some sites will provide a helpful calculator and point you to the correct roll size and number. We love this feature on the Wallshøppe, Chasing Paper, and Rifle Paper Co. sites.

Person marking measurements on Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Olive Branch Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper with tape measure

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

FAQ
  • How do you apply peel and stick wallpaper?

    As its name implies, peel-and-stick wallpaper is generally easy to install. But to help make the process even easier, Rees has a few tips. If you haven't already, you'll want to prime your walls with "a premium eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint,” she says, avoiding matte paints, which the adhesive can bond to and rip off.

    A few days prior to application, wipe down the walls to ensure that they're clean and dry. Then, use a pencil to mark your walls where the wallpaper panel would end, "to ensure that all of the panels are installed evenly," she adds.

    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. Wallpaper with complicated patterns will be slightly more challenging to install, so DIY newcomers might want to stick with more abstract designs.

  • 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. 

    That being said, not all peel-and-stick wallpapers are created equal. The quality of both the adhesive and the paper determines both the ease of application and the ease of removal.

  • 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.

Person hanging NuWallpaper on wall

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Why Trust The Spruce?

Emma Phelps, an associate editor at The Spruce, has been writing about home decor since 2022, including the best floor pillows and best desk mats. Phelps adores bold prints and colors and hopes to incorporate beautiful wallpapers into her home one day. She remembers her mother and grandmother meticulously wallpapering the formal dining room in her childhood home and knows that a good wallpaper (and scraper) makes all the difference during application.

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