Which Wallpaper to Choose?

You’ve found the pattern – now comes the next big question: what type of wallpaper should I order?

Because Studio Kyhala designs are available on several different surfaces, you can tailor the finish to suit your walls, your room and how your home is actually lived in (tiny fingerprints, steamy showers, wagging tails and all).

In this guide I’ll walk you through the five main types I offer:

• Peel-and-Stick Woven

• Pre-Pasted Smooth

• Non-Pasted (commercial grade)

• Grasscloth (natural sisal)

• Vinyl (high-performance)

…and when each one makes the most sense.

Different wallpaper offerings and their textures

Start Here: A Few Questions to Ask Yourself

Before we zoom in on each paper, it helps to answer a few quick questions:

1. Are you renting or owning?

   • Renters usually need something removable and low-commitment.

   • Homeowners might prioritise longevity and washability.

2. Which room is it for?

   • Dry, low-moisture rooms (bedrooms, living rooms, home offices) are the easiest.

   • Bathrooms, laundries and busy kitchens need more durable, moisture-tolerant papers.

3. What are your walls like?

   • Smooth, properly primed walls open up nearly all options.

   • Very textured, crumbling, or glossy “non-stick” paints can limit what will adhere well.

4. How DIY-confident are you?

   • Some papers are very forgiving for first-time installers.

   • Others really shine when installed by a professional paper hanger.

Keep your answers in mind as you read through the options below.

Peel-and-Stick Woven – Renter-Friendly & DIY-Loving

If you want a beautiful change without a lifelong commitment, peel-and-stick woven is your best friend.

Why you’d choose it

• It has a self-adhesive backing – you simply peel away the liner and smooth it onto your wall. No paste, no soaking tray, no mess.

• The material has a lovely linen-like texture that adds gentle depth without feeling heavy or shiny.

• It’s PVC-free and low-VOC, which supports healthier indoor air quality – especially important for nurseries and bedrooms.

• Designed to be removable and gently repositionable, so you can lift and re-smooth as you go.

Best suited for

• Rentals and short-to-medium term projects

• Nurseries, bedrooms, living rooms, home offices

• Smooth, non-textured, well-primed walls

• Feature walls behind a bed, sofa or desk

Things to keep in mind

• It’s not ideal for very textured walls or for paints that are specifically marketed as “non-stick”, “scrubbable” or ultra-low VOC – adhesives simply don’t have much to grip onto.

• Best in low-moisture rooms rather than steamy bathrooms.

DIY or professional?
Peel-and-stick is very DIY-friendly. A professional can be helpful for large rooms, stairwells or if you’d simply rather outsource the ladder work, but many clients happily install this themselves.

Pre-Pasted Smooth – Classic, Calm & Approachable

Pre-pasted smooth is a beautiful option if you love a traditional wallpaper look but still want an approachable, family-friendly install.

Why you’d choose it

• It has a water-activated backing – you simply wet the paper to activate the adhesive, then apply. No extra paste needed.

• The surface is smooth with a soft, semi-matte finish, so my hand-painted detail prints very crisply.

• It’s PVC-free and Class A fire rated, and printed on FSC-certified paper.

Best suited for

• Bedrooms and nurseries

• Studies and calm living spaces

• Full rooms or large feature walls in low-moisture spaces

Things to keep in mind

• It performs best on smooth, non-textured, non-scrubbable walls.

• It’s more of a “classic paper” feel – gentle sponge-cleaning is fine, but it’s not designed for heavy scrubbing.

DIY or professional?
Great for confident DIYers, especially on single walls. For full rooms, older homes with wobbly walls, or pattern-matching around many doors and windows, I do recommend a professional paper hanger.

Non-Pasted – Durable, Breathable & Bathroom-Friendly

When you’re working on spaces that work hard – think bathrooms, powder rooms, kitchens and hallways – non-pasted commercial-grade wallpaper comes into its own.

Why you’d choose it

• It’s a breathable, lightly textured wallcovering designed for higher-humidity spaces.

• It’s a Type II commercial-grade, PVC-free vinyl alternative – in other words, strong and durable without traditional vinyl’s environmental drawbacks.

• Class A fire rated and FSC-certified, it’s built with long-term performance in mind.

Best suited for

• Bathrooms and powder rooms (outside direct splash zones)

• Kitchens and laundries

• Hallways, stairwells and other high-traffic areas

• Commercial projects (cafés, boutiques, offices)

Things to keep in mind

• This is a paste-the-paper product – you (or your installer) will apply a suitable wallpaper paste to the back before hanging.

• It’s more forgiving on lightly textured walls than removable options.

DIY or professional?
For this type, I strongly recommend professional installation, especially in bathrooms and commercial spaces. Professional installers are fast, precise and know how to handle corners, seams and tricky areas so your investment looks its best.

Grasscloth – Handcrafted Texture & Quiet Luxury

If you’re dreaming of a wall that feels like a textured, handcrafted textile, grasscloth is the jewel.

Why you’d choose it

• It’s made from 100% handcrafted natural sisal, with a tactile, woven surface that instantly adds warmth and character.

• Each roll is FSC-certified, PVC-free and Class A fire rated, making it a beautiful yet responsible choice.

• The subtle variations, visible seams and slubs are all part of its natural charm.

Best suited for

• Formal dining rooms

• Libraries, studies and grown-up bedrooms

• Feature walls in calm, dry living spaces

• Homes that lean towards heritage, Japandi or quiet luxury aesthetics

Things to keep in mind

• Grasscloth is not a good match for bathrooms, laundries, or splash-prone kitchens. It prefers dry, low-moisture rooms.

• It’s more delicate than the other options: think dust or vacuum only, no scrubbing or washing.

DIY or professional?
Because it’s a natural fibre with pattern variations and visible seams, grasscloth truly benefits from a professional installer. They’ll plan the layout so seams fall in thoughtful places and the pattern flows beautifully across your space.

Vinyl – The Hardest-Working Wallcovering

For busy family homes and commercial interiors that need to handle constant traffic, vinyl wallpaper is the high-performance option.

Why you’d choose it

• It’s a Type II commercial-grade wallcovering designed for the kind of wear and tear you find in hotels, restaurants, healthcare offices and busy homes.

• The surface is durable and washable, crafted specifically for heavy traffic areas.

• It is Class A fire rated and intended for safe indoor use.

Best suited for

• Entryways, mudrooms and corridors

• Kitchens and family dining spaces

• Children’s playrooms

• Hospitality and commercial projects (lobbies, hotel suites, clinics)

Things to keep in mind

• Vinyl is a heavier material and usually installed using a paste-the-paper method.

• It’s excellent for higher-moisture spaces, but like all wallpaper, it’s not intended for direct water contact (inside showers, behind open shower screens, etc).

DIY or professional?
Due to its weight and the importance of tight, clean seams, vinyl is best installed by a professional paper hanger, especially for large areas or commercial projects.

So… Which One Is Right for You?

Here’s a quick way to decide:

• “I’m renting and want a gentle, reversible change.”
  → Choose Peel-and-Stick Woven.

• “I want a classic wallpaper look for a bedroom or nursery.”
  → Choose Pre-Pasted Smooth.

• “It’s for a bathroom or kitchen that gets steamy and busy.”
  → Choose Non-Pasted (commercial grade).

• “I’m creating a luxurious, textural feature in a dry room.”
  → Choose Grasscloth.

• “This space needs to work hard – kids, pets, clients, all of it.”
  → Choose Vinyl.

Try Before You Commit

Because every home and monitor is different, I always recommend ordering samples first:

• You can check colour in your actual light (day + night).

• You can feel the texture and sheen level.

• You can test how the paper looks against your existing trim, tiles and textiles.

Pin the samples up for a few days and let them live with you – your eyes and your home will tell you which one feels right.

Need Help Choosing?

If you’re still unsure, you’re very welcome to:

• Send me a photo of your space

• Let me know which pattern you’re considering

• Tell me a little about your walls, room and who uses it

I’m always happy to suggest a paper type and scale that honours both the artwork and the real life happening in front of it.