Planning guide
Choosing wallpaper without regretting it later
Material, room and pattern decisions interact. Here is how to think about them before you order.
Start with the room, not the pattern
Before falling for a print, ask what the room will put the wallcovering through: steam, splashes, hands, sunlight, furniture rubbing against it. A paper that is perfect for a dining room may be a poor choice for a family bathroom.
| Type | Typical traits | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Non-woven | Dimensionally stable, often paste-the-wall, often strippable later | Is it rated for humid rooms? Does it need a specific paste? |
| Traditional paper | Breathable, beautiful print quality, needs booking time | How long should it book? Is it washable or only spongeable? |
| Vinyl / vinyl-coated | More washable and durable | Is it suitable for this room’s moisture conditions? |
| Natural fibre (grasscloth, sisal, cork) | Texture, visible seams, shade variation | Is it reverse-hung? Can the face be cleaned? |
| Peel-and-stick | Repositionable, easier DIY | Will it adhere to this paint and texture? Cure time? |
These are tendencies, not rules. Products vary widely within each category.
Peel-and-stick product guidance
For product-specific steps, read Brewster’s peel-and-stick installation guide. Adhesion depends on wall finish and the exact product; follow its label and test a sample first.
Order samples, and look at them in place
Tape samples to the actual wall and look at them in morning and evening light. Colour on screen is unreliable. Check the scale too: a motif that looks charming on a sample can feel very different repeated across a nine-foot wall.
Read the label before you buy
- Pattern repeat and match type (straight, half-drop, random, free match)
- Roll width and length, and whether the price is per single or double roll
- Batch or lot number
- Paste method and any recommended primer
- Cleaning rating
Next: how much to order.
Other guides
Next step
Tell us about the walls.
Rooms, measurements, the material you are considering and whether anything has to come off first. We will confirm availability for your location and talk through scope.