The Best Removable Wallpapers

I used to be terrified of wallpaper. The commitment, the messy paste, the horror stories of scraping it off years later… no thank you. But then I discovered peel and stick wallpaper, and it totally changed how I decorate my house.

It’s perfect for someone like me who gets bored easily. And as a former renter, it was the only way I could add some personality to my walls without losing my security deposit. Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different brands, from cheap ones to super fancy ones.

Not all of them are created equal. Some are thin and tear if you look at them wrong, and others have patterns that are impossible to line up. These are the ones I’ve had the best luck with on my own walls.

My Favorite All-Around Brands

Rifle Paper Co.

Okay, this is my splurge pick. The paper itself feels incredibly high-quality, almost like a thin fabric. It’s thick, so it hides minor bumps on the wall, and it’s forgiving. I had to reposition one panel three times in our nursery, and it never stretched or lost its tackiness.

The patterns are just beautiful. There’s no other way to say it. We used the “Peacock” design for an accent wall in our bedroom, and it gets more compliments than anything else in our house. It’s expensive, but for a smaller space, it’s a showstopper.

Chasing Paper

I love the modern and unique designs from Chasing Paper. They collaborate with a lot of cool artists, so you can find stuff here that isn’t everywhere else. I used a simple pinstripe from them on the back of a boring white bookcase, and it instantly made it look custom.

The quality is great for the price. It’s not quite as thick as Rifle Paper Co., but it’s very easy to work with. The panels I used were easy to line up, and the matte finish looks really professional. It’s a solid choice for any room.

RoomMates / NuWallpaper

This is my go-to for a budget project or a room that gets a lot of wear and tear, like a kid’s playroom or a mudroom. You can find these brands online and in big box stores, and they have a massive selection. I found a great faux-grasscloth pattern that I put up in our powder room in an afternoon.

The paper is thinner, so you have to be a bit more careful. Make sure your wall is smooth, as this stuff will show imperfections more than the thicker papers. But it holds up well and removes cleanly. I had a section up in my old apartment for two years, and it came off without leaving a mark.

Best for Unique and Custom Looks

Spoonflower

If you want a pattern that absolutely no one else on your block has, Spoonflower is the answer. It’s a marketplace for independent designers, so the variety is endless. You can find anything from hyper-specific floral prints to weirdly wonderful geometric designs.

I ordered their peel-and-stick woven wallpaper for my home office, and I love it. It has a nice, textured, non-shiny finish. Just be sure to order a sample first, as colors can look different on a screen. And definitely buy an extra roll—the pattern matching can lead to some waste.

My Tips for Actually Hanging This Stuff

First thing’s first: clean your walls. I just use a sponge with some mild soap and water a day before I plan to hang the paper. Any dust or grime will keep it from sticking well. Let it dry completely.

Always order more than you think you need. I usually calculate my square footage and then add 15% to be safe. You’ll thank yourself when you mess up a cut or need to match a tricky pattern repeat near the ceiling.

Finally, get a cheap wallpaper smoothing kit. It usually comes with a little squeegee and a sharp craft knife. Using the squeegee to push out air bubbles from the center to the edges makes a huge difference. Don’t use a credit card; it can scratch or tear the paper.