Which wallpaper material should I choose?

Which Wallpaper Material Should You Choose?

The design is only one part of choosing a wall mural. The material affects the surface appearance, texture, durability, cleaning method and installation process.

MuralsAll offers four material options. The guide below will help you compare them and choose the best match for your wall and project.

MuralsAll wallpaper material options

Quick Material Selector

Your priorityRecommended material
Smooth, matte and traditional wallpaper finishNon-Woven (Traditional)
Subtle texture and a more substantial surfaceTextured Vinyl
Soft, matte peel-and-stick surfacePeel & Stick Fabric
Stronger self-adhesion and a wider panel optionPeel & Stick Vinyl
Slightly textured wallA paste-applied option after proper surface preparation
Very smooth wall and no wallpaper pastePeel & Stick Fabric or Peel & Stick Vinyl
Important: Peel-and-stick materials perform best on clean, dry and completely smooth surfaces. They are not recommended for textured, rough, dusty, damp or silicone-coated walls. For lightly textured walls, a paste-applied material is generally the safer choice after proper preparation.

1. Peel & Stick Fabric

Close-up of Peel and Stick Fabric wallpaper material

Peel & Stick Fabric is a self-adhesive textile material with a soft, matte finish. It does not require separate wallpaper paste. The backing paper is removed gradually while the panel is smoothed onto the wall.

Key features

  • Soft, matte textile appearance
  • No separate wallpaper paste required
  • Tear-resistant fabric structure
  • Suitable for clean, dry and smooth interior walls
  • Installed in numbered, edge-to-edge panels

Best for

Smooth walls where a matte self-adhesive finish and paste-free installation are preferred.

Surface warning: Adhesion may be weak on textured or rough walls. Removal results depend on the paint quality, primer, curing time and wall condition. No self-adhesive material can be guaranteed to leave every painted surface completely unchanged.

2. Peel & Stick Vinyl

Close-up of Peel and Stick Vinyl wallpaper material

Peel & Stick Vinyl is a self-adhesive vinyl material with a richer surface feel and stronger adhesion. It is also available in a wider panel format, which may reduce the number of seams on larger walls.

Key features

  • No separate wallpaper paste required
  • Stronger self-adhesive backing
  • More substantial vinyl surface
  • Available in a wider 53.9-inch panel option
  • Suitable only for clean, dry and smooth interior surfaces

Best for

Smooth walls where stronger adhesion, a vinyl surface and fewer seams are preferred.

Not recommended for: Textured, rough, dusty, damp, newly painted or poorly bonded painted surfaces. Stronger adhesion can also increase the possibility of paint lifting during removal if the wall was not properly prepared.

3. Textured Vinyl

Close-up of Textured Vinyl wallpaper surface

Textured Vinyl is a traditional paste-applied wallpaper with a subtle, even texture. Its more substantial surface adds visual depth and works especially well with stone, concrete, marble, botanical and three-dimensional-effect designs.

Please note: A 3D mural creates an optical depth effect. Objects in the artwork are not physically raised. Textured Vinyl has its own subtle and consistent surface texture, but the printed objects are not real reliefs.

Key features

  • Subtle textured finish
  • Durable and substantial surface
  • Enhances detailed and dimensional artwork
  • Can be gently cleaned with a soft, damp cloth
  • Installed with wallpaper paste in edge-to-edge panels

Best for

Living rooms, dining rooms, offices and commercial interiors where a refined textured finish and added durability are desired.

4. Non-Woven (Traditional)

Close-up of smooth Non-Woven traditional wallpaper

Non-Woven is a classic paste-applied wallpaper with a smooth, matte appearance. It displays colors naturally without excessive reflection and is a dependable choice for long-term interior use.

Key features

  • Smooth and matte surface
  • Natural, low-reflection appearance
  • Traditional paste-applied installation
  • Suitable for bedrooms, nurseries, living rooms and offices
  • Installed in numbered, edge-to-edge panels

Best for

Customers who prefer a classic wallpaper feel, a smooth matte finish and paste-applied installation.

Material Comparison

FeaturePeel & Stick FabricPeel & Stick VinylTextured VinylNon-Woven
SurfaceSoft matte textileVinyl surfaceSubtly texturedSmooth matte
InstallationSelf-adhesiveSelf-adhesiveWallpaper pasteWallpaper paste
Best wallVery smoothVery smoothProperly prepared smooth or lightly textured wallProperly prepared smooth or lightly textured wall
Main advantageSoft finish without pasteStrong adhesion and wider optionTexture and durabilityNatural matte appearance
Textured wallNot recommendedNot recommendedPossible after preparationPossible after preparation

Panel Widths and Seams

Depending on the selected material, MuralsAll murals are produced in standard panel widths of approximately 41.7, 42.1 or 43.3 inches. Peel & Stick Vinyl is also available in a wider 53.9-inch format.

The exact number of panels depends on your wall width and chosen material. Panels are numbered and installed side by side with an edge-to-edge seam. They are not overlapped.

Wall Preparation Matters

No wallpaper material will completely hide major wall defects. Before installation, the wall should be clean, dry, solid and as smooth as possible. Repair cracks and holes, remove loose paint and sand prominent bumps.

Newly painted walls must be allowed to cure fully. For peel-and-stick materials, wait at least 3–4 weeks or follow the paint manufacturer's longer curing time.

Need Installation Instructions?

Installation methods differ between paste-applied and self-adhesive materials. Review the complete guide before opening or installing your mural.

View the Wallpaper Installation Guide

Still Not Sure?

Send us a photo of your wall together with its width and height. Tell us whether the surface is smooth or textured and whether you prefer paste-applied or self-adhesive installation. We will help you choose the most suitable option.

Contact MuralsAll