Types of Wallcoverings & Wallpapers

Wallcoverings are often referred to simply as "wallpaper", but they are made from a wide range of materials. Alongside traditional printed papers you"ll find vinyls, paper-backed fabrics, natural grasses, cork, wood veneers, paperweaves, embroidered designs and highly sculptural 3D wallcoverings – each with its own look, feel and practical advantages.

This guide walks through the main types of wallcoverings and wallpapers, how they"re made, where they work best, and what to bear in mind when choosing between them.

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In this guide

Preparing your walls

Before you hang any wallcovering, it"s essential to start with a sound surface:

Clean – free from dust, grease and loose paint.
Dry – any damp or mould must be treated and allowed to dry thoroughly.
Smooth – fill cracks and holes, sand down high spots.

On very porous surfaces you may also need to size the wall to reduce paste absorption and improve adhesion. Good preparation helps wallcoverings hang better, last longer and look more even.

Lining papers & underlayers

Lining paper

Lining paper is a simple, buff-coloured paper used to:

Even out minor imperfections
Provide a consistent surface for paint or wallpaper
Help expensive or delicate wallcoverings hang more smoothly

Opting for a decent weight of lining paper rather than the cheapest option usually gives a better finish. Many decorators hang lining paper horizontally, then the main wallpaper vertically, to minimise joint lines showing through.

Expanded polystyrene sheet

Thin expanded polystyrene sheets can be used to line a wall before papering. They:

Help reduce condensation and cold spots
Bridge hairline cracks and small holes

However, polystyrene dents easily and is best avoided in high-traffic areas where the walls are likely to be knocked.

Traditional printed wallpapers

Machine-printed wallpapers

Most modern wallpapers are machine-printed and available in a huge variety of colours, styles and price points. Quality machine-printed papers can be very durable and are perfectly suitable for most domestic rooms.

Hand-printed wallpapers

Hand-printed wallpapers are more artisanal and often more expensive. They can offer extraordinary depth of colour and character, but:

The paper can be more delicate and prone to tearing when wet
Inks may run if paste gets onto the printed surface
Pattern matching can be trickier, as hand printing is less mechanically precise

Brands known for hand-printed wallpapers include, for example, heritage makers such as Watts of Westminster and Cole & Son. These designs are best reserved for walls that are not exposed to heavy wear or condensation, and are usually hung by an experienced decorator.

Murals & panel wallpapers

Wall murals and panel wallpapers are designed as large-scale images or sequences rather than repeating patterns. They are usually supplied as a set of numbered drops that form one complete artwork when installed in order.

Murals can depict landscapes, architecture, abstract art, trompe l"oeil scenes and more. They are ideal for feature walls behind sofas, beds and dining tables, or for creating an immersive feel in smaller spaces such as cloakrooms.

Because they are made to a specific layout, it"s important to:

Measure carefully
Follow the hanging diagram supplied
Allow for trimming around corners, ceilings, skirtings and any obstacles

Many mural and panel designs can also be resized or adjusted to suit your wall dimensions.

Relief & embossed wallcoverings

Embossed relief papers

Embossed relief papers have patterns pressed into the surface, creating a three-dimensional effect. They are:

Usually paintable, often finished with satin or matt emulsion
Useful for disguising minor surface imperfections
Ideal when you want texture without a bold print

Lincrusta and similar products

Lincrusta is one of the original embossed wallcoverings. Made from a solid film of linseed oil and fillers fused onto a backing paper, it is then pressed with an engraved roller to create intricate relief patterns. It"s still available today, though many people now opt for modern embossed papers or high-quality fibre-based reliefs that are easier to work with.

Washable wallpapers

Washable wallpapers are traditional printed papers with a thin clear glaze – often a PVA-type coating – over the surface. This makes them:

More resistant to light marks and splashes
Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and busy hallways where occasional wiping is needed

They are not typically designed for heavy scrubbing. Over time, aggressive cleaning can wear away the protective layer, so gentle sponging is recommended.

Vinyl wallcoverings

Vinyl wallcoverings consist of a paper or sometimes cotton backing with a layer of vinyl on the surface. The design is printed onto the vinyl, then fused using heat to create a tough, continuous coating.

Key benefits:

Very durable and washable
Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and high-traffic spaces
Can convincingly mimic natural materials such as stone, plaster, fabric weaves and more

Within this category you"ll also find contract vinyls, designed for commercial and hospitality interiors where extra performance and washability are required.

Grasscloth & natural fibre wallpapers

Grasscloth wallpapers are made by weaving natural grasses such as sisal, hemp or jute into a mat, which is then glued to a paper backing. They offer:

Beautiful, organic texture
Natural variation in colour and weave
A warm, tactile feel

Because they are handcrafted and natural, you can expect:

Visible joins between drops
Shade and texture variation from roll to roll
More delicate handling during hanging

Modern grasscloths may be enhanced with subtle metallic threads or printed overlays to add shimmer and depth. They tend to be best suited to dry, lower-traffic rooms and feature walls rather than hard-working corridors.

Flock wallcoverings

Flock wallcoverings pick out the main pattern elements in a fine pile, created by gluing tiny fibres (synthetic or natural, such as silk or wool) onto the backing. This gives the design a velvet-like texture and a very luxurious feel.

Vinyl flock wallcoverings are more robust, making them easier to hang and more suitable for busier spaces.

Flock wallpapers can usually be gently sponged to remove marks; dust can be brushed from the pile. Vinyl flocks, in particular, offer extra durability and cleanability.

Cork, wood & wood veneer wallcoverings

Cork wallcoverings are surfaced with thin sheets of coloured or natural cork on a backing. They are naturally:

Warm and slightly cushioned
Rich in organic speckle and variation
Helpful for softening acoustics in echo-prone rooms

Cork wallcoverings are often chosen for feature walls, home offices, dining rooms and cosy living spaces where you want both texture and a sense of comfort.

Wood and wood veneer wallcoverings use real wood or fine veneers bonded to a backing. Depending on the design, they can look sleek and architectural or rustic and characterful. As with cork, they add warmth and depth and work particularly well on feature walls, studies and living areas.

Because cork and wood are natural materials, expect variation in tone and grain between drops. They are best installed by decorators familiar with these products and are usually most suitable for dry, well-ventilated rooms.

Paperweave & woven paper wallpapers

Paperweave & woven paper wallpapers are made by weaving narrow strips of paper into a textile-like surface, often mounted on a backing. The result is:

A subtle, basket-like texture
Gentle shade variation and a natural, handcrafted feel
A look that sits somewhere between flat paper and grasscloth

Paperweave and woven paper wallpapers are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and studies where you want quiet texture rather than a bold pattern. They tend to be more consistent than natural grasses, but still offer a lot of visual interest.

Embroidered & embellished wallpapers

Embroidered wallpapers incorporate stitched motifs, appliqué details or other embellishments onto the surface of the wallcovering. They can feature anything from fine line embroidery to heavier, more decorative stitching, often on a textile or non-woven base.

Other embellished wallcoverings may use:

Beads, sequins or glass beads
Metallic threads or foils
Layered or cut-out elements

These designs are best suited to dry, lower-traffic rooms and feature areas where they are less likely to be knocked or splashed. Because they are more delicate and labour-intensive to produce, embroidered and embellished wallpapers are usually at the luxury end of the market and are best hung by experienced decorators.

Textile wallcoverings & fabric on walls

Paper-backed fabrics

Paper-backed fabrics include finely woven cotton, linen, silk or blends mounted on a paper backing, creating a textile wallcovering that is:

Rich in texture and depth
Often more delicate than vinyls, and best hung by a specialist
Ideal for bedrooms, dining rooms and living spaces where you want a soft, luxurious atmosphere

Some textile wallcoverings are lightly coated to improve scuff resistance, but they are still more refined than heavy-duty vinyls.

Brands such as Arte, Dedar and Élitis are known for innovative textile wallcoverings, including bold weaves, embroidery and mixed materials.

Unbacked fabrics on walls

Unbacked fabrics can be glued or stretched across walls. This is highly specialist work and is best carried out by decorators experienced in fabric walling. The effect can be incredibly elegant and also contributes to sound and thermal insulation.

Specialist & 3D wallcoverings

Modern manufacturing techniques have introduced highly sculptural and technical wallcoverings.

One example is thermoformed wallcovering, a technique mastered by luxury brands such as Arte. Motifs are pressed into the surface – often a textile – using heat, creating a genuinely three-dimensional pattern that is:

Visibly raised and tactile
Thick and warm to the touch
Helpful for acoustic insulation, as the surface absorbs and diffuses sound

Other specialist wallcoverings might incorporate:

Metallic foils
Glass beads or mineral fragments
Technical non-wovens and layered constructions

These designs are often used as statement panels or in feature areas where you want a truly distinctive look.

Choosing the right wallcovering for your room

Kitchens & bathrooms

Choose washable or vinyl wallcoverings that can tolerate humidity and occasional splashes, and ensure the room is well-ventilated. Avoid very delicate naturals, embroidered designs or absorbent textiles near sinks, hobs and showers.

Hallways, staircases & busy corridors

These areas see a lot of traffic:

Durable vinyls, washable wallpapers or textured reliefs are often the best choice.
Darker tones or subtle patterns can be more forgiving of scuffs.
Stripes and vertical patterns can emphasise height and lead the eye up staircases.

Living rooms & dining rooms

Living rooms & dining rooms can handle a wide range of wallcoverings:

Cork, wood veneer and 3D wallcoverings can add warmth and a sense of luxury.

Printed papers, grasscloths, paperweaves and textiles all work well.

Feature walls are perfect for murals, flock or richly textured designs.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are ideal for softer, more enveloping treatments:

A statement design behind the bed can anchor the whole room.
Grasscloth, textile and cork wallcoverings add warmth and intimacy (best in dry, well-ventilated rooms).
Finer printed papers and embroidered designs can be particularly effective in these quieter spaces.

Home offices & media rooms

In work and media spaces:

Textured wallpapers, cork and textile wallcoverings can help soften sound.
Geometry, subtle pattern and darker tones can make screens more comfortable to view and create a cocooning feel.

If you"re unsure how much wallpaper you need, or which type is best for your project, it"s always worth speaking to your decorator or to our team for tailored advice.

Need help choosing?
Don"t hesitate to contact us for assistance with wallpaper types, room suitability and quantities.

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