The past few decades have been bleak for the wallpaper business. During the second half of the 20th century, the wallpaper and coverings industry lost more than half its sales, according to Business of Home.
Minimalism was in and wallpaper started to seem dated — plus it had a not-undeserved reputation for being difficult to put up and take down. But wallpaper is experiencing a revolution, thanks to easier-to-use products that don't require buckets of glue to hang and hours of steaming and scraping to remove.
Self-adhesive removable wallpaper (also called peel-and-stick) is the fastest and easiest way to transform a space with wallpaper, and an ideal choice for both renters and homeowners. The paper comes in a pre-cut panel or a roll — simply peel off the backing and stick it on the wall. Unlike traditional wallpaper, you can't smooth out wrinkles or slide the paper into position after applying it to the wall — you'll have to peel the whole thing off and apply it again.
Pre-pasted wallpaper has been around for a long time, but the newest iterations are also easy to remove, and can usually peel right off the wall without damaging any paint underneath, making it another good choice for renters. Applying pre-pasted wallpaper requires a bit more experience and work, but it often lasts longer than self-adhesive options, with more textures and finishes available.
Colorful, playful wallpaper designs are big right now, and digital printing means that there are countless choices from artists and designers around the globe. Check out Spoonflower to see wallpaper offerings from independent designers, Chasing Paper for high-quality self-adhesive paper with lots of special collections and collaborations, or Rifle Paper Company if you love a whimsical floral. If you're interested in updating your kitchen or bathroom, visit Tempaper for self-adhesive paper that's specially designed to withstand moisture and humidity.