Best removable wallpaper: 26 options to jazz up your rented flat

2022-10-11 02:29:58 By : Ms. Yanqin Zeng

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The nature of renting means that pretty much all flats you find will be decked out as neutrally as possible, so chances are you’re in a pad with plain white (or dreaded magnolia) walls.

If you’re into minimalism, all that white might not bother you, but what if you’re more of a Christine Quinn type and you want your rental to show off the ~real you~? Then we have a solution: wall decals or removable wallpaper.

With peel and stick wallpaper, the clue is in the name: you literally peel the backing off the paper and stick it on the wall. If you get it wrong, you can just pull it off and try again. It’s MAGIC. Sure, you’ll be making a bit of an investment into a place that isn’t technically yours, but even just adding a couple of rolls to make one feature wall should help your place feel more homely, so we think it’s worth it.

Scared to go all in? “Consider papering the ceiling for a clever way to add interest without overpowering the room,” says Wayfair’s resident Style Adviser, Nadia McCowan Hill.

“You can also build your confidence by using a bold design in a smaller area, such as the downstairs loo or a narrow hallway,” Nadia continues. “Wallpaper can also make a statement behind your bed if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a designer headboard.”

Removable wallpaper is also useful for updating any tired old furniture like wardrobe doors, the backs of any shelving units (level up your #shelfie), kitchen cupboards (yup, hide those dodgy noughties units for good) and table tops as well. When your tenancy ends, just take the paper off and you’re good to go with your deposit intact. Nice.

Before you get started, order any samples in as large a size as possible and pin them up where you’d like the paper to check that you are happy with the colour and scale of the pattern.

“Removable wallpaper is ideal for a no-mess, straightforward application, so it's perfect for DIY newbies,” says Calum Henderson, owner of I Love Wallpaper. He’s shared some tips on getting the application right, although it shouldn’t be too much of a problem as the joy of removable wallpaper is that it’s literally just that: removable. If you position it wrongly, just peel it off and try again.

1 . Ensure that you have enough paper (usually more than you think) to cover the area you're decorating, accommodating difficult areas around windows and doors. Not sure how many rolls to buy? Try the handy calculator on Wallpaper Direct.

2. Wash the walls with sugar soap to make sure that you're working with a clean, smooth surface. This will reduce the risk of bubbles forming beneath the paper.

3. Make a guide for your first piece by using a spirit level and pencil so that you know the rest of the sheets will hang straight.

4. Partially peel the back off the self-adhesive wallpaper and line it up onto the wall. Use a smoothing tool to follow it downwards, slowly peeling off the rest of the backing as you go.

5. Trim any excess at the bottom using a utility knife and smooth down. If you do get any pesky bubbles appearing, simply use a pin to release the trapped air and smooth the paper back down for a seamless finish.

We’d check that the specific paper you’re buying is suitable, but in general, yes. Just make sure that you put the extractor fan on and keep the window open when you’re in the shower or bath (but we’re sure you do that anyway, soooo). You could also give it a going over with a clear latex coating to make it a bit more waterproof, too.

Then you’re good to go! Here are 26 beautiful removable wallpaper designs available to shop now. Be creative and don’t let your maximalist home dreams be dreams.

Feeling brave? This chunky print will give smaller spaces some proper impact. Your dingy downstairs loo is about to be massively transformed!

Create some proper Gatsby vibes in a flash, without it feeling too, well, flashy, with this pretty scallop print. Super Art Deco.

Name a prettier colour combination. We'll wait.

Who says terrazzo isn't cool any more? Certainly not us!

We're seeing a lot of tiger prints around in the interiors world lately and we're 100% here for it. Love this one with its dusky pink background.

Peel and stick patterns aren't just for your walls! Cover up hideous vinyl without damage for minimal cash with these pretty tile stickers. When you leave your flat, just heat the glue with a hairdryer and peel them off!

And there's a backsplash version too!

With this red brick paper, you can turn your boring bedroom into some airy New York loft without having to step on a plane.

Wallpaper doesn't get much more seventies than this.

This feels very luxurious and opulent – we need lots of velvet textures and gold accents to accessorise, please.

I don't know that we'll ever get sick of green palm prints. Pair this with rattan and bold black furniture.

Cute and dotty, this Dalmatian style paper is fun without being too extra.

Take some inspiration from Queen Bey herself and bring a lemonade vibe into tiny spaces and kitchen shelving for a citrusy Italian feel

Throw a few rolls of this banana palm leaf print up on the wall and boom – instant jungly update. Very cool.

Okay, this might seem a bit out there, but if you're looking for something bold and a bit avant-garde, clearly you can't go wrong with sexy mushrooms. Fix a neon light over this print and you're good to go.

We're big fans of cacti as they're one of the few house plants we can keep alive – and this wallpaper requires even less maintenance. Win win!

Can't afford a solid terrazzo-topped coffee table? No problem. Just stick some of this wallpaper over your trusty Ikea Lack to give it (and your living room) a more purse-friendly update.

If you're more into a pinup/retro kinda vibe, this vintage style bird wallpaper will help you achieve that 1950s ~aesthetic~ in your room.

So, we probably wouldn't recommend papering your entire room with this but, if you're looking to create a statement feature wall, this will definitely do the job.

This is super-cute and feminine – if you've got a little nook where you keep your dressing table, this would help finish the space to give it that proper glam room vibe.

If you're just looking for something to revamp your ugly AF bathroom that hasn't been redone since the 80s, this minimal herringbone wallpaper will instantly modernise it.

This is WILD – but how good do those bright colours look next to white textiles and wooden furniture?!

If you're *really* obsessed with your indoor garden, finish off the look with this botanical paper.

For real, this wallpaper will turn your bedroom into a straight-up boudoir.

Spiritual types, this one's for you!

If you can deal with having all eyes on you, all the time, then this is a cool option.