Non-woven and peel and stick wallpaper explained

Peel and stick wallpaper is self-adhesive — you peel off the backing paper and apply it like a large sticker, while non-woven wallpaper is applied with wallpaper glue using the paste-the-wall method. Peel and stick is easier for DIY (5/10 difficulty vs 8/10), waterproof and washable, and removes cleanly. Non-woven gives the classic traditional wallpaper finish and suits low-traffic feature walls.

Non-woven wallpaper is a paste-the-wall wallpaper made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibres instead of standard paper. It doesn't expand or shrink when pasted, so you apply the glue directly to the wall rather than soaking the paper. It's wipeable but not waterproof, and is the original, traditional style of wallpaper.

Yes — our peel and stick wallpaper is designed to remove cleanly without damaging your walls. Peel slowly from a top corner at a low angle. The one caveat is your paint: if the existing paint is old, low quality, or wasn't properly primed, some paint can lift with any adhesive product. When in doubt, test a sample first.

Yes. Both our Smooth Matte and Canvas Texture peel and stick materials are waterproof and washable, which makes them a great choice for splash zones, bathrooms, kitchens, and kids' rooms. Our traditional non-woven wallpaper is wipeable but not waterproof, so we recommend peel and stick for any room with moisture.

Yes. Because our peel and stick materials are waterproof and washable, they work well in bathrooms, kitchens, and other splash zones. Good ventilation helps any wallpaper last longer in humid rooms. For walls in direct, constant water contact (inside a shower), wallpaper isn't recommended.

Peel and stick is the easiest DIY option — we rate it 5/10 difficulty. There's no glue, no mess, and you can reposition panels as you go. Traditional non-woven is an 8/10: it needs wallpaper glue, more tools, and more patience, so many customers use a professional installer for it. See our wallpaper application guide for step-by-step instructions.

Paste the wall means you apply wallpaper glue directly onto the wall, then hang the dry wallpaper onto it — no pasting table or soaking required before hanging. Our traditional non-woven wallpaper uses this method. It's faster and cleaner than old-style paste-the-paper wallpapering, though still more involved than peel and stick. Full instructions are in our traditional wallpaper guide.

Yes — peel and stick is the best wallpaper option for renters. It removes cleanly without damaging walls, so you can take it down before moving out and protect your damage deposit. It works best on smooth, painted drywall, which is standard in most Canadian rentals and condos. If you're unsure, check with your landlord and order a sample first.

Peel and stick works best on smooth, clean, painted walls. Light texture is usually fine, but heavy texture reduces adhesive contact and can cause edges to lift, and the texture may show through the wallpaper. If your walls are heavily textured, order a sample to test first, or consider skim-coating the wall for a smooth finish.

Wait about 3–4 weeks after painting before applying peel and stick wallpaper. Paint that is dry to the touch is not fully cured, and applying adhesive too early can cause the wallpaper to lift or pull paint off when removed. This applies to any brand of self-adhesive wallpaper.

Both are waterproof, washable peel and stick materials — the difference is the finish. Smooth Matte has a soft-touch, flat finish, while Canvas Texture has an art-canvas surface that adds a luxury look and feel and produces zero glare (it's even used on movie sets). Choose Smooth Matte for a clean modern look and Canvas Texture for depth and a premium textile feel.

Traditional non-woven wallpaper is removed by scoring/cutting the surface and soaking it to loosen the glue before peeling it off. It takes more time and effort than peel and stick, which simply peels away dry. If you redecorate often or rent your home, choose peel and stick instead.

For high-traffic areas, hallways, kids' rooms, and splash zones, choose one of our peel and stick materials — they're waterproof and washable, so scuffs and marks wipe off. Traditional non-woven is better suited to low-traffic feature walls, such as behind a bed or sofa, where it won't be touched or splashed.

Yes — every wallpaper and mural is printed to order in Vancouver, Canada, in your choice of the three materials. Because we manufacture locally, you get commercial-grade quality, fast turnaround, no surprise import duties, and free shipping on orders over CA$300.