You’re here because you know your walls deserve something better than boring paint. Maybe you’re tackling a rental refresh and need something removable. Or you’re a homeowner ready for that accent wall you’ve been dreaming about. This textured wallpaper and texture murals guide is packed with design ideas to help you transform your space, whether you love the look of ilusion texture or the feel of tactile finishes .
Textured wallpaper is your secret weapon for adding depth, character, and that “wow” factor to any room. And we’re about to show you exactly how to make it work in your home.
What Is Textured Wallpaper?
Textured wallpaper is any wall covering with a raised, dimensional surface or visual texture that adds depth beyond flat printed designs. It can be physically embossed (you can feel the texture), printed to look textured (trompe-l’oeil effect), or feature natural materials like grasscloth woven into the backing.
Think of textured wallpaper as the difference between a basic T-shirt and a chunky-knit sweater. Both cover you, but one has infinitely more personality and dimension. Your walls deserve that same upgrade.
What Types of Textured Wallpaper Can Transform Your Space?
The main categories of textured wallpaper include natural materials, embossed patterns, faux finishes, and metallic textures. Each type brings its own vibe and works differently depending on your room’s purpose and your personal style.
Natural Material Textures
Product: Grasscloth Quilt Wallpaper
Grasscloth wallpaper remains the gold standard for adding organic texture. Real grasscloth is woven from natural fibres like jute, sea grass, or bamboo, giving you authentic depth and variation.
Linen and fabric textures offer a softer, more refined look. These work beautifully in bedrooms and formal dining rooms where you want sophistication without being stuffy. The subtle weave catches light gorgeously throughout the day.
Embossed and Raised Patterns
Product: Mural Inter Teal
Embossed wallpaper features patterns that are physically raised from the surface. Geometric designs, damasks, and florals all look stunning with this treatment. The shadows created by the raised elements add incredible dimension, especially with strategic lighting.
Beadboard and planked textures give you the cottage or farmhouse vibe without installing actual wood. It is awesome if you’re renting or want wood-look walls without actually installing lumber.
Faux Material Finishes
Product: Mural Cerulean Cladding
Brick and stone textures let you achieve that industrial loft or rustic cabin aesthetic without the weight, cost, or installation hassle of real masonry. Our textured wall murals in brick and stone finishes are incredibly popular for accent walls and commercial spaces.
Product: Mural Timbercarve
Wood grain textures bring warmth and natural beauty to any room. You can go with weathered barn wood, smooth planks, or even exotic wood looks. The best part? There are no splinters, and it’s way easier to install than the real thing.
Concrete and plaster textures nail that minimalist, industrial-chic aesthetic. These work brilliantly in modern spaces, home offices, and anywhere you want an urban edge with a softer finish than actual concrete.
Metallic and Specialty Textures
Product: Mural Imprison
Metallic textures with embossed patterns create stunning feature walls that shimmer and shift with changing light. Think brushed gold geometrics or silver damasks. Use these strategically as accent walls to avoid overwhelming your space.
How Do You Style Textured Wallpaper in Different Rooms?
Generally, use bold textures as accent walls in busy spaces, subtle textures in small rooms, and natural textures in bedrooms and relaxation areas for the best results. Here’s what we recommend, room by room:
Living Rooms
Product: Mural Cinereal Cladding
Your living room is a prime real estate for a statement textured wall. Put your wallpaper behind your sofa or on your fireplace wall to create a focal point. You can pair grasscloth or linen textures with mid-century modern furniture for that effortlessly cool vibe. Brick or stone textures complement leather sofas and industrial coffee tables.
Also, subtle textures like linen or soft geometric embossing make fantastic backgrounds for art. The texture adds depth without competing for attention.
Bedrooms
Product: Tree Atop a Hill in Oil
Grasscloth, linen, or soft fabric textures behind your bed create that hotel-luxe feeling you’re after. Stick with neutral or muted colours here, since you want a calming vibe, not stimulation.
For kids’ rooms, consider our textured peel-and-stick options with playful patterns. The textured finish adds interest, and the peel-and-stick format means you can swap it out when they outgrow the design.
Hallways and Entryways
Product: Mural White Wood Planks
These spaces are perfect for drama since you’re not spending hours there. Bold geometric textures, metallic damasks, and striking wood-grain patterns create memorable first impressions. Just keep the colour scheme consistent with adjacent rooms.
Home Offices
Product: Mural Golden Vanity
Textured walls in your office add professionalism and visual interest during video calls (bonus!). Subtle linen textures or soft geometric patterns work beautifully as Zoom backgrounds. Plus, wood-grain textures bring warmth to what can otherwise feel like sterile workspaces.
Bathrooms
Product: Mural Grainy Escape
Yes, you can absolutely use textured wallpaper in bathrooms. Our peel-and-stick options hold up beautifully against humidity. We recommend a thin layer of clear caulking where the wallpaper might touch standing water, like around your basin edges. Stone or tile textures look fantastic in powder rooms and behind vanities.
What About Colour Pairing and Lighting Considerations?
Dark textures work well in bright rooms with abundant natural light, while lighter textures brighten dim spaces. Always order samples to see how texture and colour interact with your specific lighting conditions throughout the day.
Lighting completely transforms how texture reads in a room. For instance, slide lighting (from sconces or table lamps) creates dramatic shadows that emphasize embossed patterns. And overhead lighting minimizes texture visibility, so plan accordingly.
Colour-wise, neutrals remain the safest bet for textured walls. Warm neutrals (taupes, beiges, warm greys) pair beautifully with wood furniture and create cozy vibes. Cool neutrals like true greys, or soft whites complement modern furniture and metallic accents.
How Do You Clean and Maintain Textured Wallpaper?
Most textured wallpapers are cleaned with gentle dusting or light vacuuming using a brush attachment, while wipeable vinyl-based textures are cleaned with damp cloths for tougher marks. But always test cleaning methods on an inconspicuous area first, and avoid soaking natural materials like grasscloth, which can water-stain.
Regular Cleaning
Dust textured walls monthly with a microfibre duster or your vacuum’s soft brush attachment. This prevents dust buildup in the texture crevices. It takes around five minutes per room.
For wipeable textures (our vinyl-based options), you can use a slightly damp cloth with mild soap to remove marks. Ensure you blot rather than scrub to protect the texture integrity.
Dealing with Damage
Small scuffs on embossed wallpaper often blend in better than on flat walls. For deeper scratches, touch-up kits are available, though texture patterns usually camouflage minor damage naturally.
If you’ve got peel-and-stick textured wallpaper and a section gets damaged, the beauty is that you can just peel that section off and replace it. That’s another reason why we love recommending peel-and-stick for rental properties and kids’ spaces.
What Should You Know Before Buying Textured Wallpaper?
Before purchasing textured wallpaper, measure your walls accurately, order samples to test lighting and scale, verify the installation method, and confirm the material suits your room’s conditions. Pattern matching and texture direction also impact how much material you’ll need.
Material Considerations
Peel-and-stick textured wallpaper works brilliantly for renters and DIY beginners. It installs faster, removes cleanly, and requires zero paste or special tools. Traditional paste-the-wall wallpaper offers more texture depth and durability for permanent installations. It’s what we recommend for high-traffic areas or when you’re definitely not moving.
Both options are available in your choice of smooth matte or canvas finishes
Calculating How Much You Need
Textured wallpaper with patterns requires extra material for matching. Generally, add 15-20% to your wall measurements to account for pattern repeats and trimming. Our customer service team can help calculate exactly what you need if you shoot us your room dimensions.
Sample Testing is Non-Negotiable
Seriously, always order samples before committing. Texture photographs differently than it appears in person. What looks subtle online might read bold in your room, or vice versa. So test your samples under different lighting conditions throughout the day.
Upgrade Your Space with Textured Wallpapers
You’ve got the knowledge. Now it’s time to bring that texture into your home.
Textured wallpaper isn’t just a trend. It’s a design tool that adds dimension, hides imperfections, and creates spaces that feel intentional and sophisticated. Whether you’re drawn to natural grasscloth, industrial brick, or embossed geometrics, there’s a texture that perfectly matches your vision.
Start by browsing our complete collection of textured wallpapers to see what catches your eye. Order samples of your top choices, and if you need help deciding which texture suits your space best, send us a message. We’ve helped hundreds of clients find their perfect match, and we’d love to help you, too.
Your walls are waiting to become something special. Let’s make it happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint over textured wallpaper if I change my mind later?
Yes, you can paint over many textured wallpapers, especially vinyl-based ones with stable embossing. The texture will show through the paint, which creates a lovely plastered effect.
Is textured wallpaper harder to install than smooth wallpaper?
Not necessarily. Peel-and-stick textured options install just as easily as smooth versions. Traditional paste-the-wall textured papers may require extra care when matching patterns, but the hanging process is the same.
Will textured wallpaper make my small room look smaller?
It depends on the texture scale and colour. For example, light-coloured, subtle textures (like soft linen or fine geometric patterns) add depth without closing in the space.
How long does textured wallpaper typically last?
Quality textured wallpaper lasts 10-15 years with proper care, and commercial-grade options can go 20+ years. Peel-and-stick versions last 5-10 years typically, which is great for renters or people who like refreshing their style regularly.
Can textured wallpaper work in modern minimalist spaces?
Yes, some of the most stunning minimalist interiors feature subtly textured walls. The texture adds visual interest and warmth without cluttering the clean aesthetic.