Our Wallpaper Materials
Traditional, Smooth Matte and Canvas Textured: how our wallpaper materials look, feel and go up.
Wallpaper Material Options Explained
Which material should I choose?
Every design comes in all three, so you choose the material, not the pattern. For most homes the answer is peel and stick — here’s how to narrow it down.
Still torn? Order free swatches of all three and compare them on your own wall.
Smooth Matte Peel & Stick
Our double-thick, ultra-matte peel and stick. It has a soft-touch finish that feels a little like satin — once you hold it, you’ll see why it’s our favourite.
- Self-adhesive with a backing paper — it goes up like a big sticker, no glue or mess
- Repositionable as you hang it, so it’s very DIY-friendly
- Waterproof and washable (no scrubbing, please)
- Removes without damaging walls, depending on the quality and age of your paint
Best for kitchens, bathrooms, kids’ rooms and rentals.
Canvas Textured Peel & Stick
Also double-thick, but with a luxurious art-canvas texture. It adds depth to any design — and you’ll want to run your hand over it every time you walk past. Luckily, it’s washable.
- Self-adhesive and repositionable, just like Smooth Matte
- Zero glare — it’s the one film and TV sets choose
- Waterproof and washable (no scrubbing, please)
- Removes without damaging walls, depending on the quality and age of your paint
Best for feature walls and murals where you want depth and a premium, textile feel.
Traditional Non-woven
Old-school wallpaper, made with top-quality non-woven paper. If you’re after the authentic, traditional look and feel, this is it. Just remember: it needs wallpaper glue to hang.
- Paste the wall: the glue goes on the wall, so there’s no soaking the paper
- Doesn’t expand or shrink when it’s pasted
- Wipeable, but not waterproof or washable
- Comes down by scoring and soaking, like any traditional wallpaper
Best for low-traffic feature walls — and the classic choice for professional installers.
Try them before you order
There are two ways to see our materials in person. Start with free swatches to compare how they feel, then order a printed sample of the design you love.
Free material swatches
- Small pieces of all three materials, sized to fit in an envelope
- Feel the finish, thickness and texture side by side
- Posted free to any Canadian address — no purchase needed
- Plain material, not a specific design
A printed 24″ sample of any design
- Open the wallpaper or mural you like.
- Under Wallpaper Sample, click Buy 24″ sample.
- Choose your material: Smooth Matte, Canvas Textured or Traditional.
- Add it to your cart — on its own, or alongside your rolls.
Side by side
| Smooth Matte Peel & Stick | Canvas Textured Peel & Stick | Traditional Non-woven | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it goes up | Self-adhesive, peel and stick | Self-adhesive, peel and stick | Wallpaper glue, paste the wall |
| Finish | Soft-touch smooth matte | Art-canvas texture, zero glare | Classic non-woven paper |
| Waterproof & washable | Yes | Yes | Wipeable only |
| Hanging | Easy to do yourself | Easy to do yourself | Preferred by professional installers |
| Removal | Peels away dry | Peels away dry | Score and soak |
| Best for | Kitchens, bathrooms, kids’ rooms, rentals | Feature walls and murals | Low-traffic feature walls |
Questions about our materials
What material should I choose?
For most homes, choose one of our peel and stick materials: they’re easy to hang yourself, waterproof and washable, and come down without damaging your walls. Pick Smooth Matte for a clean, modern look and busy rooms like kitchens, bathrooms and kids’ rooms, or Canvas Textured for feature walls and murals where you want depth and zero glare. Choose Traditional Non-woven if you want the authentic, classic wallpaper finish on a low-traffic wall and you’re using (or are) an experienced installer.
What is the difference between peel and stick and non-woven wallpaper?
Peel and stick wallpaper is self-adhesive: you peel off the backing paper and apply it like a large sticker. Non-woven wallpaper is hung with wallpaper glue using the paste-the-wall method. Peel and stick is easier to do yourself, waterproof and washable, and removes cleanly. Non-woven gives the classic traditional wallpaper finish and suits low-traffic feature walls.
What is the difference between Smooth Matte and Canvas Textured?
Both are waterproof, washable peel and stick materials; the difference is the finish. Smooth Matte has a soft-touch, flat finish. Canvas Textured has an art-canvas surface that adds a luxury look and feel and produces zero glare, which is why film and TV sets use it. Choose Smooth Matte for a clean modern look and Canvas Textured for depth and a premium, textile feel.
What is non-woven wallpaper?
Non-woven wallpaper is made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibres instead of standard paper. It doesn’t expand or shrink when pasted, so the glue goes directly on the wall rather than soaking the paper. It’s wipeable but not waterproof, and it’s the original, traditional style of wallpaper.
What does "paste the wall" mean?
You roll wallpaper glue directly onto the wall, then hang the dry wallpaper onto it, with no pasting table or soaking. Our Traditional Non-woven uses this method. It’s faster and cleaner than old-style paste-the-paper wallpapering, though still more involved than peel and stick.
Which wallpaper is easiest to install myself?
Peel and stick. There’s no glue and no mess, and you can reposition panels as you go. Traditional non-woven needs wallpaper glue, more tools and more patience, so many customers use a professional installer for it.
Is peel and stick wallpaper waterproof?
Yes. Both our Smooth Matte and Canvas Textured peel and stick materials are waterproof and washable, which makes them a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens, splash zones and kids’ rooms. Traditional non-woven is wipeable but not waterproof, so we recommend peel and stick for any room with moisture.
Can I use peel and stick wallpaper in a bathroom or kitchen?
Yes. Our peel and stick materials are waterproof and washable, so they work well in bathrooms, kitchens and other splash zones. Good ventilation helps any wallpaper last longer in humid rooms. Wallpaper isn’t recommended for walls in direct, constant contact with water, such as inside a shower.
Is peel and stick wallpaper removable without damaging walls?
Yes, it’s designed to come off cleanly. Peel slowly from a top corner at a low angle. The one caveat is your paint: if it’s old, low quality or wasn’t properly primed, some paint can lift with any adhesive product. If in doubt, test a sample first.
Is peel and stick wallpaper good for renters?
Yes, it’s the best option for renters. It removes cleanly without damaging walls, so you can take it down before you move out. 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.
Will peel and stick wallpaper stick to textured walls?
It works best on smooth, clean, painted walls. Light texture is usually fine, but heavy texture reduces adhesive contact, can cause edges to lift, and may show through the wallpaper. If your walls are heavily textured, test a sample first or consider skim-coating the wall for a smooth finish.
Can I apply wallpaper to freshly painted walls?
Wait about 3 to 4 weeks after painting before applying peel and stick wallpaper. Paint that’s dry to the touch isn’t fully cured, and applying adhesive too early can cause the wallpaper to lift, or pull paint off when it’s removed.
Which material lasts longest in high-traffic areas?
For hallways, kids’ rooms and splash zones, choose peel and stick: it’s 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.
How do I remove traditional non-woven wallpaper?
Score the surface and soak it to loosen the glue, then peel 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.
Are your wallpapers made in Canada?
Yes. Every wallpaper and mural is printed to order in Vancouver, in your choice of our three materials. Standard delivery is 5 to 7 business days, with free shipping on orders over CA$300.