Wallpaper in Interiors – Modern Applications and Installation

A Fully-Fledged Interior Finishing Element

Once considered a thing of the past, wallpaper is making a real comeback—quite literally. Modern designs, new production technologies, and growing aesthetic expectations from clients have brought wallpaper back as a fully-fledged element of interior finishing—both in residential and commercial spaces. For professionals, this means a genuine opportunity to expand their services and offer.

Modern Wallpapers – Which Ones to Choose?

Today’s wallpapers are more than just a trendy decorative accent – they’re also a practical tool for shaping interiors. High-quality materials, specialized properties, and a wide range of designs make them suitable for almost any room – even those where they were once ruled out. Here’s an overview of the most popular types and their features:

✅ Vinyl Wallpapers

Characteristics:

• Made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) on a paper or non-woven backing

• Surface may be smooth, textured, or embossed

• Available in glossy, satin, or matte finishes
  

Advantages:

• Resistant to moisture, dirt, and scratches

• Can be gently cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge

• Handle everyday use well – ideal for kitchens, hallways, and even bathrooms (outside of direct water contact)
  

Technical Tip:
Always use adhesive dedicated to vinyl wallpapers – some universal glues may have insufficient adhesion strength.

✅ Non-Woven Wallpapers

Characteristics:

• Made of cellulose-polyester fleece with a printed top layer (vinyl, paper, textile)

• Thicker than standard wallpapers and more flexible
  

Advantages:

• Easy to install – apply glue directly to the wall

• Do not shrink or stretch – minimizing application errors

• Mask minor wall imperfections and plaster cracks
  

Applications:

• Perfect for quick home or office makeovers

• Great choice for rental properties – easy to remove without damaging the wall
  

✅ Textile Wallpapers

Characteristics:

• Composed of a paper or fleece base with fibers of cotton, silk, wool, or linen

• Often finished with velvet, sisal, or synthetic silk
  

Advantages:

• Bring warmth, depth, and a luxurious feel to interiors

• May improve room acoustics and provide slight thermal insulation
  

Installation Notes:

• Require a smooth substrate – any imperfections will be visible

• Use flock rollers or special squeegees to avoid damaging the delicate surface
  

✅ Specialty Wallpapers

Types and Uses:

• 3D Wallpapers – with foam relief, geometric shapes, or spatial effects. Ideal as a feature wall.

• Magnetic Wallpapers – allow magnets to be attached; popular in kids’ rooms and offices.

• Chalkboard Wallpapers – write on them with chalk or marker; some are wipeable (dry erase).

• Acoustic Wallpapers – reduce echo in large spaces; used in restaurants, conference rooms, or open-plan offices.
  

Common Features:

• Serve both aesthetic and functional purposes

• Require careful glue and substrate selection – some are heavier and need special primers
  

📌 For installers:
Before recommending a specific wallpaper, always ask about the lifestyle and needs of the household. A single person, a family with young children, or a dental office each requires a different solution.

How to Choose the Right Wallpaper for Your Space

Wallpaper selection shouldn’t be limited to aesthetics. A good decision considers many practical aspects – from the room’s technical conditions to the client's expectations.

✅ Key Selection Criteria:

1. Room Type:

• Kitchen and Bathroom: Vinyl wallpapers are best – moisture-resistant, easy to clean, and don’t absorb grease or steam.

• Bedroom and Living Room: Non-woven or textile wallpapers – soft, cozy, and acoustically beneficial.

• Hallways and Corridors: Durability is key – choose abrasion-resistant materials like vinyl or non-woven with protective coating.
  

2. Lighting Conditions:

• In very sunny rooms, avoid dark, saturated wallpapers without UV protection – they may fade.

• Light, glossy wallpapers brighten dark interiors, while matte finishes in subdued tones help create a cozy atmosphere.
  

3. Wall Dimensions and Proportions:

• Large patterns and bold contrasts (e.g. geometric prints, oversized botanical motifs) work best on tall, wide walls.

• Small patterns (e.g. vertical stripes, subtle geometrics, Scandinavian motifs) visually enlarge the room and mask surface imperfections.
  

4. Interior Style:

• Modern: Clean patterns, solid colors, concrete, marble, or 3D textures

• Boho, Vintage, Classic: Floral designs, textile textures, ornamental or patina effects

• Scandinavian Minimalism: Wood, linen, or concrete imitations in muted tones

Professional Wallpaper Installation – What You Should Know

A wallpaper will only work if it's applied correctly. Mistakes during installation lead to peeling, bubbles, unevenness, and wasted material. That’s why it’s worth sticking to a few essential rules:

✅ Step-by-step:

1. Wall preparation:

• The surface must be smooth, dry, and dust-free – for old walls, use a deep-penetrating primer.

• Absorbent plasters (e.g., gypsum) should be primed at least a day before installation.

• For walls previously painted with latex – lightly sand the surface to improve adhesion.

2. Choosing the right adhesive:

• Not every glue works with every wallpaper. Always use products recommended by the wallpaper manufacturer.

• Vinyl wallpapers – require stronger adhesive, often with added resins.

• Non-woven wallpapers – apply glue only to the wall, not the wallpaper.

• Paper wallpapers – need to be soaked in water and left for a few minutes before application.
  

3. Installation technique:

• Always start in the center of the wall or at the edge of a window – depending on the pattern layout.

• With patterned wallpapers, perfect alignment of the repeat (pattern match) is crucial – even a small shift will be visible.

• Use smoothing brushes and rollers – they flatten the wallpaper and remove air bubbles.

• Trim excess material while wet – it makes corners and skirting board edges easier to finish neatly.
  

👷 Pro tip for professionals:
Always leave the client a few leftover wallpaper strips – they can be useful for future touch-ups. Also, take a photo of the roll label with the batch number, in case more wallpaper needs to be ordered later.

Why Offer Wallpaper Installation?

Many contractors still consider wallpapering a niche or outdated service – yet the interior finishing market shows the opposite trend. Wallpapers are making a comeback, but in a new form: designer, durable, and functional. Clients want the “wow effect,” and wallpaper delivers it at low cost and without tearing the whole space apart.

✅ What does the contractor gain?

1. Expanded services without major investment:
Wallpapering doesn’t require expensive tools or a separate team. Basic equipment (knife, roller, level, brush, smoother) and a bit of practice – and the new service is ready.

2. Competitive advantage:
Most painting crews still don’t offer wallpapering or treat it as problematic. A pro who knows the technique, can advise on materials, and delivers with attention to detail stands out and can charge more.

3. Wallpapers as a portfolio highlight:
A well-chosen wallpaper looks fantastic in photos. And photos are what attract clients on social media and your website. People look for inspiration – and a single wallpapered wall can transform a space more than a whole set of furniture.

4. Complement to painting services:
Instead of losing a client who “just wants a wallpaper in the living room,” offer a complete finishing service – painting + wallpapering + trim work. This increases project value and provides the client with an all-in-one solution.

5. Access to premium markets:
Designers and commercial investors are increasingly choosing 3D, textile, metallic, or interactive wallpapers (e.g. chalkboard, magnetic). Knowing how to work with these materials opens doors to high-end projects – hotels, clinics, restaurants.

Summary

Wallpapers are not a thing of the past – they’re the future of interior finishing. Once seen as tacky decorations, they’ve evolved into functional design elements: they absorb sound, hide imperfections, enhance style, and add personal character.

For professionals, wallpapers offer:

• an easy way to expand services without big investment,

• access to new client groups looking for aesthetic solutions,

• increased project value,

• a chance to build your brand as an expert, not just a contractor.
  

➡️ Do you install wallpaper? Show it in your pricing and portfolio. Because if you don’t – your competition will.

🎯 Discover Other Trends in Construction and Interior Finishing

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Are wallpapers still in style?
Yes, wallpapers have made a strong comeback – especially vinyl, textile, and 3D types. Interior designers often use them to highlight feature walls or give a space a unique character.

Which wallpapers are suitable for bathrooms or kitchens?
Vinyl wallpapers are the best choice – they’re resistant to moisture and abrasion. They work well in areas exposed to steam and dirt.

How should I prepare a wall for wallpapering?
The wall should be clean, smooth, dry, and primed. For old paint coatings or uneven surfaces, it's recommended to fill and sand them first.

Can I wallpaper uneven plastered walls?
Yes, but non-woven (flizelin) wallpapers are best – they’re thicker, don’t wrinkle, and effectively mask minor imperfections.

What kind of adhesive should I use for wallpaper?
The type of adhesive depends on the wallpaper. Manufacturers always specify the recommended glue – vinyl, non-woven, and textile wallpapers each require different products.

Does wallpapering require a lot of experience?
Installing simple wallpapers (like non-woven) is relatively easy, but for large patterns or textile wallpapers, hiring a professional is recommended – precision is key.

Is it worth offering wallpaper installation as a contractor?
Absolutely. It's a growing market segment that can increase project value, set you apart from competitors, and attract new clients.