Wallpaper

Refresh Your Walls: The Ultimate Guide to Wallpaper and Where to Buy It in the US

Why Wallpaper Is Back — and Better Than Ever

Wallpaper has shrugged off its dated reputation and come roaring back as one of the easiest ways to transform a room without a full renovation. Today’s designs range from bold murals and textured grasscloth to peel-and-stick options that won’t leave you stuck in a weekend of messy paste. Whether you want a dramatic accent wall, a subtle texture that catches the light, or a themed mural that tells a story, wallpaper offers impact in ways paint simply can’t. Think of wallpaper as a tailored outfit for your room — put on the right pattern and the whole space looks sharper, cozier, and more intentional.

Types of Wallpaper: Pick the Right Fit for Your Room

Not all wallpaper is created equal, and choosing the right type depends on where you’re installing it and how permanent you want the change to be. Traditional pasted wallpaper still offers durability and classic patterns, while non-woven and vinyl wallpapers are tough and moisture-resistant for kitchens and bathrooms. Removable peel-and-stick wallpaper is a renter’s dream — you get drama without permanence. Then there are custom-printed murals that cover entire walls with scenes, maps, or abstract art for a cinematic effect. Each option has a trade-off between installation ease, longevity, and price, so match the material to the job at hand.

Stores to Know: Yuplay and Walmart (and Who Else to Consider)

The market is full of options, and two stores called out in the reference data are Yuplay and Walmart. Yuplay is noted for themed mural-type offerings like licensed Warhammer 40,000 Gladius designs, which appeal to gamers and collectors looking to decorate hobby rooms or game dens with recognizable imagery. Walmart carries large-format designs as well, including mural-style collections like the Biggies Golf Murals inspired by golf course art — a great fit for home offices, dens, or anywhere you want a sporty, nostalgic vibe.

Other US Retailers Worth Checking

If you’re shopping around, don’t stop at those two. Home improvement giants and specialty shops alike stock a wide range of wallpaper styles. Wayfair and Amazon offer massive selection and quick filters to narrow down color, pattern, and material. Home Depot and Lowe’s carry durable vinyl and prep materials if you’re tackling a bathroom or kitchen. For custom prints, Spoonflower and Etsy excel at boutique, artist-driven designs and one-off runs. Each retailer brings something different: big-box convenience, niche artistry, or custom fabrication.

Peel-and-Stick vs. Traditional: Which Should You Choose?

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is the headline grabber: it’s easy to install, removes cleanly, and lets you experiment without long-term commitment. That makes it ideal for renters, dorm rooms, or seasonal updates. Traditional wallpaper, applied with paste, generally lasts longer and feels more integrated into the wall, which matters in high-traffic living rooms and formal spaces. If you’re on a tight timeline or trying wallpaper for the first time, peel-and-stick is a low-risk way to jump in. If you want permanence and durability, traditional pasted or pre-pasted varieties are still the gold standard.

How to Choose a Pattern: Scale, Color, and Mood

Picking a pattern is as much about emotion as it is about measurements. Large-scale prints and murals can make a small room feel like a scene from a movie, but they also demand more wall space and careful furniture placement. Small repeating patterns can add texture and rhythm without overwhelming a room. Color plays a huge role: light colors open up a space while deep tones add coziness. Think about the mood you want — calm, energetic, playful, or formal — then choose patterns and colors that reinforce that vibe. Don’t be afraid to order samples and live with them on the wall for a few days to see how light and shadows affect the look.

Pattern Matching and Repeat

When you’re installing wallpaper with a repeating motif, understanding the pattern repeat is crucial. The repeat, typically measured in inches, determines how much extra wallpaper you’ll need to match seams and ensure continuity across panels. Larger repeats mean more waste per seam, so plan accordingly. If you’re unsure, bring a photo of the room and measurements to the retailer or order an extra roll — a little insurance goes a long way when you’re lining up a dramatic motif or mural.

Measuring for Wallpaper: Easy Steps to Avoid Waste

Measuring accurately saves money and frustration. Use a tape measure to get wall width and height in feet and inches, and write everything down. For rooms with windows and doors, subtract those areas from the full wall measurements to estimate coverage, but don’t subtract for small switches or outlets — you’ll need that extra to work around. If the wallpaper has a pattern repeat, ask the retailer how much extra they recommend; typically you’ll add 10–20% for matching and mistakes. Always round up to the nearest roll — running short mid-job is one of the most common DIY headaches.

Tools, Prep, and Installation Tips

Good preparation makes installation feel like a breeze. Start with clean, dry, and smooth walls — patch holes, sand rough spots, and prime if the surface is very porous. For pasted wallpaper, apply adhesive evenly and let it “book” if recommended; for peel-and-stick, make sure the backing and wall are dust-free. Use a level or plumb line for your first panel to keep everything straight. A sharp utility knife, a smoothing tool or plastic squeegee, and a seam roller are the basic toolkit. Take your time with alignment at seams and around outlets, and don’t rush trimming at the baseboards and ceiling. Clean up excess paste quickly to prevent staining, and keep spare strips for future repairs.

Hiring a Pro vs. DIY

Installing a large mural or working with specialty textured papers might be better handled by a pro. Expect professionals to charge by the hour or per room, but they’ll bring precision and speed, especially for pattern matching and tricky cuts around moldings. For peel-and-stick or simple repeats, most homeowners can handle installation over a weekend with a little patience and the right tools.

Best Wallpaper Uses by Room

Different rooms call for different materials and designs. In bedrooms, soft textures and calming colors create a restful environment. Living rooms can handle bolder patterns and large-scale motifs that anchor furniture groupings. Kitchens and bathrooms benefit from vinyl or washable wallpapers that resist humidity and splatter. Hallways are perfect places for stripes or runners of pattern that guide the eye, while a home office can become much more productive with a mural or geometric pattern that adds personality.

Wallpaper Murals: Make a Statement

Mural wallpaper takes a wall and turns it into an immersive scene — think city skylines, botanical panoramas, or fantasy landscapes. Retailers like Yuplay may offer gaming-themed murals for hobby spaces, while Walmart and other large retailers carry a variety of mural themes to suit broad tastes. Murals require careful measuring and often come in numbered panels to assemble like giant jigsaw pieces. The payoff is huge: one wall can feel like an entirely new room.

Budgeting: How Much Will It Cost?

Wallpaper costs vary widely. Peel-and-stick options can be budget-friendly, while designer-printed murals and luxury textured papers run pricier. Installation supplies — adhesive, primer, seam rollers, and trims — add to the bill if you’re DIYing. If hiring a pro, factor labor into your budget. A smart approach is to set a per-room cap and allocate funds to the focal wall first; you can always expand coverage later. Look for sales at big-box stores and seasonal discounts at online retailers to stretch your budget further.

Where to Find Deals

Keep an eye on clearance sections at retailers like Wayfair, Home Depot, and Walmart, where discontinued patterns often show up at steep discounts. Outlet and overstock sites can be goldmines for high-quality wallpaper marked down. If you have time to wait, seasonality matters — spring and fall are common times for promotions as people tackle home refresh projects.

Care and Maintenance: Keeping Wallpaper Looking Fresh

How long wallpaper lasts depends on material and care. Many vinyl and washable wallpapers can be wiped gently with a damp cloth and mild soap, while delicate papers need dry dusting only. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbers that can dull inks and finishes. In high-traffic areas, consider wall protectors or washable panels to maintain the look. Small tears can often be repaired with spare pieces and adhesive, so hang on to leftovers when possible.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Options

Eco-conscious shoppers have options too. Look for wallpapers printed with water-based inks on FSC-certified paper or made from natural fibers like grasscloth and cork. Some companies offer low-VOC adhesives and biodegradable substrates. If sustainability is a priority, ask retailers for product specifications or look for certifications that back up environmental claims. Sustainable choices may cost a bit more upfront but can be better for indoor air quality and longevity.

Final Thoughts Before You Buy

Wallpaper is one of the fastest ways to change the personality of a room, but success comes down to planning: measure carefully, select the right material for the room’s conditions, and buy a little extra to account for pattern matching. Retailers from big-box stores like Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s to specialty sites like Spoonflower and Etsy provide a spectrum of options, while niche sellers such as Yuplay cater to themed and licensed murals for fans and collectors. Whether you go bold with a mural or subtle with texture, the right wallpaper can turn ordinary walls into memorable rooms.

Conclusion

Wallpaper is no longer just an old-school decoration — it’s a flexible, expressive tool for modern living. From quick peel-and-stick updates to dramatic mural installations, there’s a wallpaper solution for every budget, style, and skill level. Explore retailers that match your needs: big stores for convenience, specialty shops for custom art, and niche sellers for themed designs. Measure precisely, prepare the walls, and take your time during installation. The result will be a refreshed space that reflects your personality and creates a home you enjoy returning to every day.