STUDIO BLOG: THE COLLECTIVE WALL

Types of Wallpaper & How to Install Them with Confidence

Learn the different types of wallpaper, from peel and stick to traditional, and get beginner-friendly installation tips so your DIY wallpaper project feels easy and stress-free.

STEP 1: Understand Traditional vs. Peel-and-Stick

Discover which wallpaper type fits your installation style, durability needs, and space set up

TRADITIONAL

APPLICATION

Applied with paste

BEST FOR

Textured walls / long‑term / Areas with less traffic prone to scuffs or marks

REMOVABILITY

Easily removable (with prep) (scroll down to see more information at Step 3)

CLEANING

Avoid harsh cleaners and scrubbing; lightly dust regularly and spot-clean only with a barely damp, soft cloth when needed.

PEEL & STICK

APPLICATION

Self-adhesive

BEST FOR

Rentals / low‑commitment / Kids' rooms / Playrooms / hallways

REMOVABILITY

Easily removable / renter friendly (scroll down to see more information at Step 3)

CLEANING

Low-maintenance; gently wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap, then dry with a clean towel—avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals

STEP 2: Explore Materials by Wallpaper Type

Review premium options available for both traditional and peel-and-stick in my collections.

PEEL & STICK

Classic

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PEEL & STICK

Caviar

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TRADITIONAL

Linen

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TRADITIONAL

Silk

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TRADITIONAL

Satara Pearl

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TRADITIONAL

Matte

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TRADITIONAL

Suede

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TRADITIONAL

Silk

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STEP 3: Review Install Instructions in Advance

Installing something new can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never hung wallpaper before. Before you purchase, here is the exact set of step-by-step instructions and suggested tools you’ll receive with your order, so you can review everything in advance and feel prepared.

Installing Traditional Wallcovering

Click the image on the left to expand and see detailed instructions for installing luxe traditional wallpaper

Essential tools to prepare before you begin:

High-quality clear, strippable wallpaper adhesive such as Roman PRO-880 Wallpaper Adhesive & Paste
Brush for applying adhesive
Smoothing tool
Sharp utility knife
Tape measure
Pencil
Level
Sponge and clean cloth for wiping excess paste
Ladder / Step stool

OR full Installation Kit

Installing Peel & Stick

Click the image on the left to expand and see detailed instructions for installing peel and stick wallpaper

Essential tools to prepare before you begin:

Tape measure and pencil (for measuring and marking level starting lines).
Level (to keep the first panel straight).
Sharp utility knife or snap-off blade + straightedge (for trimming at ceilings, baseboards, and around outlets)
Smoothing tool or plastic squeegee with a soft edge (to press out air bubbles and secure adhesion).
Clean, lint-free cloth or microfiber towel (to wipe dust from walls and smooth edges by hand).
Krylon Easy-Tack Repositionable Adhesive or 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive for humid spaces that or tricky surfaces for additional adhesive support
Ladder / Step stool

OR full Installation Kit

PRO-Tips to Consider Before Getting Started

Purchasing a sample is highly recommended to visualize the colors and pattern scale on your wall

Once you’ve measured, add a bit of overage so you have spare wallpaper for pattern matching, tricky cuts, and first-time mistakes—many pros suggest at least 10–15% extra

Consider using a floor laser level that projects a vertical laser line onto the wall. This gives you a perfectly straight reference for your first panel especially in older homes where walls and ceilings may not be perfectly square

Change your knife blade often so cuts along ceilings, baseboards, and corners stay clean and don’t tear the paper

Dry-fit a panel or two, think through corners and obstacles, and lay out your pattern before you commit with paste or adhesive backing

STEP 4: Keeping It (or Letting It Go): What to Know About Removal

While the hope is that your wallpaper feels like a forever piece, life and style can change—here’s what to expect if you ever decide it’s time for a new look, so you can remove it confidently and protect your walls.

Swipe to see more

Luxe Traditional

Removing traditional wallpaper installed with Roman 880 is usually a “slow and steady” process, but it can come off cleanly when you take your time.

Start in a low‑visibility spot and gently loosen a seam or corner with a putty knife to see how easily the paper releases.
Lightly score the surface if needed, then apply a wallpaper remover solution or warm water with a sponge so it can soak through and soften the paste.
After letting it sit for several minutes, peel or scrape the wallpaper off in sections, re-wetting any areas that feel stuck.
When all the paper is down, wash the walls with clean water (and a bit of remover if needed) to remove any leftover paste so your surface is ready for fresh paper or paint.

Peel & Stick

Peel and stick wallpaper is designed to be the easiest to remove—perfect if you like to switch things up.

Begin at a top corner, using your fingernail or a plastic scraper to gently lift the edge without gouging the wall.
Peel the panel back slowly at about a 45‑degree angle; if you meet resistance, you can warm the adhesive slightly with a hair dryer to help it release.
Continue working in sections until the entire panel comes down in as large of pieces as possible.
Check the wall for any remaining tackiness and wipe it with a soft cloth and mild soapy water so it’s clean, smooth, and ready for whatever you want to do next.