Spoonflower Wallpaper Types Explained: Which Wallpaper Is Best For Your Space?

Seeing a pattern on screen is one thing, but seeing it transform into wallpaper is where the magic happens.

If you've discovered a pattern you love on Spoonflower, you might have noticed there are several wallpaper options available. But what is the difference between them? Which one should you choose for your home?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through each Spoonflower wallpaper type, showing examples using my own patterns, so you can see the difference between each finish and find the perfect option for your space.

Peel & Stick Wallpaper

Peel & Stick wallpaper is one of Spoonflower’s most popular options because it’s easy to install and removable.

It has a smooth, matte finish and comes with a self-adhesive backing, meaning you don’t need wallpaper paste. It’s a great choice for:

• rental homes

• temporary makeovers

• furniture projects

• smaller feature walls
  

The removable nature makes it perfect if you love changing your space as your style evolves.

Pre-Pasted Wallpaper

Pre-Pasted Removable Smooth Wallpaper offers the look and feel of traditional wallpaper, but with a simpler installation process.

Unlike Peel & Stick, this wallpaper uses a water-activated adhesive backing. Simply activate the paste with water before applying it to your wall.

The result is a smooth, classic wallpaper finish that works beautifully in bedrooms, living spaces, and feature areas.

It’s a great option if you:

• want a more traditional wallpaper experience

• prefer a smooth professional-looking finish

• enjoy DIY projects

• don’t need a completely adhesive-free option
  

Perfect for: Homeowners and renters wanting an elegant wallpaper finish with easier installation.

Traditional Wallpaper (New to Spoonflower)

The newest addition to Spoonflower’s wallpaper collection, Traditional Smooth Wallpaper brings a classic wallpaper experience to your home.

Designed to be installed using wallpaper paste, this option offers a more permanent decorating solution.

The smooth surface creates a refined, high-end appearance and allows detailed artwork, painterly textures, and layered colours to shine.

This style works beautifully for:

• full-room wallpapering

• dining rooms

• bedrooms

• sophisticated feature walls

• timeless interior schemes
  

For surface pattern designers, this finish is especially exciting because it feels closest to the traditional wallpapers found in interior design projects.

Perfect for: Creating a lasting, designer feel in your home.

Grasscloth Wallpaper

Grasscloth wallpaper brings something completely different: texture.

Unlike smooth wallpapers, Grasscloth has a natural woven surface that adds depth, warmth, and a handcrafted feel to interiors.

Because the material itself has texture, patterns can appear softer and more organic.

It works beautifully with:

• coastal homes

• organic modern interiors

• luxury bedrooms

• nature-inspired spaces
  

Grasscloth is perfect when you want your walls to feel less like a printed surface and more like a piece of art.

Perfect for: Creating a warm, elevated, designer interior.

Vinyl Wallpaper

When durability is the priority, Spoonflower’s Vinyl Wallpaper is designed to handle the demands of busy spaces.

This is a true vinyl wallpaper with a subtle leather-textured surface, creating a durable and refined finish. It is contract-grade, making it particularly suited to commercial environments where walls need to withstand more wear and tear.

Designed for both residential and commercial applications, Vinyl Wallpaper is a great choice for:

• offices

• hotels

• event spaces

• bathrooms

• high-traffic areas

• statement walls requiring extra durability
  

Installation requires wallpaper paste, and professional installation is recommended for the best results.

The subtle textured finish adds another layer of depth to patterns, giving artwork a sophisticated, tactile appearance.

For surface pattern designers, this type of wallpaper opens up opportunities beyond the home, allowing patterns to be considered for hospitality, workplace, and commercial interiors.

Perfect for: Durable, professional spaces where design needs to meet performance.

PVC Free Type II Wallpaper

For spaces that need both beauty and durability, Spoonflower’s Vinyl-Alternative Wallpaper offers a premium wallpaper solution designed to stand the test of time.

Unlike traditional vinyl wallpapers, this option is a more thoughtful alternative, combining a refined linen-like texture with a woven backing made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester.

The subtle woven texture adds depth and sophistication to your designs, creating a more luxurious, tactile finish on the wall.

This wallpaper is designed for:

• busy family homes

• kitchens

• bathrooms

• hallways

• mudrooms

• laundry rooms

• commercial interiors
  

Installation requires wallpaper paste, and professional installation is recommended for the best result.

For surface pattern designers, this material is especially exciting because it allows artwork to become part of a truly elevated interior. The linen texture gives patterns a softer, more organic feel while adding a sense of luxury and craftsmanship.

Perfect for: Creating a durable, high-end statement wall where design and practicality meet.

Choosing the right wallpaper ultimately comes down to the feeling you want to create in your space. For those wanting to add a little extra drama, they also offer Metallic Gold and Metallic Silver wallpaper options, perfect for bringing a touch of shimmer and sophistication to your favourite designs.

As a surface pattern designer, I love seeing how the same artwork can transform across different materials, each finish giving the pattern a completely new personality and helping it find its perfect place in the world.

CLICK HERE to explore my wallpaper designs on Spoonflower. Happy browsing!