Types of Wallpaper Material Explained With a Complete Room by Room Guide

Wallanza offers eight wallpaper material types: standard paper, canvas paper, premium paper, brush stroke, gold line, metallic pearl, peel and stick, and peel and stick fabric. Each material delivers a different finish, texture, and level of durability. The right choice depends on the room, the look you want, and whether you need a removable or permanent installation.

This guide compares every material side by side. It covers what each finish looks and feels like, which rooms each one fits best, and how to decide between a self-adhesive or paste application. Every material at Wallanza is printed to your exact wall dimensions, with free and fast shipping on all orders.

Standard paper is the most versatile starting point with a smooth matte finish. Canvas paper adds visible woven texture. Premium paper delivers the deepest colour saturation. Brush stroke gives a painted, tactile surface. Gold line adds warm metallic accents. Metallic pearl creates a cool iridescent sheen. Peel and stick is self-adhesive and removable. Peel and stick fabric offers a thicker, textile-feel alternative. Wallanza prints all eight to your exact measurements.

What Are the Main Types of Wallpaper Material?

Wallpaper material is the physical substrate your design is printed on. It determines how the surface looks, how light interacts with it, and how it holds up over time. Wallanza produces eight distinct material types split into two installation categories.

The paste application category includes standard paper, canvas paper, premium paper, brush stroke, gold line, and metallic pearl. Each requires wallpaper adhesive applied to the paper or to the wall before hanging.

The self-adhesive category includes peel and stick and peel and stick fabric. Both use a pressure-sensitive backing that bonds to the wall without paste. They peel off cleanly when you are ready for a change, making them ideal for temporary wallpaper installations and rental spaces.

Material	Finish	Application	Removable	Best Rooms
Standard Paper	Smooth matte	Paste the paper	No	Bedrooms, offices, living rooms
Canvas Paper	Textured, woven look	Paste the paper	No	Accent walls, dining rooms
Premium Paper	Rich matte, deep colour	Paste the paper	No	Master bedrooms, formal spaces
Brush Stroke	Painted texture	Paste the paper	No	Living rooms, entryways
Gold Line	Warm metallic accent	Paste the paper	No	Dining rooms, powder rooms
Metallic Pearl	Iridescent shimmer	Paste the paper	No	Feature walls, boutique bedrooms
Peel and Stick	Smooth matte	Self-adhesive	Yes	Rentals, nurseries, kitchens
Peel and Stick Fabric	Textile matte	Self-adhesive	Yes	Accent walls, kids rooms

How Does Standard Paper Wallpaper Compare to Premium and Canvas?

Standard paper wallpaper is a 200 gsm substrate with a smooth matte finish. It is the most widely ordered material at Wallanza and works in nearly every room. The surface is flat, scratch resistant, and PVC free.

Premium paper wallpaper uses a heavier stock that absorbs more pigment during printing. Colours appear deeper and more saturated on premium paper than on standard. This makes it the strongest option for designs with dark backgrounds, detailed gradients, or photographic wall murals.

Canvas paper wallpaper has a visible woven texture pressed into the surface. It adds physical depth that you can see and feel. Canvas suits rooms where you want the wallpaper to carry a gallery quality or fabric-like appearance. Wallanza offers canvas alongside all other options in the full wallpaper catalog.

Feature	Standard Paper	Premium Paper	Canvas Paper
Surface feel	Smooth, flat	Smooth, heavier	Textured, woven
Colour depth	Good	Deepest saturation	Slightly muted by texture
Scratch resistance	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best for murals	Yes	Strongest option	Selective patterns
Best for patterns	Yes	Yes	Gallery-look patterns

What Is Brush Stroke Wallpaper Material?

Brush stroke wallpaper is a textured wallpaper material with a surface that mimics the look and feel of paint applied with a wide brush. The texture is physical, not just printed. You can feel the raised strokes when you run your hand across the wall.

This finish catches light at different angles throughout the day. Morning light reveals the texture differently than evening lamplight. It adds dimension to flat wall surfaces without relying on pattern or colour alone.

Brush stroke works best in living rooms, entryways, hallways, and dining areas where guests notice wall surfaces up close. It pairs well with minimalist or contemporary furniture because the wall itself becomes the textural focal point.

Wallanza prints brush stroke material using the same custom sizing process as every other option. You enter your wall width and height, and the panels arrive cut and printed to those exact dimensions.

What Makes Gold Line Wallpaper Different From Other Finishes?

Gold line wallpaper is a metallic wallpaper material with a warm gold sheen built into the surface. The metallic effect is part of the substrate, not a printed illusion. This means it reflects actual light the way metal does, creating warm highlights across the design.

Gold line sits in the premium tier of the Wallanza material lineup. It is a paste the paper application, so a standard wallpaper adhesive is required during installation. The gold finish is subtle, not overpowering. It reads as a warm undertone rather than a bright metallic sheet.

Dining rooms, powder rooms, and master bedrooms benefit the most from gold line. In smaller spaces the reflective quality opens up the room by bouncing light. For large-scale designs, explore Wallanza wall murals printed on this finish.

What Is Metallic Pearl Wallpaper and Where Does It Work Best?

Metallic pearl wallpaper is a pearlescent wallpaper material that produces a cool, iridescent shimmer. Where gold line leans warm, metallic pearl leans neutral to cool. The effect shifts depending on the viewing angle and the light source in the room.

Metallic pearl is the highest tier material in the Wallanza lineup. It delivers a refined, high-end appearance that works especially well with floral, abstract, and geometric designs. The shimmer adds visual complexity without busy pattern layering.

Feature walls, boutique-style bedrooms, and home offices are strong fits for metallic pearl. Interior designers frequently use pearlescent finishes to add perceived depth to narrow walls. The material catches and softens light, making the wall appear to shift as you move through the space.

Attribute	Gold Line	Metallic Pearl
Tone	Warm gold	Neutral to cool
Shimmer intensity	Moderate, warm highlights	High, angle-shifting iridescence
Best light pairing	Warm-toned bulbs	Natural daylight
Best room fit	Dining room, powder room	Feature wall, bedroom, office
Design pairing	Damask, classic patterns	Floral, abstract, geometric

Should You Choose Peel and Stick or Peel and Stick Fabric Wallpaper?

Peel and stick wallpaper is a self-adhesive wallpaper material with a smooth matte surface. It applies like a large sticker. You peel the backing liner, position the panel on the wall, and press it flat. No paste, no water activation, no drying time.

Peel and stick fabric wallpaper is a textile-based self-adhesive option. The surface has a woven fabric texture instead of a smooth paper feel. It is slightly thicker than standard peel and stick, which makes it more forgiving during installation. Small air pockets smooth out more easily, and the material is simpler to reposition.

Both options are fully removable. When you peel them off, neither leaves adhesive residue on a properly prepared wall. This makes both suitable for temporary wallpaper installations, rental apartments, and rooms where you change decor seasonally.

If you want a completely flat finish, choose standard peel and stick. If you prefer a tactile, fabric-like surface or need a material that sits better on lightly textured walls, choose the fabric version. Both are available across all patterns listed in the newest arrivals.

Feature	Peel and Stick	Peel and Stick Fabric
Surface texture	Smooth matte	Woven textile feel
Thickness	Standard	Slightly thicker
Repositionable	Yes	Yes, easier to adjust
Removable	Yes, clean peel	Yes, clean peel
Paste required	None	None
Best surfaces	Smooth painted walls	Smooth to lightly textured
Best rooms	Nurseries, kitchens, rentals	Accent walls, kids rooms

Which Wallpaper Material Works Best in Each Room?

The room determines the material. Moisture, foot traffic, natural light, and how often you plan to redecorate all factor into the decision. Below is a room by room breakdown based on Wallanza customer ordering patterns and production team recommendations.

Room	Recommended Material	Why
Living Room	Standard paper, brush stroke, or premium paper	Low moisture, high visibility, textured or rich finishes stand out
Bedroom	Premium paper or metallic pearl	Deep colour or shimmer creates an intimate atmosphere
Kids Room	Peel and stick or peel and stick fabric	Easy removal as tastes change, no paste cleanup
Kitchen	Peel and stick	Handles light splashes, removable for future updates
Bathroom	Peel and stick (away from direct splash zones)	Moisture areas need removable, repositionable material
Home Office	Canvas paper or metallic pearl	Texture or subtle sheen improves video call backgrounds
Dining Room	Gold line or canvas paper	Warm metallic accents or gallery texture set the tone
Entryway	Brush stroke or gold line	First impression area benefits from visible texture or warm sheen
Accent Wall	Metallic pearl or peel and stick fabric	Feature walls need standout finishes that draw the eye
Nursery	Peel and stick fabric	Thicker fabric is forgiving to install and easy to remove later

How to Decide Between Paste the Paper and Self-Adhesive Wallpaper

Paste the paper wallpaper requires you to apply adhesive to the back of each panel before positioning it on the wall. Six of the eight Wallanza materials use this method: standard paper, canvas paper, premium paper, brush stroke, gold line, and metallic pearl.

Self-adhesive wallpaper comes with a pressure-sensitive backing already attached. You peel the liner and apply the panel directly. Wallanza offers two self-adhesive options: peel and stick and peel and stick fabric.

Choose paste the paper if you want the widest range of finish options. Metallic finishes, textured surfaces, and premium colour depth are only available through the paste application materials. Paste the paper installations also tend to last longer on the wall because the adhesive forms a stronger bond.

Choose self-adhesive if you are renting, plan to redecorate within a few years, or prefer a simpler installation process. Wallanza offers a detailed walkthrough of each method in the material buying guide.

What Is the Difference Between Textured, Flat, and Metallic Wallpaper Finishes?

A flat wallpaper finish means the surface is completely smooth. Standard paper and peel and stick both have flat finishes. Patterns, colours, and imagery appear crisp and sharp on flat surfaces because there is no physical grain interfering with the print.

A textured wallpaper finish means the surface has physical ridges, grooves, or weave. Canvas paper, brush stroke, and peel and stick fabric are the three textured options in the Wallanza lineup. Textured surfaces catch light at varying angles and add a handmade or artisanal quality to the wall.

A metallic wallpaper finish means the substrate contains reflective particles or a metallic coating. Gold line and metallic pearl are the two metallic finishes Wallanza offers. These materials work differently from textured or flat options because they interact with light sources in the room.

Most Wallanza customers order samples of two or three materials before committing to a full wall. The production team recommends comparing finishes in your actual room lighting because screens cannot replicate how metallic or textured surfaces look in person.

Can Every Wallpaper Material Be Printed to a Custom Wall Size?

Yes. All eight wallpaper materials at Wallanza are printed to your exact wall measurements. You enter the width and height of your wall during checkout. The production team then prints, trims, and ships panels sized precisely for that wall.

Custom sizing eliminates guesswork and waste. Wallanza trending designs are available across all eight material types, so you choose the design first and the material second.

Wallanza has produced customizable wallpaper and wall mural orders for bedrooms, commercial spaces, restaurants, and retail interiors. The production facility uses consistent colour calibration across all substrates, so the same design printed on standard paper and metallic pearl maintains accurate colour matching.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wallpaper Materials

What is the most durable wallpaper material?

Premium paper and canvas paper are the most durable paste application options due to their heavier weight and scratch resistant surfaces. For self-adhesive options, peel and stick fabric is thicker and more tear resistant than standard peel and stick.

What is the best wallpaper material for a bathroom?

Peel and stick wallpaper is the best fit for bathrooms, provided it is placed away from direct water contact in shower or tub splash zones. The self-adhesive backing handles everyday humidity, and the material can be removed without damaging the wall if you redecorate.

What is metallic pearl wallpaper?

Metallic pearl wallpaper is a pearlescent substrate with a cool, angle-shifting shimmer. The iridescent finish adds depth and visual movement to any printed design. It is a paste the paper material best suited for feature walls, bedrooms, and home offices.

Is peel and stick fabric wallpaper better than regular peel and stick?

Neither is objectively better. Standard peel and stick has a smooth, flat surface and works best on perfectly smooth walls. Peel and stick fabric has a textile texture, is slightly thicker, and is more forgiving on lightly textured surfaces. Choose based on the finish you prefer and the condition of your wall.

What is brush stroke wallpaper?

Brush stroke wallpaper is a textured material with a surface that replicates the look and feel of broad paint strokes. The raised texture is physical, not just a printed effect. It is a paste the paper material that works well in living rooms, entryways, and dining areas.

How many wallpaper material types does Wallanza offer?

Wallanza offers eight wallpaper material types: standard paper, canvas paper, premium paper, brush stroke, gold line, metallic pearl, peel and stick, and peel and stick fabric. All eight are available across the full design catalog and are customizable to your exact wall size.

Can I order wallpaper samples before buying?

Yes. Wallanza recommends ordering samples of two or three material types to compare finishes in your actual room lighting. Screen displays cannot accurately replicate how textured or metallic surfaces appear on a physical wall.

Wallanza gives you eight wallpaper material types to match every room, every style, and every installation preference. Start with the design you love, pick the material that fits the room, and order to your exact wall dimensions. Whether you choose a smooth matte standard paper or an angle-shifting metallic pearl, every order is printed, cut, and shipped ready to install.

Explore the full range at wallanza.com or order material samples to compare finishes side by side in your space.