This Surprising Wallpaper Trend Is Back for 2024 (It’s Renter-Friendly!)
Patterned wallpaper is a fun way to elevate your space with some unique texture and pattern. But it’s no secret traditional wall coverings are a pain to remove (and definitely not renter-friendly), and peel-and-stick wallpaper can get expensive. For a cheaper wallpaper alternative, consider adding fabric to your walls — yes, fabric.
Fabric wallpaper has become increasingly more popular over the last few years, thanks to its easy application process and affordability. It’s also a great choice for renters who want to personalize their homes without the risk of wall damage (or dealing with potentially stubborn peel-and-stick wallpaper at the end of a lease).
How to Wallpaper with Fabric
Since the application process is a lot more forgiving than peel-and-stick, temporary fabric wallpaper is excellent for beginners. Plus, it’s super easy to remove if you ever want to switch it up or if you move out of your space and need to take it down. Unlike standard wallpaper — which requires a heavy-duty glue for hanging — fabric wallpaper uses liquid starch to stay in place. For an in-depth tutorial on wallpapering with fabric, see this step-by-step guide. Essentially, you’re coating your walls in liquid starch and then positioning the fabric over the top of that sticky (but not permanent) base. Another coat of liquid starch seals the paper on the wall, keeping it set in place.
Best Fabric for Walls
The kind of fabric you use can impact the overall papering process and outcome, so choosing the right material will help ensure you get a smooth finish. When buying fabric for wallpaper, look for lightweight, 100% cotton materials. If you’re ever unsure of a fabric’s composition or don’t know where to start when shopping, you can’t go wrong with quilting cotton — it comes in tons of different colors and prints, since it’s designed for unique patchwork designs, and it’s very thin so it shouldn’t bubble.
To kickstart your own accent wall or bedroom makeover, here are some of my favorite lightweight cotton fabrics for wallpapering. Bonus: You can also save any leftover pieces for a crafting or sewing project!
