It’s a tough decision choosing the colour and pattern of your wallpaper. And that’s before you even consider the different types of wallpaper and how you apply them.

The two most common types of wallpaper are paste the wall wallpaper and paste the paper wallpaper.

But is there much difference between the two and are there any benefits of one over the other?

Accurate measurements, pattern matching, and cutting are all still key for both these types of wallpaper. The main difference is in how you apply the paste: either onto the paper or directly onto the wall.

The reason there’s a difference is down to the backing paper used to print these wallpapers.

Thanks to the thicker, non-woven backing of paste the wall wallpaper, this type doesn’t expand when coming into contact with paste.

That means you can apply the paste directly to the wall with no soaking time needed.

It also means there’s no need for a traditional pasting table. Just hang your wallpaper straight from the roll onto the pasted wall, smoothing as you go.

Some of our customers say the thought of too much mess has put them off wallpapering in the past. But with paste the wall wallpaper, it’s a much simpler process that creates much less mess - and it can cut your hanging time in half.

For guidance on how to hang paste the wall wallpaper, follow our step-by-step guide. Or if you still need to pick your new show stopping style, browse our full range of paste the wall wallpapers.

Paste the paper wallpaper is the type you’re likely most familiar with. The kind that requires a pasting table so you can spread the paste directly onto the paper.

Before hanging this type of wallpaper, a step called booking is needed. 

Booking involves folding the paper’s pasted side onto itself with both ends meeting in the middle and allowing time to soak.

This process activates the paste and causes the backing paper to expand slightly - which is why you must let it soak and settle for a while before hanging.

For guidance on how to hang paste the paper wallpaper, follow our handy step-by-step guide. Or if you still need to pick the perfect pattern to transform your room, browse our full range of paste the paper styles.

There is a third type of wallpaper referred to as peel and stick, but this one isn’t as common or as widely available as paste the paper and paste the wall options.

Peel and stick wallpaper (also known as self-adhesive wallpaper) is quick to apply and easy to remove. It’s a product that typically appeals to those living in rented properties, or anyone who likes to change their decor frequently.

With this type of removable wallpaper, the adhesive is already applied under an extra layer of backing paper. So, as the name suggests, you can just peel it off and stick it straight on your wall. And when you’re ready for a change, it’s just as easy to peel away.

With limited patterns and styles available (many similar to our existing paste the wall and paste the paper options) peel and stick wallpaper is a high-cost product we don’t currently stock.

But with hundreds of paste options available, you’ll still be spoilt for choice! To get your interior design juices flowing, browse our full collection of wallpaper styles.