The Wallpaper Buying Guide Nobody Told You About
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Choosing wallpaper should feel exciting, not intimidating. This guide walks you through how to pick the right design, material, and scale for your space — and how to test everything so your walls look intentional when you install.
1) Pattern Scale: Why your sample can be misleading
An 8×10 sample can sell you on color and texture, but it cannot show you how the pattern scale will feel across a full wall. Large motifs add drama and depth; small motifs add subtle texture. The same pattern can feel calm in a powder room and busy in a great room — purely because of scale and viewing distance.
How to read scale quickly
- Stand 6–10 feet back from the wall you plan to cover.
- Imagine the repeat at true size (most Canvas & Ivy repeats are designed for 24″ panels).
- If you want quieter texture, choose tighter, smaller repeats. For a statement wall, pick bold, larger repeats.
Pro move
Order a 24″ true-scale panel to preview how the full repeat lands against trim, outlets, art, and furniture. It’s the fastest way to avoid “I love it on the sample, but it’s too much on the wall.”
Try a True-Scale Panel2) Wallpaper Materials: Peel & Stick vs. Pre-Pasted vs. Traditional
Choose the material that matches your project, skill level, and how long you want it to last. All Canvas & Ivy wallpapers are printed on demand, inspected by hand, and finished for clean seams and rich color.
Peel & Stick
Best for: Rentals, quick updates, accent walls. Repositionable with clean removal on properly painted walls.
Why people love it: No paste. Minimal tools. Easy to adjust bubbles with an air-release backing.
Pre-Pasted (Water-Activated)
Best for: First-timers and long-term installs on smooth walls. The paste is built in — activate with water, hang, and slide for alignment.
Why people love it: Forgiving during install and more traditional paper feel.
Traditional (Paste-the-Wall)
Best for: Professional-grade applications and the longest lifespan.
Why people love it: Seamless look, durable finish, preferred by pro installers for big projects.
Tip: If you’re debating materials, order a sample in your top pattern and feel the difference in hand.
3) Lighting & Color: Test where you’ll actually live with it
Paint and wallpaper shift with light. Morning light can warm neutrals, evening light can cool them. Place samples on the exact wall at eye level and check them at morning, afternoon, and night. If you have overhead warm lighting in the evenings, expect creams and beiges to read warmer.
4) How to Measure Like a Pro
- Measure wall height and width to the nearest 1/4″. Add extra for trimming at ceiling and baseboard.
- Note obstacles: doors, windows, archways, built-ins. These affect panel starting points and waste.
- Account for repeat and pattern match. Our 24″-wide panels are designed to align cleanly; plan a little overage.
Installer tip: Always round up on quantity. A spare panel saves entire days if you mis-cut or need to repair a section.
5) The Smarter Way to Test: Samples & True-Scale Panels
Samples (8×10)
- Confirm color, ink richness, and texture in your own light.
- Great for narrowing 5–6 favorites down to 2–3 finalists.
Panels (24″)
- Show true scale and how the repeat lands near trim, outlets, and art.
- Ideal for visualizing a full wall before committing.
Pro path: Order 2–3 samples to confirm color → pick your favorite → order one true-scale panel → commit to rolls with confidence.
6) Wall Prep & Install Basics
- Walls should be clean, dry, smooth, and painted with a high-quality primer/paint. Fresh paint must cure fully per manufacturer.
- Snap a plumb line to start. The first panel sets the tone for the entire wall.
- Use a felt squeegee and sharp blade. Trim at ceiling and base with light pressure and fresh blades.
- For Peel & Stick, work slowly, 8–12″ at a time, pressing out air as you go. Reposition gently if needed.
- For Pre-Pasted, activate evenly with water. For Traditional, paste the wall evenly and book per best practice.
7) Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by sample alone. Use a panel for scale.
- Under-ordering. Add at least one extra panel. It’s cheap insurance.
- Skipping wall prep. Texture and dust cause adhesion and seam issues.
- Rushing the first panel. If it’s not plumb, everything drifts.
FAQ
Will Peel & Stick damage my walls?
On properly painted and fully cured walls, it removes cleanly. Avoid fresh, soft, or chalky paint surfaces.
Can I install this myself?
Yes. Peel & Stick and Pre-Pasted are very DIY-friendly. Traditional is often preferred by pros for large or long-term projects.
Do colors fade?
Our inks are designed for excellent colorfastness under normal interior conditions. Avoid direct, intense UV where possible, or consider window treatments.