Wall Decals vs Wallpapers – Which Is Better for Your Home?

Wall Decals vs Wallpapers – Which Is Better for Your Home? In the world of interior design, there are many choices to make when decorating your home’s walls. You could choose wallpaper, or you could choose wall decals – or maybe you could mix and match them! But which is better?

Here we break down all the important differences between these two home decoration styles to help you decide what’s best for your space. Read on – Wall Decals vs Wallpapers – Which Is Better for Your Home?

What is Wallpaper?

Wallpaper – or wall coverings, in general – is one of the most popular ways to decorate your walls. It has been around since the 17th century and has evolved into a huge variety of designs and styles since then. When it comes to wallpaper, you can choose from a wide array of different designs and colors, including your favorite quotes and artwork.

Pros of Wallpaper

1. Mix & Match

While some designs are meant to be a set, mixing and matching certain designs is possible. Different rooms in your home can have entirely different looks depending on your choice, or you can even have one room with half a pattern and another with the rest.

2. Easy Application

Wallpaper has a much easier application process than wall decals do. If you properly paste it down, the wallpaper will stay in place through many years of wear and tear.

3. Cost & Variety

Wallpaper comes in all different price ranges, and you can get a design that matches your personality on any budget. If you have a larger budget, there is even the option to hire a professional designer to help you choose the design that’s right for you.

4. Fairly Durable

Wallpapers are durable enough to withstand wear and tear, but they will fade over time (most commonly after five years). This fading can make it difficult to identify certain aspects of the design, such as text or certain images.

5. Easy Application

Wallpaper is much easier to apply than wall decals. You don’t need any special tools – just an iron, glue, and some time and patience. Many wallpaper designs can be used to decorate not just your walls, but also your furniture and even ceiling tiles.

Cons of Wallpaper

1. Messy Application

Applying wallpaper can be messy and tedious because it requires a lot of preparation. Typically you need a white, smooth surface to glue the wallpaper to, so you may have to prime your walls first before applying the paper. Also, when removing wallpaper that is no longer wanted, you need pickling acid (not the spicy kind!) which is not only messy but also dangerous if not handled properly.

2. Removal is Difficult

While peeling off wall decals is simple and very easy, wallpaper removal can be a nightmare. Most wallpaper can’t even be stripped without damaging the paint underneath. The only way to get rid of wallpaper is to wait for it to “fall off” as you live your life – but this process takes more than a decade.

3. High Cost

Wallpapers can be quite expensive, especially if you get a custom design made for your home. You may have to redo the whole job if you ever decide you don’t like your current wallpaper.

4. Don’t Last Long

Wallpaper is best suited to a certain area – the kitchen, for example – but it only lasts for a short time. If you want wall decals that can last for more than five years, it is important to choose adhesive-backed designs, which will stay in place fairly well over time.

What is Wall Decal?

Wall Decals are a relatively new trend in home decoration for your walls. These are images that are placed on the wall surface with adhesive, much like wallpaper. However, unlike wallpaper, they typically don’t require an additional paste of sorts to adhere them to the wall. This makes them easy to put up and take down. Also, unlike wallpaper, they can be easily removed and reused in your next decorating project (like when you want to redecorate or move).

Pros of Wall Decals

1. Easy Removal

Wall Decals are very easy to remove. All you need is a good adhesive solvent and your decal will come off the wall easily, without leaving behind any residue or damaging the paint on your wall.

2. Affordable

Wall stickers are fairly economical and can be reused again and again. This means that you don’t have to worry about the investment if you ever want to change your decorating scheme.

3. Durable

These are inexpensive to purchase. Their durability is also exceptionally high, and they can easily withstand any fashion trends over time.

4. No Mess

Wall decals are much easier to apply than wallpaper is, since there are no huge pieces that need to be trimmed and spread around the surface before you glue them down. They also typically leave behind no residue or damage on the wall when they come off.

5. Many Designs

Many different designs are available, including decals for family members, home images, and sports designs. Professionals can even create custom decals for various occasions – like celebrating a birthday or a wedding.

Cons of Wall Decals

1. Limited Design Options

As mentioned above, wall decals are typically not as customizable as wallpaper designs are. This means you will likely have to settle for whatever is currently out there to get the best selection of choices available on the market today.

2. Expensive

Wall decals can be quite expensive, and you may not own the wall surface where they will be placed. This means you will have to contact an expert to determine how exactly they should be applied on your wall before you order them (including any custom designs). Note that if this is the case, then it is highly recommended that you only have one decal placement per room.

3. Limited Design Options

These types of images are often simply limited in design options available for purchase at present. This means you may need to settle for a design that is not exactly what you had in mind.

4. Not Durable

Wall stickers are not durable and can easily fall off your wall over time. Their durability also depends heavily on how well they fit your wall – so it’s important to hire professionals when purchasing these images. If not, they can become peeled and worn from normal wear and tear in your home.

Wall Decals vs Wallpapers – Which Is Better for Your Home? – Conclusion

When you are trying to decide what type of design is best for your home, it is important to consider all the pros and cons of each option. Keep in mind that the right design will make a huge impact on the overall look of your home and can even increase the value of your property.