What Will Wallpaper Stick To?

By: Alyssa S.
Updated: September 17, 2024

Just because “wall” is included in the name, doesn’t mean you only have to apply wallpaper to walls! Surprisingly, wallpaper and wall murals can successfully adhere to a variety of materials. So, even if you have a wall surface that isn’t plaster or drywall, chances are you can decorate with a wall mural.

Here is a selection of various surfaces and whether or not wallpaper can stick to them. These tips can also be used if you want to use furniture wallpaper — for example, adding a decorative mural to a glass-top table or wood cabinet. You can even add certain materials to flooring and ground surfaces, too! Decorate more of your home by choosing the right customizable wall mural material for each surface.

Laminate

If you have a laminate or Formica backsplash in your kitchen, perhaps you want to update it with a stylish wallpaper pattern or design. Due to its smooth surface, SmartStick® peel-and-stick removable wallpaper is the best choice.

Tiles

In general, wallpaper and wall murals cannot stick to tiles. Tiles have a glossy surface that makes it difficult to apply wallpaper. Sometimes, SmartStick can successfully adhere to ceramic tiles. However, grout lines are likely to show through the peel-and-stick material.

Wood

One of the best ways to cover up outdated wood paneling is by using wallpaper. Prep the wood paneled walls by thoroughly cleaning them and installing liner paper. Once that’s completed, our Eco Bella™, Vinyl HD-Texture or Pre-Pasted Wallpaper materials are all excellent wood panel wallpaper options.

Plywood & Hardwood

Can you put wallpaper on plywood? The surfaces of raw plywood and hardboard are too porous for wallpaper to stick to them. But if you prime these two materials properly, any wallpaper material can be used. This gives you plenty of wallpaper on plywood options for garages, sheds, cabins and more. Just make sure to consult the material guidelines and check which paint or primer is needed for the wallpaper to stick.

Textured Walls

For lightly textured walls, like orange peel and knock-down, we recommend our Eco Bella - Texture or Vinyl HD-Texture materials. If you have a heavily textured wall, uneven walls or any other rough surface, we recommend the installation of liner paper followed by two coats of flat latex paint prior to installing a wall mural. A liner paper is simply blank wallpaper that covers irregularities in the wall surface, allowing the wall mural to adhere securely to the textured wall. There is a lot more to this subject, so be sure to read our article “What Wallpaper is Best for Textured Walls?” for more information.

Plastic

Because of its smooth surface, plastic does not provide sufficient adhesion for wallpaper paste, especially if you’re using flexible plastic or it has a curved surface. If the plastic you wish to stick wallpaper to is rigid and flat, SmartStick peel-and-stick wallpaper is the best option.

Plaster

Wall murals and wallpaper can stick to plaster, but this is dependent on how textured it is. If it has a light texture, Eco Bella and Vinyl HD-Texture are both good options. If the plaster is heavily textured and uneven, wallpaper will not properly stick to the wall. If you’re set on placing wallpaper on a plaster surface, you can try to smooth and even the walls using an orbital sander. Once you’ve sanded the entire surface and cleaned it, install a liner paper as a precaution. You can then install a wall mural or wallpaper.

MDF

If you’d rather not go through the hassle of papering a whole wall or entire wall, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is a fantastic alternative. You can stick wallpaper to panels and hang them instead. Before installing a wall mural or wallpaper over MDF, you must prime it. This will allow the wallpaper to stick and prevent the MDF from absorbing the paste. After it has been primed, you can safely apply Eco Bella, Vinyl HD-Texture or pre-pasted wallpaper to MDF.

Glass

If you want to add a design element to a window or another glass surface, window film applications are a great choice. They use micro-suction technology to adhere to the glass while being removable. Besides versatile style, window films provide enhanced privacy, reduce glare and help minimize energy bills.

Metal

VersaGrip will stick to metal effectively. VersaGrip is an ultra-durable material with a strong adhesive that allows it to adhere to a variety of surfaces, including metal, asphalt, concrete, and brick and can be used indoors and outdoors, making it quite versatile.

Gloss Paint

If you have a wall surface painted with semi-gloss or glossy paint, SmartStick peel-and-stick wallpaper adheres the best. The best part about this material is that it’s completely removable and leaves no damage to your walls. So, when you’re ready to redecorate, taking down the wall mural can be done in a snap. Just make sure the paint is sound and secure on the surface before hanging it.

Polystyrene

Because its surface is quite porous and uneven, it is not recommended sticking wallpaper to polystyrene. Furthermore, if the polystyrene is not covered with drywall or another material, it poses a much greater fire risk even with Class A or Class B fire-rated wallpaper covering them.

Concrete

The best choice for concrete surfaces is VersaGrip — not only for its strong adhesive but also because it can withstand the elements. Besides concrete walls, it can be used for floor applications, too. With its anti-slip surface and simple application, it’s a creative and effective way to utilize ground surfaces such as concrete sidewalks.

Cinder Block

VersaGrip will successfully adhere to cinder blockas well as concrete, brick, and stucco.

The Right Wallpaper Material for Your Walls and Furniture

By picking the right wall covering and properly prepping your surface, you can stick wallpaper to just about any material! As always, make sure to consult the wallcovering material guidelines and test your chosen surface before installing a full wall mural or wallpaper. You can order swatches of many of our materials to try them out.

Want to Learn More About Wallpaper?

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