Vinyl or Fabric Peel and Stick Wallpaper? The Right Material for Every Room

Every pattern we make comes in a choice of materials, and the dropdown on the product page is where a lot of people pause. Vinyl or fabric? Both are peel and stick, both are removable, both are commercial grade. They are made for different walls, and picking the right one for the room is the easiest way to make the project go smoothly. Here is the difference and a room-by-room answer.

The short answer

Choose fabric for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, nurseries and rentals: it is matte, the easiest to hang, and removes without a mark. Choose vinyl for bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, laundry rooms and any wall with a little texture: it has the stronger grip and is the easiest to clean. If you are still unsure, ask one question. Is the wall smooth and dry? Fabric. Is it damp, busy or slightly textured? Vinyl.

The two materials side by side

• Finish. Fabric is matte over a very fine micro-weave. Vinyl is smooth with a slight satin sheen.
• Adhesive. Vinyl has a high-tack removable adhesive, the stronger of the two. Fabric has a gentler hold that is more forgiving while you position it.
• Installing. Fabric is the easiest of all our materials to hang. Vinyl grabs faster, so line it up before you press.
• Cleaning. Both wipe clean with a damp cloth. Vinyl is the easiest to clean.
• Humidity. Both are bathroom and kitchen safe.
• Wall texture. Vinyl adheres to moderately textured walls. Fabric wants a smooth wall.
• Removing. Fabric comes off clean. Vinyl may leave a faint tack on older paint that wipes away.
• Price. Fabric is about $10 more per roll.

Both are printed with UL GREENGUARD Gold certified inks and are Class A fire rated.

Room by room

Living room: fabric. A large, well-lit wall shows finish more than any other, and matte looks like traditional paper. See the living room collection.

Dining room: fabric, or vinyl if chairs touch the wall. Fabric for the look; vinyl if chair backs rub the wall daily or the wall is near the kitchen pass. See the dining room collection.

Bedroom: fabric. Matte, calm and easy to change. See the bedroom collection.

Nursery and kids' rooms: fabric for the look, vinyl for the wipe-down. Fabric above a chair rail and out of reach, vinyl anywhere small hands and crayons will find it.

Bathroom and powder room: vinyl. Stronger grip in a room that warms and cools, and the easiest surface to wipe. The copper tub bathroom above is Linen Look Stripes. See the bathroom collection and our powder room plan.

Kitchen: vinyl. Splashes and steam. Keep it off the wall directly behind the hob.

Mudroom, entry and laundry: vinyl. Bags, boots and damp coats. See the mudroom and laundry room collections.

Stairs and hallways: vinyl. High traffic and hands on the wall.

Ceilings: fabric. It is the easiest to position, which is what you want when you are working overhead. See ceiling wallpaper.

Cabinets, bookcase backs and furniture: vinyl. Smooth surfaces and frequent wiping. See cabinet wallpaper.

Rentals: fabric. The cleanest removal at move-out. Details in our renter-friendly guide.

Lightly textured walls: vinyl, with the E-Z Hang Peel and Stick Helper. More in our textured walls guide.

And the third option

We also print every pattern as traditional unpasted wallpaper, a commercial Type II material hung with paste. It is the choice for a permanent installation, a professional installer, or a job that has to meet a specification. For a home project with a deadline, peel and stick is faster.

Try both for $10

If you cannot decide, order the same pattern as a $5 sample in each material. Put them side by side on the wall, look at them in daylight and lamplight, and run a damp cloth over both. You will know in a minute.

Frequently asked questions

Is vinyl or fabric peel and stick wallpaper better?

Neither is better overall. Fabric is better for smooth, dry walls and rentals. Vinyl is better for bathrooms, kitchens, high-traffic walls and light texture.

Which is easier to install?

Fabric. It is the most forgiving to position and reposition.

Which removes more cleanly?

Fabric. It is the one we recommend for renters.

Can I use fabric peel and stick in a bathroom?

Yes, both materials handle humidity. We suggest vinyl because it has the stronger grip and is the easiest to wipe.

Do both materials come in every pattern?

Yes. Every wallpaper we make is available in vinyl, fabric and unpasted, chosen at checkout.

Full specifications are in the Size and Materials Guide. Browse by room on our wallpaper by room page, or tell us about the wall and we will recommend a material.