Best Affordable Peel and Stick Wallpaper (Tested and Reviewed)
Peel and stick wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to transform a room without spending a fortune or hiring anyone. I have wallpaper in our dining room and upstairs, and both projects were done on a Saturday afternoon with zero professional help. Today I am breaking down the best affordable options brand by brand, with honest peel and stick wallpaper reviews, real price comparisons, and everything you need to know before you buy.
Whether you are a renter looking for a temporary upgrade or a mama wanting to add personality to a nursery, this guide covers every budget tier.
[IMAGE: A bright dining room with dusty blue and white floral peel and stick wallpaper on the upper walls, white faux wainscoting below, brass chandelier, and a set table with fresh flowers]
Quick Comparison: Best Affordable Peel and Stick Wallpaper Brands
Prices are based on covering a standard 80-square-foot accent wall (8 feet by 10 feet).
| Brand | Price/Sq Ft | Accent Wall Cost | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HaokHome | $0.55-$1.03 | $44-$82 | Strong | Budget projects |
| RoomMates | $0.52-$1.56 | $42-$125 | Mixed | Kids’ rooms |
| NuWallpaper | ~$1.95 | ~$156 | Excellent | Beginners |
| Rifle Paper Co. | ~$1.44 | ~$115 | Strong | Grandmillennial |
| Tempaper | ~$5.00 | ~$400 | Excellent | Premium quality |
| Chasing Paper | ~$5.00 | ~$400 | Strong | Modern style |
| Wall Blush | $3.90-$6.50 | $312-$520 | Mixed | Statement walls |
| Spoonflower | $5-$7 | $400-$560 | Strong | Unique patterns |
Budget Tier: Cheap Peel and Stick Wallpaper Under $2 Per Square Foot
HaokHome
Price: $0.55-$1.03/sq ft (~$8-$15 per roll) | Roll size: 17.7″ x 9.8 ft (14.5 sq ft) | Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, haokhome.com
HaokHome is the most budget-friendly brand worth buying. You can wallpaper an entire accent wall for as little as $44.
What works well:
- Thick, textured material with matte finish feels more expensive than it is
- Adhesive stays strong through repositioning (very forgiving for beginners)
- Waterproof: passed a three-day steamy bathroom test without peeling
- Bob Vila named it “Best Bang for the Buck”
What to know:
- Smaller rolls mean you need 6-7 per accent wall
- Pattern selection leans modern (herringbone, brick, bold botanicals)
- Fewer grandmillennial/traditional options
Best for: First-time wallpaper projects, kids’ rooms, closets, shelving accents.
RoomMates
Price: $0.52-$1.56/sq ft (~$22-$44 per roll) | Roll size: 20.5″ x 198″ (28.18 sq ft) | Where to buy: Walmart ($16-$44), Target, Home Depot, Amazon
What works well:
- Generous roll size means fewer rolls per project
- Dedicated kids and nursery collection (clouds, soft florals, botanicals)
- Washable, water-resistant vinyl
- Bob Vila’s pick for “Best Geometric” (Striped Hexagon)
What to know:
- Surface prep is critical: textured or freshly painted walls cause adhesion problems
- Mixed durability reviews on the wrong surface type
- Works best on smooth walls with eggshell or satin paint
Best for: Nurseries, kids’ rooms, budget accent walls on smooth surfaces.
[IMAGE: A cheerful nursery with soft botanical peel and stick wallpaper on an accent wall behind a white crib, with a cozy glider and small bookshelf nearby]
NuWallpaper (WallPops)
Price: ~$1.95/sq ft (~$59.99 per roll) | Roll size: 20.5″ x 216″ (30.75 sq ft) | Where to buy: wallpops.com, Amazon, Target, Wayfair
What works well:
- Forgiving texture allows easy alignment and repositioning without tearing
- Thick, sturdy material on a premium substrate
- Looks like new after 2+ years (even behind bathroom sinks)
- Completely removable with no wall damage or residue
What to know:
- Pattern selection is solid but not as stylish as Rifle Paper Co. or Wall Blush
Best for: First-time wallpaper users, renters who want reliable removal.
Mid-Range Tier: Removable Wallpaper Budget Picks ($1-$5 Per Square Foot)
Rifle Paper Co.
Price: ~$1.44/sq ft (~$65 per roll) | Roll size: 20 ft roll (45 sq ft) | Where to buy: riflepaperco.com, Target, Home Depot, Wayfair, Amazon
Rifle Paper Co. is my personal favorite for style-to-value ratio. Their hand-painted illustrations are iconic in the grandmillennial world.
What works well:
- Signature patterns (Garden Party, Citrus Grove, Woodland, Luxembourg) are stunning
- Nice weight that does not stretch during application
- Washable with soapy water (marker and stains come right off)
- Available at Target for easy in-store browsing
What to know:
- Curated selection (fewer choices than Spoonflower)
- Fewer geometric or modern options
Best for: Grandmillennial style, floral accent walls, family homes where washability matters.
Tempaper
Price: ~$5.00/sq ft ($44.99-$95.99 per roll) | Where to buy: tempaper.com, Target, Home Depot, Amazon
Tempaper is the brand experts consistently rank first. Bob Vila gave it their number one spot.
What works well:
- Made in the USA (New Jersey)
- Nontoxic glue, water-based ink, phthalate- and VOC-free
- 300+ prints including a dedicated chinoiserie collection
- 5-year official lifespan, often lasts 7+ years
- Scratch resistant, stain resistant, handles bathroom humidity
- Easiest to remove of all tested brands
What to know:
- Premium price (~$400 per accent wall)
- Watch for 20% off orders over $99
Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, nurseries (safety certifications), high-traffic areas.
[IMAGE: A cozy powder room with elegant chinoiserie peel and stick wallpaper in sage and cream tones, a pedestal sink, brass mirror, and a small vase of greenery]
Premium Tier: Splurge-Worthy Brands
Wall Blush
Price: ~$6.50/sq ft ($3.90 on sale) | Made to order (7-14 business days) | Where to buy: wallblush.com, some patterns on Amazon
What works well:
- Dedicated Grandmillennial collection with gorgeous florals and chinoiserie
- Thick vinyl with matte coating looks luxurious
- Half-inch overlap joints create a seamless look
What to know:
- Mixed durability reviews (some report finish lifting with hard squeegee)
- Use a soft cloth during application instead of a smoothing tool
- Frequent 40% off sales bring the price closer to mid-range
Best for: Grandmillennial accent walls and dining rooms.
Chasing Paper
Price: ~$5.00/sq ft ($45 per 24″x48″ panel) | Where to buy: chasingpaper.com, Amazon
CNN Underscored’s number one pick. Poly-woven material, GREENGUARD Gold certified, sold by the panel (less waste). Some users find the material thinner than expected. Patterns lean modern/contemporary.
Spoonflower
Price: $5-$7/sq ft | Where to buy: spoonflower.com, Amazon
Over 1 million patterns from independent artists. PVC-free, carbon-neutral factory. Beautiful textile-like feel. Heavier material can be trickier to install but is tear-resistant and fade-resistant.
Application Tips and Common Mistakes
Wall Prep (Do Not Skip This)
- Clean walls thoroughly (dust and grease cause adhesion failure)
- Paint must be fully cured (at least 4 weeks for new paint)
- Eggshell or satin finish is ideal (flat paint peels more easily)
- Smooth walls are essential: test a sample on textured walls first, or use ROMAN’s E-Z Hang adhesive booster
Application Steps
- Draw a plumb (vertical) line using a level as your guide
- Peel only about 5 inches of backing to start
- Position top edge at the ceiling, let the rest hang
- Work slowly downward, removing backing a little at a time
- Smooth from center outward with a squeegee to prevent bubbles
Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing. Slow and steady wins every time.
- Skipping wall prep. Even the best wallpaper fails on dirty walls.
- Applying to fresh paint. Wait a full four weeks.
- Over-stretching vinyl. It shrinks back and causes misalignment.
- Not buying enough. Order 10-15% extra for trimming and mistakes.
Pro Tips
- Order samples first to test adhesion on your specific walls
- Score around outlets with a utility knife before peeling
- For corners, overlap slightly rather than wrapping a single piece
- A hair dryer on low heat softens stubborn air bubbles
[IMAGE: A flat lay of wallpaper samples showing various grandmillennial patterns including florals, chinoiserie, and botanical designs in dusty blue, sage, and blush tones alongside a smoothing tool and utility knife]
Kid and Pet Durability: Honest Assessment
With four kiddos (ages 9, 7, 4, and 2), durability is a requirement. Here is what holds up.
Best brands for families:
- Most durable: Tempaper (scratch resistant, stain resistant, 5-7+ years)
- Most washable: Rifle Paper Co. (soapy water handles marker and food)
- Best budget for kids’ rooms: HaokHome (thick, waterproof, strong adhesive)
- Safest for nurseries: Tempaper, Chasing Paper, Spoonflower (all VOC-free, nontoxic)
Practical tips:
- Vinyl wallpaper wipes clean with a damp cloth (crayon, marker, sticky fingers, food)
- Reinforce top edges behind cribs with permanent double-sided tape
- Keep an extra roll for patching
- Vinyl resists pet scratching better than fabric-based options
Best Rooms to Start With
Ranked by bang-for-your-buck:
- Powder room. Small walls, fewer rolls, huge visual impact. The ideal first project.
- Closet interior. Low-risk, high-reward.
- Nursery accent wall. Transforms the room and you will update it anyway as your little one grows.
- Laundry room. Small space, makes chores more pleasant.
- Bedroom accent wall. Behind the headboard is the most popular use for a reason.
- Dining room. This is where I started, and it made the biggest difference.
Be cautious with: full bathrooms near the shower (moisture resistant is not waterproof), kitchen splash zones, and exterior-facing walls.
Rental-Friendly Temporary Wallpaper on a Budget
Peel and stick wallpaper is one of the best upgrades for a rental. Tempaper and Chasing Paper are rated best for clean removal with no residue.
- Test a sample on your specific walls first
- Avoid textured walls unless you use an adhesive booster
- Do not apply to walls painted within the last 4 weeks
- Remove at a 45-degree angle for the cleanest peel
- Flat paint is the riskiest; eggshell or satin is safest
- Significant damage is very rare with quality brands on properly prepped walls
[IMAGE: A bright entryway or mudroom with a floral peel and stick wallpaper accent wall in warm tones, hooks with children’s bags and jackets, a small bench with woven baskets underneath]
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Brands | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | RoomMates, HaokHome | $7.99-$43.98 | Lowest prices, in-store |
| Target | Rifle Paper Co., RoomMates | $15-$65 | Grandmillennial options |
| Amazon | HaokHome, RoomMates, Tempaper, NuWallpaper | $8-$130 | Widest selection |
| Wayfair | Multiple brands | $0.50-$8+/sq ft | Easy price comparison |
| Home Depot | Tempaper, RoomMates, NuWallpaper | $20-$96 | In-store, helpful staff |
My Top Picks
- Best overall value: Rifle Paper Co. Gorgeous grandmillennial patterns, washable, $1.44 per square foot.
- Best budget pick: HaokHome. Under $1 per square foot with strong adhesive.
- Best for beginners: NuWallpaper. Forgiving material, easy application.
- Best premium: Tempaper. Longest-lasting, safest, most durable.
- Best grandmillennial aesthetic: Rifle Paper Co. or Wall Blush (on sale).
Start with one accent wall in a powder room or closet. Order samples before committing. Prep your walls. Take your time. And enjoy watching a plain wall become something that makes you smile every time you walk by.
Happy wallpapering, mama.