Love wallpaper but hate the hassle? Here's a low-commitment and customizable DIY solution

A gallon of paint can perk up even the most cookie-cutter New York City apartment, but wallpaper utterly transforms the space, adding an immediate wow factor. Whether you lean into bold patterns and palettes or a more subtle print and color scheme, this designer tool creates a pulled-together look that's reliably Insta-ready.

And, thanks to the proliferation of removable options, everyone—we see you, renters and serial redecorators!—can hop on the wallpaper bandwagon. 

Love vs. Design—a customer-facing company that’s pioneering "re-colorable" papers—goes one step further by allowing you to customize the palette of each design, for the ultimate in DIY decorating. 

"With most wallpaper, you're stuck with three patterns and two color schemes, but every home has a different vibe. We allow you to change the color of every element by choosing from over 200 shades so the wallpaper matches your space perfectly," says Eric Mortensen, who co-founded Love vs. Design with Brock Bacik in 2021 as an offshoot of their long-running stationery business basicinvite.com. 

"We didn't want to let any of our talented staff go during the pandemic when events came to a halt, so we launched this business using the same design team and technology," Mortensen says. 

Besides the familiar peel-and-stick products, Love vs. Design also offers a "spray-and-up" version that looks like traditional wallpaper without the messy paste. "It's slightly easier to install than the peel-and-stick papers, too," he says. "All you have to do is add more water to move it on the wall instead of dealing with an eight-foot-tall sticker." Both types of products are semi-permanent and will not damage your walls. 

Still not ready to commit to covering an entire room or accent wall? These papers can instantly update tired furniture—for example, by lining dresser drawers, cabinet interiors, or the backs of bookcases or built-ins. 

Read on to learn the ins and outs of using removable wallpaper in your own home, just like the pros.  

What are the different wallpaper materials?

As with traditional wallpaper, semi-permanent papers come in different materials and varying finishes, or sheens, similar to paint. 

The three options from Love vs. Design are smooth (semi-matte), woven (subtle linen-like matte), and glissade (ultra-matte). Because they all have high opacity, a dark color on the wall will not bleed through a lighter paper. 

Each material is also eco-friendly, fireproof, and safe to use around infants and children. 

• The vinyl-based smooth paper is recommended for nurseries, kids’ rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens because they're easy to clean with a damp cloth and water-resistant. 
• Use fabric-based woven in cozy spaces like a bedroom, walk-in closet, or reading nook. It is stain and scratch-resistant but not washable like the others. 
• Glissade, the company's signature material, is made with traditional (recycled) paper. It's highly washable and well-suited for high-traffic spaces like entrances/foyers, hallways, and living and dining areas—or anywhere that could use some extra love. 

How are the wallpapers applied and removed?

The above options by Love vs. Design have two application methods: peel and stick (smooth and woven) and water-based (glissade).

Peel-and-stick papers are just that—you peel off the protective layer and press them to the surface. You can re-peel and re-stick them multiple times, such as when moving. "These products can even be installed over existing wallpaper," Mortensen says. 

The Glissade spray-and-up wallpaper works by wetting the back side to activate the adhesive, and you can slide it around on the wall until it's just right. "When you're ready to remove it, you get the front of it wet to reactivate the adhesive, then peel it off and sponge down the wall," he notes. 

What's the deal with vertical repeats?

When ordering patterned papers (as opposed to solids), you'll typically need to line up the design. 

The "vertical repeat" is the distance (vertically) between each pattern recurrence, which will vary depending on the design. Abstract and random designs without any vertical repeats are the easiest to install. (Mortensen says they are about to launch a line of re-colorable murals, which will also not have a repeating pattern.)  

It's worth considering any repeat when choosing a design. For example, oversized patterns from Love vs. Design will have numbered panels so you can install them in the correct order. BTW, Mortensen says large florals are having an extended moment, making them easy to install and on-trend.

How much paper will you need?

Taking accurate measurements is a critical first step and will ensure you don't end up with too little or too much paper (that you've paid for). 

It's also essential to ensure a seamless repeat: Always measure the total height and width of the area that will be papered and then enter those dimensions when ordering. Avoid breaking up your order into different panel heights, which can result in the patterns not lining up correctly. 

Follow this helpful guide to measure each wall, taking into account any windows, doors, and angled ceilings. 

What does it cost?

Love vs. Design wallpaper comes in panels, not the usual rolls. Each panel has a finished width of 24 inches and a height of 3 to 12 feet, as determined by your measurements.

The price of each panel is based on square feet and the format: Smooth wallpaper is $3.75 per square foot, Glissade is $4.25 per square foot, and Woven is $4.75 per square foot.

Each 9-by-25-inch wallpaper sample costs $6, and the same goes for the color-swatch samples. Mortensen says over 60 percent of customers buy samples before placing full orders.

How to prep the walls

Proper prepping will prevent bubbles and peeling. 

Before rolling up your sleeves and getting to work, check out the company's installation guide for peel-and-stick papers; the video how-to is short and sweet but demonstrates the smoothing process using a handy squeegee (included with your order). 

The company also provides a card with a link to the tutorial and printed step-by-step installation instructions with each shipment.

If this is your first time at bat, breathe easy: The company backs up every purchase with its Love It Guarantee. "If it doesn't work for you or for any reason you don't like it, we will refund your money—no questions asked," Mortensen says. 

Ready to design the removable wallpaper of your dreams? Visit lovevsdesign.com to create an account, play around with our 200-plus custom colors, and save your favorites. We highly recommend ordering samples, as colors vary from screen to screen. If you have questions or need design assistance, you can call (800) 395-5705.