Choosing textured wallpaper — depth and tactility without the mess
Texture is one of the biggest trends in interiors, and textured-effect wallpaper is the easiest way to get the look. A plaster, grasscloth or concrete effect gives a wall real depth and a tactile, high-end feel — the warmth of natural materials without the cost, weight or mess of the real thing. It is printed as a photographic effect, so it reads convincingly on the wall while going up like any other wallpaper. Here are the textured styles to choose from, and how to handle a textured wall you already have.
Textured wallpaper effects
Plaster and Venetian plaster effects are the most popular — soft, mottled, tonal surfaces that feel calm, organic and expensive, and suit a modern or Mediterranean look.
Limewash gives that soft, brushy, chalky finish that is everywhere right now, adding gentle movement and depth in a single tone.
Concrete brings an urban, industrial edge — cool, minimal and contemporary, ideal for a modern space.
Grasscloth and linen effects have a natural, woven texture that adds warmth and craft, a timeless choice that softens a room.
Brush strokes and painterly textures add artistic movement, especially in richer tones like emerald.
Marble and stone effects give a polished, luxurious surface (see our dedicated marble wallpaper guide).
Wood effect brings natural, rustic warmth, from planks to weathered timber.
Embossed and 3D-effect designs use light and shadow to create the illusion of raised, geometric texture for a bolder, more dramatic wall.
Why textured wallpaper works
Texture adds depth that flat colour simply cannot — it catches the light and shadow, giving a wall a tactile, considered feel. It is also brilliant at hiding minor imperfections, and it brings the warmth of natural materials like plaster, stone and grasscloth into a room for a fraction of the cost and effort. In a neutral scheme especially, texture is what stops a wall feeling flat.
Can you put wallpaper on a textured wall?
This is one of the most common wallpaper questions, and the answer is yes — with the right material. Our Removable Vinyl is designed to work on lightly textured walls, so a gently uneven or lightly orange-peel surface is not a problem. For heavily textured walls — think woodchip or deep artex — the surface should be smoothed or lined first, as any strong texture underneath will show through and stop the wallpaper adhering evenly. When in doubt, a lining paper gives you a smooth base for a flawless finish.
Colours and rooms
Textured effects are most popular in neutral and earthy tones — soft plaster, warm grasscloth, cool concrete — which suit almost any room and make a calm, sophisticated backdrop. Living rooms and bedrooms love a plaster or grasscloth effect, hallways gain depth from concrete or stone, and bathrooms and kitchens suit a wipe-clean marble or plaster effect in a water-resistant material.
Which material to choose
Every textured design is a made-to-measure mural on a choice of four materials — two paste-the-wall and two peel-and-stick, including water-resistant and waterproof grades for bathrooms and kitchens, and the Removable Vinyl that works on lightly textured walls. You choose your material, and see the price for your exact wall size, on each product page.