Wallpaper guide
Earthy & farmhouse wallpaper: a practical guide
Choosing the paper is the fun part. This guide covers what happens next — how each material behaves on a wall, how patterns match, what to order and what to ask before installation.
Materials
Eight papers that make a room feel earthy
Modern farmhouse style leans on natural texture and muted color. Here’s how the most common choices compare once they’re on the wall.
Grasscloth & natural weaves
Woven grass, sisal, jute or paperweave on a paper backing. Warm, tactile and the most “earthy” of all wallcoverings.
Plaid & check
The cozy farmhouse classic. Soft, low-contrast plaids in taupe, oatmeal or sage keep it modern rather than cabin-like.
Ticking stripe
Narrow stripes borrowed from old mattress ticking. Quietly rustic, great in small rooms and on ceilings.
Botanicals & leaf prints
Leaves, branches and wildflowers bring the garden indoors. Pale grounds feel airy; deep green grounds feel cozy.
Landscape & woodland murals
Forests, hills and misty trees printed across several panels — one wall becomes the view.
Wood-look & shiplap-style papers
Printed planks and boards give a barn-wood or shiplap feel without the weight or the carpentry.
Limewash & plaster-look textures
Soft, cloudy, hand-finished looks that read as earthy and calm — a quiet backdrop for wood and linen.
Vinyl & performance papers
Wipeable, more moisture-tolerant versions of many earthy looks, including grasscloth-look prints.
Pattern matching
How the pattern lines up from strip to strip
Every wallpaper label lists a match type and a repeat. They tell you how the next strip relates to the last — and how much paper you’ll lose to matching.
Tip: before ordering, find the repeat size (in inches) and match type on the product page. Send them along with your room size and we can help estimate rolls.
| Match type | What it means | Common in | Waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free / random | No pattern to line up; strips can go up in any position. | Grasscloth, textures, plain weaves | Lowest |
| Straight | The pattern lines up horizontally on every strip at the same height. | Stripes, plaids, many geometrics | Moderate |
| Half-drop | Every other strip drops by half the repeat, creating a diagonal flow. | Botanicals, florals, larger motifs | Higher |
| Mural / panel sequence | Numbered panels form one image and must go up in order. | Landscape and woodland murals | Planned per wall |
| Reverse hang | Alternate strips are hung upside down to even out shading. | Some grasscloth and textured papers | Low |
Ordering
Before you click “buy”
One batch
Order all rolls together and check the batch or lot number. Different runs can vary in shade.
A little extra
Keep spare paper for matching and for repairs later — re-ordering the same batch is rarely possible.
Sample first
Tape a sample to the wall and look at it morning and evening. Earthy tones shift a lot with light.
Read the label
Paste-the-wall or paste-the-paper, washability and match type all affect installation.
Know the room
Steam, splashes and direct sun call for different materials than a quiet bedroom.
Ask early
If you’re unsure about a paper, call before you order. It’s easier to adjust a plan than a delivery.
FAQ
Wallpaper questions, answered plainly
Don’t see your question? Call (929) 706-0493 — you don’t need measurements or a product picked out to ask.
How much wallpaper should I order?
It depends on the wall size, the roll size and the pattern repeat — a large repeat or a half-drop match wastes more paper per strip. Most installers suggest ordering some extra for matching and future repairs, all from the same batch. If you share the room size and the product, we can help you work out the number before you buy.
Can wallpaper go on plaster walls in older buildings?
Yes, as long as the plaster is sound. Cracks, loose patches and old paint layers need attention first, and a wallpaper primer helps the paper bond and makes it easier to remove later. We look at the surface before recommending how much prep it needs.
Is grasscloth a good idea in a kitchen or bathroom?
Natural grasscloth isn’t washable and can stain or discolor with moisture and splashes, so it’s usually better in living rooms, bedrooms, halls and offices. For kitchens and bathrooms, a vinyl or printed grasscloth-look paper gives a similar texture and copes better with humidity.
Can you hang wallpaper over existing wallpaper?
We generally don’t recommend it. The old paper can loosen under the new paste, seams can show through and any problems become harder to fix. Removing the old layer and preparing the wall usually gives a much better, longer-lasting result.
How long does a wallpaper installation take?
It depends on the size of the area, the condition of the walls and the material. A single accent wall in good condition is a much shorter job than a stairwell with old paper to strip or a multi-panel mural. We’ll give you a realistic idea once we know the details.
Do I need to repaint trim or ceilings first?
If you’re planning to paint, it’s usually best to do ceilings and trim before wallpaper goes up, so paint doesn’t get on the new paper. Wall paint under the wallpaper isn’t needed — the wall gets a wallpaper primer instead.
Is peel-and-stick wallpaper renter-friendly?
It’s designed to be removable, but results depend on the wall paint and how long it’s been up; some paints can lift when it comes off. Check your lease and building rules, and test a small piece in a hidden spot if you can.