Is the writing on the wall for your cut-and-paste wallpaper? You don’t have to settle for another underwhelming wallpaper design.  

There are plenty of great alternatives to wallpaper, and while some are available to order online, others are much closer than you think. 

Highlights

• paper decoupage
• fabric
• art
• tin tile
• stencils
• shiplap
• board & batten
• paneling

Paper Decoupage

As a material, paper is one of the easiest to install. In most cases, all it takes is a bit of adhesive (polyurethane, double-sided tape, mod podge, or paste). If you change your mind, wet the walls and grab a putty knife or scraper to slowly peel it off. 

Just about any paper will work. You are only limited by your imagination. Here are a few proven favorites. 

• Book Pages: Good books make the words fly off the page. So why not put the pages up on the wall? Whether you prefer old and faded or the newer, cleaner pages, you’ll feel like you’re inside your favorite story. 
   
• Maps: Old maps have the same vintage charm as older book pages. Spread them out at random or arrange them geographically for an unforgettable statement wallpaper. Newer maps work too, giving your walls an ocean blue and landlocked green color scheme. 
   
• Sheet Music: Whether it’s classical music or the tab sheet for your favorite guitar solo, putting sheet music on your wall is an excellent choice for the music nerd in your life. 

• Recycled Newspaper: Clippings from your favorite team’s big win go great on the walls of your man cave. Even random articles from your favorite publication will look great together. 

Fabric 

Fabrics are very similar to paper when you’re using them as wallpaper. Most fabrics can be installed using liquid starch as glue, making them easy to install and remove later on. And just like paper, fabrics are easy to come by and many can be recycled. 

Here are three fabrics you could use as an alternative to wallpaper. 

• Leather: That classic brown or black leather look is not just for jackets. Strips of leather in those traditional colors—or patterned pieces for a more antique look—add an extra bit of flair to your home's walls. 
  
  
• Felt: Bold, Art Deco interiors are coming back into style, and nothing screams bold quite like felt. Solid green, blue, or red, or something with a pattern provide that elegant look and daring design that makes Art Deco so timeless. 
  
  
• Velvet: Speaking of elegant, velvet fabric is another great option for bolder, more beautiful walls. You’ll also get plenty of antique feel, like something from the Renaissance, the Colonial Revival period, and even ancient Egypt. 
  
  
• Patterned Cotton: For a softer, cozier wall covering, patterned cotton fabric makes a perfect choice. Whether in delicate florals or bold geometric prints, cotton fabric adds a homey, relaxed feel while offering a touch of visual interest. Opt for light, airy patterns to brighten a room, or go for richer, denser designs to create a more intimate, snug space.

Art 

Popular trends will come and go, but the desire to be different stays the same. So if you want something a bit different from normal wallpaper, why not use art on the walls? If you’re not afraid to do things your own way, cover your walls in these accessible artworks: 

• Decals: Everyone has favorite bands, coffee shops, restaurants, and sports teams. Immortalize them forever (or as long as you want) by using their decals as makeshift wallpaper. The peel-and-place installation is especially great for apartments or places where you’ll be living on an interim basis.  

• Framed Prints: Everything from landscapes to family photos makes for a great print. Stack them side by side and around your wall for a more nostalgic wallpaper alternative.  

• Posters: Just like framed prints, there’s a poster for everything. If you want to use them as wallpaper, put them in frames (or without) and pin them up next to each other.  

Tin Tile 

Using tin tiles is one of the better ways to go from wall to wow. You can install them via a simple nail-up application that goes all the way to the wall with no extra gap left behind. 

There are over 30 patterns to choose from and many colors and finishes. 

• Unfinished: These tiles come without any color, powder coating or sealing pre-applied. You can paint them yourself, or simply leave as it.
  
  
• Standard & Premium: Standard and Premium tiles come pre-coated in a baked-on, polyester resin (powder coating) for a lifelong finish. You’ll have several different neutral and metallic colors to select from, like ivory, black, metallic gold, and copper.
  
  
• Artisan: Artisan tiles are powder-coated and include a hand-applied color coating that’s rubbed off strategically and professionally finished. The result is a more distressed look that you’d find in an older building. Some of the more popular colors include oil-rubbed gold, brushed bronze, and silver-washed white. 

Want to make tin tile your wallpaper alternative? 

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 Stencils

Stencils offer a fantastic alternative to wallpaper, allowing you to create intricate designs without the commitment. With a wide variety of patterns available—from classic florals to modern geometric shapes—stenciling lets you personalize your walls with ease. 

• Stripes & Dots: a great choice if you're new to stenciling, these simple patterns are a great way to add some interest to walls in lieu of wallpaper. They are easier to apply compared to more intricate designs and are excellent for minimalist or modern design styles. 
  
  
• Medallion: A step up from stripes and dots in difficulty is the medallion stencil. It is a single, circular, pattern (like a mandala) that can be repeated on your wall as much or as little as you like.
  
  
• Geometrics: The geometric pattern stencil interlocks as it spreads across the entire wall. This is a bit trickier as you have to match it up, align it, and make sure it's level before applying your paint.
  
  

Shiplap

Shiplap has become a popular wall treatment in recent years, especially in farmhouse and coastal design styles. This alternative to wallpaper brings a clean, textured look to any space. The horizontally installed wooden planks give the walls a structured yet casual appearance, ideal for adding warmth and character. 

• White: The original and the best, white shiplap is the standard. White makes the room feel open and airy and the shiplap adds texture and interest. Go outside the box and try it placed vertically to add even more interest.
  
  
• Dark: Go for high contrast with a charcoal or navy shiplap wall. It will stand out as a statement wall and backdrop to a cozy, curated scene.
  
  
• Wood: A favorite of the modern farmhouse style, the wood plank wall is a newer take on shiplap that will never get old. Highly varied wood planks offers a unique look or go with more uniform planks for a minimalist approach.
  
  

Board & Batten

Board and batten adds architectural interest to your walls with its distinctive pattern of vertical boards and narrow strips (battens) covering the seams. This classic wall treatment works well in a variety of spaces, from rustic to modern designs, giving walls depth and dimension. 

• Statement Wall: Board and batten is a great way to add some interest and make a statement on a single wall. It can be done on half the wall or all the way to the ceiling. It can be painted the same color as the other walls in the space or a contrasting color. Either way, it makes an excellent addition to any space.
   
• Ledge: Place some molding on top of a half wall of board and batten to make a small shelf or ledge where you can place decor. Framed art or pictures are a popular choice as they are the perfect size for these little shelves. 
  
  
• Unique Design: Though it's traditional to do rectangles and squares in a board and batten design, you can create something different with your battens. Try double battens or a geometric arrangement that isn't in the standard grid. 
  
  

Paneling

Traditional wood paneling offers an elegant alternative to wallpaper, lending texture and sophistication to your walls. Whether it’s full-wall wainscoting, beadboard, or raised panels, this option brings a refined and often historic feel to a room. Paint or stain paneling to match your décor, or leave it in its natural wood finish for a more classic look. It’s perfect for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in living rooms, dining areas, or even entryways.

• Modern: Though paneling has a long history and it may put you in mind of European chateaus, there are some fun, modern ways to panel your walls today. Think fluting, geometric blocking, 3D patterns (embossed panels, tin tile, etc.), or slat panels. 
  
  
• Faux: Paneling gives you the opportunity to get a particular look with a simple, DIY-able installation. Try panels for a brick look or a wooden parquet.
  
  
• Historic Framed: Go ornate with that European look that was popular for hundreds of years. Think fancy frame but with no picture. It's a classic approach to paneling and always looks spectacular.  

Need more ideas for you walls? Check out trending statement wall ideas.