Textured wallpaper is one of those under rated products that is finally having it’s day. The last few years it’s improved so much, it is a great substitute for beadboard, tin, or even plaster! There are so many different textures and patterns available, and many of them are paintable. More important to us DIY’ers? It isn’t just for walls! We did some research and found some great ideas for using textured wallpaper to create really creative DIY projects. And there are so many choices, from textured brick wallpaper, to grasscloth, paintable beadboard wallpaper, and even embossed Anaglypta and Lincrusta. Modern, farmhouse, traditional… there is something for every style. So where can you use it and save yourself from cutting and installing lumber, tin, plaster and other products? (Or worse, paying someone else to install it?) We’re glad you asked…
Textured Wallpaper Ideas
Paintable Textured Wallpaper Projects
‘Pretty Life Girls‘ did a full makeover on this Ikea nightstand with paintable textured wallpaper and chalk paint. Whoa, right? Nothing boring about this project! Easy to follow tutorial, anyone can do this!
You can use that exact same tutorial to makeover a dresser with embossed wallpaper just like they did over at ‘BHG‘.
‘Jenna Sue Designs‘ used white textured wallpaper and spray adhesive to makeover this simple cabinet. She has tons of step by step photos, and even tells you what worked, and what didn’t in this project. Remember, this paper is paintable too!
Here is a wonderful textured wallpaper idea that creates a cool faux tin ceiling look. From ‘Young House Love , totally genius!
This dresser looked beyond repair in the before photos from Pamela Field via ‘Hometalk‘. But she removed the warped veneer and gave this piece new life with some textured wallpaper and pewter paint. She tells you exactly how she renovated this piece in her tutorial. It has cool antiquey look!
This desk from ‘Brushed by Brandy‘ was made for her niece, and actually won an award! It pairs textured wallpaper on the drawers fronts with a pretty B&W stripe pattern painted onto the sides. Go check out the photo of the entire finished desk! She also has tons of similar furniture makeover projects her site and You Tube channel.
So if you want to use your textured wallpaper on your walls (novel idea, right?) then try this tutorial from Diane at ‘In My Own Style‘ on how to get it right. She has tons of tips on how to put this type of paper up without destroying the embossed nature of it.
Now you can use that last tutorial and be inspired by these next photos that use paintable textured wallpaper as the star of the room.
Anaglypta and Lincrusta were the original textured wallpapers, founded in the late 1800’s. This Anaglypta paper is painted a deep teal. Photo by ‘Dear Designer‘.
Another Anaglypta papered wall painted a deep charcoal. Photo by ‘World of Wallpaper‘.
Grasscloth DIY Projects
Grasscloth, or even faux grasscloth has made a huge comeback. With subtle texture and earth tone colors, you can add elegance and sophistication to almost any project! This DIY headboard uses two hollow core doors and one roll of grasscloth, so it’s budget friendly too! Tutorial from ‘House & Home‘.
Have old, outdated grasscloth wallpaper? No problem. Did you know you can paint it? Follow these step by step instructions from ‘Sarah M Levy‘.
Diane from ‘In My Own Style‘ shows us how to save money by using faux grasscloth on an accent wall. She shows you how to hang this paper, including tips on cutting around existing molding.
Here is an example of using grasscloth wallpaper in a bathroom to add texture. Love the navy blue contrasting with the white shiplap! From ‘Susan W Interiors‘.
Textured Brick Wallpaper Ideas
You can use textured brick wallpaper to create cool effects on walls and on furniture. ‘Honeycomb Home‘ made this custom fireplace surround using the wallpaper as a faux brick accent. Not only do they have a full tutorial, in case you want to do this exact project, but you could also use this idea to accent other areas in your home.
This brick accent wall idea above kitchen cabinets is from ‘Lark & Linen Interiors‘. We have no idea if this is real brick, or textured brick wallpaper, but who would know? DIY backsplash idea?
‘Fall for DIY‘ used textured brick wallpaper and a clever trick to make her wallpaper removable! (Even though it wasn’t the removable type!) Perfect idea for renters who want a brick accent wall. Go check out how she did it!
Beadboard Wallpaper Ideas
Create a modern farmhouse bathroom (or any room!) with this beadboard textured wallpaper tutorial from ‘Joyfully Growing‘. They even show you how they made that wood trim rail!
Finally, ‘Shabby Love‘ used beadboard wallpaper to create that cottage look in her kitchen. She did walls and cabinets doors as well. Great makeover!
Where to Buy Textured Wallpaper
You may not be able to find much of a selection of textured wallpaper at you local home improvement store. No worries, we found some great choices that can be ordered online, so you can have a custom look with your DIY project.
You can find this pretty 3D paintable embossed wallpaper in a damask pattern at ‘Joss & Main‘. Obviously, you can paint it any color and use it for any wallpaper project. Over 500 5-star reviews for this paper!
This pattern & color is so fresh and pretty! This goes to show that just because you buy white textured wallpaper, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way! This paintable embossed wallpaper is from ‘Joss + Main‘.
This embossed wallpaper is a great example of all the amazing patterns out there… it isn’t just the antique looking styles, there are more modern textured wallpaper choices as well. Find this at ‘All Modern‘.
Find this beadboard wallpaper at ‘Wayfair‘. Of course, this is 100% paintable! Another one with hundreds of great 5-star reviews!
We hope you are as excited about trying these textured wallpaper ideas in your home, as we are! You may want to check out our post on 3D Wall Art Ideas and Stone and Brick Accent Walls! Also check out Repurposed DIY Window Shutter Ideas and Wall Decor Ideas over at TBD!
Note : This post has been freshened with updated projects.
It truly looks great but as it has been said before.. if you have cats… than they will shape their claws on it ;<
I have used beadboard and beadboard wallpaper. I would not use them side by side as the beadboard does look better, but the wallpaper looks good when it is not next to it.
Nice Pic and very attractive content and beautiful decor kept up work……..
I did this with the beadboard on all my kitchen cabinets since I beach themed my house. Love it. Turned out perfect. Also painted the inside of my kitchen cabinets turquoise.
Another caution. These papers are thick and they will nick easily.
I was thinking of using on kitchen cabinets like the example above, however after locating some at Lowes, I discovered it nicks very easily and would not hold up in a heavily used kitchen. Very disappointing since it would look so great and would not add thickness to the cabinets.
Kathy, Do you have any idea who makes the textured paper featured as wainscoting in the photo with the red bird light? Great post, thank you, Rob
Author
I’m afraid not Rob! Wish I did!
We’ve used the beadboard as well as the wavy retro print. The raised print is foam so I wouldn’t use it in a high traffic area, especially with pets and kids because it can easy be damaged. The two prints we used were not pre-paste but still went up very easily (although the retro print was difficult to line up to my husband’s OCD standards) and an xacto worked perfectly to cut the roll.
Just asking where can we find a good wall paper like the pictures
Author
Try Amazon or ask at your local decor shop… they can point you in the right direction!
I’ve been using embossed paper now for 17 years on furniture. I love it.
On my pinterest page Daniella Burnett under my very own dyi I have lots of examples
just beware of one thing… If you have cats, the like to sharpen claws on this stuff! Big bummer when that happens…
I love your creative ideas when it comes to using anaglypta wallpaper.
We often hang it on ceilings in the older houses in Brisbane as a way to disguise ugly ceilings that would otherwise be a mission to paint.
I love that there are so many designs to choose, from the more traditional designs to the more modern ones. You are really only limited by the paint finish you choose whether that be a solid colour or a faux finish.
What great ideas! I’ve known about this textured wallpaper since it first was introduced to Home Improvement stores. I have a 1964 Clothes hamper and over 50 plus years the vinyl covering has yellowed with age, and it was down in my MIL’s basement where it was damp so it’s kind of rusty some places. They don’t make clothes hampers like this one and I was thinking of trying some of that textured wallpaper on it or spray paint it or try Annie Sloan chalk paint. It was a wedding gift from one of my sisters and she used her Top Value or S&H green stamps to purchase it with. That meant more to me then the $500 the other sister gave me toward my wedding reception. I’ve been reminded of that wedding reception gift for 50 years, as if I wasn’t greatful for it. Duh!
Another idea I had for using that textured wallpaper was on our master bathroom walls. When the previous owner put the house on the market in 2005, he hired some” fly by night” workers/painters. There had been wallpaper on it but it was really old like late 1970’s and they tried to get it off but it was too time consuming and they were under time restraints so they just painted over it with latex paint. You can still see some of the wallpaper edges. I’ve either got to sand all the walls down or use a textured paint but thought about the textured wallpaper.
What about using it on a headboard? I have a beautiful headboard that has beautiful silk like material on it that was made about 15 years ago. Since my DH has taken over that bedroom, the natural oil from his hair has ruined the silk cover. I bet I could strip the existing headboard and use the textured wallpaper on it. Paint it to match the bedding or wall color.???Do you think that would work? I love all your ideas for this that you gave.
In the Kansas City MO area, which stores carry this?
I bought condo with wallpaper all over and just put up the textured stuff over it and painted it. You just have to make sure all the seams and edges are glued down-so much easier than scraping!