4. Peel-and-Stick Accent Wall
An accent wall used to mean a weekend of taping, painting, and waiting for things to dry. Peel-and-stick wallpaper has completely changed the game. Today’s versions come in sophisticated patterns that look hand-painted, from soft botanical prints to modern geometric designs and realistic faux plaster textures.
Choose a wall that naturally draws the eye, typically the one behind the headboard. Measure the height and width, and order slightly more than you need to account for pattern matching and mistakes. Before applying, clean the wall with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Dust and grease are the biggest reasons peel-and-stick wallpaper peels later.
Start at the top corner and work your way down in vertical strips, smoothing each section with a credit card or plastic smoothing tool as you go. If you make a mistake, gently peel the paper back and reposition it. Most modern peel-and-stick products are forgiving for the first few minutes.
Time required: two to three hours for an average wall. Difficulty: beginner-friendly with patience. Cost: usually $40 to $80 for a single wall, which is still far less than traditional wallpaper installation. When you move out or want a change, it peels off cleanly without damaging the wall beneath.
💡 Pro Tip: Order a sample swatch first and stick it to the wall for a few days. Patterns can look very different in your lighting than they do on a screen, and sampling saves you from committing to a wall you might grow tired of quickly.