Vinyl or Textile Wallpaper: Which Is Better?

Vinyl is better for walls that are touched often and need wiping; textile wallpaper is better for calm rooms where you want a warm, luxurious surface. Which one is "better" depends on the room.

Vinyl wallpaper: hard-wearing and washable

The surface of vinyl wallpaper is coated with a thin PVC layer. It does not absorb moisture or stains; most designs can be wiped with a damp cloth and some can be scrubbed. Most deeply embossed, stone, concrete and wood-look designs are vinyl. It is the safe choice for kitchens, hallways, children's rooms and workplaces.

Textile wallpaper: warm and elegant

On textile wallpaper the surface is made of real yarns laminated onto a paper or non-woven backing: linen, silk, cotton or viscose. It reflects light softly, takes a little echo out of the room and feels like fabric. On the other hand it cannot be wiped with water, it is sensitive to stains and hanging it takes skill: no paste may get on the face.

Which one for which room?

• Kitchen, hallway, children's room: vinyl.
• Bedroom, study, dining room: textile.
• Living room: vinyl if it is used heavily, textile if it is a formal sitting room.

Can textile wallpaper be used in a bathroom?

No. Steam and splashes stain the yarns and weaken the paste. In damp rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens choose a vinyl-surfaced paper or a paintable glass textile wall covering.

If you want the fabric look without giving up easy cleaning there is a third way: fabric- or linen-effect vinyl wallpapers. See examples of vinyl and textile wallpaper on our product pages.