Wallpaper: Advantages and disadvantages, classification, beautiful designs, quotes, construction methods

Wallpaper is a roll-shaped interior decoration material, commonly used to cover and decorate wall surfaces through a specialized adhesive layer, helping to create aesthetic accents and protect walls from environmental impacts.

According to reliable sources that Kosmos has researched, wallpaper is made up of 3 main layers: a fireproof and moisture-proof vinyl layer (40-50%), a Melium dry glue layer that increases adhesion (20-30%), and a paper base layer that helps it stick to the wall easily (20-30%).

The outstanding advantages of wallpaper include a variety of designs with more than 100 different patterns, from classic patterns, modern geometry to 3D patterns, stone grain, natural wood grain, easy construction and reasonable price with many segments from popular to high-end. However, this product also has the disadvantage of being easily torn or peeled off when impacted strongly and difficult to clean due to the surface having many patterns.

There are currently 8 popular types of wallpaper on the market: 3D, imitation brick, cement, imitation concrete, wood grain, imitation stone, patterned and monochrome. Prices range from 40.000 - 400.000 VND/m² depending on origin and quality, with major brands coming from Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Europe.

Wallpaper is suitable for many different spaces such as the worship room (elegant motifs), living room (modern luxury), bedroom (gentle pastel colors) and kitchen (waterproof, easy to clean). The choice of model should be based on design style, functionality and personal preference.

“Research shows that installing wallpaper can increase the perceived value of a room by 27% and improve user satisfaction by 35% compared to traditional painted walls, especially in commercial spaces.” according to the International Journal of Interior Architecture (2024), Switzerland.

What is wallpaper?

Wallpaper (wall decals, wall paintings, wall decoration paper) is a line of interior decoration materials in roll form used to cover and decorate wall surfaces through a layer of specialized glue.

This product is widely used in many popular interior spaces with 5 main areas: houses, apartments, restaurants, cafes, offices, etc.

What is the structure of wall paper?

According to many reputable sources that Kosmos has compiled, there are many types of wall paper today made from non-woven fabric, woven fabric or plastic coated paper. Among them, the most popular and preferred is the type of wallpaper with pre-glued vinyl coated, consisting of 3 main layers including:

• Vinyl layer (Polymer plastic): Fireproof, moisture-proof and smooth gloss for the product. This material not only enhances the beauty of the wallpaper but is also environmentally friendly and safe for users, accounting for about 40-50% of the thickness of the material.
• Melium dry glue layer: Increases the ability to waterproof and bond the structural layers together. This is also a type of glue with high adhesion, limiting peeling that affects product quality, accounting for about 20 - 30% of the thickness.
• Paper base layer: It is the thinnest innermost layer, has waterproof properties and easily adheres to the wall surface, accounting for about 20 - 30% of the thickness.

In the current market, the materials used to make wallpaper are also very diverse, from PVC plastic, Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese, European paper to fabric and foam, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of wallpaper

Foam wallpaper has 3 main advantages: diverse designs, easy construction, reasonable price. Besides, this material also has limitations such as easy tearing or peeling, not suitable for areas with high humidity.

Advantages of wall murals

Here are the 3 main advantages of foam wallpaper:

1. Various models: With more than 100 different patterns and motifs from classic to modern, from simple to sophisticated, wall murals can satisfy all user preferences and decoration styles.
2. Easy to construct: Compared to other decorative materials such as wall paint or tiles, wallpaper has the advantage of being easier to apply. With just a few simple steps, 2-3 people can complete the wallpapering for a room of about 15-20m² in half a day without much effort.
3. Reasonable price: Although not the cheapest material on the market, wall decals are still quite reasonably priced compared to other high-end materials. The product currently has many segments from popular to high-end for users to choose from with prices ranging from 40.000 - 400.000 VND/m² depending on the type.

Disadvantages of wall paper

Through the process of researching from many reputable sources, Kosmos found that besides the outstanding advantages, foam paper on the wall has 2 limitations that users need to pay attention to:

1. Easily torn, peeled: Wallpaper can easily be torn or peeled off if it is hit hard or scratched by sharp objects. Especially in areas with high humidity such as kitchens and bathrooms, wallpaper can easily peel off and rot due to steam and high temperatures.
2. Difficult to clean: Unlike smooth surfaces such as ceramic tiles or wall panels, wallpaper surfaces often have many patterns and veins, so they easily attract dirt and are difficult to clean. If you use detergents or rub too hard, you can damage the color and pattern of the material.

8 popular types of foam wall paper

Wallpaper materials today have a variety of patterns, colors, good quality with affordable prices. Based on the design, Kosmos found that there are 8 popular types of foam wallpaper.

3D foam wall paper

This type of paper has a 3D embossed surface, creating a deep and vivid effect for the wall. With advanced UV printing technology, 3D foam paper has high sharpness and color fastness, does not fade over time, and is often used for living rooms and bedrooms to create impressive highlights.

3D wall decoration paper with beautiful patterns

3D wall mural of cool green forest landscape

Imitation brick wallpaper

With imitation brick and stone patterns, imitation brick wall decals bring a classic, rustic beauty to the space. This type of paper is suitable for Vintage, Retro style and is often used for cafes, restaurants or kitchens.

Gray and white brick wall decoration decal

Brick wall mural with unique peeling effect

Cement wallpaper

According to information compiled by Kosmos from reliable sources, cement wallpaper is a unique combination of decorative paper material and cement pattern, bringing a rustic, liberal feeling. This type of paper is suitable for industrial style spaces such as bars, studios, offices.

Gray cement wall decal

3D cement wallpaper with unique block effect

Imitation concrete decorative stickers

Similar to cement wall murals, faux concrete wallpaper also brings a rustic, individual beauty. With its strong beauty, this material is commonly used in industrial styles or work or business spaces.

Modern grey concrete wallpaper

3D concrete wall decal with unique shapes

Wood grain foam wall paper

With realistic wood grain patterns, wood grain foam wallpaper recreates 80% of the beauty of natural wood, bringing a warm, cozy feeling to the space. This type of wallpaper is especially suitable for bedrooms thanks to its dark tones that help reduce 30% of glare, creating an optimal relaxing environment.

Warm brown wood grain wallpaper

Brown gray wood grain wallpaper

Imitation stone wallpaper

Wall decals with imitation stone patterns of Marble, Granite, etc. bring a luxurious and noble beauty to the space. This type of paper is often used for living rooms, hallways, and waiting rooms to impress customers.

Blue gray marble wallpaper

Brown-yellow faux stone wall decal, creating a rustic highlight

Patterned wallpaper

Patterned wall murals come in many different designs and motifs, from floral, geometric to abstract. This type of paper brings freshness and liveliness to the space and is suitable for many different interior styles.

Green banana leaf pattern wall decoration wallpaper

Tropical patterned wallpaper with a variety of plants and colors

Monochrome wall decorative paper

Monochrome wallpaper has a smooth, flat surface with only one color. This type of wallpaper brings a minimalist, modern beauty and is often used to create accents or as a background for other decorative items.

Simple monochrome wallpaper work area

Minimalist Monochrome Peach Wallpaper

Collection of beautiful wallpaper samples for each space

To choose the right wall decal, users need to base on design style, functionality and personal preferences. Below are some suggestions for beautiful wallpaper designs for each specific space that Kosmos has compiled from many different sources:

Sample of wallpaper for the worship room

For solemn spaces such as the worship room, you should choose paper patterns with elegant patterns and bright colors such as yellow, red, brown. Some suitable patterns for the worship room are wood grain, lotus, chrysanthemum, the words Phuc - Loc - Tho, images of Buddha, Bodhisattva, etc.

Dark brown wood grain wall decal for worship room

Create an elegant highlight for the worship room with lotus patterned decorative paper

Living room wall decoration paper sample

The living room is a common living space for the whole family, so it is often designed in a luxurious, modern style. Some wallpaper models suitable for the living room are 3D wallpaper, marble imitation wallpaper, stylized pattern wallpaper, monochrome wallpaper combined with accents, etc.

Gray veined white marble wallpaper for elegant living room

Mint green decorative paper with vivid floral motifs for living room

Bedroom wallpaper sample

The bedroom is a private, relaxing space, so it needs to create a cozy, comfortable feeling. You can choose wallpaper patterns with pastel colors such as light blue, pink, beige, etc. with gentle patterns such as flowers, wood grain, horizontal stripes.

Warm light beige vertical wood grain bedroom wall paper

Brown wood foam wallpaper with natural wood grain, creating a warm feeling for the bedroom

Kitchen wallpaper sample

For the kitchen, you should prioritize waterproof, greaseproof and easy-to-clean paper. Some suggestions for the kitchen include wallpaper with imitation bricks, imitation stones, and fresh fruit and floral patterns.

Light grey wallpaper with simple diamond pattern for luxury kitchen

White ceramic tile pattern kitchen wall decoration paper

How much is wallpaper per square meter?

There are 2 popular ways to calculate the price of foam wallpaper:

• Wallpaper price per square meter on wall: Calculated based on the area of ​​the wall to be covered (length x width). This price usually includes the cost of materials and construction labor, the unit is VND/m².
• Wallpaper price per square meter per roll: This calculation is often applied to roll-type wall murals. This price usually does not include construction labor costs, unit of calculation is VND/roll.

Below is the wallpaper price list updated by Kosmos in May 5 for customers to refer to:

Note: The price list is only relative, product prices may change depending on time and supplier.

Related question

How to properly apply foam wall paper

When constructing decorative foam paper for walls, it is necessary to follow the correct process to ensure the quality and beauty of the project. Below are 5 steps for constructing wallpaper that customers can refer to.

• Step 1: Clean the wall before construction

This is a simple step but plays a huge role in the process of constructing decorative materials. Especially with old walls, we need to clean and flatten them so that the material can easily adhere to the construction surface.

• Step 2: Cut the wallpaper

Cut the paper to the appropriate size for the wall area to be pasted, leaving about 5-10cm on each side for easy alignment.

• Step 3: Peel off the paper layer protecting the glue

In this step, we will peel off the paper layer that protects the glue underneath the foam wall paper.

• Step 4: Proceed to paste paper and foam on the wall

We should glue the material from left to right and from top to bottom. This rule will help constructors easily adjust materials and help decorative panels be more balanced.

• Step 5: Remove excess wallpaper

We will use a paper cutter to remove excess stickers or cut materials at locations such as electrical outlets, decorative shelves,... and you're done.

Can moldy walls be wallpapered?

Damp walls are not suitable for wallpapering. Because wall decals are not completely moisture and mold resistant. If wallpaper is applied to a damp wall surface, the wallpaper will quickly peel off after 2-3 weeks. Moreover, the adhesive layer will also be affected by high humidity above 70%, leading to the paper falling off and blistering.

What are the best wallpaper glues?

In addition to self-adhesive wall decals, there are also some types of wall paper on the market that use their own adhesive. The two popular types of wall paper adhesives today are:

• Glue: This is the most popular type of wallpaper glue, has good adhesion, is easy to use, and can last up to 10 years. However, white glue can dry out after a while, making it difficult to change the wallpaper.
• Powder glue: This glue is in the form of a fine powder and needs to be mixed with water before use. The glue powder has high adhesion, does not dry out and is easy to clean when you want to change the wallpaper. However, the glue powder needs to be mixed properly (1 bag of 160g - 200g wallpaper glue powder mixed with 3 - 4 liters of water) to achieve the best results.

Supplier of quality wall decoration materials?

Kosmos Vietnam is a prestigious warehouse distributing decorative wall cladding materials on the market. The warehouse has a capacity of up to 10.000m², ready to provide a large number of decorative panels, fluted panels for interior and exterior walls and ceilings for customers. The products that make up the Kosmos brand today are:

• Marble PVC Sheet
• Plastic panels for walls, ceilings, partitions and lamri,…

Marble PVC Sheet

PVC Wall Panel

Most special is the appearance of the line Bamboo Charcoal Panels, a new decorative material today. This product impresses with its unique designs, reproducing 70 - 80% of the beauty of real materials and has a 90-degree curved feature, meeting all current user needs.

Mirrored bamboo charcoal ceiling

Bamboo charcoal stone grain wall

>>> How much is the price of bamboo charcoal panel per square meter | Multi-purpose bamboo charcoal fiber panel.

In addition to the diversity of wall and ceiling decoration materials, Kosmos Vietnam also owns a system of more than 500 agents nationwide. From individual partners to businesses and construction design companies, Kosmos is chosen as a material distributor, accompanying many large and small projects.

Kosmos interior and exterior decoration materials warehouse

The bamboo charcoal TV wall project combined with fluted wood imitation panel was completed by Kosmos's agent.

>>> See more about Kosmos Vietnam warehouse.

With the constant development of technology and design trends, wallpaper is becoming more and more diverse and unique. Explore and maximize the potential of this material to create beautiful and unique living spaces.