Wallpaper was at the height of popularity during the swinging 1960s and funky 70s, only to gradually fall out of style in the following decades. However, all fashion trends tend to be cyclical, and wallpaper has found its way into many modern homes in the last five or six years. In fact, 96% of interior designers say it was the big trend of 2023, with no signs of it fading away anytime soon.

But why is it so popular again? Because of its stylishness, versatility, and ease of use. It’s easy to stick on, and more importantly, it’s simple to remove when you feel your space needs a decorative change.

So, is wallpaper easy to remove? If you know what you’re doing, you can remove and switch up the wallpaper in your home fairly often. Let’s look at different types of wallcoverings and how easily you can peel them off your walls.

Unpasted Wallpaper

Unpasted wallpaper is a type of wall covering that does not have adhesive pre-applied to its back. Many interior designers favor this type of wallpaper due to its thicker texture and better durability than pre-pasted or peel-and-stick options. Because it has no pre-applied adhesive on the back, you have greater flexibility when installing it and get a more professional-looking and long-lasting finish.

To install unpasted wallpaper, apply the adhesive separately and carefully stick the paper to the wall. This allows you to make adjustments during installation and ensures that the wallpaper is applied perfectly.

How Easy Is It to Remove

Removing unpasted wallpaper is moderately difficult and requires a lot of time and patience. If you want to make the removal process easier on yourself, you’ll also need a few tools extra tools, including:

• Sponge
• Spray bottle
• Scoring tool
• Steamer

To unstick the wallpaper from the wall, you’ll need to wet it thoroughly with water. You can also make the process extra easy by using a wallpaper removal solution. Score the wallpaper first so the water can penetrate it more easily. Wet small sections of the wallpaper with a sponge or spray bottle and really saturate them. The liquid must penetrate the paper and reach the adhesive so it can soften it.

Allow the wallpaper to absorb the moisture for a few minutes before peeling. If you’re still struggling with the glue, you might need a wallpaper steamer. The combination of moisture and high heat will melt the glue and allow you to strip the walls.

Once the adhesive softens, grab a corner and start peeling the paper. Hold the wallpaper at a 45-degree angle and slowly pull it up to avoid ripping it. This angle also helps minimize damage to the wall underneath. If the wallpaper tears or resists coming off, apply more liquid and let it soak for a few more minutes. This is where your patience pays off, as rushing can cause small pieces to tear off, making the process more tedious.

Ease of removal rating: Moderately hard

Pre-pasted Wallpaper

As the name suggests, pre-pasted wallpaper has already been pasted for you. That means it has a layer of adhesive on the back. That’s why it’s a lot easier to install and less messy as well. You don’t have to bother applying wallpaper paste separately because that part of the job is done for you.

Pre-pasted wallpaper is the wallcovering choice for many home improvement enthusiasts because you just spray the back to activate the glue and stick it to the wall. The adhesive is water-activated, simplifying the installation process. It’s much cleaner to work with since you don’t have to prepare and apply additional wallpaper paste.

How Easy Is It to Remove

Depending on the adhesive, this type of wallpaper is moderately easy to remove. You can do it while wet or dry, giving you some flexibility. To make it easier, you’ll also need a scraper, a scoring tool, and a sponge.

To see if you can remove it dry, you should:

• Use a scraper to pull up a corner and try to peel it off slowly
• If this method is working, keep peeling it up slowly
• Use the scraper to remove any small bits that remain stuck

If the dry method is ineffective, it’s time to try the wet method. To remove it wet, you must:

• Use a scoring tool to create tiny perforations in the wallpaper
• Wet a small area thoroughly
• Allow water to penetrate and soften the adhesive
• Once the adhesive has softened, start peeling off the wallpaper from a corner
• Peel it off at an angle to avoid tearing it
• If it snags or resists, apply more water and wait a bit longer before continuing.

Once the wallpaper is completely off, go over it with a sponge and water to remove any paste residue from the wall. Clean the wall thoroughly because any leftover adhesive will make it harder to put up new wallpaper or paint the walls.

Ease of removal rating: Moderate

Removable Wallpaper

Removable or peel-and-stick wallpaper is like a giant sticker you can apply to your walls. Unlike other types of wallpaper, you don’t need to activate any glue or adhesive. Instead, you peel off the backing and stick it wherever you want.

Due to this convenient installation process, removable wallpaper is increasingly popular, especially among renters and students in dorm rooms who enjoy stylish interior design but still want their deposit back. It’s also a hit with people who may not be able to commit to one design and change their home decor frequently. The market trends reflect this growing appeal, with sales projected to reach $2.43 billion by 2032.

How Easy Is It to Remove

When it comes to removal, removable wallpaper is the easiest available option. You can take it down in minutes without causing any damage to the walls. You don’t need special tools and won’t have to worry about cleaning up sticky residue afterward. The removal process is straightforward:

• Find a good corner and start peeling off the wallpaper
• Hold it at an angle and pull it slowly upwards so it comes off in one piece
• If it tears, use a dull knife to scrape off the remaining bits gently

This simplicity makes removable wallpaper an excellent option for those who like to refresh their decor frequently or need a temporary solution for their walls. Whether you’re a renter, a student, or someone who loves to update your living space, removable wallpaper is an easy, damage-free way to transform your walls.

Ease of removal rating: Easy

What Affects Wallpaper Removability

While the type of wallpaper you have certainly affects how easily you can take it off, it’s not the only factor that can complicate things. The ease of removal can depend on many factors, from how much glue was used to stick the wallpaper to the condition of the walls. Let’s see what can make removal harder or easier.

Age of the Wallpaper

Older wallpapers are much harder to remove. They used powerful adhesives because they wanted them to last for decades. With time, the glue bonds more firmly to the wall, making the removal process more labor-intensive. Often, you have to use steam or specialized chemicals to dissolve the glue on older wallpapers.

On the other hand, more modern wallpapers are much easier to remove because manufacturers know people like to change things up. These wallpapers often come with easily dissolved adhesives, sometimes even allowing for dry peel-off. If you’re dealing with an older home with outdated wallpaper, be prepared for a more challenging removal process.

The Type of Adhesive

Different wallpaper adhesives have varying strengths. Water-soluble adhesives are generally easier to remove. You can often loosen them with water or a mild wallpaper removal solution. Permanent adhesives pose a more significant challenge. They are very durable, making them resistant to water and other solvents.

Removing wallpaper with permanent adhesive requires more aggressive methods, such as scoring the wallpaper and applying a more potent removal solution. Knowing what adhesive you’re dealing with can help you prepare for the removal.

The Condition of The Wall

If your wall is primed and completely dry, installation and removal will go smoothly. A properly primed wall provides a smooth, sealed surface that prevents the adhesive from over-bonding with the wall material.

However, if the wall has even a bit of moisture, it can cause the glue to penetrate deeper, making removal more difficult and potentially tearing off bits of the wall along with the wallpaper. Damaged walls also complicate the removal process because they can get even more damaged. Cracks, holes, or peeling paint can catch on the wallpaper as you pull it off, leading to further deterioration.

The Quality of Installation

How well the wallpaper was put up also affects how well it will come down. Using too much adhesive can make the wallpaper bond too strongly with the wall, leading to potential damage when you try to remove it.

On the other hand, if the adhesive is applied unevenly or air bubbles are left trapped under the wallpaper, these can create weak spots. While these weak spots might seem like they would make removal easier, they often lead to a patchy and uneven removal process.

Balance Style With Ease of Removal

Wallpaper is a quick and stylish way to add elegance or pizzazz to your home. Still, it’s important to consider the removal process and the installation. Determine the effort you’re willing to put into stripping it down when it’s time for a change.

Removing wallpaper isn’t complicated, but the ease of the process largely depends on the type of wallpaper you have. Some wallpapers peel off with minimal effort, while others require more elbow grease and time. Still, the process isn’t too hard – you just have to decide how willing you are to commit to it.

Applying a fresh coat of paint to your exterior and interior walls is one of the simplest ways to refresh your home or business and give it a brand-new look. A recent report shows that in 2023, 30% of all US homeowners painted their homes’ interior, making it the third most popular project of the year.

Many people believe businesses and other commercial spaces can change their wall paint as easily, but that’s not the case. There are many differences between commercial and residential painting, from the size of the project to the grade of paint used and everything in between.

Commercial and residential painting projects have completely separate end goals, so painting companies approach them differently. However, homeowners and even business owners may not always understand these differences. Let’s look at the 10 major differences between commercial and residential painting to lessen the confusion and make a real distinction between the two.

What We Mean When We Say Residential Painting

This service includes applying a fresh coat to the outside walls of your home and any inside room you want to liven up. You can hire a painting company to renew the trim around your windows and doors. You can also paint other elements, such as a wooden deck or porch and even certain furniture pieces, to match the rest of your decor.

Now, the word residential mostly refers to places where people live, like:

• Single-story houses
• Two-story houses
• Apartments
• Duplexes
• Condos 
• Garages

When people paint these facilities, they often want to improve or update their aesthetic appeal. Another goal is to maintain the property’s condition and adding a more personal touch to their living space. For many, this means selecting colors that reflect their style and create a welcoming environment.

What We Mean When We Say Commercial Painting

The purpose of commercial painting significantly differs from residential painting. Businesses must establish a brand presence through a specific color palette that showcases their corporate identity. For example, retail spaces use vibrant colors to create a fun atmosphere conducive to spending, while offices and corporate buildings prefer neutral tones that reflect professionalism and productivity.

When talking about commercial spaces, that mostly includes:

• Factories
• Warehouses
• Office buildings
• Retail stores
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Restaurants
• Malls

Facilities like these need functional paint jobs that are durable, waterproof, and even fireproof. Some painting projects protect against corrosion, while others can make clean-up much easier.

What Are The Main Distinctions

In addition to their purpose, there are other differences between commercial and residential painting. The entire project management process is different because one requires a much bigger team and time to finish than the other. Even the tools painters use are different. Let’s look at some other ways in which these two projects diverge.

Scope of the Project

Residential projects are generally smaller. Even if you’re painting the entire exterior and interior of a two-story house, an experienced painting team will coordinate the job easily. The painters can focus on painting one room at a time, paying closer attention to detail and following the client’s preferences and style.

On the other hand, commercial projects are much larger and often include painting entire buildings or multiple units. These projects must fulfill given business and operational needs and often follow strict safety guidelines. The painters must stick to the rules given by the business. The scope here is immense, often involving exterior facades, large interiors, and even industrial spaces with high safety standards.

Number Of Painters

Residential painting usually requires smaller teams. Sometimes, a single painter can handle the entire job if the space is a single room or even a studio apartment. The projects are less complex, making it feasible for fewer hands to manage them. The smaller scale of these projects allows for a more personalized touch and extra details.

In contrast, commercial projects require much larger teams to finish. The painters often have specialized roles, such as surface preparation or detail work. They usually do the painting in stages, with different teams working simultaneously on various aspects of the project. This division of labor makes them more efficient and speeds up the project. Given the volume of commercial projects, they must also know how to coordinate with each other efficiently.

Preparation Time

Painting houses and apartments requires less extensive preparation. The most time-consuming tasks include covering floors and making wall repairs. Sometimes, the client may even move and cover the furniture on their own, saving the painters extra time and effort. Preparation for residential projects is simpler, focusing on protecting the homeowner’s belongings and creating a clean work environment.

Commercial painting requires much more extensive preparation. The painting company may need to install scaffolding, bring special equipment, and coordinate with other contractors. This could mean coordinating with electricians, plumbers, and other trades to see if the space is ready for painting. Preparing for commercial painting projects can also involve securing permits and complying with various safety codes.

Type of Paint

When picking paint suitable for residential painting, the focus is mainly on aesthetics and safety. You don’t need a particular type of paint, but homeowners may ask for unique colors or eco-friendly paint with low VOCs. They can even ask for special finishes or wall texturing techniques to personalize their space.

On the other hand, paint used in commercial facilities must be durable and easy to maintain. The paint applied on facades must be lightfast so it doesn’t fade from sun exposure. Often, commercial projects use specialized paints such as anti-graffiti, fire-retardant, waterproof, and rust-resistant options. These specialized paints meet the needs of high-traffic areas and adhere to industry regulations.

Necessary Equipment and Materials

Painters don’t need too many bells and whistles to paint residential spaces. They need a few basic painting tools, such as:

• Paint brushes
• Paint rollers
• Paint pans
• Ladders

Occasionally, they might need specialized tools for detailed work like trimming or molding.

Commercial paint jobs often call for advanced equipment like airless paint sprayers or wall texture sprayers. These tools help cover large areas quickly and efficiently. Painters also need a lot more materials, including industrial-grade paints and primers. Specialized tools may also be necessary to meet specific project needs, such as scaffolding for high ceilings or power washers for exterior surfaces.

Risk of Accidents

Working on residential painting projects is relatively safe most of the time. Common safety measures include being careful on ladders and using respirators to avoid inhaling fumes. A home’s confined space and controlled environment make managing risks easier.

However, commercial jobs are much more risky due to their larger scale and complexity. Sometimes, they involve great heights or working near heavy machinery, which increases the likelihood of accidents. Compliance with safety regulations is mandatory, requiring the use of protective gear like hard hats, safety glasses, and harnesses. Painters may also need specialized training to operate certain painting equipment and adhere to OSHA standards.

Schedule Flexibility

Homeowners typically arrange painting work during the workweek or weekends, depending on availability. This allows for a more convenient and less disruptive process for the residents. They usually try to stay out of the painter’s way so that working hours can be from 9 to 5 p.m.

Commercial paint projects, however, adhere to rigorous schedules to minimize business disruption. These projects often happen during off-hours, weekends, or holidays, so normal business operations continue smoothly. This sometimes means overtime work and working the night shift.

Available Services

Residential painting services often extend beyond just applying paint to walls. They can include:

• Wallpapering
• Painting furniture
• Doing accent walls
• Minor wall repairs

Some clients even ask for consultation services to help match colors and find the perfect finish.

Commercial projects include a broader range of services that can meet the specific needs of businesses. These can involve:

• Large-scale surface preparation
• Applying industrial coatings
• Creating specialty finishes that meet industry standards

Commercial painters may also offer maintenance contracts and regular upkeep services so the paintwork remains in good condition.

Timeframe and Deadlines

The timeframe and deadlines for residential paint jobs are generally more negotiable. Homeowners and painting companies can agree on a mutually acceptable work schedule. Smaller residential projects can be completed relatively quickly, often within a few days to a week.

Commercial projects have rigid deadlines closely tied to business operations. Missing a deadline in a commercial setting can significantly affect business activities, so punctuality is necessary. Commercial painting contractors often follow a detailed project plan with clear milestones and a precise completion date.

Contact With Client

You can communicate directly with homeowners, making planning and resolving issues easy. Homeowners expect personalized service and regular updates throughout the project. This direct line of communication allows you to address any concerns promptly and make any necessary adjustments to meet the homeowner’s preferences.

For commercial projects, communication often goes through team managers or business representatives. This structured approach keeps all parties informed and aligned on project goals and progress. It also involves professional reporting and progress tracking to meet business clients’ expectations.

Know The Difference

As you can see, many factors distinguish residential and commercial painting. From the number of people each project requires to how communication takes place, even the type of paint each project requires differs.

Regardless of these differences, experienced companies can adapt and excel at both types of projects. Regardless of how big or small the painting job is, they will produce excellent results for any client. A good paint job can elevate your home or business, so make the right choice.