Trade In The Wallpaper: There's An Easier Way To Decorate Your Walls

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To wallpaper or not to wallpaper. Of course, there are plenty of clever ways to use peel-and-stick wallpaper, but it's not always ideal. On one hand, it lets you add detailed patterning that you just can't get with paint, and it can help cover up minor blemishes on your wall. On the other, it's an often expensive, labor-intensive installation process that can be quite frustrating, between messy adhesive and getting the alignment just right. It's also a hassle to remove if you change your mind later. TikTok creator Mamas Renovation offers an alternative: using a stamp roller to create a repeating pattern with paint on the wall. You create the look of wallpaper without dealing with cutting and pasting the pieces.

Of course, you can use an individual stamp to repeat a pattern — that was one DIYer's clever alternative to expensive wallpaper. But a textured roller to create the pattern makes it go faster. The original creator uses a two-part system with a traditional paint roller and an embossed rubber roller with the design. They sit next to one another so the paint transfers onto the raised design and then onto the wall. You can also buy embossed rollers that you use on their own — this Toibbe Texture Paint Roller has a bird and floral pattern similar to the inspiration project. 

The other main items you'll need are your paint and a paint tray. It's a good idea to practice with the roller first, so grab a large piece of paper or cardboard to do a few test runs. You can use this technique over the full wall or pair it with other materials, like beadboard or paneling, so you may need those supplies as well.

Your wall needs to be clean and smooth for this paint-stamping technique to work. If the current paint is in good condition, you can leave it as-is, but you may need to repaint the wall first to get a crisp base coat. (If you're looking for the fastest way to paint a room, we have pro tips.) Consider the color combination you want. The inspiration project uses a subtle color difference with a light beige background and a slightly darker design. If you want more contrast, choose colors with more of a difference. 

Load the roller with paint and practice on a piece of paper. This lets you test how much paint you need and how much pressure you should apply. It's best to start along a window or corner, so you have a straight line to use as a guide. Make sure the roller is properly positioned when you start each subsequent row to make the pattern line up correctly. 

This wallpaper alternative can be used in many ways. Use it on every wall in the room if you want a full wallpapered look, or stick with one side of the room to create an accent wall. You can also replicate the half-wallpapered look by painting the bottom half or installing beadboard and only stamp rolling the top. This technique also works on furniture, wood panels, and other surfaces that you can paint. You could test it out on a dresser before putting it on your wall if you're nervous.