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Nothing is quite like making your home on the road truly feel like home. In order to do that, you’re going to want to beautify it by adding some fancy RV wallpaper. That said, redecorating a camper isn’t like renovating a normal home. You have much less space and a variety of materials that aren’t always a breeze to work with. Thankfully, there are innovations like peel & stick wallpaper for RVs that make life a little easier.
Today we’re going to explore some of the RV wallpaper options available to you. Plus, you will learn some great tips for applying and maintaining your new wallpaper.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- Can You Use Peel & Stick Wallpaper For RV Walls?
- Can You Put Wallpaper Directly on RV Wallpaper?
- Can I Remove Peel and Stick RV Wallpaper Later?
- RV Wallpaper Ideas Based on Aesthetic
- Tutorial: How to Use Wallpaper in RV
Can You Use Peel & Stick Wallpaper For RV Walls?
Yes, you can! Wallpaper is a wonderful accent; the peel and stick variety also adds some convenience. Since you can remove peel and stick wallpaper, you can easily return the walls to a blank slate if you plan on selling the camper later.
The kind of wallpaper you choose is up to you. Keep in mind that some RVs already have wallpaper on the walls. Others might have vinyl coating or metal. These materials are compatible with peel and stick wallpaper, but you might need to complete some extra steps during installation.
Can You Put Wallpaper Directly on RV Wallpaper?
Does your camper already have wallpaper? If the entire wall has been covered, you can directly place new RV wallpaper right over the existing stuff. However, if there are strips of wallpaper or accent stickers, it is best to remove those first. While you can wallpaper right over these strips, blocks, or shapes, there will be lines left in the finished product. That can be off-putting, especially if you plan on making your new RV wallpaper permanent.
Therefore, if you want the best outcome, it is best to remove any existing wallpaper elements on the wall. The walls need to be clean and smooth before applying any new wallpaper.
Can I Remove Peel and Stick RV Wallpaper Later?
Yes! Again, peel and stick wallpaper for RVs isn’t like the traditional wallpaper that was a nightmare to apply even in homes. All you need to do is stick the wallpaper to the walls. To remove the wallpaper, all you need to do is peel it off like a, well, sticker. Little to no adhesive is left on the walls.
Peel and stick is a wonderful option, because it doesn’t require a lot of skill to apply. The installation doesn’t take long. You don’t need to deal with glue or messy adhesives, and there is virtually no clean up once you have finished sticking the wallpaper to the walls.
RV Wallpaper Ideas Based on Aesthetic
Want to change things up but don’t know where to begin? Get yourself excited and inspired for the change by considering what kind of RV wallpaper you want to use. As mentioned earlier, there are tons of high-quality wallpaper for RV walls available. You won’t have problems finding options that suit your aesthetic.
Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
Elegant and Chic
Most RVs are jam-packed with all kinds of furniture, equipment, and the things that make you happy. This also means that you don’t have a lot of space to add splashes of color. Furthermore, if you go too dark with your wallpaper, you run the risk of making the interior look even more small and cramped.
Therefore, you might opt for lighter, pastel colors, such as blues, pinks, and greens to soften things up. This also works for floral patterns, as well as simple geometric patterns.
Simple and Peaceful
Being that you live in an RV for weeks or months on end, you probably love the great outdoors. Why not bring some of the peacefulness of nature inside? Botanical and floral prints are perfect for brightening up or toning down a space. Even smaller RVs will feel a bit more expansive with airy plant patterns. You also don’t have to commit to overly feminine floral prints. There are plenty of options with black and white leaves and other natural themes.
Who knows, you might decide to go tropical!
Quirky and Abstract
Polka dots, stripes, dashes, and paint splatter patterns are always fun. You can certainly add a touch of whimsy to the bedroom or bathroom in the RV with a colorful wallpaper. However, make sure that the dots, lines, or squiggles are small. The idea here is that the quirky pattern breaks up the monotony of the rest of the RV. While more whimsical patterns aren’t best for large spaces, they do make for great accent walls.
Cozy and Classic
Do you love the idea of a peaceful countryside or warm log cabin? You can bring those same elements to your RV. Give your RV a cottage vibe by adding some shiplap pattern peel & stick wallpaper to the bathroom or jazzing up the kitchen with a retro fruit print. You can even use faux-wood or other rustic details as backsplashes in the kitchen or style elements in the bedroom.
Either way, it’s going to feel relaxing in your RV once you’re done.
Textures and More Textures
There are varieties of textured removable wallpaper to bring into the RV. Seeking an accent wall? Get some textured wallpaper that looks like bricks or stacks of stone. Want serenity in the bathroom? Go with something like marble or soapstone. Wooden and woven designs also add elements of rustic comfort to the RV without looking too complex.
Tutorial: How to Use Wallpaper in RV
Now that you know what kind of wallpaper is best for an RV or motorhome, it’s time to learn how to apply the RV wallpaper. You will need the following tools to complete the installation:
- Peel and stick wallpaper
- Clean water
- Box cutter or knife for cutting the wallpaper
- Soft sponge
- Smoothing tool
- Painter’s tape
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Here is a video that describes the whole process, as well as installation:
Once you have gathered all your tools, it’s time to proceed to prepping and applying the wallpaper. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Choose The Walls
For the best results, you shouldn’t cover every single wall with RV wallpaper. Also, you should avoid walls that have a lot of texture already. Also, avoid shower walls, aluminum walls (like those in Airstreams), acrylic, and fiberglass. Another thing to consider is the humidity of the area where the wallpaper will be applied. If your wallpaper isn’t going to dry because of the moisture build up (such as a shower stall) or near the stove, it is best to paint these spaces instead.
Step 2: Measure Everything
Next, whip out the tape measure and figure out how much wallpaper you are going to need. Add a few inches to the sides, top, and bottom of the measurement to give yourself some flexibility. Keep in mind that you will need to trim the wallpaper.
Step 3: Choose Your Wallpaper
There are many brands of high-quality wallpaper out there. You can find numerous choices at home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Amazon and Wayfair also have plenty of options for peel and stick RV wallpaper.
Anewall, Spoonflower, and Chasingpaper are three websites devoted entirely to easy-to-apply wallpaper that is RV-friendly. Some sites even allow you to upload your own designs. Whichever route you choose, you will be astounded with how many patterns and styles of removable wallpaper exist.
Once you have a few options, order some test swatches. These usually arrive as a 2 ft by 1 ft sheet. That way, you can see how the wallpapers look in person before committing to your final decision.
Step 4: Prep The Walls, Materials, and Space
Depending on which site you order from, it may take some time for your wallpaper to arrive. Once you have the paper, it is time to start prepping the walls. Remove any hardware from the walls, including light switch plates. Smooth the walls by sanding them. Fill in holes. It’s best to do this, because any uneven or rough surfaces may rip the wallpaper.
Wash the walls down then make sure they are dry. Sometimes, thinner, more lightly colored wallpaper will look dull on some materials. If you want the wallpaper to be bright, consider painting the walls of the RV with a primer first. That will help the wallpaper adhere more cleanly to the walls and bring out the truest colors.
Step 5: Install The Peel & Stick RV Wallpaper
Every wallpaper manufacturer has specific instructions for how to do this part right. Please follow those instructions first.
To begin, take a roll of painter’s tape to hang a tiny bit of wallpaper up to see how it looks. Optionally, you can get a friend or family member to hold the top edge of the wallpaper. Take a look at the area to see if there are any cabinets or windowsills that you will have to cut around to make the wallpaper fit.
You may have to cut the wallpaper in advance before application. If so, leave some space at the top and bottom edges for trimming once the wallpaper dries. Many peel and stick wallpapers have overlaps to ensure that you have the right lineup and pattern repetition.
If everything looks good, it’s time to apply the wallpaper. First, dampen the wall. While it is tempting to remove the whole backing and just stick the wallpaper directly to the surface, don’t. Begin with the hardest corner and work your way down. Move from side to side, flattening the wallpaper with the smoothing tool as you go.
Use a damp sponge to wet the wall, as this helps with adhesion. Now that the wallpaper is applied, you must wait at least 3 hours before trimming the edges.
Finish the task by replacing towel racks, hooks, switch plates, and other hardware to your walls.
Tips For Installing RV Wallpaper
- Don’t be afraid of bold prints. Using a few brightly colored, fascinating patterns in smaller spaces can make the walls pop.
- Order extra wallpaper. Even if you don’t make a mistake, you should always have extra on hand in case of ripping or tearing in the future.
- Order plenty of samples to see which wallpaper you like the best.
- Always make your measurements twice.
- Read the RV wallpaper instructions before applying the wallpaper, as all manufacturers have different directions.
- When applying wallpaper, begin with the hard to reach areas. Then move from the top to the bottom. Work methodically, smoothing the wallpaper as you go.
- Avoid using chemicals and household cleaners on your wallpaper. Spot-cleaning with a damp cloth is best.
Now You’re Living in Color
If you are looking to upgrade your RV quickly and easily, RV wallpaper is the way to go. There are all kinds of peel and stick options out there that bring more color to your camper, RV, or motorhome. Keep the installation steps and tips in the back of your mind, so you will have a seamless application. Now it’s time to start shopping for your favorite RV wallpaper!
