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The Most Eco Friendly Wallpaper Brands & How To Use Them

The Most Eco Friendly Wallpaper Brands & How To Use Them

These eco friendly wallpaper brands are a fantastic way to upgrade your home fast!

By Chere Di Boscio

Wallpaper trends come and go, but right now they’re roaring back. After years of white-box minimalism and paint-only interiors, homeowners are craving pattern, tactility, and moods. That’s especially for small spaces, like powder rooms, hallways, and feature walls.

Of course, social media has helped the resurgence (instant before-and-afters!). But so have better materials. Those make today’s wallpapers easier to install and remove, and many are far kinder to our indoor air – and the planet.

Image below: Little Greene

A quick history of wallpaper—and why it’s back

Eco Friendly Wallpaper Brands

It might come as a surprise to know that wallpaper has been around for centuries. Hand-painted, artistic papers appeared in China as early as the Tang dynasty. And by the 17th–18th centuries, Chinoiserie panels and flocked damasks decorated aristocratic homes across Europe.

The Victorian era saw mass production and ornate motifs; the 1960s–70s brought bold geometrics and colour-saturated florals. In the 1990s, the trend cooled. Think: fussy borders and impossible-to-strip vinyl.

But recently, two main things have revived it:

  1. Technology—digital printing, non-woven backings, water-based inks, and peel-and-stick substrates made wallpaper easier and healthier.

  2. Design mood—after years of grey walls, we want rooms with story and texture. Wallpaper delivers that quickly, often without major renovations.

And frankly – I’m super happy it’s back with a bang!

Image below: House of Hackney

What interior design styles are trending now?

Eco Friendly Wallpaper Brands

There are loads of home interiors trends that are absolutely perfect for wallpaper. Here are a few of my faves:

  • Biophilia: Nature-inspired prints—leafy botanicals, wildflower meadows, forest murals, grasses, linen weaves. They soften hard spaces and connect us to the outdoors. Choose FSC paper with water-based inks; look for large-scale leaves, meadow florals, tree canopies, or grasscloth-look textures. Pair with wood, linen, and clay paint for a breathable, natural feel.

  • Dark Academia: Library vibes—inky grounds, damasks, toiles, paneling trompe-l’œil, moody florals. Great for dining rooms, studies, and cozy bedrooms. Seek deep grounds (charcoal, oxblood, forest), damask/toile patterns, library prints, or paneling trompe-l’œil. Non-woven, paste-the-wall papers make small, moody rooms easier to install—and later to refresh.

  • Japandi: Quiet minimalism—Scandi simplicity meets Japanese restraint. Expect neutral palettes, natural fibers, washi-like textures, and fine, rhythmic patterns that read as calm rather than busy. Keep the palette quiet (stone, sand, sage) and the pattern rhythmic. Textural prints (washi, linen, shoji-inspired grids) add depth without visual noise. Avoid vinyl shine; matte papers feel more authentic.

So no matter what your style, there’s definitely a wallpaper out there for you. Just be sure to pick a sustainable one!

Image below: Milton and King

What makes a wallpaper eco friendly?

milton and king

You might be thinking: well, wallpaper = paper. So, it must be eco friendly, right? Wrong! There are often highly toxic finishes, paints, dyes and adhesives used in typical papers.

If you want to ensure your wallpaper is eco friendly, be sure to look for these markers. The more, the better!

1. Base Material

Look for FSC-certified paper or paper made with recycled content. Non woven, plant based fibres are best for pasted wallpaper. You should avoid all vinyl/PVC papers, which off-gas and are impossible to recycle.

2. Inks & finishes

Be sure the inks and finishes on your paper are water based, or use soy or vegetable based inks. In other words, they should be free of heavy metals and formaldehyde. You can also search for low VOC or Greenguard certified prints.

3. Adhesives

Starch or cellulose based pastes are best. These are water activated and are pretty much the same glues we used to make in kindergarten! For peel-and-stick, choose phthalate-free, PVC-free films.

4. Manufacturing & waste

Look for made-to-order or short run prints to reduce overstock. In addition, local or regional production is best, to cut transport emissions.

5. Durability & removability

Finally, long-lasting prints with clean removal reduce landfill waste during future refreshes.

Wallpaper installation tips

gold chinese wallpaper

It’s essential to hang your wallpaper right if you want it to be sustainable – i.e., long lasting. Here are a few tips below. If you’re not feeling confident about installation, look for an expert in your area to help.

  1. Prep Right: To successfully wallpaper, start by preparing your walls: clean, smooth, and prime them for the best results. Choose the right wallpaper type for your space, measure accurately, and always order extra to account for mistakes.
  2. Clean and Prime Walls: Ensure walls are clean, smooth, and primed for better adhesion.
  3. Choose the Right Wallpaper: Select a style and material that fits your room’s purpose and size.
  4. Measure Twice, Cut Once: Accurate measurements prevent waste and mismatched patterns.
  5. Start with a Focal Wall: Use bold patterns on a single wall to create a striking effect.
  6. Align Patterns Carefully: Ensure patterns match up by cutting strips from the same roll and aligning them properly.

Eco Friendly Wallpaper Brands to Know

Wondering where the coolest, most gorgeous and most sustainable wallpapers are to be found? Below are UK and USA brands (many ship internationally).

For each, I’ve written up their eco creds, style notes, application, and typical price range.

Of course, all prices are indicative; check current listings for exact figures.

Image below: MissPrint

UK Wallpaper Brands

Eco Friendly Wallpaper Brands

1. House of Hackney

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: PVC-free, made-to-order to reduce waste; rewilding and charity initiatives.
Styles: Maximalist florals, moody botanicals, bold colours. A Dark Academia decor dream.
Application: Paste-the-wall.
Price: £150–£300 per roll

2. Farrow & Ball

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: Water-based paint-printed papers on responsibly sourced papers; low-VOC finishes.
Styles: Tactile block-printed geometrics, stripes, and damasks in F&B paint hues; elegant and timeless.
Application: Traditional paste.
Price: £125–£220 per roll

3. MissPrint

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: PEFC/FSC papers, water-based inks, no vinyl; many patterns hand-illustrated.
Styles: Mid-century botanicals, graphic leaves—great for biophilia style with a cheerful twist.
Application: Paste-the-wall.
Price: £70–£120 per roll

4. Boråstapeter

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: Swedish production, FSC paper, water-based inks, climate-smart operations.
Styles: Scandinavian nature prints, soft geometries—ideal for Japandi calm in the bedroom.
Application: Non-woven, paste-the-wall.
Price: £45–£90 per roll (mid).

5. Graham & Brown (Eco lines)

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: FSC papers, water-based inks; Carbon Neutral manufacturer; many PVC-free designs.
Styles: From quiet textures to trend-forward murals; good breadth for renters and first-time wallpaperers.
Application: Paste-the-wall or pre-pasted (varies).
Price: £35–£120 per roll (budget to mid).

See Also

6. Little Greene

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: FSC papers, water-based inks, responsible manufacturing in the UK; historic colour archives.
Styles: Heritage florals, Georgian/Victorian damasks, Arts & Crafts, refined stripes—perfect sustainable wallpaper for Dark Academia styles and classic homes.
Application: Paste-the-wall non-woven.
Price: £90–£150 per roll (premium heritage).

Image below: Chasing Paper

USA Wallpaper Brands

Eco Friendly Wallpaper Brands

1. Milton & King 

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: FSC papers, Greenguard Gold certified inks; print-to-order to reduce waste.
Styles: Elevated murals, heritage florals, and Japandi-friendly textures.
Application: Paste-the-wall non-woven.
Price: ~$125–$200 per roll (mid-premium).

2. Spoonflower 

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: Made to order = minimal waste; water-based inks; PVC-free options; ships from the US/EU.
Styles: Thousands of indie artist designs—from biophilic botanicals to playful kids’ prints; custom colour scaling.
Application: Peel-and-stick (PVC-free), pre-pasted, or traditional.
Price: ~$45–$120 per roll/panel depending on substrate (budget to mid).

3. Chasing Paper

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: PVC-free peel-and-stick; low-VOC inks; removable = renter friendly.
Styles: Clean geometrics, whimsical florals, wood/linen textures; great for micro makeovers.
Application: Peel-and-stick (removable) and traditional papers.
Price: ~$40–$120 per panel/roll (budget to mid).

4. Tempaper & Co.

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: Lead-free inks; many phthalate-free, PVC-free peel-and-stick options; made in the USA.
Styles: From grasscloth-look textures to bold murals; excellent for accent walls.
Application: Peel-and-stick (removable).
Price: ~$35–$120 per roll/panel

5. Hygge & West

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: Water-based inks; hand-screened domestically on high-quality paper; PVC-free.
Styles: Playful yet refined—Scandi florals, graphic repeats; cozy Scandi/Japandi crossover.
Application: Traditional or paste-the-wall (non-woven collections).
Price: ~$120–$200 per roll (mid-premium).

6. Wallshoppe

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: Printed in Los Angeles with eco-friendly inks on FSC paper; PVC-free; made to order.
Styles: California modern—palms, stripes, playful toiles; chic neutrals for Japandi palettes too.
Application: Traditional and removable options.
Price: ~$98–$190 per roll (mid-premium).

7. York Wallcoverings (SureStrip® lines)

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: North American production; many non-woven, water-activated and PVC-free collections with low-VOC inks.
Styles: Huge range—from historical archives to contemporary geometrics; good trade breadth.
Application: Pre-pasted water-activated (easy removal) and traditional.
Price: $35–$150 per roll (budget to mid).

8. Anewall 

Why it’s one of the best eco friendly wallpaper brands: Made-to-order murals; water-based inks; PVC-free substrates available.
Styles: Painterly botanicals, kids’ murals, neutral textures—excellent for feature walls.
Application: Traditional paste or peel-and-stick (depending on line).
Price: $80–$400 per mural (size-dependent).

Quick FAQs: Sustainable Wallpapers

anewall

1. Is vinyl wallpaper eco friendly?

No. PVC/vinyl wallpaper can off-gas and is hard to recycle. Choose PVC-free, paper, or non-woven substrates.

2. What’s the easiest sustainable wallpaper to install?

Non-woven paste-the-wall papers: breathable, durable, and generally easier to hang and remove.

3. Can peel-and-stick wallpaper be eco friendly?

Yes—if it’s PVC-free and printed with low-VOC, water-based inks.

Final Thoughts

peony wallpaper

Sustainable wallpaper offers a simple yet transformative way to elevate your interiors while making more conscious choices for your home and the planet. From natural fibres and water-based inks to low-VOC adhesives and responsibly sourced materials, today’s options prove that beautiful design doesn’t have to come at an environmental cost.

What sets sustainable wallpaper apart is not just how it looks, but how it’s made. Choosing brands that prioritise ethical production, transparency, and longevity means you’re investing in more than décor—you’re supporting a shift toward healthier homes and more responsible design practices.

As with any sustainable choice, it’s not about perfection. Even small decisions—like opting for PVC-free wallpaper or selecting timeless patterns you won’t tire of—can make a meaningful difference over time. Thoughtful interiors are built layer by layer, and wallpaper is one of the most impactful ways to express both your style and your values.

Ultimately, sustainable wallpaper allows you to create spaces that feel as good as they look: considered, characterful, and aligned with a more mindful way of living.

Chere Di Boscio
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