Wall Decals vs. Wallpaper for Kids' Rooms: Pros & Cons

Choosing between wall decals and wallpaper comes down to one question: how permanent do you want the decoration to be? Wall decals are removable, repositionable, and easy to apply yourself. Wallpaper is more durable and creates a seamless finish, but it's harder to install and much harder to remove. Here's a full comparison to help you decide.

Application: Wall decals are self-adhesive — you peel the backing, position, and press. Wallpaper requires paste and hanging, and two people are recommended.

DIY-friendly: Most people apply wall decals alone in under an hour. Wallpaper is possible as a DIY project but tricky to get right.

Removal: Quality wall decals come off cleanly without damaging paint. Wallpaper removal often damages walls and requires soaking or steaming.

Repositionable: Wall decals can be carefully lifted and reapplied shortly after sticking down. Wallpaper cannot be repositioned.

Custom sizing: Available from some decal brands and most wallpaper suppliers.

Cost: Wall decals typically cost €20–€160 depending on set size. Wallpaper costs €30–€80 per roll, plus paste and tools.

Lifespan: Wall decals last 3–5 years. Good quality wallpaper lasts 10 years or more.

Best for: Wall decals suit changing tastes, rented homes, and nurseries. Wallpaper suits permanent rooms and feature walls.

Wall decals: pros and cons

Pros

Easy to apply. Most wall decal sets can be applied by one person in under an hour. You peel the backing, position, and press. No specialist tools, no paste, no mess.

Fully removable. Quality removable decals come off cleanly without damaging the underlying paint. This makes them ideal for rented homes, nurseries that will change as the child grows, or anyone who likes to refresh their interiors regularly.

Repositionable.Made a mistake? Most decals can be carefully lifted and reapplied shortly after sticking down. With permanent wallpaper, there's no second chance.

Lower commitment. A child's taste changes fast. A dinosaur obsession at age three may be replaced by a space phase by age five. Removable decals let you redecorate without repainting.

Custom coverage.Some brands — including igibee — produce decals on larger sheets than the industry standard, creating a more immersive look while still being fully removable.

Cons

Not seamless.Unlike wallpaper, decals have visible edges. On very textured walls, they may not adhere perfectly at the edges.

Shorter lifespan. Wall decals typically last 3–5 years before the adhesive weakens or the colours fade. Wallpaper, when properly installed, can last a decade or more.

Limited coverage. Decals are ideal for feature areas — an accent wall, above the cot, a corner — rather than covering four complete walls.

Wallpaper: pros and cons

Pros

Seamless coverage. Wallpaper covers an entire wall with no visible edges or gaps. When well-hung, the result looks polished and professional.

Long-lasting. Good quality wallpaper can last 10–15 years and withstands light cleaning, making it practical for older children's rooms.

Wide design range. Wallpaper is available in an enormous range of patterns, textures, and finishes.

Custom sizing. Suppliers like igibee offer wallpapers in exact custom dimensions — you order the precise width and height of your wall, eliminating wastage and ensuring a perfect fit.

Cons

Difficult to install. Hanging wallpaper correctly — matching patterns, avoiding bubbles, getting seams straight — is a skill. Most people need two people and several hours per room.

Hard to remove.  Removing wallpaper typically involves soaking, steaming, or scraping. It frequently pulls paint or plaster with it, requiring wall repairs before redecorating.

Higher upfront cost. Beyond the wallpaper itself, you need paste, a brush or roller, a seam roller, a plumb line, and often a wallpaper steamer for removal later.

Not suitable for rented homes. Most rental agreements prohibit wallpaper installation, as removal risks damaging the walls.

---

Which is better for a nursery?

For a nursery, wall decals are almost always the better choice. Babies grow and change quickly — a jungle theme that's perfect at six months may feel wrong by age two. Removable decals let you update the room as the child grows without repainting or replastering.

Decals are also safer to apply in a nursery environment: no paste, no chemical primers, no drying time that keeps the room unusable.

If you want full wall coverage in a nursery, custom-sized wallpapers are a strong option — particularly non-woven wallpapers that are easier to hang and remove than traditional paste wallpapers.

---

 Which is better for older children's rooms?

For children aged 5 and older who have strong opinions about their room, the answer depends on stability. If you're confident the theme will last several years and you own your home, wallpaper gives a more finished look. If tastes are likely to change (they usually do), removable decals give you flexibility without the cost of repeated redecoration.

A popular approach: use custom wallpaper on one feature wall (the most impactful surface) and complement it with removable decals elsewhere. You get the visual impact of wallpaper with the flexibility of decals.

---

Cost comparison

 Wall decals: A quality set for a feature area typically costs €40–€90. For a large composition across most of an accent wall, budget €90–€160. No additional materials needed.

Wallpaper: A single standard roll typically covers 5–5.5 m² and costs €30–€80 depending on quality. A standard 3 m × 2.5 m feature wall requires 2–3 rolls. Add paste, tools, and installation time. Total cost: €100–€300+ for a feature wall, more for full-room coverage.

For a nursery or a room likely to be redecorated within 3–4 years, wall decals offer better value. For a permanent room you plan to keep for a decade, wallpaper may justify the higher upfront cost.

---

Frequently asked questions

Can I use wall decals and wallpaper together?
Yes — and it's a popular combination. Use custom wallpaper on a single feature wall and removable decals on the remaining walls or in corners and alcoves.

Which is easier to remove: wall decals or wallpaper?
Wall decals are significantly easier. Quality removable decals peel off cleanly in minutes. Wallpaper removal can take hours and often damages the wall surface.

Do wall decals damage paint when removed?
Not if the paint is well-cured (allow at least 3–4 weeks after painting) and you remove the decal slowly at a low angle. Poor-quality decals or decals left on for many years are more likely to cause issues.

Is wallpaper safe for a baby's room?
Modern non-woven wallpapers are generally low in VOCs and safe once dried.  We used water-based inks to make sure that 

Can I put wallpaper over existing wallpaper?
Technically possible, but not recommended — seams and edges become more pronounced, and future removal becomes significantly harder.