DIY Renter Friendly Wallpaper Panel

Thank you to Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart for sponsoring this post! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

A few months ago, I framed a chinoiserie wallpaper mural in my living room. It was a really fun project, but I got the question- how would I do this if I was a renter and I wanted to take the panel with me when I left?! I thought and thought about it and came up with a solution, so I thought I’d share it!

This’ll work nicely if you’re scared of the commitment of wallpaper or are moving in the foreseeable feature and want to move the wallpaper panel with you.

Mother’s Day party

To be honest, the main reason that I made the backdrop is to test it out outside. I wanted a cute little area for a Mother’s Day party I thew for Don and I. Isn’t the wallpaper panel so cute nestled in the trees?!

pink bowl / outdoor string lights / cake stand / llama planter / solar lantern / cream pitcher (being used as a vase)

My son is all about special little events with the two of us. I wanted to create a little party to celebrate Mother’s Day and it actually turned out really fun! Kids like to feel important so setting aside a little time to chat was perfect.

The menu was simple- ice cream sundaes! I brought everything outside and then interviewed Don while we ate. I asked him questions about me- how old am I? What’s my favorite color? What makes me sad? What do I do for work? What’s my favorite activity. It was so fun to hear his answers!

outdoor string lights / cake stand / llama planter / solar lantern / cream pitcher (being used as a vase)

One of my favorite new accessories is that llama planter. It’s the perfect size for a small plant and he adds the perfect amount of whimsy! I cut some tulips from my garden and plopped them into a $4 cream pitcher and used it as a vase. Yay for affordable and multi functional accessories!

This pot is from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart. I can’t find the planter online, but it was only $14.78! The dahlias that I planted are also from there and I’m loving them!

Side note, the mercury glass is a solar lantern! It is less than $5 and is powered by the sun- so cool!

Most of the accessories for our little party are from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. There is a good variety in stores, but even more styles and colors online! You can shop this post here-

DIY Rental Friendly Wallpaper Panel

Let’s start with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. Then, I’ll dive in with more details below:

If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. P.s. I’m trying to build that page up, so if you’d subscribe, I’d really appreciate that!

SUPPLIES

wallpaper
foam insulation- 1″x4’x8′ (mine was $12 for a local hardware shop
wallpaper paste

step 1

Start by cutting the panel down to size. I needed mine 7’x4′ so we took a foot off the top. To do so, my husband took a straight edge and a razor blade to cut off the excess foam.

step 2

Next, it’s time to apply paste. But first, a word of caution- don’t paste your wallpaper onto the side with words. I did that and you could see the words through the paper. It was not cute.

Flip the foam insulation over and pour wallpaper adhesive onto the surface. Use a roam roller to spread out the paste evenly.

step 3

And now, lay the wallpaper onto the pasted panels. I used leftover wallpaper from my laundry room. If you’re looking for affordable wallpaper, I shared my secret sources on this blog post.

Use scissors to cut off any excess wallpaper. Trim so it is flush with the foam insulation.

step 4

Finally, it’s time to hang the panel! Turn it backyards and cut a string of 4′ long yarn. Tie a knot into each end and poke a push pin through the knot. Press into the back of the insulation. Add a dab of super glue to the pin before pushing into the back of the insulation. Cover the push pin with tape (I used painter’s tape) to secure.

Lastly, if your panel doesn’t sit flush to the wall like mine, just use some command poster strips to secure the wallpaper panel to the wall.

after

buffalo check pillow / llama planter / creamer pitcher / gold lantern

This was seriously such a fast project! Especially when you compare it to wallpapering a room! This would be perfect for someone who doesn’t want to live with wallpaper everywhere and wants to test it out.

I didn’t add molding to frame out the board, but I think that would take less than an hour to accomplish (and would be totally worth it)! If I were to add molding, I’d use the trim from this post since it’s light weight. I’d attach with construction adhesive instead of nails and hang as shown in this post. So simple!

It looks so good on the wall! And I love the idea of moving it when needed. It might be even more renter friendly than peel and stick wallpaper!