Wallpaper is a kind of material used to cover and decorate the interior walls of homes, offices, and other buildings; it is one aspect of interior decoration.

Wallpapers can come plain (so that it can be painted), textured (such as Anaglypta or Lincrusta), or with patterned graphics. There are many types of wallpaper. The following list details the different types and some info about them:

Common Wallpaper - or what was once "common wallpaper" has largely been replaced by vinyl paper with self-adhesive backing which is more durable and easier to install for about the same price. Nevertheless common wallpaper can still be found and graces the walls of many elegant homes. It is good for areas of moderate wear, dining rooms, living rooms and master bedrooms.

Vinyl Wallpaper - is a good all-purpose wallpaper and is the type most commonly found in paint, hardware, and home improvement stores. It can even be used in bathrooms, kitchens and children's bedrooms. Some are made with mildew resistant compounds. This type of paper is fairly easy to handle as it typically does not stick to itself. It is very durable and can stand up to some degree of scrubbing and moisture.

Foil Wallpaper - is an interesting touch for small spaces. It is made from metal foils in various patterns. This type of paper is not always easy to work with. It can be unforgiving if it gets wrinkled or folded and has a tendency to reveal any defects in the wall behind it.

Flock Wallpaper - is great for decorative highlights and more formal areas such as dining rooms. It is the type of paper that has raised "velvet" patterns. It was originally made by gluing waste product from the wool industry onto paper. Before applying, vacuum up the loose flock particles. Use this over lining paper to make sure of a smooth surface. Although flocks are washable they can be damaged by rubbing and scrubbing.

Grass Cloth - is an exotic covering that is actually made from a weave of grasses. This is best for areas that see very little wear and where small hands will not be constantly fingering it. Because it is made from grass that is sometimes dyed, the colors can be inconsistent. When installing, you should put every-other-layer on upside-down to reduce the possibility of abrupt changes in coloration.

Fabric Wallpaper - is made from textiles (cloth). It is sometimes laminated to regular paper. It is not always easy to keep clean or prevent staining. Fabric Wallpaper is fairly difficult to work with, requiring that the fabric be stretched until it is taut, but not so much so that it is stretched out of shape.

 Most wallpapers come in rolls between 18 and 27 inches wide. 

Wallpaper like many other manufactured items is undergoing a revolution. New materials, coatings, adhesives, backings and more are constantly being developed. Better flocking, faux grasscloth, and all manner of new looks are constantly becoming available. Murals have been available for sometime. Wall coverings can also be made of leather, felt, burlap, or silk. Some would say there are almost too many choices. 

Once you have chosen from among the different materials, manufacturers, and patterns, it is important to make sure that the rolls you buy are from the same run. Because it is difficult to mix the colors printed on the wallpaper the exact same way every time, wallpaper is printed in "runs". Where the same blend of colors are used throughout. If you buy wallpaper from different runs, you may find small differences in the hues of different sheets, which may make for some awkward matching between strips of wallpaper.