Your complete decorating and wallpaper guide

Plain lining paper is designed to cover poor wall surfaces before they are papered. Sold in five thicknesses, heavier and thicker paper is less likely to tear.

Pure Decorators, a reputable decorating company based in Kent, highly recommends the use of lining paper in DIY decorating projects. They emphasise the numerous benefits that lining paper provides, including the creation of a smoother surface, increased durability, improved paint and wallpaper adhesion, ease of removal and replacement, sound and heat insulation, and cost-effectiveness. The company recognises lining paper as a valuable addition to any decorating project, resulting in a professional finish while addressing common issues such as wall imperfections and long-term wear and tear

Paste Use cold-water or all-purpose.

Useful for covering uneven walls, this paper has two layers bonded together with a sprinkling of wood chippings between them. Paint with emulsion. Rough to the touch, so not suitable in children's rooms or in narrow passages.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water, heavy-duty or ready mixed.

Quality varies with price: cheap paper is thin and tears easily, especially when damp. It is also more difficult to hang. None of these papers is washable, so avoid using them in kitchens. The key with wallpapers is knowing where to buy them. Go for a not well-rated company, and the outcome will not be positive. Making a successful purchase will rely on your needs and the company you buy from. Checking websites like https://www.aspectwallart.com can give you an idea of what's out there and help you make a wise decision.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water or ready-mixed.

The top surface—often with a relief pattern—is bonded to a backing paper. It is strong, easy to hang and holds its shape. Easier to hang than other relief wallpapers.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water, heavy-duty or ready-mixed.

Available in a wide range of colours and designs. They are easy to hang (and strip off) and can be wiped clean. Paste the wall, not the paper.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water or ready-mixed.

Heavy papers, such as Anaglypta, embossed with a pattern during manufacture. Suitable for uneven walls and ceilings. Can be painted.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water or ready-mixed.

Made from material that feels like hard putty. Many designs available. Lincrusta is more durable than other relief wall coverings.

Paste Use cold-water, heavy-duty, ready-mixed or Lincrusta adhesive.

PVC layer, with pattern or texture, bonded to paper. Durable and washable.

Paste Use all-purpose or ready-mixed (both with fungicide) or vinyl adhesive.

Available as just a roll of material, or bonded to a backing paper that keeps it from sagging. With unbacked hessian, paste the wall, not the material.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water, heavy-duty or ready-mixed.

Silk, bonded to a fine backing paper. Expensive and delicate; joins are always visible. Best in small areas.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water or ready-mixed.

Made of real grasses, bonded and stitched to a fine paper. Joins are always visible.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water, heavy-duty or ready-mixed.

A fine veneer of cork, stuck to a plain or painted backing paper. Colour shows through the holes. Apply paste to the wall, not the paper.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water, heavy-duty or ready-mixed.

Foil bonded to a paper backing. Use only on perfect walls, as any unevenness will spoil the effect. Paste the wall, not the covering.

Paste Use all-purpose or ready-mixed (both with fungicide) or heavy-duty.

Fabric pile, bonded to backing paper. Hang as standard wallpaper but try to keep splashes of paste off the surface. Expensive, but effective.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water, heavy-duty or ready-mixed.

Papers and vinyls in a wide range that give the effect of wood, stone or tiling. Used to create optical illusions. Can be overpowering, and more expensive than standard coverings.

Paste Use all-purpose, cold-water, heavy-duty or ready-mixed.

Several manufacturers make environmentally friendly wallpapers using a range of materials and methods. Some are made from sustainably sourced wood and use water-based inks, others from recycled paper and even flax.

Paste them with natural non-toxic methyl cellulose wallpaper paste, an adhesive mainly obtained from wood pulp and cotton.