If you’ve been scrolling through home decor hashtags lately, you’ve seen it: wallpaper is back.
Bold patterns. Textured grasses. Murals that cover entire walls. After years of minimalist white paint, South African homeowners are rediscovering wallpaper.
But here’s the question we keep hearing at Art On Anything:
“Should I wallpaper my feature wall – or hang a large canvas print?”
We manufacture canvas prints. We love them. But we’re also not afraid of wallpaper. Both have a place in a well‑designed home.
Here’s the honest comparison – and how to decide which one is right for your wall.
The Comeback of Wallpaper (Why Now?)
Wallpaper disappeared in the 1990s and 2000s. Why? Three reasons:
| Problem (Then) | Solution (Now) |
|---|---|
| Hard to remove | Removable, peel‑and‑stick options |
| Outdated patterns | Modern, minimal, botanical, abstract designs |
| Expensive | Affordable options at Mr Price Home, Sheet Street, and online |
Today’s wallpaper is not your grandmother’s floral border. It’s:
- Removable (renters can use it)
- Textured (grasscloth, linen, metallic)
- Bold (tropical leaves, geometric shapes, large‑scale murals)
Wallpaper is having a genuine moment. But it’s not for everyone.
Canvas Prints vs. Wallpaper: Head‑to‑Head
| Feature | Canvas Print | Wallpaper |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent? | No – you can take it with you | Yes – semi‑permanent (removable options exist, but cost more) |
| Cost (feature wall) | R450 – R2,000+ for one large canvas | R1,000 – R5,000+ for a feature wall |
| DIY installation | Very easy – one nail | Medium – requires patience, smoothing tools |
| Removal | One nail hole – easy to patch | Can be labour‑intensive (steamer, scraper, adhesive remover) |
| Customisation | Print anything – your family photo, your art, your design | Limited to patterns and murals from a catalogue |
| Texture | Matte woven fabric (feels like an artist’s canvas) | Varies – smooth, vinyl, grasscloth, linen |
| Durability | Very durable – no glass to break | Can peel at edges in humid rooms |
| Best for | Focal point, statement piece, personal photos | Creating a mood, adding pattern, covering large areas |
The Deciding Question: What Kind of Statement Are You Making?
This is the framework we use with our customers.
Choose Wallpaper If…
1. You want to create a “mood” for the entire room.
Wallpaper wraps around corners. It fills the space between windows. It becomes the atmosphere of the room – not just one focal point.
Best for: Powder rooms (small spaces where you can be bold), bedrooms (behind the bed), home offices (calming patterns).
2. Your wall has windows, doors, or weird angles.
A single canvas print gets lost on a wall that’s broken up by doors and windows. Wallpaper fills the odd spaces.
3. You love pattern for pattern’s sake.
You want leaves, or geometric shapes, or a subtle textured stripe covering the whole wall – not just a rectangle of colour.
4. You’re renting (and using removable wallpaper).
Removable wallpaper is a renter’s best friend. Big impact. No permanent damage. But it costs more than regular wallpaper.
Choose a Canvas Print If…
1. You want one clear focal point.
A large canvas print says: “Look here.” It anchors a sofa, a bed, or a console table. Wallpaper spreads attention across the whole wall.
2. You want something truly personal.
Wallpaper comes from a catalogue. Canvas prints come from your camera roll. That wedding photo. Your child’s artwork. A picture you took on holiday. No wallpaper can compete with that.
3. You might move or change your mind.
A canvas comes with you. Wallpaper stays with the house (or costs time and money to remove).
4. You’re on a tighter budget.
A single large canvas (A1 or A0) costs less than a full feature wall of quality wallpaper – especially if you pay someone to install it.
5. Your wall has a TV.
Wallpaper behind a TV is mostly hidden by the screen. A large canvas print on an adjacent wall makes better use of your money.
The Hybrid Option: Both
Here’s what the trendiest homes are actually doing:
| Approach | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Wallpaper on one wall + canvas on top | Patterned wallpaper as a textured backdrop. A large canvas (or triptych) hanging over it. |
| Canvas prints on painted walls (no wallpaper) | The classic, timeless option. Never goes out of style. |
| Wallpaper everywhere except the feature wall | A bold wallpaper on three walls. A massive canvas print on the fourth. |
Why this works: Wallpaper adds texture and pattern. Canvas adds depth and a personal touch. Together, they create a layered, designer look.
Real Examples from Our Customers
Case 1: The Powder Room
Customer: Sarah, Pretoria East
Room: Small guest bathroom (no window)
She chose: Bold tropical wallpaper (green leaves on white)
Why: A small room can handle a bold pattern. No natural light meant the wallpaper brought life to the space.
Would a canvas have worked? Yes – but a single canvas in a tiny room would have felt like an afterthought. The wallpaper transformed the entire room.
Case 2: The Living Room Feature Wall
Customer: Thabo, Centurion
Room: Large living room, grey sofa, white walls
He chose: A3 canvas triptych (three matching pieces) over the sofa
Why: He wanted a personal family photo displayed prominently. Wallpaper would have distracted from the photo.
Would wallpaper have worked? Yes – a textured neutral wallpaper behind the triptych could have added depth. But Thabo preferred the clean, simple look.
Case 3: The Home Office
Customer: Michelle, Waterkloof
Room: Small home office, one main wall behind the desk
She chose: Removable geometric wallpaper on the entire wall + a small A2 canvas of a motivational quote (floater frame)
Why: The wallpaper created a focused work zone. The canvas added a personal touch that she could take to her next office.
Cost Comparison (Real Numbers, 2025)
All prices are approximate for the Pretoria / Johannesburg area.
| Option | Size / Coverage | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas print only | A1 (59.4 x 84.1cm) | R750 |
| Canvas print only | A0 (84.1 x 118.9cm) | R999 |
| Canvas triptych | 3 x A2 | R999 |
| Peel‑and‑stick wallpaper (removable) | Single roll (covers ~5m²) | R800 – R2,500 |
| Traditional wallpaper (paste required) | Single roll (covers ~5m²) | R400 – R1,500 |
| Wallpaper installation (professional) | Per hour or per room | R800 – R2,500 |
| Canvas print + wallpaper combo | A1 canvas + one roll of wallpaper | ~R1,500 – R2,500 |
Verdict: Canvas prints are generally cheaper for a single focal point. Wallpaper costs more but covers more area.
The Durability Question
| Issue | Canvas Print | Wallpaper |
|---|---|---|
| Sunlight fading | Moderate (Epson HD inks are fade‑resistant, but direct sun will age any print) | High (cheap wallpaper fades quickly, quality vinyl lasts longer) |
| Moisture / humidity | Good (canvas handles humidity well) | Poor (edges peel in bathrooms without ventilation) |
| Cleaning | Dust only (no liquids) | Wipeable (vinyl only – paper wallpaper stains easily) |
| Kids / pets | Very durable (no glass, nothing to break) | Risky (scratches, peeling corners, stains) |
| Moving houses | Take it with you (one nail hole to patch) | Leave it behind or pay to remove |
Tip: If you have young children or pets, skip wallpaper in high‑traffic areas. A canvas print at eye level (or higher) is much safer.
Our Honest Advice
We sell canvas prints. We profit when you buy canvas. And we’re still telling you this:
Wallpaper is not a competitor – it’s a companion.
The most beautiful homes we’ve seen use both:
- Wallpaper on a small accent wall (powder room, behind a bookshelf)
- Large canvas prints on the main living room walls (visible from the entrance)
- Smaller canvas prints and framed photos layered over wallpaper for a collected, eclectic look
Don’t choose one. Choose the right tool for each wall.
Still Deciding? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions
1. How long will you live in this house?
| If you’re staying 5+ years | If you’re renting or may move soon |
|---|---|
| Wallpaper is worth the investment | Stick with canvas – it moves with you |
2. What’s the room’s primary purpose?
| Room | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Living room (main wall) | Canvas (focal point) |
| Powder room | Wallpaper (small, bold, fun) |
| Bedroom (behind the bed) | Either – both work |
| Home office | Either – wallpaper for mood, canvas for personal photos |
| Kitchen or bathroom | Canvas only (wallpaper peels with moisture) |
| Kids’ bedroom | Canvas only (durability, personal photos) |
3. What’s your style?
| Style | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Minimalist, Scandi, modern | Canvas (clean, simple, personal) |
| Maximalist, bohemian, eclectic | Wallpaper (pattern, texture, bold) |
| Traditional, farmhouse | Canvas (especially framed prints or natural wood floater frames) |
| Industrial | Either – canvas in black floater frames, wallpaper in concrete or brick patterns |
We Can Help With Both
- Canvas prints: We print, stretch, and deliver. Your photo. Our craftsmanship.
- Wallpaper: We don’t sell wallpaper – but we can recommend local suppliers and installers we trust.
And if you want a canvas print to hang over your new wallpaper, we’ll make sure the frame complements the pattern.
Final Verdict: Which One Wins?
There’s no winner. There’s only what works for your wall.
| Choose Canvas if… | Choose Wallpaper if… |
|---|---|
| You want one clear focal point | You want an entire room transformed |
| You want something personal (your photo) | You love pattern for pattern’s sake |
| You might move within 2‑3 years | You’re staying long‑term |
| Your room has moisture (kitchen, bathroom) | Your room is dry and well‑ventilated |
| You’re on a tighter budget | You have room in your budget for installation |
| You have kids or pets | You have gentle, careful household traffic |
And if you’re still unsure? Start with a canvas print. You can always add wallpaper later. The reverse is much messier.
Have a specific wall you’re struggling with? WhatsApp us a photo. We’ll give you an honest opinion – canvas, wallpaper, or both – no charge, no obligation.
Art On Anything – Art That Speaks
*Hand-stretched in Pretoria. 30mm chunky wood. Ready to hang.*