Grasscloth wallpaper is a unique solution to accent a wall or give interest and elegance to a whole space. Let’s find out more about this unique type of wallpaper, its features, pros and cons to understand whether you want to use it in your interiors or not.
What’s Grasscloth Wallpaper?
Grasscloth wallpaper is wallpaper made of fibers of arrowroot, bamboo hemp, jute, raffia, reeds, and sea grass hand-woven together in a complex framework typically using lightweight cotton threads and fastened on a thin rice paper backing. The specific pattern of the grasscloth can either be horizontal or vertical, although horizontal is the most popular style of grasscloth pattern.
A beautiful dining room with grey grasscloth wallpaper and planked wainscoting, a white stone dining table, wooden chairs and a brass chandelier.
A bedroom with black grasscloth wallpaper walls, a bold printed bed and a wall sconce, a stained nightstand.
A bold and refined living room with blue grasscloth wallpaper, an antique fireplace, a mirror in an ornated frame, wall sconces and exquisite furniture.
A bold refined bedroom with a purple ceiling and purple grasscloth wallpaper, a gold crushed velvet bed, black nightstands, gold touches.
A bright home office with green grasscloth wallpaper, a pink desk, a yellow chair, a beaded chandelier and a brass storage unit.
Price
Whilst the process of weaving no doubt gives grasscloth wallpaper its distinctive, earthly aesthetic, the labor intensive nature of the product is also reflected in its price tag. Indeed, one roll of authentic grasscloth wallpaper in the UK costs on average anywhere between £100 and £300, so it is unsurprising that this kind of wall covering is most often found in more luxurious homes and high-end hotels.
A catchy dining room with navy grasscloth wallpaper, white wainscoting, a grey dining table, grey chevron chairs, a bold artwork and a chic chandelier.
A catchy kitchen with yellow grasscloth wallpaper, a white kitchen island, pendant lamps and a bold artwork.
A chic dining room with tan grasscloth wallpaper, a grey sectional, blue chairs and coffee tables plus a gallery wall of mirrors.
A chic living room with blue grasscloth wallpaper, a neutral sofa and a blue chair plus a refined gold chandelier.
A contasting dining room with black grasscloth wallpaper, creamy furniture, built-in shelves and a mirror in a black frame.
Imperfection
Every roll of grasscloth wallpaper will be different, with its own distinctive pattern and texture. The fibers will vary in size and shade between rolls (even when bought from the same batch, in the same color and pattern). These inconsistencies are not defects in the product, but rather a function of the manual production process and the natural materials from which it is constructed (with the dye taking unevenly, depending on the fibers).
The inconsistencies in both texture and color mean that it will be possible to distinguish between each strip of wallpaper when it is on the wall and the seams between strips will also be subtly visible. If you prefer strict uniformity, traditional wallpaper may be a safer choice.
A cozy dining nook with neutral grasscloth wallpaper, a creamy banquette seating, a round marble table and a cane storage unit.
A lovely neutral dining room with farmhouse touches, with greige grasscloth wallpaper, a trestle table and neutral chairs and a tassel chandelier.
A mid-century modern dining room with a brown grasscloth wallpaper accent wall, a lit up ceiling, a glass table and grey chairs.
A mid-century modern dining space with tan grasscloth wallpaper, a stained table and credenza, pretty chairs and a vintage chandelier.
A modern and vintage dining room with a grey grasscloth wallpaper, a gallery wall, shelves and a credenza, a dining table and grey chairs.
Earthy Scent
Grasscloth wallpaper has the subtle smell of grass. This natural and earthy scent will fade with time and is, for many, part of the appeal of authentic grasscloth. Whilst not an overpowering smell, it is worth bearing in mind when considering whether grasscloth wallpaper is the right choice for you.
Cons And Ways To Minimize Them
Grasscloth wallpaper is very delicate. It is far more prone to ripping and tearing, and it scratches more easily, than traditional wallpaper. Its texture (and grassy scent) also make it a very attractive scratching post for cats. For this reason, think carefully before placing grasscloth wallpaper in a hallway or entrance (where it may receive knocks from passersby or furniture) or in a room where small children or pets are likely to paw at it.
Instead, consider using grasscloth in a bedroom or on a single wall as a focal point. You could also install grasscloth wallpaper above chair rail molding or wainscoting (rather than down the full height of the room), to keep it out of reach of little hands and claws.
A modern neutral bedroom with tan grasscloth wallpaper, elegant neutral furniture, a crushed velvet rug and a chic pendant lamp.
A moody and refined vintage dining room with black grasscloth wallpaper, dark-stained vintage furniture, a mirror in an ornated frame and a crystal chandelier.
A moody living room with graphite grey grasscloth wallpaper, a built-in fireplace with a black surround, mauve chairs and neutral ottomans.
A pretty dining space with a green grasscloth wallpaper wall, a catchy printed banquette, a sunburst lamp and a round table.
A simple dining space with green grasscloth wallpaper, a dark-stained table, wire chairs and a yarn ball lamp.
Grasscloth wallpaper is also very absorbent and that makes it prone to staining. Most substances and liquids (including water) will leave a mark on it, meaning that it is harder to clean than traditional wall coverings, which can typically be wiped with a damp cloth. As such, think carefully before installing it in a kitchen, bathroom or powder room or, if you have small children who like to draw on your walls, in a room – or at a height – they can access. If you are keen to use grasscloth wallpaper in a kitchen, bathroom or water closet though, there are several precautionary measures you can take. These include placing the wallpaper high up on the wall (so that errant splashes and splatters won’t reach it) and installing a powerful extractor fan (to minimize damp and steam settling on the wallpaper too long). Be careful also to ensure that the wallpaper is not in contact with any plumbing fixtures.
As a natural material, grasscloth wallpaper is porous, so in addition to liquids, it absorbs and holds scents. The smell of tobacco and strong food odors, such as fish, cooking fats, spices and fried food, will linger on the walls. In this respect, grasscloth wallpaper can be likened to having fabric drapes that cannot be taken out periodically and cleaned.
A small and cozy home gym styled with neutral grasscloth wallpaper, a stone floor, green tufted chairs and a table lamp.
A stylish dining room with navy grasscloth wallpaper, white wainscoting, a stained wooden table and a credenza and white chairs.
A vintage dining room with green grasscloth wallpaper, a dark-stained dining table, neutral and dark chairs and a brass chandelier.
A vintage dining room with navy grasscloth wallpaper, a dark-stained dining table, striped chairs, a crystal chandelier and greenery.
A vintage living room with black grasscloth wallpaper, creamy chairs and a chic gallery wall and a vintage chandelier.
As we mentioned, grasscloth is made from natural materials, including arrowroot, seagrass and reed. If you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies, faux grasscloth wallpaper may be a better choice.
As a natural, untreated material, grasscloth wallpaper is more sensitive to the sunlight than traditional coverings. This is particularly true of grasscloth wallpapers in darker colors. If exposed to direct sunlight, the wallpaper will fade and bleach out with time. As such, consider installing the wallpaper in an interior room in the house that gets less natural light or one with blackout blinds or curtains, that can be drawn during the day. Alternatively, you may prefer to extend the life of your grasscloth wallpaper by investing in additional window treatments, such as the installation on the glass of a clear UV ray filtering film.
A vintage neutral dining room with light grey grasscloth wallpaper, a vintage wooden table and credenza, neutral upholstered chairs and a vintage chandelier.
An airy dining room with grey grasscloth wallpaper and wainscoting, a reclaimed wood table, lilac chairs and a boho mirror.
An airy neutral bedroom with light grey grasscloth wallpaper, a dove grey bed and grey nightstands, a printed rug and blush curtains.
An eclectic dining room with graphite grey grasscloth wallpaper and white wainscoting, a whitewashed table, mismatching chairs and bold art and accessories.
Installing natural grasscloth wallpaper can be a complicated, expensive and time-consuming process, requiring specialized expertise and tools. We recommend hiring a professional paper hanger, who has experience with this particular kind of wall covering. In particular, the walls will need more preparation than when dealing with traditional or faux grasscloth wallpaper. Depending on the age of the wall and plaster, the wall should ideally be sealed with an acrylic pigmented primer. This will prevent leakage from moisture that is already in the wall from discoloring the grasscloth. You should also think about painting the underlying liner the same color as your grasscloth. This is because grasscloth expands and contracts, depending on moisture levels in your interior. Painting the liner minimizes the risk that the white liner paper will show through the seams, if this happens.
The fact that grasscloth expands when wet also makes it harder to install than traditional or faux grasscloth wallpaper. Professionals experienced with grasscloth may choose to lightly wet the back of the sheets with water beforehand, to allow it to expand in advance, avoiding air bubbles forming on the wall and large sections of the paper needing to be smoothed out and readjusted later – which can be especially tricky, as grasscloth is so prone to tearing.
An elegant neutral living room done with tan grasscloth wallpaper, a stylish fireplace, neutral furniture, beautiful artworks and potted plants.
An elegant vintage living room with brown grasscloth wallpaper, a built-in fireplace with a chic mantel, a dark green daybed, a grey sofa, a vintage white table.
An exquisite vintage bathroom with taupe grasscloth wallpaper, white wainscoting, a clawfoot tub, a vintage free-standing sink and Roman shades.